Over the centuries, Zell am See has developed from a small village into a popular holiday destination. In the 19th century, Zell am See was still a market and was originally called "Zelle im Pinzgau". Presumably because the town soon spread out along the shores of Lake Zell and became the heart of the entire region early on.The beginning of the triumphant advance of tourism in Zell am See was marked by the construction of the railway line through Zell am See in 1875. With this important connection in terms of transport, the town and the region were developed and became known as a pearl of recreation between mountain and lake.