zell am see, austria
Zell am See, like many settlements in Austria, was originally a way station built by monks on a trade route between north and south. The inhabitants of the area around the Zeller lake took part in the trade themselves - transporting salt and wine in alternate directions.
The construction of the Giselabahn railway in the 19th century provided an
impulse for the development of the town as a tourist destination and the first
lift was built to the Schmittenhöhe in the early 20th century. Since then,
further expansion of the facilities in the mountains around Zell am See have
boosted the number of visitors to the area to over 2 million overnight stays
per year.
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information about Hotels in Zell
am See
The town is larger than most ski resorts and best comparable to ski towns
such as Kitzbühel and Chamonix. The road tunnel under the town has alleviated
some traffic problems (as the town is an important transport junction) and
the pedestrian centre provides some respite from vehicles.
The skiing can be accessed from the centre of the town, from the suburb of
Schüttdorf (a generally cheaper option for those on a budget) and from
the base of the Schmittenhöhe itself where there is also a cluster of
pensions and hotels a couple of kilometres outside the town centre.
More information about Skiing in Zell am See
The access to Zell am See is relatively straightforward with vehicle access
from Salzburg, Munich and Innsbruck mostly by motorway and then by a variety
of local roads. The railway station lies on a direct link between Innsbruck
and Salzburg.
More information about Travel to Zell
am See
