Austria with kids: The best things to do in Zell am See / Kaprun

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The Zell am See / Kaprun region, nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps, has loads on offer for a fun family holiday with the kids. It’s a stunning destination perfect for families looking to combine outdoor adventure with serene natural beauty. We stayed at Sportcamp Woferlgut – so click through to read my full review – and it was a great base for our trip. Whether your family loves hiking, wildlife, alpine rollercoasters, or simply taking in breathtaking views – there’s no shortage of exciting things to see and do with the kids in Austria.

Zell am See to Kaprun

Zell am See and Kaprun are neighbouring towns – located just a short distance from each other – making it very convenient to travel between them to make the most of what they both have to offer. The distance between the two is roughly around 5 miles, and the journey only takes about 10 minutes by car or 20 minutes by bus. So, there’s no need to choose between Kaprun or Zell am See – you can make the most of both! We really loved our stay in Austria and I hope you will too. Here are some of the best things to do in Zell am See / Kaprun, and the surrounding area, with kids ensuring that your family holiday is packed with unforgettable experiences.

1. Walk along Sigmund Thun Klamm

One of the most captivating natural wonders in the area is Sigmund Thun Klamm. This picturesque gorge, carved out by the Kaprun River over thousands of years, is an easy yet thrilling walk that takes you through towering rock walls and alongside roaring waterfalls. Walking on wooden walkways and bridges, the kids will love the adventure of navigating the narrow paths and peering into the crystal-clear pools below. The walk isn’t too long, making it a family-friendly excursion too – just make sure you wear rain coats as the mist from the waterfalls will get you wet!

A family ticket for the gorge is just €16 and with the guest discount booklet (that you should get given when you arrive if you’re staying locally) the price is reduced to €14. (Make sure you have a good flick through as there are reductions for loads of local attractions and things like boat rides across Lake Zell.) Sigmund Thun Gorge is just a few minutes away from the Kaprun area, so it’s a great activity to combine with a trip on the Alpine Coaster.

2. Ride the Maisi Flitzer Alpine Coaster

Speaking of the Alpine Coaster – you can’t visit Zell am See with kids without taking a ride on Kaprun’s Maisi Flitzer! This alpine roller coaster is sure to get your heart racing as you zoom down the mountainside at exhilarating speeds. You control the pace, so whether the kids want to go fast or take it slow, it’s a fun experience for all ages. The ride is 1.3km long and offers beautiful views as you race down. Even younger kids can enjoy the Maisi Flitzer, as they can ride with an adult, making it a great activity for the whole family. The area around the coaster is packed with other activities too, such as playgrounds, so you can easily spend a full afternoon there enjoying the fresh mountain air.

It’s probably a little bit pricey for ten minutes of entertainment but we all loved it so it was worth it for the experience! A family ticket (for two adults, two children) is a bit cheaper than individual tickets and cost us €38. The coaster is open year-round, so whether you visit during the summer or enjoy a snowy winter ride, it’s always exciting! The Maisi Flitzer is also located at the base of the Maiskogelbahn, so you can pair it with a scenic chairlift ride up the mountain too – if you want to do both save money by purchasing a combined ticket. Parking is free in the car park near the ticket office.

3. Take the kids to Wild & Adventure Park Ferleiten

For families with little animal lovers, Wild & Adventure Park Ferleiten is a must-visit. Located near the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, this park is home to over 200 native alpine animals, including deer, marmots, lynxes and even brown bears. The large enclosures allow you to see these beautiful creatures in a natural setting and, in addition to the wildlife, there’s a huge adventure park for the kids with 40 rides! With picnic areas and a restaurant on-site too, it’s easy to spend a full day there. Wild & Adventure Park Ferleiten is a great place to take the kids if you’re looking for lots of fun things for them to do and it’s just a 20 minute drive from the Zell am See area. It’s really affordable too with adult tickets at €11 and kids just €6 – it’s a very budget friendly family day out.

4. Enjoy everything on offer at Lake Zell

Of course, no visit to Zell am See would be complete without spending time by the stunning Lake Zell. You can park right next to it at Parkhaus Zentrum for €3 an hour – and that’ll put you in the heart of it all. This crystal-clear lake is the jewel of the region and offers plenty of ways to relax and explore. You can rent a pedal boat, electric boat, or even hop on a scenic cruise to enjoy the lake from the water. On a hot summer’s day, the refreshing water is perfect for a swim, and there are several public lidos with pools, play areas and sunbathing spots too.

If your family prefers to stay dry, there are lovely paths around the lake that are ideal for a leisurely bike ride or walk. The surrounding mountain views create a magical backdrop, and picnicking by the lake is a peaceful way to enjoy some downtime while the kids splash in the shallows. In the evenings, the lake comes alive with free laser shows that the kids will love. The music is rotated regularly – and there are three shows a week with different music themes – it begins at 9.30pm over the summer, and 9pm later in the season. Finn and Lola really enjoyed the Lake Zell magic light show we watched, set to Austrian pop music.

5. Take a cable car to Kitzsteinhorn Mountain

Another highlight of the region is the towering Kitzsteinhorn Mountain, known as ‘the top of Salzburg’, a glacier that offers year-round activities and incredible views. Take the cable car up to the summit and be prepared to be wowed by the panoramic views over the snow-capped peaks – you can get to Kitzsteinhorn directly from Kaprun. Even in summer, there’s snow at the top, and kids will love the opportunity to have a snowball fight or try out snow tubing in the summer snow park.

The “Gipfelwelt 3000” viewing platform is a fantastic spot for family photos, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can embark on a glacier hike with a guide. Dress warmly, as it can get cold at such high altitudes! This is one of the pricier activities to do with kids in the Zell am See / Kaprun area, but a once in a lifetime experience, and it’s more affordable than some other similar experiences. Visiting Kitzsteinhorn Glacier currently works out around at around £150 for a family of four, whereas when we visited Jungfraujoch Glacier in Switzerland it cost us more than double that. So, if you want to do a glacier visit, Austria is definitely a more budget friendly place to do so.

6. Hike to Krimml Waterfalls

About an hour’s drive from Zell am See, Krimml Waterfalls are the tallest waterfalls in Europe, cascading down 380m. The trail takes you alongside the falls – offering numerous viewpoints where you can get up close to the rushing water – and on sunny days rainbows often appear in the mist adding to the magical atmosphere. But, if the climb is a bit much for the kids, you can also get a ride to the top. While the lower part of the waterfall is easily accessible, more adventurous families can hike higher up for even more breathtaking views. At the base of the falls, the interactive museum provides a hands-on experience that teaches children about the power of water. Just bring a waterproof jacket as the mist from the falls can leave you damp, but it’s all part of the adventure.

Is it worth going to Zell am See / Kaprun?

We thought the Zell am See / Kaprun area was a great base for a family holiday, offering a mix of thrilling activities for the kids, stunning views and plenty of opportunities for relaxation too. From hiking through Sigmund Thun Klamm, to racing down Kaprun’s alpine coaster, exploring the wildlife at Wild and Adventure Park Ferleiten or swimming in a lake, a family holiday in Zell am See promises to be full of lasting memories. This region of Austria is a great place for some fun adventures with the kids, and we found everything surprisingly budget friendly too.

Where is the best place to stay in Zell am See / Kaprun with kids?

If you’re looking for an incredible place to stay with the kids in Zell am See, I would definitely recommend Sportcamp Woferlgut. Not only was it only about ten minutes to most of the sights, it was a fabulous place to stay. The private lake absolutely blew us away – head through a little tunnel at the edge and you’ll find the most glorious swimming lake with a tight rope, balance beams, a huge obstacle course and plenty of sun beds. Finn and Lola loved it so much!

It was really geared up for families with lots to keep the kids entertained. There was also an indoor games with a pool table, table tennis, a football table and arcade type games – we had great fun in the evenings playing in there. It was a very family-friendly campsite – and we paid just £75 per night for our holiday home booked through Eurocamp which was brilliant value for money. Find my full review here: Eurocamp Holiday Review: Sportcamp Woferlgut, Zell am See, Salzburgerland, Austria.

Zell am See to Salzburg

If you’re planning a day trip from Zell am See, Salzburg is a fantastic option just 90 minutes away. The journey is about 85 km and, if you’re road tripping or hiring a car, the drive is easy with beautiful mountain views and the picturesque Austrian countryside. If you’re using public transport, trains run regularly from Zell am See to Salzburg. It’s an affordable and convenient way to travel, taking just under two hours, with lovely views along the way.