Kaprun Valley | Top Sights, Summer Card & Hotels

The picturesque Kaprun Valley (Kaprunertal), home to the colossal high-altitude Kaprun reservoirs and dams, forms the heart of the world-famous Zell am See – Kaprun holiday region. Nestled in the Pinzgau district of Salzburgerland, this central alpine haven is surrounded by breathtaking glaciers, emerald mountain lakes, and dramatic gorges, all situated within short driving distances of one another. Thanks to its superb infrastructure and scenic beauty, it is one of the most popular bases for travelers embarking on a holiday in Salzburgerland.

You can discover our handpicked recommendations in our guide to recommended hotels in Salzburgerland, or browse accommodations across Zell am See – Kaprun on Booking.com. If you are specifically interested in the lakeside resort area of Zell am See, be sure to read our dedicated guide to Lake Zell and the town of Zell am See.

In this guide, we focus specifically on the alpine village of Kaprun, its premier attractions, summer discount cards, and best lodging options.

The Alpine Town of Kaprun

Kaprun is nestled on the northern slopes of the Hohe Tauern mountain range at the foot of the mighty Kitzsteinhorn Glacier. This lively alpine town is a year-round sports and recreation hub, located roughly 1.5 to 2 hours’ drive south of Salzburg Airport.

Right in the town center, families will find the Maiskogel Family Mountain, complete with the thrilling Maisi Flitzer alpine coaster and family leisure park, as well as the MK Maiskogelbahn gondola connecting directly upward to the Kitzsteinhorn 3K K-onnection lift system.

On the outskirts of town sits the renowned Tauern Spa World, an expansive 20,000 m² thermal spa and wellness resort featuring indoor and outdoor heated pools, saunas, and family water worlds.

With Lake Zell, the Sigmund Thun Gorge, and high-altitude hiking nearby, Kaprun is one of Austria’s most rewarding home bases.

Recommended Accommodations in Kaprun

Because Kaprun is exceptionally popular among international travelers, the valley offers a wide array of high-quality hotels, cozy alpine pensions, and modern serviced holiday apartments. Here are top-rated properties in and around Kaprun known for great locations and exceptional value for money:

PEOPLE’S Hotel – Chic contemporary design hotel right by the Maiskogel lift. Includes the Zell am See – Kaprun Summer Card!
Boutique Hotel Pinzgauerhof – Cozy, authentic Austrian hospitality with comfortable rooms and scenic mountain views.
Familienappartements Eder – Spacious, well-equipped apartments ideal for families traveling with children.
Art Apart Nomay – Stylish, modern self-catering apartments with mountain vistas. Includes the Zell am See – Kaprun Summer Card!
Apartmán Fürth – Peaceful holiday apartment offering privacy and scenic tranquility between Zell and Kaprun.
Pension Baranekhof B&B – Charming bed and breakfast with warm hospitality and panoramic alpine balconies.
Tauern Spa Hotel & Therme – Luxurious 4-star superior wellness resort with direct, unlimited access to the thermal spa complex.
Aparthotel Waidmannsheil – Central 4-star aparthotel featuring private saunas and kitchenettes. Includes the Zell am See – Kaprun Summer Card!
VÖTTER’S Hotel – Elegant hotel boasting an on-site vintage car museum, wellness spa, and fine dining. Includes the Zell am See – Kaprun Summer Card!
Hartweger House – Quiet, family-run holiday apartments surrounded by green alpine meadows.
JUFA Hotel Kaprun – Modern, budget-friendly family hotel offering functional rooms, indoor play areas, and great value. Includes the Zell am See – Kaprun Summer Card!

Charming Villages Nearby for a Peaceful Stay

Prefer a quieter stay? Neighboring villages offer peaceful alpine apartments within 10 minutes of all regional attractions:

Thumersbach – Located along the quiet sunny eastern shore of Lake Zell.
Niedernsill – Relaxed alpine village with a scenic swimming lake.
Piesendorf – Traditional village located right next door to Kaprun.
Walchen – Authentic rural hamlet surrounded by pastoral farms.
Uttendorf – Family-friendly base at the gateway to the Weißsee Glacier world.

Find Your Ideal Stay in Zell am See – Kaprun:
Accommodations in the region fill up quickly, especially during July and August. To save you time, we pre-configured filtered searches on Booking.com and Hotels.com. We have already set the essential quality filters (prime location, high guest scores, and modern amenities).

The Zell am See – Kaprun Summer Card (Sommerkarte)

From mid-May through the end of October, guests staying at designated partner accommodations receive the exclusive Zell am See – Kaprun Summer Card. This card cannot be purchased separately! It is provided completely free of charge upon check-in only when booking with participating partner hotels, guesthouses, and apartments.

The card is personalized per guest and offers free unlimited (or single) access to the region’s most famous attractions, including:

Kaprun High Mountain Reservoirs (Stauseen) – Free entry and mountain bus transfer
Kitzsteinhorn Glacier & Top of Salzburg – Free cable car ascent to over 3,000 meters
Schmittenhöhe Mountain – Free cable car rides in Zell am See
Maiskogel Family Mountain – Free gondola ride
Sigmund Thun Gorge (Sigmund-Thun-Klamm) – Free admission
Kitzloch Gorge (Kitzlochklamm) – Free admission
Lake Zell Boat Cruises – Free lake cruise round-trip
Lido Beach Pools & Indoor Pools – Free access around Lake Zell

Booking a hotel that includes this summer card can easily save a family hundreds of euros during their stay!
Learn more about the Summer Card & participating attractions.

Top Attractions in and Around Kaprun

Beyond the village center and the thermal pools of Tauern Spa, Kaprun boasts several world-class alpine attractions within a 15-minute radius that should not be missed:

1. The High Mountain Reservoirs of Kaprun (Kaprun Stauseen)

Perched in the Hohe Tauern range at over 2,000 meters, the Mooserboden and Wasserfallboden dams are a stunning engineering marvel. Visitors ride a mountain shuttle and Europe’s largest open-air elevator (Lärchwand Schrägaufzug) to view turquoise waters framed by glaciers.

Guided dam interior tours, alpine herbal nature walks, and scenic lakeside trails make this an absolute must-visit in summer. Read our complete visitor guide to the Kaprun High Mountain Reservoirs.

2. Kitzsteinhorn Glacier & “Top of Salzburg”

Just a short drive or ski bus ride from the town center, the majestic Kitzsteinhorn Glacier rises to an elevation of 3,203 meters. It offers the extraordinary Top of Salzburg viewing platform (at 3,029 meters). This is the highest accessible vantage point in the entire federal state of Salzburg. Visitors can venture through the National Park Gallery tunnel inside the mountain, play in year-round natural snow at the Ice Arena, and take in jaw-dropping views of Austria’s highest peaks, including the Grossglockner. Read our guide to Kitzsteinhorn Glacier and the Top of Salzburg.

3. Sigmund Thun Gorge & Lake Klammsee

Located minutes from Kaprun, the Sigmund-Thun-Klamm is a dramatic 320-meter gorge carved by the Kapruner Ache. Visitors walk along sturdy wooden boardwalks and bridges suspended over roaring waterfalls and swirling rock pools. At the end of the gorge walk, you emerge at the stunningly tranquil Klammsee, an alpine reservoir with sparkling turquoise waters. It is perfect for a peaceful circular stroll and playground picnic. Read our complete guide to hiking the Sigmund Thun Gorge.

4. Lake Zell & the Town of Zell am See

Just 10 to 15 minutes north of Kaprun, Zell am See features a historic lakeside town center with scenic promenades, boutique shopping, and dining. In summer, visitors can enjoy Lake Zell by taking scenic cruises, renting electric boats, or swimming at the lido beaches. Explore our in-depth guide to Zell am See and Lake Zell or check out 13 fantastic things to do in Zell am See.

More Day Trips from Kaprun

Kaprun’s central geographical position makes it an ideal launching point for some of Austria’s greatest alpine road trips and excursions:

Grossglockner High Alpine Road: Austria’s most famous panoramic mountain road begins just 40 minutes south in Fusch. An unforgettable day trip across 48 kilometers of hairpin curves leading to the Pasterze Glacier and Mount Grossglockner (3,798 m).
The Gastein Valley (Gasteinertal): Located about 45 minutes east, offering grand Belle Époque spa towns (Bad Gastein), thermal baths (Alpentherme and Felsentherme), and the dramatic suspension bridge at Stubnerkogel. On your way there, be sure to stop at the impressive Kitzloch Gorge (Kitzlochklamm).
Wildkogel Arena Slide Path: Located slightly west in the Pinzgau valley, featuring Europe’s longest slide trail with 10 stainless steel tunnel slides leading down the mountain for ultimate family fun.
Krimml Waterfalls (Krimmler Wasserfälle): The highest waterfalls in Europe, plunging 380 meters across three tiers of roaring glacial spray, located about 50 minutes west of Kaprun.