Zell am See

Zell am See is the administrative capital of the Zell am See District in the Austrian state of Salzburg. Located in the Kitzbühel Alps, the town is an important tourist destination due to its ski resorts and shoreline on Lake Zell. While Zell am See has been a favored winter and summer resort for the European aristocracy since the 19th century, it is known as a hub of the international jet set today.

Zell am See is one of the most visited places in Austria, attracting millions of tourists every year. The town is well-known for its natural beauty, its historic charm, and its vibrant atmosphere. Zell am See is a year-round destination, with different seasons offering different attractions and experiences. In winter, Zell am See is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders, with access to the Ski Amadé network, one of the largest ski areas in Europe. In summer, Zell am See is a haven for hikers, bikers, and water sports enthusiasts, with numerous trails, paths, and activities on and around Lake Zell. In spring and autumn, Zell am See is a perfect place to enjoy the changing colors of nature, the mild weather, and the cultural events and festivals.

Zell am See is situated in the Pinzgau region of Salzburg, at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level. The town covers an area of 55 square kilometers, and has a population of about 10,000 inhabitants. Zell am See is bordered by the Hohe Tauern mountain range to the south, the Kitzbühel Alps to the north, and the Salzach valley to the east. The town is divided into five districts: Zell am See, Schüttdorf, Thumersbach, Erlberg, and Schmitten. The town’s name means “cell by the lake”, referring to the Benedictine monastery that was founded here in the 8th century.

Zell am See has a continental climate, with four distinct seasons. The average annual temperature is 8.6°C, with the warmest month being July (18.4°C) and the coldest month being January (-1.6°C). The average annual precipitation is 1,066 mm, with the wettest month being August (144 mm) and the driest month being December (58 mm). The town enjoys an average of 1,978 hours of sunshine per year, with the sunniest month being July (239 hours) and the cloudiest month being November (98 hours).

As of January 1, 2023, Zell am See have a population of 10,213 people, of which 5,038 were male and 4,991 were female. The majority of the population (86.6%) were Austrian citizens, while the rest (13.4%) were foreign nationals, mainly from Germany, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. The predominant religion in Zell am See was Roman Catholicism (74.4%), followed by Islam (8.9%), Protestantism (3.2%), and other or none (13.5%). The official language in Zell am See was German, but many residents also spoke English, Turkish, Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian.