in Zell am See-Kaprun
Family Time by Lake Zell: Why You Should Spend Your Summer Holiday with Children at GRAND HOTEL ZELL AM SEE
A summer holiday with children should be full of variety while still leaving plenty of time to relax together. GRAND HOTEL ZELL AM SEE offers the perfect setting for both. The 4-star-superior hotel is situated on a private peninsula directly on Lake Zell, just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre. Swimming, playing, cycling, hiking and exciting family excursions – many adventures begin right outside the hotel.
Swimming and Family Comfort at the Hotel
On warm summer days, our private beach is a favourite place for families. The gently sloping access makes it easy for younger children to enter Lake Zell, while parents can relax and enjoy views of the water and the surrounding mountains.
If the weather is less inviting, our indoor pool in the CLASSIC SPA awaits. This family-oriented spa area features a separate toddler pool and allows guests to enjoy swimming together whatever the weather.
A pirate playground is also located only around 100 metres from the hotel, where young adventurers can climb, play and explore to their hearts’ content.
Pedal boats and stand-up paddleboards are available to hotel guests free of charge at our private beach, subject to availability – perfect for discovering Lake Zell together from the water.
Kids’ Club and Supervised Family Time
During the peak season, our Kids’ Club is open five days a week from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Children between the ages of three and ten can look forward to a varied programme featuring games, creative activities and shared experiences.
While the children are in good hands, parents can enjoy a relaxed dinner, unwind on the lakeside terrace or spend some quiet time at the GRANDSPA. The programme and exact days of childcare depend on the season and are announced at the hotel.
Family-Friendly Accommodation and Dining
A selection of family rooms and suitable connecting room combinations is available for holidays with children. Our younger guests are also well catered for at mealtimes, with child-friendly dishes and a dedicated children’s menu offering something for every young gourmet.
To help families travel with less luggage, we provide a selection of baby-care products and children’s equipment free of charge, subject to availability. These include, for example:
Baby bath
Changing mat
Potty
High chair
Baby cot
Other practical family accessories
Depending on the season and the offer booked, up to two children aged 11 or under can stay free of charge in their parents’ room. The applicable child discounts and offer conditions are displayed during the booking process.
The Best Summer Excursions around Zell am See
The Zell am See-Kaprun region offers numerous family attractions that combine nature, exercise and child-friendly entertainment. Some are ideal for a half-day excursion, while others can easily fill an entire holiday day.
Family Adventures on the Schmittenhöhe
The areitXpress cable car takes families comfortably into the mountains. Around the top station, Schmidolin’s adventure world awaits with the “Schmidolin’s Baptism of Fire” themed hiking trail. Children solve tricky puzzles, complete small challenges and record their achievements in an adventure pass. Play stations and wooden marble runs provide even more fun along the way.
In addition to the themed trail, the Schmittenhöhe offers family-friendly hiking routes, play areas, welcoming mountain huts and impressive viewpoints. One particular highlight is the Kaiserblick panoramic viewing platform at the summit. From here, families can admire Lake Zell and more than 30 surrounding peaks above 3,000 metres. Further information is available from the Schmittenhöhe cable car company.
Ferleiten Wildlife and Adventure Park
The Ferleiten Wildlife and Adventure Park is situated near the entrance to the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. Families can observe more than 200 animals from the Alps and other parts of the world. The adjoining adventure park features numerous play attractions spread across approximately 20,000 square metres.
Ferleiten combines wildlife encounters, exercise and entertainment to create a varied day out. Since summer 2026, the attractions have also included a small roller coaster, a quad rally, a mini wheel, a pirate swing and weather-independent 3D black-light miniature golf.
Cycling around Lake Zell
The approximately twelve-kilometre cycling route around Lake Zell is one of the region’s most enjoyable family activities. The route is largely flat and offers ever-changing views of the lake and mountains. Playgrounds, public beaches and places to stop for refreshments provide plenty of opportunities for a break along the way.
Rental bicycles are available at the hotel, subject to availability. As we do not have suitable bicycles for every child’s age and height, we recommend enquiring in advance. If required, our reception team will gladly help you find an appropriate local bicycle rental provider.
A Cruise on Board the MS Schmitten
Experiencing Lake Zell from the water is memorable for children and adults alike. The approximately 45-minute panoramic cruise aboard the MS Schmitten passes some of the most beautiful places around the lake.
The landing stage is located directly beside GRAND HOTEL ZELL AM SEE, making it easy to include a boat trip in your day – perhaps after breakfast, as a relaxing afternoon activity or in combination with a visit to Zell am See’s historic town centre.
Zell am See Lido and Indoor Pool
The Zell am See lido is located immediately beside the hotel and offers additional swimming and play facilities for families. When the weather is less summery, the indoor pool at the Zell am See leisure centre provides a convenient alternative. Both facilities are within easy walking distance of GRAND HOTEL ZELL AM SEE.
Gorges and Natural Attractions
On warm days, the region’s impressive gorges offer a refreshing change of scenery. Walkways and steps lead past steep rock faces, waterfalls and rushing mountain streams. Popular family destinations include:
Kitzlochklamm Gorge in Taxenbach
Seisenbergklamm Gorge in Weißbach bei Lofer
Vorderkaserklamm Gorge in St. Martin bei Lofer
Sigmund Thun Gorge in Kaprun
Vorderkaserklamm is particularly suitable for a full family excursion. Along the prehistoric adventure trail through the Schiedergraben valley, children encounter mammoths and sabre-toothed cats while learning fascinating facts about the Stone Age through play. There are also opportunities to cool off beside the water.
At the nearby refreshment stop, adults can relax and enjoy something to eat on the sunny terrace while children explore the large playground. Information about the trail, opening hours and current conditions is available from Vorderkaserklamm.
As the paths through the gorges include numerous steps and narrow walkways, they are unsuitable or only partially suitable for pushchairs. Sturdy footwear is strongly recommended.
Leogang Show Mine
At the Leogang Show Mine, families can discover the history of mining in the region. Guided tours lead through historic tunnels, and a ride on the original mining railway is also part of the experience.
Special children’s tours are offered on selected dates in July and August. According to the operator, children may participate in a mine tour from the age of five for safety reasons. Reservations are required, and opening times and guided tours may vary. Families should therefore plan their visit in advance with the Leogang Show Mine.
Maisi Flitzer and Maiskogel Family Park
Action and adventure await families in Kaprun. The Maisi Flitzer is a year-round Alpine coaster that races downhill through exciting bends and waves.
The Maiskogel Family and Leisure Park is located directly beside the bottom station of the MK Maiskogelbahn cable car. Its attractions include:
Slide paradise
Bouncy castle
Climbing wall
Carousel
Maisi painting wall
Nest swing and spring riders
Net bridge and children’s play equipment
The MK Maiskogelbahn also takes families comfortably up to an altitude of 1,570 metres. Another playground with a wooden marble run, climbing wall, slide and swings awaits near the top station. Easy hiking trails and several pushchair-friendly sections make the Maiskogel a varied destination for a family day out.
Treasure Hunting at the Edelsteinpark Niedernsill
Children can become treasure hunters at the Edelsteinpark Niedernsill. Numerous precious and semi-precious stones can be discovered in the gold and gemstone pool, Emerald Lake and the mineral beach – and young explorers may take their finds home with them.
The park also offers age-appropriate puzzles. Manni’s Animal Puzzle and the Pirate Puzzle are designed for younger children, while the Gemstone Puzzle is suitable for children aged eight and over. A visit to the Edelsteinpark can easily be combined with a ride on the Maisi Flitzer or a family day on the Maiskogel.
Miniature Golf Directly Beside the Hotel
An 18-hole miniature golf course is located at the Zell am See lido, directly beside GRAND HOTEL ZELL AM SEE. Children and adults can test their skills on a variety of entertaining courses and challenging obstacles. The miniature golf course is open depending on the weather and is ideal for a fun family activity without the need for a lengthy journey. Current information is available from Minigolf Zeller Strandbad.
Even More Family Experiences from Summer 2027
From summer 2027, GRAND HOTEL ZELL AM SEE will be an official partner of the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card. The card will be included in the accommodation price and issued automatically at check-in, either as a physical card or digitally via the app.
Families will benefit from numerous included experiences and discounts during their stay. Depending on the season, operating hours and current terms of use, these include:
Return cable car journeys to the Schmittenhöhe
Journeys on the areitXpress
Cable car journeys on the Kitzsteinhorn and Maiskogel
Boat trips on Lake Zell
Admission to selected gorges
Admission to the Leogang Show Mine
Admission to the Zell am See lido
Admission to the Zell am See indoor pool
Discounts at the Edelsteinpark Niedernsill
Discounts on selected family and children’s programmes in Zell am See-Kaprun
Special conditions apply to certain attractions during the peak summer season. Some services may only be used from 3:00 pm on the day of arrival or from the second day of the stay. Our reception team will be happy to provide information about current conditions, opening hours and any weather-related restrictions.
A Family Holiday between Lake and Mountains
Whether swimming at the hotel’s private beach, playing in the Kids’ Club, enjoying a leisurely boat cruise, searching for hidden treasures or setting off on a mountain adventure, a family holiday at GRAND HOTEL ZELL AM SEE combines relaxation by the water with the wide variety of experiences available throughout the region.
Thanks to our central lakeside location, many family activities can be planned spontaneously and without lengthy journeys. That leaves more time for what truly matters: creating lasting holiday memories together between the lake, mountains and nature.
