While staying in Salzburg, we took a day trip to the lakeside alpine town of Zell am See — and it was one of the most beautiful train rides we’ve ever taken.
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, deep valleys, and glacial-blue lakes, the journey was as memorable as the destination.
When we arrived, the town was covered in fog — but as the day went on, the clouds lifted and revealed a stunning view we won’t forget.
We caught the train from Salzburg to Zell am See, and for almost two hours we sat with our faces pressed to the windows.
The ride winds through valleys, past little villages, frozen lakes, and dramatic peaks — all blanketed in snow.
It felt like we were watching a real-life snow globe from inside a warm train car.
When we arrived in Zell am See, the entire lake was wrapped in a thick layer of fog.
We couldn’t see the water. We couldn’t see the mountains. Just outlines of buildings, soft snow, and a quiet stillness that made the whole town feel like a postcard in grayscale.
Rather than rush to find views, we just wandered.
Midday, something shifted.
The light changed, the sky started to glow, and slowly — piece by piece — the fog began to lift.
First the lake.
Then the mountains.
And finally the sun.
Suddenly, the town transformed.
Zell am See revealed itself as this breathtaking alpine village, wrapped around a frozen lake, with jagged snowy peaks towering all around.
As the fog cleared, we walked closer to the base of the mountain and watched skiers coming down the slopes. It was fun just standing there — people of all ages flying past, some fast, some cautious, all bundled up and clearly having a great time. Even though we didn’t ski ourselves, it was just as enjoyable to take it all in from the sidelines.
We didn’t come with a checklist — we just explored:
- Walked along the lake as it thawed into view
- Watched people ski and walk on snowy paths
- Found a warm café for coffee and apple strudel
- Sat and took in the silence, the scenery, and the kind of stillness that’s hard to find elsewhere
Even though we only spent a day in Zell am See, it gave us everything we love about travel:
a stunning journey, a peaceful place, and a quiet moment that turned into something unforgettable.
We’d go back in a heartbeat — fog or no fog.
