It’s hard to find unattractive places in Austria, but you can find absolutely breathtaking ones. In my opinion, Kaprun / Zell am See is one of them. These two towns are located in the Salzburg region on opposite sides of the highway that connects the southern part of Salzburg with Tyrol.
Before diving into the description of local attractions, I want to highlight an important practical detail—the invaluable local Summer Card. Valid from May 15 to October 31, it includes a significant number of lifts, thermal spas, museums, attractions, and other activities. Almost everything described below is either free or heavily discounted with this card, potentially saving a family hundreds of euros during their stay. You can get the card for free (!) from your accommodation in the area, provided that your hotel or apartment is a partner of the card. Make sure to check this when booking.
To get even a brief taste of this region’s beauty, without engaging in winter sports, it’s best to spend at least a week. We stayed for six days and still missed many of the things we had planned.
Zell am See is more famous as a resort, perched above Lake Zeller See, from which it takes its name. You can stroll along the promenade by the lake, and during the season, there are evening shows with singing fountains. The town also features a casino and other resort-like amenities. This seems to attract a large number of tourists from the Middle East, and in the summer months, the place can feel like a suburb of Tehran. Take note of this when planning your visit.
Kaprun is best known for its proximity to the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier (3,203 m), where snow stays year-round and skiing is possible for about 10 months of the year. The ascent to the glacier takes about an hour, using three lifts.
You can also take the 3K K-onnection cable car to the neighboring Maiskogel (not free, but discounted with the Summer Card). The views are absolutely stunning.
Additionally, with the card, you can ascend Maiskogel itself and, from Zell am See, the Schmittenhöhe. At the summits, there are numerous attractions, trails of varying difficulty—including family-friendly ones with games scattered along the way—viewpoints, and children’s attractions such as a ropes course, bike tracks, and more.
The card also includes one-time use of the alpine toboggan Maisi Flitzer, but I guarantee you won’t be able to resist paying for another ride or two!
One of our most impressive experiences was the Kaprun High Mountain Reservoirs system. From the parking lot, a bus takes you to a large cogwheel lift, which then brings you to another bus stop, and from there, the final bus takes you to the dam itself. The whole journey, without lines in the early morning off-season, takes about an hour each way. But it’s absolutely worth it—the place feels like it’s from another world.
I’ll share a few photos, but they won’t do it justice—you have to experience it for yourself. You can walk along the dam, visit the museum, or explore the plant trail. Or you can simply sit and take in the breathtaking view.
Not far from the entry point to the dams, you’ll find the Sigmund Thun Gorge. With the Summer Card, you can explore several similar spots, but we only did this one—it’s very easy and takes less than an hour. A wooden bridge winds between cliffs above the water, leading you to the mirror-like surface of a lake at the end. We love hikes like this and have done many, but this one is among the most beautiful. Unfortunately, it’s where my wife left her expensive sunglasses behind.
One of the region’s true gems is undoubtedly the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, which winds through the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park, leading to Austria’s highest peak of the same name. The road stretches 48 kilometers and offers breathtaking views of 14 peaks over 3,000 meters high. It’s one of those experiences that words simply can’t capture.
At the entrance, there’s the charming Ferleiten Wildlife & Adventure Park, with a zoo and play areas. We couldn’t get the kids to leave, even after closing time.
Less than an hour’s drive towards Tyrol is Krimml, home to the largest waterfall in Central Europe. You can see and hear the waterfall from afar; it consists of three cascades, and there’s a path that takes you up and down alongside it. At the base, there’s an interesting interactive museum called WORLDS OF Water (address: Oberkrimml, 5743 Krimml, Austria). To get a panoramic view of the entire waterfall from a distance, it’s worth driving a few kilometers up the road from the parking area to a scenic viewpoint.
On the way to Krimml, it’s worth stopping at Wildkogel Mountain, which features a fun play arena at the top. However, the real highlight is the descent. You can ride down a winding path on three-wheeled bikes with a low center of gravity and no pedals. It’s an extreme experience, especially if you don’t hit the brakes!
Another unique descent can be found at Maria Alm, north of Zell am See. It features 10 long metal slides, where you’re given a mat to glide down—an exhilarating experience! At the top, there’s also a large rope park and a lake with breathtaking 360-degree views.
In the same direction is Leogang, home to the Park of Senses for children at the summit.
(Note: These last two attractions aren’t included in the Summer Card but are part of the SalzburgerLand Card, which I’ll cover in a separate post.)
For some relaxation after all these adventures, I recommend TAUERN SPA Zell am See – Kaprun, an amazing spa. Additionally, the Summer Card includes access to a modest but nice pool in Zell am See and a beach on the lake itself, perfect for a sunny day.
The card also offers numerous other options, including a steam panoramic train, rafting, boat trips on the lake, museums (we visited two: the National Park Centre Mittersill and Vötter’s Vehicle Museum), and much more.
Overall, the region is stunning, and the Summer Card makes it even more accessible.
Happy travels!
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