zermatt tour guide

A complete guide for visiting Zermatt, Switzerland

• July 27, 2023
• curious goose

This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use these links, with no extra cost to you.

Zermatt in Switzerland is famous for the Matterhorn mountain, which is one of the highest summits in Europe and is instantly recognisable by its narrow peak (and from being on the Toblerone packet!). Seeing the Mattherhorn in Zermatt is one of the best things to in Switzerland and a must when visiting this beautiful country. This guide will cover everything you need to know about visiting Zermatt.

How to get to Zermatt? What is there to see and do in Zermatt?

1. See Switzerland’s famous Matterhorn mountain 2. Learn about the history of Zermatt 3. Go shopping on Zermatt’s main street 4. Snuggle up and enjoy a hot drink 5. Hit Zermatt’s ski slopes 6. Go Mountain biking 7. Go for a hike with views over Zermatt’s mountain ranges

What is there to do in Zermatt for families? When is the best time to visit Zermatt? What to pack for a visit to Zermatt? How many days do you need in Zermatt?

Looking for more inspiration? Check out some of my other recommendations for the best things to see and do in Switzerland .

A complete guide for visiting Zermatt, Switzerland – how to get there and the best things to do

Zermatt is a popular resort for skiing, hiking and mountain biking. Before planning your trip to Zermatt, you’ll need to know how to get there and what there is to do, so that you can plan how long to stay, so here is my handy guide complete with my top tips and recommendations for planning your visit to Zermatt.

How to get to Zermatt?

Zermatt is car free, so the only way to get there is by train or taxi (or helicopter if you’re feeling fancy!).

Täsch is the ‘jumping off’ point for everyone visiting Zermatt. From here you will need to either travel by train or taxi the rest of the way to Zermatt. If you have your own car, there are plenty of companies offering park and ride packages, where you park your car with them and they will take you by taxi to the entrance of Zermatt. The most popular method of transport is the Täsch – Zermatt shuttle train. The train only takes 12 minutes and runs frequently everyday, so no need to book. At the Täsch station, there is also a huge, secure car park which costs just 16 CHF (£14) per day. You can book ahead if you would like, but we just turned up and collected a ticket on entry.

Once you arrive in Zermatt, there are small electric shuttle taxis to take you to your accommodation if you are staying over, but to be honest, the town is small enough that it’s easy to walk the rest of the way, if you are able to.

The fact that Zermatt is car free means that you will need to plan a little more in terms of how to get there and which option works best for you, but the public transport is so easy and convenient and Zermatt is definitely worth visiting and the little bit extra planning you need to do get there is no hassle.

What is there to see and do in Zermatt?

1. see switzerland’s famous matterhorn mountain.

The Matterhorn is Zermatt’s main attraction, and luckily, you don’t have to do a long hike to see the famous mountain peak, which is great if you’re only visiting for the day! The Matterhorn can be seen from the town (we were lucky enough to see it from our hotel room!). If you don’t manage to get a room with a view, or you’re only visiting for the day, head to the church in the centre of Zermattt, where there is a viewing platform with a telescope to get a closer look.

2. Learn about the history of Zermatt

You can also find out about the history of the region and learn about mountaineers who have climbed the Matterhorn at the Matterhorn museum, next to the church. Entry to the museum is 10 CHF per person.

3. Go shopping on Zermatt’s main street

If you have some spare cash to spend, there are plenty of high end jewellery, watch and clothes shops in the town, as well as hiking and skiing equipment stores.

4. Snuggle up and enjoy a hot drink

A great way to spend the afternoon in Zermatt is to sit outside at a bar, snuggled under the warmth of a heater with a hot chocolate or aperitif. There’s some great places in the main town, but I would recommend heading slightly away from the main high street to Bergrestaurant Blatten which is surrounded by meadows and mountain views.

The town of Zermatt, Switzerland

5. Hit Zermatt’s ski slopes

Zermatt is a popular ski resort , even with first time skiers and beginners, and the winter season is the busiest time of year. Unfortunately I don’t ski or snowboard so for advice on the best slopes and runs for you, check out the Zermatt tourism board .

6. Go Mountain biking

During the summer months, Mountain biking is a popular activity in and around Zermatt. Again, for the best routes to suit your level, visit the Zermatt tourism board.

7. Go for a hike with views over Zermatt’s mountain ranges

There are so many hiking routes in Zermatt to choose from, and, once again, the Zermatt tourism website is a great place to research the best trail for you. We did two hikes in the two days we were in Zermatt, the 5 Lakes (5-Seeweg) trail and also an edited version of the Kulturweg trail, which is a great short trail, starting from the centre of Zermatt. Check out my post here for more detail on these two hikes.

What is there to do in Zermatt for families?

Child-friendly hikes, mountain biking routes and skiing aside, there’s lots to do for families in Zermatt. Just outside of town is the Forest Fun park, which has lots of activities such as a tree top adventure and climbing. There are also several smaller playgrounds around Zermatt.

If you want to venture a little further out of the main town, Leisee lake is another great choice for families. It is just a 10 minute walk from the funicular station at Sunnegga and has a beach, playground, barbeque areas and you can also swim in the lake in warmer, summer months. It offers great views of the Matterhorn too.

Check out some more activities and attractions in Zermatt:

When is the best time to visit Zermatt?

Zermatt can be visited all year round, with hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter months. Switzerland in the summer has a completely different feel compared to the winter. Once the snow has cleared, the landscape looks so different, and you can actually see the lakes and meadows. It’s beautiful.

For the best value, visit in the shoulder season. We went to Zermatt in early October, when the hiking season is coming to an end and the ski season is getting started. Going in the shoulder season means that accommodation is slightly cheaper and there are fewer crowds.

Be warned that visiting in the shoulder season can have some downfalls. When we visited in early October, some of the gondola routes were already closed for the season, which meant that certain hikes were not possible, but in all honesty, that didn’t cause us any concern as we were quite flexible on what hike we completed. There was also a little bit of construction on some of the hikes and in the town, as preparations for ski season were underway. Some of the restaurants (particularly the mountain chalets) were also closed, but again, this didn’t spoil the experience for us, as there was plenty open for us to choose from and still a great atmosphere.

What to pack for a visit to Zermatt?

What you pack will of course vary depending on the season you are visiting and the activity you will be doing, but you will definitely need to pack layers! The weather can vary in degrees very quickly from morning to afternoon and depending on what altitude you are at, so pack thin layers and take them with you.

You will need sun cream, even in the winter. Even when we went in October, the sun was so strong, and despite the weather being just 5 degrees, we found ourselves peeling off the layers once we got hiking, as the sun made us so warm!

Switzerland has some of the freshest water, meaning that not only can you drink the tap water, but it is also delicious! Make sure that you take a reusable water bottle to fill up before your day out, especially if you will be hiking all day.

Make sure that you pack plenty of snacks, especially if you are hiking out of season, as a lot of the mountain restaurants will be closed. There’s plenty of shops and bakeries in the town to grab supplies before you go.

If you’re hiking, make sure you have good, sturdy, supportive shoes and, depending on what route you take, hiking poles may be needed.

How many days do you need in Zermatt?

Again, this does depend on what activity you are wanting to do in Zermatt. If you simply want to see the Matterhorn and experience the town, then you can visit Zermatt on a day trip. Personally, I think that one day is too short. We spent two nights in Zermatt, meaning we had two full days. During that time, we managed to wander round the town, complete two hikes and enjoy the surroundings and atmosphere of the resort. If you enjoy hiking, I would recommend 2-3 nights in Zermatt in order for you to complete a couple of hikes. If you are in Zermatt for skiing, you may want to stay a little longer.

I hope you’ve found this guide useful when planning your trip to Zermatt. In my opinion, visiting Zermatt and seeing the famous Mattherhorn is a must in Switzerland and is one of the best things to do here!

Make sure to save this post for future reference!

Related Posts

8 Incredible things to do in Interlaken, Switzerland

How to visit the Giessbach waterfall, Switzerland

A guide for hiking the Panorama trail at Schynige Platt, Switzerland

Ultimate Travel Guide to Zermatt

Zermatt is a small ski village and region on the southern border of Switzerland neighbouring Italy and is the very essence of the term ‘winter wonderland.’ It’s so perfect and pristine that it resembles a film set rather than real life.

Everywhere you look in Zermatt, all you can see is snowy peaks, pine trees and cosy wooden ski chalets with everyone either relaxing with a hot chocolate in hand or pounding down mountains having the time of their lives.

Most visitors heading to Zermatt will want to see the Matterhorn mountain, which is famous for several reasons, including being the mountain on the wrapper of Toblerone chocolate bars and a ride at Disneyworld but there are plenty of other Zermatt winter activities and fun things to do.

Aside from all the amazing adrenaline-inducing winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding and hiking, there are some epic panoramic viewpoints, shopping streets and attractions.

Zermatt is the perfect option for an idyllic wintery break, especially if you feel like splashing out and treating yourself to a trip you’ll never forget. 

This ultimate Zermatt travel guide will include a Matterhorn guide as well as what to expect when visiting Zermatt, where to stay in Zermatt and what to do in Zermatt which will help you in planning a trip to Zermatt Switzerland.

Plan your trip?

Avoid hidden fees in the exchange rate while withdrawing from millions of ATMs abroad, paying in restaurants and shops, and buying your accommodation and flights using the Wise Card . You can hold up to 40+ currencies at once to spend in in over 150 countries, and convert them in real time with the free Wise app.

Need help planning your trip from start to finish? Check out these helpful links:

• Cheap flights
• Savings on accommodation from hostels to luxury hotels
• Affordable car rental options
• Affordable sightseeing tours and day trips
• Travel Adapter – All in one so you don’t have to carry a bunch around

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. You can also read our content/editorial policy here .

Table of Contents

How to get to Zermatt

The nearest airports to Zermatt in Switzerland are Geneva and Sion (though Sion is very small) or it might be convenient to fly into Milan or Turin in Italy depending on your location.

Geneva has ski resort shuttle services to Zermatt for those on a budget which take around 3 hours. Others opt for private transfers, though some will only be able to take you as far as Tasch, whereas the shuttle service can take you into Zermatt. 

Zermatt is a car-free region, so if you’re wondering how to get to Zermatt without a car then the answer lies in Switzerland’s uber brilliant, efficient and modern public transport and rail network, though all trains to Zermatt change at the city of Visp.

If you are driving to Zermatt, you can leave your car at Tasch station. The journey from Tasch to Zermatt is very short and the scenery is beautiful. 

What to expect in Zermatt

Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world for visitors, so definitely save as much as possible for your trip. And you might find Zermatt to be even pricier due to its remoteness. 

The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc and there are a few ATMs in Zermatt if you need to withdraw cash, but Switzerland is a fairly cashless country. A service charge is generally automatically added to restaurant bills in Switzerland and tipping elsewhere is welcomed but it’s not expected.

Switzerland is not a member of the EU, but it does have many agreements in place, plus it is a part of the Schengen zone. Switzerland has three main languages – Italian, German and French – spoken in different regions and Zermatt is in the German-speaking region.

Fortunately, English is spoken widely in Switzerland, so you’ll have no problem communicating with locals in Zermatt.

How to get around Zermatt

As previously mentioned, Zermatt is an entirely car-free region so walking or public transport are your two options. The village of Zermatt itself is very small and walkable, especially since you won’t have to watch out for cars!

There are a few ways to get around the wider region of Zermatt. Firstly, there are a few taxi services that are able to operate within the region including electric taxis and fully accessible cabs.

There is also bike rental but the most popular method of travelling around the region are the eBuses, of which there are around 500 in the area because Zermatt is very sustainability focused. 

If you already have tickets to some of the bigger attractions in the area (e.g. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise or Gornergrat Valley station) then the eBus is free. Otherwise, there is a range of travel passes available to purchase from afternoon tickets to season passes.

The best time to visit Zermatt

If you want a mix of skiing or snowboarding up in the mountains (though some pistes/lifts aren’t open in summer) and strolls/bike rides around Zermatt village in the sun then peak season, from June-September, is the best time to visit.

Though don’t expect summers to be too warm as temperatures usually fluctuate between 12-25 degrees Celsius.

Zermatt in December and January around Christmas and New Year is also a popular time for visitors who want to enjoy the winter sports and après ski during the holidays. Of course, ski resort prices will reflect these particularly busy periods.

There isn’t much of an off-season in Zermatt as the ski season runs from November-May and the summer crowds descend not long after. It’s just such a beautiful place to visit year-round! If you do want to visit the Swiss region in the quietest/cheapest possible period, head to Zermatt after the Easter break. 

Things to do in Zermatt

• Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

There’s absolutely no way you can visit Zermatt without taking the 40-minute gondola/cable car ride up to Klein Matterhorn and witness the panoramic views of Zermatt from the top at the viewing platform. At least you can if there isn’t too much fog, which unfortunately happens quite often on Matterhorn!

There are lots of things to do on Matterhorn: ski, hike and even dine at the world’s highest mountain restaurant. Definitely check out the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise where you can go inside an actual glacier on Matterhorn mountain.

Glacier Paradise has a display of beautiful ice sculptures and you could spend an entire afternoon exploring this icy maze. Don’t forget to dress warmly if you’re heading up Matterhorn as it can be very chilly, even in summer!

Matterhorn Museum

Though a museum about a mountain might seem a bit dull, the Matterhorn museum is actually super interesting as there are lots of fascinating stories about the people who have attempted to climb the mountain and about Matterhorn’s importance to the local people.

The underground exhibit also looks at the history of Zermatt in general, too, and how it developed from a remote farming community into a world-class ski resort town.

Monte Rosa Massif

Matterhorn Mountain may be the most notable mountain in the Zermatt region but there are other impressive peaks, too.

The Monte Rosa Massif is the highest mountain range in the Swiss Alps with 10 of its peaks climbing higher than 4,000m.

They’re so high that they’re pretty unscalable in winter but in summer you can take guided hikes and you can admire them from afar in any season.

Black Nose Sheep Farm

If you love local experiences when you travel and interacting with as many cute animals as possible, then you’ll love visiting this family farm and learning about how they run their businesses.

The Julen family open up their barn every Wednesday from June-October and December-April so that visitors can see their 300 Alpine-raised Black Nose Sheep up close.

You can see the fields where the sheep are raised and learn about how they are specifically suited to the Alpine life. Afterwards, you can join the Shepard for an aperitif and eat some of the cured meat from the sheep themselves.

Five Lakes Walk

Hiking is one of the top activities to do in Zermatt and there are so many routes and trails with different views and for different skill levels.

One of the most popular is the Five Lakes Walk because it’s an easy hike with some slightly tougher sections that you can easily complete in one day.

As the name suggests, the walk takes you past the beautiful scenery of five lakes: the Stellisee, Grindjisee, Moosjisee, Grünsee, and Leisee lakes.

This walk will be especially appealing to photographers because, on clear days, the Matterhorn is perfectly reflected in no less than three of the lakes, so you’re bound to get some epic shots for your Instagram feed.

Zermatt Matterhorn Viewpoint

Within the village of Zermatt itself, there will be lots of places where you can see Matterhorn mountain perfectly, even outside your hotel window if you’re lucky.

But during your trip, it’s worth visiting the specific Matterhorn viewpoint where you can see across the entire village with the mountain sitting perfectly in the centre.

The ideal time to go would be just as the sun is setting so you can still see the mountain, but all the chalets are lit up like a Christmas tree below.

Hinter Dorf

Even though there is so much to see in the region of Zermatt, there’s plenty to do in the village itself. The ‘Hinter Dorf’ neighbourhood of Zermatt (meaning ‘rear village’) or Old Town is a real-life time capsule that gives you a glimpse into what Zermatt would have looked like before it developed into a ski resort town. 

The charming, solid timber buildings are around 500 years old, but they still look perfectly preserved. Some of the structures were barns, stables and storehouses and they all line up against cobbled streets that only a horse and cart would be able to fit through!

Bahnhofstrasse

An alternate universe to Hinter Dorf is the Bahnhofstrasse, which is Zermatt’s main shopping street/hub. Zermatt is such a tightly packed town that everything is close by and it’s centred around this main street which is full of restaurants, bars, cafes, ski supply and clothing shops and gift stores.

If you’re not sure where to go next or where to eat dinner, head to Bahnhofstrasse and you’re bound to find what you’re looking for.

What to eat in Zermatt

Because many of the visitors who head to Zermatt have a bit more money to spend, the village isn’t short of amazing fine- dining experiences and Michelin-starred restaurants. Though there are still many affordable restaurants and family-friendly places in Zermatt too, and everywhere offers their own version of après ski. 

Du Pont is one of the best restaurants in Zermatt and not only is it one of Zermatt’s most established businesses, but it’s also budget-friendly and serves traditional Swiss food too. At Du Pont, you can tuck into an authentic fondue, raclette or Swiss sausage and order apple strudel for dessert and there really is nowhere better for value for money.

If you do want an all-expenses-spared experience, then you’ll definitely get that at After Seven , a Michelin-starred restaurant in Zermatt that offers diners a set movie and dinner menu where you can actually watch a film in the restaurant while you eat.

And don’t forget to nibble on a Toblerone bar or another kind of local Swiss chocolate, too!

Where to stay in Zermatt

Budget – Thankfully, even a village as small as Zermatt has a few fantastic hostels for travellers on a budget. From the outside, Youth Hostel Zermatt looks just like any other ski resort and inside there are cosy yet spacious dorms with all the amenities and no bunk beds.

Mid-range – Zermatt can be quite pricey, so while hostel rooms are approximately €50-75 a night, midrange hotels are around €150 per night. The Hotel Excelsior is a great mid-range option because it’s really near Zermatt train station and has bright, colourful rooms, some even have views of the Matterhorn!

The Hotel Parnass , literally across the river from The Hotel Excelsior, is great for families with huge rooms, some even have outside decks and dining tables and it has a rustic vibe with wooden ceiling and wall panels. 

Luxury – And if you have a bit more to spend, you’ve chosen the right place for a ski holiday. One fantastic option is Hotel La Ginabelle Zermatt which is an absolutely gorgeous 4-star hotel with a spa, swimming pools and a dining room which wouldn’t have looked out of place on the Titanic.

Or if you’re celebrating a special occasion like a honeymoon, you should check into CERVO Mountain Boutique Resort , a 5-star hotel with separate chalets for every guest and every amenity you could possibly want. Hot tubs, bike hire, huge windows and they even allow dogs!

Tours to do in Zermatt

Winery tour.

One of the most enjoyable ways to get to know a region is through its food and drink, and this winery tour set in the heart of the Valais Alps has some breath-taking scenery as well as some fantastic wines.

Tour around a local winery and learn all about the regions’ local grapes and wines with a tasting session.

Zermatt has some amazing internationally renowned chefs and restaurants, so many that you can’t possibly visit them all in one trip.

If you love tasting new dishes when you travel, then this food tour (which is more of a ‘behind the scenes’ experience) of some of the best restaurants in Zermatt is a can’t-miss.

Try dishes from at least four different kitchens, serving both international and local cuisine, allowing you to make the most out of your limited time in Zermatt.

Hardcore foodies will love being able to talk to the chefs and learn their secrets.

Paragliding

Sure, you can see the epic views of the mountain ranges that encircle Zermatt from viewing platforms and cable cars, but nothing beats an adrenaline rush like paragliding from those mountains where you’ll be able to see 360-degree panoramic views.

It’s an awesome, bucket list-worthy activity that you’ll never forget, and you’ll definitely get your money’s worth in a place as stunning as Zermatt.

Day trips from Zermatt

Mix a local, Swiss food tour experience with visiting Grimentz, a remote village in the Swiss Alps.

You will be treated to some phenomenal scenery as you travel through Zermatt, but you’ll be able to make your own local rye bread in a rustic, communal oven that is actually booked and used by the entire community!

You can then use the rye bread to eat Swiss cheese fondue with a knowledgeable, local guide.

The only downside to ascending Matterhorn is that you’re not able to see Matterhorn or include this iconic pyramid-shaped mountain in any of your photos.

This is just one of the reasons why so many travellers want to head up to the summit of Gornergrat, and this day trip is an ideal way to head up Gornergrat on the mountain railway and learn more about the whole area.

Day Hike around Zermatt

For those who are short on time or simply don’t want the hassle of planning and navigating a day hike themselves and want the safety and knowledge that comes with a local guide , then this day hike around the outskirts of Zermatt is perfect for large groups and families.

Recommended tours in Zermatt

• Zermatt – Rothorn: Enjoy the classical view of the Matterhorn
• Private Ski & Snowboard Zermatt
• Cellar visit and tasting
• Sion Wine Tour / Valais Wine tour – from vineyard to bottle
• Vacation Photographer in Zermatt
• Long fly in Zermatt 35 min
• Skip the Line: Admission Ticket to Alter Gasthof
• Standard fly Zermatt 20 min. Matterhorn view

If you’d like to save it for later, please save it to Pinterest.

Sam, a seasoned traveler across four continents and 49 countries, is a leading authority in travel planning. Her website, Travelling King, offers tailored itineraries and expert guides for seamless trips. Sam's expertise in luxury travel, fast travel, and destination guides keeps her at the forefront of the travel community.

View all posts

Similar Posts

Ultimate Travel Guide to Lucerne

Lucerne is Switzerland’s sixth-largest city so while it doesn’t get as many visitors as the more popular Zurich or…

Ultimate Travel Guide to Lausanne

Lausanne is Switzerland’s fourth-largest city and resides on Lake Geneva (or Lac Léman to the French and locals) across…

10 of the Best things to do in Switzerland in the summer

Switzerland is my favorite country to travel to and this is for a reason – it is stunningly beautiful,…

17 Things to do in Interlaken

The scenic paradise of Interlaken, Switzerland is a nature lover’s dream. Meaning “between lakes” in German, Interlaken is fittingly…

Where to stay in Zurich [Best Places to Stay for 2024]

As someone who has personally explored Zurich, I can confidently share my experiences and insights about this stunning city….

Best Day trips from Geneva

Geneva is the second-largest city in Switzerland. It is known for cheerful, welcoming locals, many traditional festivities (like the…

A Guide to Zermatt Switzerland

As the most renowned ski resort in Switzerland , Zermatt brings to life all your expectations of what a ski holiday should be. The picturesque chateaus nestled high in the mountainous terrain and the panoramic views set the scene, with the world-famous Matterhorn glowing in the background. So, we bring to you a complete guide to Zermatt Switzerland!

Guide to Zermatt

Zermatt town.

No matter where you choose to base yourself in Zermatt, you will never be too far away from the happenings in town as everything is relatively close to reach on foot. In town you can choose from a variety of restaurants to cater to your budget (they even have a McDonalds which is by no means a recommendation when you have so much great local food to try, but to allow for scope!)

In town you will also find a great range of swiss chocolatiers if you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth! Crêpes seem to be a real hit too, with a few crêperies to be found in the main street and many cafes serving them on the menu.

If you’ve forgotten anything before hitting the slopes you will have no trouble at all finding ski goggles and sportswear galore in town, as well as a plethora of souvenir shops selling everything from ear muffs through to cow bells.

If you don’t plan to ski there is still plenty to do to keep yourself busy for 5-7 days in Zermatt, ranging from an ice skating rink through to the central Matterhorn Museum. However most vacationers arrive to hit the slopes, so if you haven’t been skiing before you should still consider lessons, as despite the Intermediate-Advanced rating of most of the mountain, you will still find some slopes suited for beginners (especially around Sunnegan – read on for more).

Where to Stay in Zermatt

Although small in size, Zermatt is first and foremost a vacation ski town, so there are plenty of accommodations on offer. However it should be said early on that Zermatt is one of Switzerland’s premier ski destinations and prices are steep, not only with the most expensive ski lift passes in the country but also some of the most expensive hotel and chalet rates. Tempston Luxury offer some of the best catered and self-catered private properties! Rent a luxury ski chalet in Zermatt through Tempston and expect nothing less than a private pool, hot tub, sauna, staff and more!

For our time in Zermatt we checked in to a comfortable four star ski hotel, the Sunstar Style Hotel . Nothing is too far away in Zermatt, but this hotel was ideally located a 5-10 minute walk from the city centre and thus far enough away from the business of town without being far to walk to the centre of everything.

If you’re looking for the best of the best, the Hotel Monte Rosa is a great pick in the centre of Zermatt, or for something a little more secluded check yourself in to The Omnia.

Hitting the Slopes

One thing is for sure when in Zermatt – you will be amazed at the sheer size of the mountain and all its offerings, often feeling overwhelmed by how much there is to see in so little time (you could easily spend a week or two here!) For a full map of the slopes, lifts and trains, see here . There are plenty of Switzerland ski resorts to choose from, however as the winter season fills up quickly we recommend booking in advance.

For advanced skiers around 20% of the mountain is classified as black and there are ample opportunities to ski off piste, though a local guide is recommended before tackling this kind of terrain!

For intermediate skiers there are endless slopes to choose from in three main sectors, including the option to ski across the border in to Italy. Tow thirds of the runs on the mountain are classed as red, so you will have ample opportunity to experience different aspects of the mountain. Cervinia is a great place to start and offers the chance to view the Matterhorn up close!

For beginner skiers (like myself!), Zermatt can at first seem quite intimidating, with only 16% of the mountain classed as blue runs. Sunnegga is a great place to start with a few gentle slopes to warm up on, followed by a few blue slopes to experience once you’ve gained your confidence. Other spots for beginners include Täsch ski lift and Randa ski lift.

Where & What to Eat in Zermatt

If this is your first time in Switzerland then prepare yourself for the abundance of flavours in the rich Swiss cuisine (I’m drooling just remembering some of these dishes – rosti, cremeschnitte and oodles of cheese!)

Said to be the best value for money is the popular monutain Restaurant Chez Vrony, home to moderately priced, delicious and classic Swiss cuisine.

Another popular choice also in the mountain is Findlerhof , with views of the matterhorn on a clear day.

For cheese lovers, be sure to pop into Saycheese! to try a local Swiss delicacy; the cheese fondue! This is a real treat in the wintertime as it really warms you from the insides out.

And for fine diners there is a range of gastronomical restaurants on offer throughout town – just don’t expect to leave with change in your pocket!

How to Get to Zermatt Switzerland

Getting to Zermatt is a journey in itself, as the easiest and most time friendly way to arrive is by train, though connections with Zurich, Basel and Geneva are all over 3 hours in duration. Bern is the closest Swiss city to connect from, though flights in to the capital are limited.

Zurich is extremely well connected with international destinations so may be the easiest city to fly in to from abroad. We flew with Emirates, who offer 3 flights per day from Dubai. From there, the train journey takes roughly 3-3.5 hours with 1 or 2 connections.

Geneva is also well connected, though the train journey to Zermatt is a little longer at 3 hours and 50 minutes, with a change in Visp. Travelling by car is slightly shorted (at under 3 hours), though you must leave your car at Tasch as Zermatt is car free, offering electronic buses and taxis to transport visitors around the town.

Another viable option is to fly in to Basel (a popular choice for budget airlines within Europe), with a train journey of 3 hours and 15 minutes, requiring one or two changes.

World of Wanderlust stayed at the Sunstar Hotel as a guest of Zermatt Tourism , however all opinions and oodles of photos are my own!

Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.

Find me on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

You may also enjoy:

Traveling to europe this summer here’s …, these are the best cities to travel …, the 30 most beautiful cities in europe.

Los Angeles

Plan a trip

First trip solo

Packing guide

20 Best Places for Solo Female Travel

Travel after a break up

20 Places in your 20’s

WAYS TO TRAVEL

Solo travel

Adventure travel

Luxury travel

Learn a language

Become a blogger

Zermatt and the Matterhorn travel guide

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

• roughguides.com
• Switzerland
• zermatt-matterhorn
• Travel guide
• Local Experts
• Travel Advice
• Accommodation

St Moritz may have the glamour, Verbier may have the cool, Wengen may have the pistes, but Zermatt beats them all – Zermatt has the Matterhorn. No other natural or human structure in Switzerland is so immediately recognizable. Plan your trip to Zermatt and the Matterhorn with our guide to Zermatt and the Matterhorn — based on The Rough Guide to Switzerland , your travel guide for Switzerland .

What to expect when visiting Zermatt — your Zermatt and the Matterhorn travel guide

Top attractions and things to do in zermatt, which areas should you visit in zermatt, best places to stay in zermatt, best restaurants and cafés in zermatt, nightlife and entertainment in zermatt and the matterhorn, how to get around zermatt, excursions and day trips from zermatt, sports and activities around zermatt and the matterhorn.

Discover alpine majesty in our Zermatt and the Matterhorn travel guide © Shutterstock

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Switzerland, created by local experts

8 days  / from 2700 USD

Special Golden Round Trip to Switzerland (small group or private)

Stay active on Switzerland's mountains with hikes and cable cars before indulging in delicious Swiss cheese and wines around Lausanne and Geneva. Is there a better way to get a taste of Switzerland than to actually taste it? Pricing is based on a small group tour, enquire for a private tour!

11 days  / from 3564 USD

Unforgettable Switzerland

Discover Switzerland's real natural paradise. Enjoy 11 relaxed days of picturesque scenery, breathtaking views, romantic towns, eternal ice and snow, rural villages and historic buildings. Visit Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Geneva and many other highlights.

7 days  / from 2700 USD

Lakes and mountains for the whole family in Italy & Switzerland

Spend your first 3 nights at Lake Como in Italy, discovering the area by boat or foot, before heading to Zermatt in Switzerland. Zermatt with its peaceful nature is the ideal backdrop for strolls, hikes and other activities with the whole family.

Tailor-made trips for   Switzerland

In most people’s minds the Matterhorn stands for Switzerland like the Eiffel Tower stands for France . Ironically, though, the mountain is as much Italian as it is Swiss – the border runs right across the peak.

The Matterhorn's majesty was also one of the reasons you voted Switzerland one of the most beautiful countries in the world .

The pretty little village of Zermatt welcomes everybody, regardless of financial status. Backpackers and hikers rub shoulders with high-society glitterati amid a fluster of tour groups, electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages. Everyone has come to see the mountain.

While Zermatt is busy year-round, the crowds never seem to matter — with a little effort you can easily vanish into the surrounding wilderness, leaving everyone else behind. To find out for yourself, book a Zermatt hiking excursion with an experienced guide .

That said, the quickest way into that wilderness is via the Gornergrat railway, which lifts you to a spectacular vantage point overlooking the Monte Rosa massif.

Alternatively, hop on a cable car to the summits of the Rothorn or Klein Matterhorn – the latter is the highest cable-car station in Europe.

Matterhorn aside, the Zermatt Music Festival , held every September, features classical music concerts, film screenings and exhibitions.

A stunning sunset over Switzerland's Matterhorn © Shutterstock

1. Matterhorn Museum

The subterranean Matterhorn Museum features films and interactive displays on mountaineering, all set around a reconstruction of a nineteenth-century Alpine village.

2. Anglican church

The Anglican church, situated on a low ridge above the main street, is emblematic of Zermatt’s history as a climbing centre — and of a place traditionally favoured by British visitors, many of whom were climbers.

3. Gornergrat railway

In summer, the slopes above Zermatt hold some of the country’s most scenic hiking trails. The ever-popular GGB Gornergrat Bahn leads up from the village across the meadows of the Riffelalp to the Gornergrat itself (3130m).

Hikes between the stations are all rewarding, and top Zermatt and the Matterhorn travel experiences. For example, it’s an hour from Riffelalp station up to the Riffelberg Hotel, set on a spectacular exposed platform overlooking the valley.

4. Sunnegga and the Rothorn

From Zermatt village, an underground funicular tunnels up to Sunnegga (2300m) – on a sunny plateau and linked to the Rothorn summit by gondola.

Walks from Sunnegga are beautiful, weaving for a comfortable hour or two between the tiny lakelets of the Leisee, Moosjesee, Grindjisee and Stellisee out to Fluhalp (2616m).

Hiking is one of the best things to do in Zermatt and the Matterhorn © Swiss Tourism

Zermatt’s main street is Bahnhofstrasse, which stretches away from the station towards the mountains, becoming Oberdorfstrasse after the Catholic church, whose cemetery is filled with memorials to attempts on the Matterhorn and other peaks gone wrong.

Across the road from the church is the worthwhile Matterhorn Museum; meanwhile Oberdorfstrasse dips gently downwards, lined with weathered-wood chalets and traditional mazots, barns raised on stone discs to protect against mice, before reaching the river at Bachstrasse.

Beyond, paths head on past the Forest Fun Park and Gorner Gorge and into high, open countryside.

To see that in style, board the world's highest cable car to discover the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise with its spectacular viewing platform, ice palace, and cinema lounge.

There are dozens of hotels in Zermatt, so you shouldn’t have any problem finding somewhere to suit, though book well in advance for the winter and summer high seasons.

It must be said, too, that Matterhorn views from your balcony or window are truly worth paying extra for. Apartments or chalets should also be booked well in advance (some places are reserved a year ahead).

The standard rental period is a Sat-to-Sat week; only a handful of owners are willing to rent for less, and then only in the low season for a minimum of three days.

Zermatt © Swiss Tourism

Best hotels in Zermatt

• Best for Alpine atmosphere: Kulmhotel Gornergrat . Currently the highest hotel in the Alps, day-trippers come here to gawp at the Matterhorn from the terrace. After they've gone, it's a uniquely atmospheric place to stay — its location is likely to be a highlight of your Zermatt and the Matterhorn vacation.
• Best for glamour: Grand Hotel Zermatterhof . As its name suggests, this is the grandest hotel in the canton, and one of the finest in the country, built well over a century ago but glitteringly up to date inside.
• Best for cosy comfort: Hotel Allalin . This hotel boasts modern, folksy decor, a cosy lounge and a spa. Service is outstanding, and there are balconies in all rooms. It’s worth paying extra for a room with a mountain view.

Best hostels in Zermatt

• Best for budget travellers: Jugendherberge (HI hostel) . This large hostel, a 10min walk from the centre, has dorms and private rooms, many with enticing Matterhorn views.
• Best for nature-lovers: Bergheimat Campsite, Saas-Fee . Guests at this campsite – attached to the Hotel Bergheimat – have free access to an indoor swimming pool. It's near a supermarket and the Hohsaas cable car.

Considering the prices in some of Zermatt’s hundred-plus restaurants, opting for picnic fare from the supermarket opposite the train station is a prudent move if you’re on a tight budget.

Otherwise, you'll find a spread of restaurants serving classic Swiss fare, often with Italian influence.

Traditional Swiss cheese fondue © Shulevskyy Volodymyr/Shutterstock

• La Barrique In Hotel Peren : this peaceful, attractive modern restaurant serves mainly Swiss cuisine. This is fine-dining at pretty reasonable prices.
• Café du Pont : a peaceful, cosy little restaurant in the less busy, northern end of town, serving simple, inexpensive Swiss fare including Röstis and fondues.
• Vivanda In Unique Hotel Post : a modern Italian restaurant occupying a beautifully restored wooden chalet, with pizza, pasta and excellent meat dishes.
• Whymperstube : this cosy wood-panelled basement restaurant offers nine kinds of fondue, plus assorted Swiss-style meat dishes.
• Walliserhof Grand Hotel & Spa, Saas-Fee : the hotel offers gourmet dining in the Cäsar Ritz restaurant, with three-course set menus in a true temple to the art of cooking.

It's fair to say Zermatt and the Matterhorn aren't hotspots for nightlife, with most action focused around hotels, especially the Unique Hotel Post.

Best nightlife venues in Zermatt and the Matterhorn

• Unique Hotel Post : at the centre of Zermatt’s nightlife scene, the Unique Hotel Post is home to five bars and clubs. The best-known is Broken Bar, which occupies an atmospheric stone-walled cellar.
• Elsie’s Bar : this cosy nook is an après-ski institution, with oysters, caviar, snails and foie gras served to help your cocktails go down.

Come evening, head to the Unique Hotel Post to experience one of the best nightlife venues in Zermatt and the Matterhorn © Swiss Tourism

The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn operates the trains from Brig and Visp to Zermatt, which are free to Swiss Travel Pass holders — why not buy your pass in advance ?

Although Brig is the starting point for MGB trains, mainline trains from the west are quite often timed to make the connection at Visp instead (Viège in French) — check the timetable carefully. South of Visp, trains climb to Stalden, the departure point for buses to Saas-Fee.

It’s possible to drive as far as the village of Täsch, where a dozen large parking areas, including the giant Matterhorn Terminal take care of all motorized transport, with everybody bundling onto trains for the final 12min pull into Zermatt.

Don’t be tempted to park in the valley except at designated parking places — you’ll end up with a parking ticket.

The square outside the station is generally full of little electric taxis (higher rates for extra passengers, luggage, and journeys to the edge of the village).

The electric buses that are synonymous with Zermatt serve all points, and are free if you have a ski pass.

By horse-drawn carriage

The carriages you see jangling through the streets are mostly full of guests from the most expensive hotels, though one or two can be ridden on by the less well-heeled — ask the tourist office to book them.

Zermatt chairlift © Swiss Tourism

Lying in the next-door valley to Zermatt, Saas-Fee (1800m) is sometimes overlooked, perhaps because it doesn’t have any train access. However, were it not for the Matterhorn next door, the array of peaks around Saas-Fee would take centre-stage on any Alpine itinerary.

The upper part of the Rhône valley, stretching from Brig to the high Alpine passes, is known as the Goms. Winter sees thick snow covering the whole region, perfect for cross-country skiing at all levels.

Northeast from Brig towards Münster

About 8km out of Brig you’ll pass Mörel, with signs for cable cars rising west to Riederalp and, a little further on, Betten, with cable cars to Bettmeralp. Both these car-free resorts are perched on plateaux, with lifts serving the Aletschwald, one of the highest pine forests in Europe.

Some 9km past Fiesch, where the villages become smaller and more rural, you'll fnd the little community of Münster. This tranquil village is characterized by the traditional Valaisian-style chalets. Clustered together higgledy-piggledy, and burnt a rich dark brown, they're all decorated with pretty geranium window boxes.

The High Alpine passes

Above Münster, the Obergoms (Upper Goms) region lies at the approach to the High Alpine passes. A turning at Ulrichen leads to the Nufenen Pass, or Passo della Novena (2478m), which crosses into Ticino and the Val Bedretto .

Zermatt and the Matterhorn make for exhilerating outdoor activities © Shutterstock

Skiing, snowboarding and hiking at Saas-Fee

With a preponderance of blue and red pistes, Saas-Fee is ideal skiing territory for beginners or intermediates, and its snowboarding facilities have made it one of Switzerland’s top boarding destinations.

The focus of attention is the “Alpin Express” lifts serving the Felskinn (3000m); from here, there are plenty of good blue and red runs coming down the side of the huge glacial bowl that towers all around, plus a snowboarding half-pipe.

From Felskinn, the “Metro Alpin” takes over, the highest underground funicular system in the world, which tunnels up to the Mittelallalin station (3500m), below the mighty Allalinhorn summit (4027m).

Up here are the world’s highest revolving restaurant and ice pavilion (open year-round), as well as a half-pipe, a hatful of scenic red runs on the Feegletscher and a long, exhilarating blue all the way down to Längfluh (2870m).

Hiking routes abound, both in summer, with long treks finding a way between the peaks into the Mattertal, and in winter, when some 30km of trails above the village remain open.

Into extreme sports? Try your hand at tandem paragliding — what a way to view the Matterhorn.

Meander blooming beautiful meadows around the Zermatt and the Matterhorn in summer © Shutterstock

If you're into exhilerating activities, read up on the  best outdoor experiences in Switzerland .

Intrepid female travellers might also want to explore  women only outdoor activities in Switzerland  — all created by and for women.

Inspired by this Zermatt and the Matterhorn travel guide? Read about the wider canton in our Valais travel guide .

In addition, The Rough Guide to Switzerland and our run-down of  things not to miss in Switzerland  will help you plan.

Not a fan of planning? You could book a hassle-free tailor-made trip to Switzerland, with customisable itineraries curated by local experts covering everything from  unforgettable highlights of Switzerland , to  touring the Grand Circle .

We may earn commission when you click on links in this article, but this doesn’t influence our editorial standards. We only recommend services we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.

Related articles from the blog

Discover more places in Switzerland

• Travel Guide Morocco
• Travel Guide Namibia
• Travel Guide South Africa
• Travel Guide China
• Travel Guide India
• Travel Guide Indonesia
• Travel Guide Japan
• Travel Guide Laos
• Travel Guide Malaysia
• Travel Guide Myanmar (Burma)
• Travel Guide Nepal
• Travel Guide Philippines
• Travel Guide Singapore
• Travel Guide South Korea
• Travel Guide Sri Lanka
• Travel Guide Taiwan
• Travel Guide Thailand
• Travel Guide Australia
• Travel Guide Fiji
• Travel Guide New Zealand
• Travel Guide Belize
• Costa Rica Travel Guide
• Travel Guide Cuba
• Travel Guide Guatemala
• Travel Guide Honduras
• Travel Guide Jamaica
• Travel Guide Nicaragua
• Travel Guide Panama
• Travel Guide Puerto Rico
• Travel Guide Trinidad and Tobago
• Travel Guide Albania
• Travel Guide Austria
• Travel Guide Belgium
• Travel Guide Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Travel Guide Bulgaria
• Travel Guide Cyprus
• Travel Guide Czechia (Czech Republic)
• Travel Guide Denmark
• Travel Guide England
• Travel Guide Estonia
• Travel Guide Finland
• Travel Guide France
• Travel Guide Germany
• Travel Guide Greece
• Travel Guide Hungary
• Iceland Travel Guide

The Rough Guides to Switzerland and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Find even more inspiration here

Planning your own trip prepare for your trip.

Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates

• Where to Stay
• Zermatt and the Matterhorn
• Inspiration
• Local Guides
• Where to stay
• See & Do
• Travel Tips

written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 17.08.2022

Ready to travel and discover Switzerland?

Get support from our local experts for stress-free planning & worry-free travels.

• Travel advice

One Day in Zermatt: Day Trip Itinerary, Map & Planning Tips

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: March 14, 2024

Thinking of visiting Zermatt, Switzerland, for 1 day and wondering how to best plan your time so that you can see all the best sights of Zermatt in one day ? In this guide, you can find the suggested Zermatt 1-day itinerary that covers the ‘musts’ in the most efficient way.

No matter if you are visiting in summer or in winter, this itinerary will help you make the most of your Zermatt day trip. Find out!

Zermatt is one of the most popular mountain destinations in the Swiss Alps. Best known as home to the most iconic mountain in Switzerland, the Matterhorn , and the steepest open-air railway in the world, Gornergrat Railway , Zermatt is one of those places that many consider a must-see in Switzerland .

And while there is so much more to see and do in Zermatt than you could cover in a day or even two, it is possible to see the ‘musts’ if you are visiting Zermatt for one day .

You won’t be able to see and experience everything, but you can certainly cover the two main places that make Zermatt world-famous: Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise . In addition – if you plan your day well – you can also see some other nice places in Zermatt.

In this article, we show you how to best plan your time so that you experience the very best that Zermatt has to offer in just one day. To make it easier to understand where everything is, we also created a map indicating all the places mentioned below. You can find it at the end of the article, together with a detailed 1-day itinerary with time indications . Take a look!

READ ALSO: Switzerland Itinerary

TIP: While you can make a day trip to Zermatt and still see some of the best places, we recommend staying in town for two nights and spending at least 1 full day in Zermatt . It’s located quite far away from all the main towns in Switzerland, and so just getting there and back will take a long time. Even if you can only spend one night in Zermatt, it’s still better than just visiting Zermatt as a day trip.

But yes, even a day trip to Zermatt is possible . Here are some tours and – further below- you’ll find our tips on how to best do it if you plan your own trip. Even if you start your day later or leave earlier, you can still see the same ‘must-see’ places on this itinerary. It will simply mean that you’ll have less time to explore them deeper.

Good to know: Our recommended 1-day Zermatt itinerary includes some places and short hikes that can only be done in summer. However, the main landmarks of Zermatt can be visited the whole year. And so this itinerary will work for a winter trip as well, minus the hiking.

Important: You’ll need 2 different tickets for this itinerary – the Gornergrat Railway day ticket and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise day ticket . Or you can get a Peak Pass which – for one day – costs the same as these two separate tickets and is probably easier.

The Peak Pass is really expensive if you only buy it for 1-2 days, but offers great value for a longer stay. With two days in Zermatt, it would be better to buy two tickets separately and visit one area per day. But with just one day in Zermatt (and if you want to see ALL the musts), there’s really no cheaper way to do it unless you decide to visit only Gornergrat OR Matterhorn Glacier Paradise but not both.

TIP: The Swiss Travel Pass gives you big discounts on all tickets in Zermatt, plus it includes all the trains to get to Zermatt (and kids travel free – see our detailed guide via the link below for more info).

LEARN MORE: Swiss Travel Pass: Complete Guide

How to use this guide: First, you can find a detailed program with all the necessary information for the places we recommend visiting in Zermatt in one day. At the end of the article, you’ll also find a short overview of this itinerary , with time indications that will give you a good idea of what your day could look like.

We also included a shorter 1-day itinerary for those of you who are visiting Zermatt as a day trip and can’t get there early in the morning. Take a look!

Here’s how we recommend spending one day in Zermatt:

Gornergrat Railway

Time needed: 33 minutes for the train journey up the mountain.

Start your day in Zermatt with an early morning ride on the Gornergrat Railway . If you are staying in town, we recommend taking one of the earliest trains (7 am or 8 am). Not only will you beat the crowds, but you will also be able to enjoy some of the best scenery by going early (more info below).

Gornergrat Railway was built over 100 years ago and even today, it’s the steepest open-air cog railway in the world. It’s a very scenic ride that takes you to an altitude of 3,089 meters (10,134 ft) in just 33 minutes.

Along the way, you can admire the stunning Alpine Scenery. Depending on the season, you might start your 30-minute journey in the warm summerly weather down in the village and then step out on the snow on the mountain.

TIP: Sit on the right side of the train when going up (the side of the Matterhorn) for the best views. Also, be sure to choose a seat where the windows can be opened – that way you can take nicer pictures from the train. On the other hand, the views to the other side are also nice, especially when the views of the Matter Valley open up. A good thing is that if you take the train early in the morning, you’ll probably be almost alone and will be able to enjoy the views in any direction.

Time needed: If you only visit Riffelsee, count 20-30 minutes. This will give you plenty of time to walk to the lake, enjoy the views, and take some nice pictures.

Riffelsee is a tiny mountain lake best known for the picture-perfect mirror image of the Matterhorn . When there’s no wind and the water is calm, you can see the most beautiful reflections of the Matterhorn and the other mountains on the surface of this lake.

TIP: The best time for reflections is early morning. Therefore, we recommend that you visit Riffelsee first, before going all the way to Gorngergrat.

Good to know: Riffelsee Lake is just a short 5 minutes walk from the Rotenboden train station , which is one before the last station on the Zermatt – Gornergrat railway line. For more practical tips and info, please see our detailed guide to visiting Riffelsee.

LEARN MORE: Riffelsee Lake

An additional tip for early birds & in summer only. If you have 1 hour to spare, take a short and easy hike from Riffelsee to Riffelberg before continuing to Gornergrat. However, with just one day in Zermatt, you may have to be very selective about where you go, so only do this if you start your day early in the morning.

Time needed: 30-60 minutes, depending on what exactly you choose to do.

After visiting Riffelsee, walk back to Rotenboden and take the next train to Gornergrat. During the peak season and after 8 am, trains run every 24 minutes, so you won’t have to wait long.

At Gornergrat, explore all the viewing platforms, do the short 360° Scenic Loop hike (just 20 minutes), visit Zooom the Matterhorn experience, a small chapel, and check out the shops at Gornergrat Kulmhotel. There’s also a restaurant here where you could also have some coffee.

LEARN MORE: What to See & Do at Gornergrat

Gornergrat Scenic Trail to Rotenboden

Time needed: 40-60 minutes.

After visiting Gornergrat, you could take a train back down towards Zermatt. However, if the weather is nice and you want to enjoy more of the spectacular views of this area, we recommend that you do some hiking here .

One of the nicest short hikes that you can do in Zermatt is a downhill trail from Gornergrat to Rotenboden , aka Gornergrat Scenic Trail, or hike nr. 15.

This short hike offers spectacular views of the glaciers, the Matterhorn, and also of the Gornergrat Railway. If you want to take some nice pictures of the train and the Matterhorn in the background, this is an excellent place for that.

This hike goes to the Rotenboden railway station. So if you want to, you can also stop at Riffelsee Lake once again (or if you haven’t done it first thing in the morning).

LEARN MORE: Gornergrat Scenic Trail to Rotenboden

Make Your Way to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (& Quick Lunch)

Time needed: 40-90 minutes.

After visiting the Gornergrat area, you have two options for how to get to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at Klein Matterhorn: via Furi or via Zermatt town. The first option will only work in the high season when the Furi gondola is running and only if you have the Peak Pass. Whereas the second option will work the whole year and can be done if you have two separate tickets for the Gornergrat and the Matterhorn areas.

1. Take a train to Riffelberg, which is just one station lower from Rotenboden or two stations from Gornergrat. From Riffelberg, you can take a gondola to Furi, where you can jump directly on the gondola to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. If you didn’t pack a picnic lunch, you’ll find plenty of restaurants at all bigger gondola stations, just keep in mind that it will take some more time.

Also, the Furi – Riffelberg gondola only runs during the ski season and on the weekends in summer. No worries if it’s not running, though – you can still get to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise; but it will take a bit longer. See the second option below.

2. The second option – available in any season – is to take the train all the way down to Zermatt, walk through town, and then take the gondola to Klein Matterhorn from there. This will take you at least 40 minutes longer, so keep that in mind, but you could save time for lunch, so all in all it might be about the same.

When walking to the Matterhorn gondola through town, you could grab something small for lunch. There are supermarkets in Zermatt town center and also bakeries, cafes, etc. With just a day in Zermatt, I wouldn’t recommend having lunch at a restaurant as that would take up too much of your precious time.

TIP: It’s better to take a picnic for lunch or buy something small and eat it along the way, and then have a relaxing dinner in Zermatt after all the sightseeing.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Time needed: 1 hour.

Located at Klein Matterhorn, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is another must-see in Zermatt. It’s a totally different experience than Gornergrat, but equally impressive. It would be really difficult to choose just one or the other, and that’s why we recommend visiting both these places, even if you only have a day in Zermatt.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest easily accessible mountain peak that you can visit in Zermatt. No matter what time of the year you visit, there is always snow here . People come to ski at Klein Matterhorn in summer!

There are several things to do at Matterhorn, including shops, restaurants, etc. The musts are the viewing platform and the Glacier Palace .

From the viewing platform , you have the most amazing views of the Matterhorn and countless other mountain peaks including the Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps.

Glacier Palace is located inside the glacier and deep under the eternal ice. You can walk through man-made ice tunnels and see all kinds of spectacular ice carvings and ice sculptures. There’s also a slide inside an ice tunnel – fun for young and old.

Good to know: Also in summer, you’ll need a warm sweater here. A windproof rain jacket is also good to have because you never know how the weather will be in the mountains.

TIP: On your way to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, you can upgrade your ticket for the last section of the gondola ride, from Trocknersteg. For a small additional fee, you can then take the Crystal Ride – a glass-bottomed luxury cable car that offers unparalleled views of the glacier right under your feet. It’s one of the most impressive things we have done in Zermatt and well worth a small extra fee.

LEARN MORE: What to See & Do at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Trockenersteg

Time needed: 30 minutes.

After visiting the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, take the same cable car one stop down and disembark at Trockenersteg . Before continuing your journey further down to Zermatt, we recommend that you walk to a small glacier lake right next to the cable car station.

This is where the Matterhorn Glacier Trail starts, one of the most beautiful hikes in Zermatt . With just a day in Zermatt, you won’t have time for this 3-hour hike, but you can at least see some of the best scenery at the beginning of this iconic hike.

Just a few decennia ago, this area was covered by a retreating glacier and the scenery here is really unique. Plus, you are really close to the Matterhorn and can get some nice pictures of the mountain and the lake.

After visiting the lake, return back to the cable car and take it one stop further down the mountain – to Schwarzsee.

Schwarzsee & ZERMATT Sign

Schwarzsee is one of the many small mountain lakes in Zermatt where you can also see reflections of the Matterhorn. However, you’ll likely be here in the afternoon, so the chances for reflections are low. Not even to mention that people will likely be swimming here if you visit on a warm summer day.

Nevertheless, Schwarzsee Lake is worth a quick visit. You can also see a small chapel where the Matterhorn climbers come to pray before their ascent.

Another reason to stop at Schwarzsee is the ZERMATT sign . It’s a nice place to take some cool souvenir pictures of your day in Zermatt.

By the time you’ve seen all the places mentioned above, it will likely be late afternoon. Time to head to Zermatt and explore the town just a little bit. You can take a cable car from Schwarzsee all the way down to Zermatt town.

Zermatt Town

Time needed: ideally at least 1-1.5 hours.

It would be a pity to visit the Zermatt area and not see the town itself. So even if you only have a day in Zermatt, in addition to the Gornergrat and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, we recommend that you plan to spend some time in town as well .

One of the nicest things to do in Zermatt is to simply walk down the main street that leads to the railway station. It’s called Bahnhofstrasse (Station Street) and is lined with shops, restaurants, and hotels. You can find pretty much everything here – from Swiss chocolates to the most expensive watches, and from McDonald’s to fancy gourmet restaurants.

If you have at least half an hour to an hour to spare, we highly recommend visiting the Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis as well. It’s located on the main town square and its entrance looks like a giant glass igloo – you can’t really miss it.

The museum itself is hidden under the ground and is presented as a mid-19th-century village of Zermatt. It’s a great place to learn more about Zermatt’s history, the first mountaineers that climbed the Matterhorn, and see how a small village transformed into a world-famous mountain resort.

Right next to the museum, there’s also a big church. Behind it, you can find Mountaineers Cemetery . It’s just a small graveyard, where some of the famous mountain climbers are buried, but it’s really interesting to see. Ideally, you visit the museum first and then the cemetery.

One more place that’s really worth seeing and only takes a few minutes is the old part of town, aka Hinterdorf . This is where you can see some of the traditional wooden houses on stilts, typical to the Valais region in southern Switzerland.

TIP: You can find more information about all these places in our guide to the best things to do in Zermatt .

And that’s enough sightseeing for the day – time for dinner!

By now, you’ll probably want to sit down, rest your legs, and have a nice meal to end your day in Zermatt.

There are lots of really good restaurants in town . However, it can also get very busy and some of the nicest hotel restaurants will often be fully booked in high season. So if you want to dine at a specific restaurant, be sure to reserve a table in advance, before you arrive!

But no worries if you didn’t plan anything upfront – there is plenty of choices, and you can find pretty much any cuisine here too.

TIP: We recommend looking for a nice local restaurant that serves Swiss dishes and trying some Swiss fondue, raclette, or other regional specialties. After all, you don’t travel all the way to Switzerland to eat pizza, hamburgers, or Asian food…

Suggested Zermatt 1 Day Itinerary & Map

So, this is our recommended Zermatt 1-day itinerary. Here’s a short recap once again, with hours indicated just for your reference (and based on the current summer train schedule). This is just meant to give you a better idea of how you could plan your time.

Here’s what your 1 day in Zermatt could look like:

• 8:00 Gornergrat Railway – from Zermatt to Rotenboden.
• 8:30 Riffelsee (#1 on the map).
• 8:52 Take a train to Gornergrat.
• 8:57 Gornergrat (#2 on the map).
• 10:00 Hike from Gornergrat to Rotenboden (#3 on the map).
• 11:12 Take a train from Rotenboden to Zermatt (OR – if possible a cable car from Riffelberg to Furi).
• 11:51 Arrive in Zermatt, get something small for lunch & walk to the Matterhorn cable car (walk from #4 to #5).
• 13:00 Take a cable car to Klein Matterhorn (gondolas run continuously).
• 14:00 Explore the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (#6 on the map).
• 15:00 Take a cable car to Trockenersteg and walk to the lake (#7 on the map).
• 15:45 Take a gondola to Schwarzsee, visit the lake, and take pictures with the ZERMATT sign (#8 on the map).
• 16:30 Take a gondola to Zermatt (#9 on the map).
• 17:00 Visit the Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis, Mountaineer’s Cemetery, and Hinterdorfstrasse.
• 18:30 Dinner.

TIP: If you can start your day at 7 am, I recommend also doing the short hike from Riffelsee to Riffelberg , then on to Gornergrat. For the rest, follow the same itinerary as above.

Good to know: Here you can find the timetable for the Zermatt – Gornergrat railway. As already mentioned, the first train is at 7 am and after 8 am and before 4-5 pm in the high season, the trains run every 24 minutes. So even if you miss a train here or there, it’s not a big deal. During the low season, trains run every 48 minutes, so you’ll need to plan a bit more carefully.

Further below, you can also find an alternative itinerary if you are planning an even shorter day trip to Zermatt .

And here is a map of Zermatt indicating all the places mentioned above.

SHORTER ITINERARY – if you arrive in Zermatt later and HAVE LESS TIME, I recommend starting with the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise first and leaving the Gornergrat area for later.

This is for a few reasons. First, the Gornergrat Railway gets very busy between 9-11 am and the trains also run later in the evening than the gondolas, so it will be more relaxed to turn it around.

Your Zermatt day trip itinerary could look something like this:

• 10:00 Arrive in Zermatt & walk or take a bus to the Matterhorn cable car (walk from #4 to #5).
• 10:15 Take a cable car to Klein Matterhorn.
• 11:00 Explore the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (#6 on the map).
• 12:00 Take a cable car to EITHER Trockenersteg OR Schwarzee (#7 or #8 on the map).
• Take a gondola to Zermatt, get something for lunch, walk through town, maybe also visit the Matterhorn Museum and Hinterdorfstrasse (#9 on the map).
• 15:12 Gornergrat Railway – from Zermatt to Gornergrat (#4 on the map).
• 15:45 Gornergrat (#2 on the map).
• 16:45 Hike from Gornergrat to Rotenboden (#3 on the map) & visit Riffelsee (#1 on the map). The later you come here, the more chance you have to see the reflections on the lake. The reflections are usually best early morning or late evening.
• 18:23 Take a train from Rotenboden to Zermatt. Keep an eye on the train schedule – there is just 1 train per hour after 4-5 pm, and the last train to Zermatt is usually at around 8 pm (in summer).
• 18:59 Arrive in Zermatt and dinner.

If you have even less time, you could shorten this by not doing the hike at Gornergrat and/or skipping Trockener Steg, Schwarzsee, or the museum in town. If the gondola between Furi and Riffelberg is open, that could also save you some time.

If you have more time, visit both – Trockener Steg and Schwarzsee.

Use these suggestions just as an indication and adjust the itinerary based on your own interests!

Getting to Zermatt

Zermatt is located in the Valais region in southern Switzerland. It’s separated from central Switzerland by high mountains with some serious mountain passes to cross.

So if you are just visiting Zermatt for a day from Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucerne, or other biggest towns, it’s best to take a train (free with the Swiss Travel Pass ). Driving to Zermatt by car for just one day would only make sense if you are already staying somewhat nearby and the drive is not more than 2 hours one-way.

Good to know: Zermatt is a car-free village and so no matter where you come from, you’ll have to take a train from Täsch to Zermatt. The train ride from Täsch to Zermatt takes 12 minutes and the trains run every 20 minutes. If you are coming by car, use the big parking garage by the Täsch railway station.

Zermatt Day Trips & Tours

You can easily get to Zermatt and see everything on your own, but there are also day tours available from some bigger cities and there are guided tours available once you get to Zermatt. See here for what’s available at the moment .

These day tours are very expensive, but so are the train tickets to get to Zermatt, not even to mention the tickets to Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

So if you add it all up, it’s a very expensive day trip, no matter how you do it – alone or with a guide.

READ ALSO: Best Day Trips from Lucerne

Where to stay

While you can visit Zermatt as a day trip, depending on where you are coming from, it will be a very long and rushed day. So if you can adjust your itinerary, we highly recommend spending at least one or two nights in Zermatt.

As already mentioned, even if you can stay just 1 night, it will already be more relaxed. But ideally, you spend at least 2-3 nights in Zermatt, so that you have 1 or 2 full days to explore.

Here are some hotel suggestions for a short stay in Zermatt:

• €€€€€ The Omnia .
• €€€€ Backstage Boutique SPA Hotel .
• €€€ Hotel Butterfly .
• €€ Hotel Alpina .

So, this is our guide to visiting Zermatt for a day. I hope that this helps you plan your time and see the very best that this stunning mountain resort has to offer.

TIP: If you found this guide useful, be sure to check out our Switzerland travel guide . It contains an overview of all our articles about a big variety of popular destinations in Switzerland. Alternatively, see some of our favorites below!

Some of our favorite places in Switzerland:

• Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe
• Mt Pilatus from Lucerne
• Mt Pilatus Golden Round Trip
• Lucerne Day Trips
• Grindelwald-First
• Trübsee (Engelberg)
• Schynige Platte
• Skiing in Wengen & Skiing in Engelberg

The nicest cities:

• Best Things to Do in Lucerne
• Best Things to Do in Geneva
• Best Things to Do in Bern

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

Some of our favorite hikes in Switzerland:

• Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge Hike (near Zermatt)
• Best Hikes at Schynige Platte (near Interlaken)
• Oeschinensee Hike (close to Interlaken)
• Four Lakes Hike in Engelberg (near Lucerne)
• Bachalpsee Lake (Grindelwald)
• Stoos Ridge Hike (possible from Lucerne or Zurich)
• 5 Lakes Hike in Zermatt

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Thursday 21st of March 2024

This is amazing and EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED. Thank you so much for the awesome write up and all of the details and advice. This is absolutely fantastic. We are going to Zermatt for the first time this summer (2 nights, 1 full day) as part of an insane 30 day trip to Europe where we are going to see nearly half the continent. I want to make sure we get the most out of each stop and I feel like I am going to succeed now that I have discovered your site.

Glad to help, Ali. Sounds like you are planning quite an adventure. Try to slow down and simply be in the moment once in a while. Enjoy Europe! PS We have tons of similar guides to many other popular destinations in Europe, so take a look at our destinations page or simply use the search button if you are looking for something specific.

Thursday 9th of November 2023

Hi! First of all, thanks for all the suggestions, they are great! I live in Zurich and my mum is visiting from Ecuador. I have bought a tageskarte for Saturday the 6th of January and the plan is to go to Zermatt. My mum is 70 years old and we can't do lots of hiking, we would like mainly sightseeing. That said, do you think is worth it only doing Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and the museum in Zermatt? Do you have any other suggestion? We have to be back in Zurich at maximum 10pm. I mainly want to spend quality time with my mum and see the wonderful landscape.

Thanks a lot!

Friday 10th of November 2023

@Jurga, Thanks for the suggestions! :)

Hi Fernanda, there are a few things to keep in mind - first, you can't predict the weather in advance. Second, hiking in January is out of the question (unless snowshoeing or at much lower altitudes than what is described in this article). And finally, the days are very short at that time of the year so it gets dark very early. So if you get to Zermatt early in the morning and the weather is nice, then you could do Matterhorn as well as Gornergrat, and also the museum after you get back to town. Since you bought a day ticket already, try to make the most of it! As I said, you can't hike at that time of the year anyway, so you'll need much less time at the top and you should be able to visit both main mountain peaks. Also, since it's ski season, the gondola connecting the two areas (Furi to Riffelberg) should also be working which would make it even easier to visit both areas in a short time. Enjoy!

Saturday 16th of September 2023

Hi I want to visit Zermatt, but have a really a very very limited time. I may reach between 1 pm - 2pm (half day) in Zermatt and needs to go back to Zurich at night (have to check maybe the 2nd to the last train trip to Zurich) Even if I want to see Matterhorn closer, most probably I can roam around the Old Town Center only. However I still would like to know, if with this short period, if it's still possible to see Matterhorn closer? Where to? If not, any particular place in Zermatt where at least I can have a photo background of iconic Matterhorn?

Thank you so much

Sunday 17th of September 2023

@Jurga, Thanks a lot! :)

Hi Alma, you can see Matterhorn from the village, but if you want to get closer, take a gondola to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. On the way back, disembark at the Trockener Steg and walk to the little lake near the gondola. You have a pretty nice close view of the mountain there too. That being said, you really need a good 3-4 hours for a proper visit there and gondolas stop running at around 4-4.30pm, so if you only arrive in Zermatt at 2pm, it's not really worth going up anymore, or just to Trockener Steg at best (it's much cheaper than going all the way up too). Another way is to take a train to Gornergrat and also stop at Riffelsee Lake (or hike down to the lake). You have a great view of the Matterhorn from there even though it's technically further away. The advantage of this is that the trains to Gornergrat run much later in the evening, so you don't have the same time pressure as at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Plus, the train to Gornergrat departs very close to the main railway station in the old town where you'll arrive to start with. Otherwise, just stay in the village and you can see Matterhorn (in the distance) from pretty much anywhere. One more thing to keep in mind that if it's cloudy or rainy you may not see it at all, so maybe check the weather forecast before deciding if it's worth such a long trip. Even in the good weather, a short afternoon is really not enough to appreciate what Zermatt has to offer. Hope this helps.

Monday 14th of August 2023

Thank you for these wonderful suggestions and insights into how to get the best of a limited time in Switzerland. Very very useful and practical. I had one general question - if I were to need some transportation between towns, are there any websites or apps that help with arranging some drivers to take you from one place to another? It seems like the more organized transportation service tend to get quite expensive. Since Uber is not available outside of the main cities, I was wondering. Thank you so much in advance for your help.

Hi Shyam, if you are not renting a car, by far the best way to travel around in Switzerland is by train. Alternatively, for certain destinations, you can also find guided tours. Depending on where exactly you go, sometimes these tours may give you better value than purchasing all the separate segments (train, bus, gondolas, etc.) by yourself. This is because many tours use their own buses and get group discounts. But otherwise, train is the way to go. You may want to look into different passes and discount cards available to figure out what would be cheaper for your specific itinerary, but it takes a lot of time and research to compare all different options and your specific situation (e.g. kids of certain age have different discounts than adults or seniors, etc.).

Angie Pezzetta

Thursday 10th of August 2023

Hi Jurga, I am arriving in Geneva September 29th at 7:30am. I am having a hard time planing 4 full days in Switzerland because everything looks so beautiful. I had in mind Zermatt, Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lucerne. We are athletic so we can do some hiking. I was thinking of flying out of Zürich on October 3rd over to Venice I don’t have a time yet on having to leave Switzerland that day. Any suggestions would be so helpful. I am learning so much reading your suggestions.

Thank You, Angie

Friday 11th of August 2023

@Jurga, Thank you so much what a huge help!

Hi Angie, you could spend 4 days in any of these destinations alone, so there are tons of possibilities on how to plan an itinerary. A lots also depends on your interests and the weather. Anyway, if you want to see all these places, I think I'd start with a day in Geneva (see this guide for some ideas of where to go). Then take a train to Zermatt in the late afternoon so that you are already there and can start exploring early next morning. Then (again, late afternoon?) head to Interlaken. Spend the next day either at Grindelwald-First or go to Jungfraujoch and do some hiking around Kleine Scheidegg (I recommend the relatively easy Panorama Route to Mänlichen). In the late afternoon, you could spend some time in Interlaken (e.g. visit Harder Kulm). And then the next day Lucerne and potentially Mt Pilatus. Hope this helps.

THE LOCAL'S ZERMATT TRAVEL GUIDE (ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW)

Our comprehensive zermatt guide .

Are you spending a few days in Zermatt with your family, friends or loved one? Or planning a longterm workation stay in Zermatt? This Guide is brought to you by our Zermatt Holidays team and gives you all the insights from a local perspective. Zermatt is our home and we love to share our passion with you.  We’ve gathered our knowledge about Zermatt since 1988 to help you get the most out of your stay!  Enjoy our comprehensive Zermatt travel guide. 

Where is Zermatt?

Zermatt Village is located at the end of a valley in the south of the canton Valais (Wallis). Zermatt and its ski area is linked with that of Cervinia (Italy), very close to the Italian border. You can literally have lunch in a different country while skiing, quite James Bond like, right?

(© Google Maps)

How to get to Zermatt, Switzerland

Despite its remoteness, Zermatt is quite easy to get to. The nearest airports to Zermatt are Sion, Geneva, Basel, Zurich and Milan. All of the airports have good connections to Zermatt via Brig or Visp, but the  airports with the best connections  definitely are Zurich, Geneva and Basel. So if you are looking for flights, check those airports.

The most environmentally friendly and convenient way to travel to Zermatt is by train. Zermatt is car-free since 1931 (!), only residents with special permission are allowed to drive to the entrance of Zermatt by car. Everyone else has to park their car on one of the 2400 spots of the parking lot in Täsch and then take the 12-minute trainride from Täsch to Zermatt. The train infrastructure in Switzerland is one of the most reliable and efficient in the world.

Travel to Zermatt by Train

Arrival to Zermatt by Train

Get a break from traffic, Zermatt has remained a uniquely car-free resort making the air as fresh and clean as you can imagine. Your first breath will sooth those traveling from cities and comfort nature fans.

How long is the train journey to Zermatt?

Zurich to Zermatt – 3h10min

Basel to Zermatt – 3h15min

Geneva to Zermatt – 3h30min

St.Gallen to Zermatt – 4h30min

Tip: Book an SBB day card in advance , especially if you are travelling in a group or if you are visiting Zermatt with kids , you can save a lot of money ! If there is no day card available, download the SBB App , here you can check the departure times and book train tickets on your phone. If you book your train ticket in advance, prices are significantly cheaper (to benefit from the best price, book your ticket 30 days in advance).

Travel by Car to Zermatt

Travelling by car will increase the time (by around 15%) especially when there’s traffic, which is often the case. Reminder: ZERMATT IS CAR FREE! Don't try to drive to Zermatt because the fines are expensive, but rather enjoy a few more nights in Zermatt instead of paying that fine!

 Traveling to Zermatt by car

Getting around in the village

• Electro Taxi : The most unique but also pricey way of getting around. The small taxis all run on electricity and are truly unique to Zermatt. Charged up and produced in Zermatt you should definitely at least check them out once!
• Buses : The electro bus is free of charge but can be very busy at times. There are two bus routes, red and green, and the colour on the bus bumper indicates which route it takes.
• Bicycle : Especially in the warm months it is a great feeling to ride through the streets with a refreshing breeze around you. Many spots will let you rent their modern E-Bikes.
• On foot : No better way to go for an extended walk than Zermatt, everything in the town of Zermatt if fairly close together and mostly you will discover unique spots on less beaten paths.

Transport in Zermatt - getting arround in the village

Winter season in Zermatt

Dominated by Switzerland’s most famous landmark – the Matterhorn – Zermatt is definitely the best known Swiss ski-resort. A fun-filled place in the Alps, Zermatt continues to attract visitors from all over the globe. Check out our Zermatt ski vacation packages .

November in Zermatt

Autumn atmosphere in the tranquil village of Zermatt. (© Pascal Gertschen)

The winter season in Zermatt traditionally opens in the middle of November, when skiers from Bavaria spend a week on the slopes of the largest summer skiing area in Europe. Until mid-December, the skiers have the slopes almost to themselves. The prices for our  Zermatt Rentals  usually  are at its lowest  at this time. The few visitors spend their days walking the paths that are not yet covered with snow, and appreciate the atmosphere of this village as it must have been before winter tourism began after the Second World War. 

December in Zermatt

From mid-December onwards, visitors from five continents arrive to create the international atmosphere. There are many options in Zermatt for non-skiers , but also ski enthusiastics come here to breathe in the uplifting mountain air, wander the narrow cobbled streets and hill paths, admire the breathtaking Matterhorn, and enjoy the cosmopolitan ambience on the main street (Bahnhofstrasse) with its many shops and some of the best Zermatt restaurants . Maybe, one day, they decide to take Europe’s highest cableway up to the Klein Matterhorn, to look over into Italy, or to walk up to one of the hamlets above the village where cosy mountain restaurants serve local dishes accompanied by a carafe of Valais wine. The horse-drawn carriages on the narrow streets enhance the fairytale atmosphere and the Christmas tree at the train station and Advent music in the background truly add to this magical experience.

View of the Bahnhofstrasse at Christmas time.  (© Leander Wenger)

January in Zermatt 

After the exciting hustle and bustle of a authentic Zermatt Christmas and New Year has passed, some calm returns to the valley, and January is quieter now. One can easily imagine what sort of village the first climbers discovered when they came out here in the middle of the last century. January is also the curler's month, and many visitors come to watch the daily events on the ice rink in the middle of the village.

Curling is a popular winter sport in Zermatt. (© Pascal Gertschen)

February in Zermatt

The longer days of February and March bring thousands of skiers to the slopes. These are also the months for the sun worshippers and those who are fleeing the damp climates of northern Europe. This area is well known as the sunniest area of Switzerland. The mists, that block out the sun until midday in the plains, are unknown here. Until a couple of weeks after Easter, Zermatt is in full swing.

February is usually the month with the best snow conditions for skiing. That's because it has already snowed quite a few times during the season and there are a hand full of fresh snow days in February. We experienced some of the best powder days in February and can really recommend this time for off piste- and on piste skiiers.

Numerous pistes and breathtaking views make skiing in Zermatt so unique. (© Pascal Gertschen)

March in Zermatt

If you visit Zermatt in March, most probably you will still find great conditions on the slopes and snow on the tops of the picturesque chalets. The days are getting longer and warmer, and from time to time, we encounter massive snowfall during March, which can be a great opportunity to search for some powder (although there is no guarantee). Now is also a great time to just sit in a café, enjoy the sun and take some time off. Let the astonishing mountain views sink in and relax. 

April in Zermatt

The winter season is coming to an end and Zermatt celebrates this with a big bang: The Zermatt unplugged festival. Since 2007 people from all over the world come to Zermatt to see big and upcoming musical artists perform. There are concerts next to the slopes and in the village, making the festival a unique and fun experience. Imagine, skiing from concert to concert while enjoying an amazing view! 

The Zermatt Unplugged Festival attracts many music enthusiasts every year. (© Marc Kronig)

There is an abundance of activities to do in   Zermatt ski season . You won’t only enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe but you will discover what pure alpine air can do for your well-being.

Zermatt in summer

Zermatt is not just a world-famous winter ski resort! Long and sunny summers, endless of hiking- and biking trails, climbing activities, sightseeing activities, cable car excursions and summer skiing await you! For the super fit thrill seekers, a glacier traverse above 3000m or a climb to one of the highest peaks in Europe is all in the range of possibilities. Check out our Zermatt packages for more inspiration. 

June is the month for wild flowers. The alpine roses present a lush red carpet decorating the wooded hillsides above the village. The serious hikers are returning, taking advantage of the fact that this is still pre-season, prices are lower and not even the Bahnhofstrasse (main shopping street) is crowded.

By July the summer is in full swing. In the early mornings, groups of young people can be seen hurrying to the cable-car stations to make the most of the morning skiing. Hikers with their rucksacks set out for a day in the mountains. The more leisurely visitors enjoy breakfast on a sunny restaurant terrace before planning their day. Day trippers pour from the trains, and make their way up the main street eager for a first glimpse of the fabled Matterhorn. The goats returning to the village in the evenings are a popular tourist attraction.

Many of September’s visitors return to Zermatt year after year. The valley almost invariably has long sunny autumns, which frequently extend into November. On the occasional rainy day in late autumn it is fascinating to watch the snow gradually creeping further down the mountains, until one morning, a sprinkling of snow covers the meadows surrounding the village and Zermatt knows that once again it will be having a white Christmas.

You can find more information about summer in Zermatt in our guide. If hiking is on our list, we recommend you our blog for hikes in Zermatt . 

Your stay in Zermatt

As you can see, Zermatt is always worth a visit, no matter the weather or season we guarantee it will never get boring. We will continuously update this guide to become your go-to guide when visiting Zermatt. You can find more information in our other guides, which we also regularly update.

Book your Zermatt trip with the best 

If you're looking to elevate your Zermatt experience to the next level, there's no better choice than booking your stay with Zermatt Holidays . We proudly stand as the no.1 choice with an impressive track record of 500+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ratings from satisfied guests. When you choose Zermatt Holidays, you're not just booking accommodations; you're unlocking a world of exceptional service.

Our commitment goes beyond the ordinary. We offer more than just a place to stay; we offer an unforgettable experience. From complimentary pickup and drop-off services at the train station to seamless assistance in organizing your ski passes and train tickets, we've got you covered every step of the way. With Zermatt Holidays, your Zermatt adventure will be nothing short of extraordinary.

Book your Zermatt Holidays experience with us today!

Do not forget to follow us on  Instagram  or  Facebook  for daily updates and travel tips!

If you have any questions regarding this article or our holiday rentals please contact us via +41 27 968 11 30 or email us   [email protected]

© 1999 - 2024 Zermatt Holidays.

phone-square

facebook-square

tripadvisor

Zermatt Travel Guide

The alpine resort of Zermatt attracts thousands of visitors every year who come to see the Matterhorn, the iconic Swiss symbol that overlooks that village.

A popular ski resort in winter, Zermatt is a favourite amongst travellers year-round and even offers skiing on the glacier in summer.

When the snow has melted, the stunning landscape is perfect for hiking and mountain biking but whatever time of year you visit, a mountain excursion to take in the best Matterhorn views is a must.

Be sure to allow time to stroll around the pretty village where you can see the traditional 16th and 17th century houses built on stone. You might also catch the twice-daily parade of black-haired goats through the town or spy the black-nosed sheep in a nearby field.

If shopping’s your thing, there are plenty of options – from high-end luxury brands to souvenir shops – in Zermatt, or just sit down at a cafe or bar and enjoy a drink or a meal and people watch.

Arriving in Zermatt

Zermatt has a ‘car-free’ status, meaning all visitors must arrive by train. Zermatt is serviced by regular trains from all over Switzerland, including the famous panoramic train, the Glacier Express.

Read more about the Glacier Express in this article .

If you are travelling by car in Switzerland , you’ll need to leave your car at a designated car park in the village of Tasch. The are numerous car parks, including one right beside the train station. Parking costs CHF 16 per 24 hours.

From Tasch, there’s a shuttle train service to Zermatt which operates every 20 minutes with a journey time of 12 minutes.  Tickets cost around CHF 17 return per adult. BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE.

Most hotels in Zermatt provide transport from the Zermatt train station in their electric buses.  If your accommodation doesn’t provide transfers, there’s a taxi stop (electric taxis) outside the station.

Where is Zermatt

Zermatt is located in southern Switzerland in the Canton of Valais.

Zermatt Info

Population: 5,800

Canton: Valais

Language spoken: German and Italian

Average high temperatures: January – 0.2C / 32F; April – 7C / 45F; July – 19C / 66F; October – 11C / 52F

Read all our Zermatt travel guides by clicking the links below …

How to get from Interlaken to Zermatt

Best Mountain Excursions from Zermatt [2024]

How to visit Gornergrat

How to experience the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing

How to get from Zurich to Zermatt

Best Hotels in Zermatt

10 Stunning Chalets and Apartments in Zermatt

Things to do in Zermatt, Switzerland

We travelling to Switzerland.

© Holidays to Switzerland 2024. All Rights Reserved . About • Privacy Policy • Disclaimer/Disclosure • Contact

Deals of the Week   European Long Weekends   Up to 50% OFF

Zermatt Tours & Trips

Find the right tour for you through Zermatt. We've got 84 adventures going to Zermatt, starting from just 5 days in length, and the longest tour is 39 days. The most popular month to go is June, which has the largest number of tour departures.

84 Zermatt tour packages with 2,544 reviews

• Christmas & New Year

Independent Switzerland Tour of Moutain Tops

The planning was great and easy to follow. We had great time. I do hope I could get the itinerary earlier so we can make additinal plan at each stop early on. And it would be great to have more transparency on the pricing also.

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

• In-depth Cultural
• Train & Rail

Contrasts of Switzerland (8 Days)

Such a wonderful experience. Craig made the trip smooth and educated us on all things Switzerland. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone wanting to see Switzerland

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Scenic Switzerland Train Tour with Glacier Express, Daily Departure

8 Days Switzerland Tour (Zermatt, Interlaken, Lucerne and Zurich)

• Hiking & Trekking
• Mountain Hikes

Haute Route - Switzerland

Matthew was amazing. World class guide. The tour description did not match the actual schedule (no gondola day #1). Unfortunately, those of us in good hiking fitness were held back by those less fit. That was frustrating to hike then wait over and over again. Meals as advertised. Trail lunches were terrific; allowing for great views and spending time with our group.

Switzerland in 5 days - Covering Geneva , Montreux and Zermatt

The Haute Route

Walking the Valais Matterhorn Region - Premium

Glorious Switzerland (Classic, 8 Days)

What a terrific journey! The trip includes visits to Geneva, Montreux, Zermatt, Baveno, St. Moritz, Liechtenstein and Lucerne. Glacial lakes, stunning mountains and beautiful scenery everywhere you look! One of my favourite experiences was the Glacier Express, through the heart of the Swiss Alps. Martin was our superb Travel Director, and he was an incredible force as he acted as host, and organized even the smallest details. Wandering through the mountains surrounding Zermatt in my free time was a memory I will appreciate forever. A fantastic journey, done in impressive style!

Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn

• Coach / Bus

Best of Switzerland (9 Days)

Wasn’t sure I would like a bus tour but our tour guide did an excellent job of keeping everything running smoothly. I felt stopping in Bern to see the bears did not give us a very good over view of Bern. We could have skipped that stop. The included meals were only so so. The optional tours were excellent. Did get to see a lot of Switzerland and experience all forms of transportation.

THE SWISS EXPRESS

The Best of Switzerland

I feel so lucky to have travelled on such a beautiful tour!!! The Vista of Switzerland is simply breathtaking and Globus couldn't have made it better!!!!! I loved loved loved it :)

Scenic Switzerland by Train

I loved this tour! It's not rushed. You get time to explore on your own. The excursions are optional, though on the tour I went on everyone else did all the excursions and there wasn't always a lot to do if you didn't go on the excursion. But it was a great tour. A great way to get to see most of Switzerland. I staid for a few days after and went to Grindelwald, which was absolutely worth it. Marco was our tour guide and he was great. I definitely suggest this tour if you're looking for something guided but not rushed.

Country Roads of Switzerland (Classic, 14 Days)

Really enjoyable trip.

What people love about Zermatt Tours

Had an amazing time in Switzerland and met new wonderful friends. Trafalgar did a great job. Everything was organized and safety was top priority. Will travel with Trafalgar again.

• to Europe (1)
• Discover the Best Switzerland Vacation Packages 2024/2025
• Switzerland Travel Guide | All You Need to Know

• South Africa
• Afghanistan
• North Korea
• Adventure + Outdoors
• Amusement Parks
• Backpacking Trips
• Boating + Cruises
• Budget Travel
• Bus + Train Travel
• Coasts + Islands
• Country Trips
• Fall Vacations
• Family Vacations
• Green Travel
• Heritage + History
• Honeymoons + Romance
• Inspiration + Guide
• Landmarks + Attractions
• LGBT Travel
• Markets + Bazaars
• National Parks + Reserves
• Nature + Wildlife
• Parks + Gardens
• Pets + Animals
• Photography
• Airlines + Airports
• Budgeting + Currency
• Business Travel
• Celebrity Travel
• Customs + Immigration
• Deals + Rewards
• Family Travel
• Hotels + Resorts
• Luggage + Packing Tips
• Offbeat News
• Photography Tips
• Responsible Travel
• Solo Travel
• Tech + Gear
• Travel Etiquette
• Travel Warnings
• Bars + Clubs
• Celebrity Chefs
• Restaurants + Cafés
• Wine + Vineyards
• Beach Hotels
• Boutique Hotels
• Hotel Openings
• Hotel Reviews
• Luxury Hotels
• Mountain + Ski Resorts
• Spa Resorts
• Vacation Rentals
• Asia Cruises
• European Cruises
• Festivals + Events
• Museums + Galleries
• Style + Design
• Travel’s Best
• Hotel with Agoda.com
• Hotel with Booking.com

Explore Fenqihu old street — What to do in Fenqihu in…

Where to go in Kunming? — 15+ top Kunming attractions &…

Must eat in Georgetown — 10+ famous, must-eat & best street…

Must eat in Melaka — 10+ famous Malacca street food &…

What to do in Alishan? — 5 top attractions & best…

All about tips in Nepal — How much to tip in…

Cambodia travel tips — 15+ what to know & things to…

When is the best time to visit Kyoto? — The best,…

When is the best time to visit Malaysia? — The best,…

Hong Kong Soya sauce Chicken Rice and Noodles — The first…

Hong Kong food culture — Hong Kong cuisine tells the historical…

Top hotels in Siem Reap — 8+ best places to stay…

Top hotels in shanghai — 15+ best hotels in Shanghai

Top hotels in Malacca — 10+ good & best hotels in…

Top places to stay in Bali — Top 10 best areas…

10 must-know things for your best first time European river cruise

Top 3 best luxury cruises in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Cherry blossom festival Korea 2024 — Top 5 cherry blossom festivals…

Ghibli museum blog — The fullest Ghibli museum guide for first-timers

Kyoto festival — Top 10 best events & most famous festivals…

National Palace Museum Taipei blog — What to see in National…

Japanese waterfall — Top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan in…

19+ most beautiful towns in Europe every tourist need to visit…

Georgia travel photos — 20+ captivating photos show Georgia is heaven…

Explore Damnoen Floating Market — The oldest floating market of Thailand

Visiting Fenghuang Ancient Town — One of the most charming ancient…

Mekong Delta travel blog — Beyond rivers of Southwestern Vietnam

14 reasons why you should travel when you are young

Shigaraki Tanuki – An animal symbol of good luck in Japan

Living in the charms of cave houses in Andalucia, Southern Spain

20+ jaw-dropping tiny homes around the world

• Switzerland

Zermatt travel blog — The fullest Zermatt travel guide blog & the detailed Zermatt itinerary 2 days

If you are a big fan of Switzerland, you may have no strange to the word “Zermatt”. Although Zermatt isn’t well known as much as other famous places like Jaufraujoch – Top of Europe, Interlaken or other cities such as Zurich, Lucerne ,… this is the must-visit destination you should spend your holidays on. Not only is it a peaceful place but you also explore a lot of fantastic mountains which is the symbolic of Switzerland. So, what to do in Zermatt – the Zermatt’s fairy tale village? Let’s check out our Zermatt travel blog (Zermatt blog) with the fullest Zermatt travel guide on how to get to Zermatt, top things to do, where to stay, places to visit in Zermatt and how to spend 2 days in Zermatt perfectly (Zermatt itinerary 2 days) to find out the answer!

• Interlaken itinerary 3 days — What to do & how to spend 3 days in Interlaken perfectly?
• Basel blog — The fullest Basel travel guide for first-timers
• Switzerland itinerary 5 days? — What to do & how to spend 5 days in Switzerland perfectly?
• Most beautiful train rides in Switzerland — 9 best train trips & most scenic train routes in Switzerland
• Geneva travel blog — The fullest Geneva travel guide & what to do in Geneva

This small village is situated in a valley, in which you can see the Matterhorn Mount, really like villages in the fairy tales.

Zermatt travel guide: How to get to Zermatt?

Zermatt is located in the north of Switzerland, near the Italy’s border. Therefore, catching a train is the fastest way to Zermatt. It takes two and quarter hours from Interlaken or Bern or three and half hours from Zurich to Zermatt. All the journeys have to pass the transshipment Vsip, next, get off the train and catch the local train from Vsip to Zermatt.

On the way to Zermatt, in spite of the summer or winter, the views are incredible with some small villages on the cliffs covered by the clouds. What a fantastic scenery!

Zermatt travel blog: Where I should stay in Zermatt?

Tourism is the main profession in Zermatt so that you can find a lot of budget-hotel here. As I am a solo traveler, I find an accommodation on Airbnb. Incidentally, I’ve already placed at Martin’s Eable’s Nest a lovely tiny apartment locating on the hill with a great view of Zermatt.

The apartment is a single room with a single bed for guest like me and sleeper sofa for host. Martin (my host) is an American Swiss. In spite of the age, he is still healthy and perfectly lucid. Although there are a lot of stuffs inside, this apartment is pretty clean, especially the guest’s bed. Something you should know that the apartment located on a high hill. Therefore, if you bring a lot of baggage and can manage on your own, believe me, it will be very hard for you to carry it to this apartment alone.

In addition, why don’t you consider some hotels follow in Zermatt with captivating views?

Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel: You can enjoy the incredible Matterhorn’s views from the Suite room. If you’re not on a budget, just take a hot coffee in the downstairs and you’ll be mesmerized by the view of the Matterhorn, barely taking your eyes off it.

Address : Schluhmattstrasse 131, 3920 Zermatt, Switzerland.

You can find, check rates, reviews & availability for this hotel on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Parkhotel Beau Site: Spacious Four-star Hotel with many kinds of rooms and splendid view of the Matterhorn. Located at a peaceful area, this hotel also has swimming pool and other attractive sight-seeings.

Address: Brunnmattgasse 9, 3920 Zermatt, Switzerland

Besides, some hotels are not in Zermatt but having beautiful views such as Riffelhaus 1853 and one lies at the top of Gornergrat is 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat

Zermatt blog: What to eat in Zermatt?

All my meals in Zermatt are cooked by Martin, of course, I pay for those. My lunch is about 8 – 10 CHF ($ 8.3 – 10.38) and the dinner is 15 CHF ($ 15.57). About those, Martin will contact to you with basic information before you arrive here.

The simplest lunch consists of Spaghetti, Toast (bread is eaten with jam) and a cup of hot tea. For dinner, you’’ll have a plate of mashed potatoes, Swiss sausage and pickles, apple juice and a delicious apple pie. The original text which Martin wrote to me: Roesti with veal sausage and Swiss Apple Juice. It can be said that the meals are pretty good, comfortable stay and beautiful views.

Zermatt travel blog: Some activities, things to do as well as best places you should visit in Zermatt

Climb up the matterhorn peak.

Most people come to Zermatt just because of the Matterhorn, said by Martin. Indeed, the Matterhorn is considered as symbol of Zermatt and you can view at this spectacular mountain in every corner of the town.

If you have mountaineering experience, don’t miss the chance of conquering the Matterhorn. Also, you can join some rock-climbing tours to mix yourself with its nature.

Take a walk at Zermatt’s stunning village

Zermatt center is kinda small and just need only an hour on foot to visit. But if you want to take pictures of the whole village, you can get on the top of the hill. A speciality is in the winter when the entire roof is covered by snow, the village appears like in a fairy tales.

Besides, you can take a visit to The Matterhorn Museum where has saved a variety of items of the village since the 17 th century. This museum is a place in which you can explore and find out the formation and development of this stunning fairy village.

Let’s ski in Zermatt

You can meet many people bringing along skiing instruments. This area is a good jumping-off point for outdoor activities, especially skiing because surrounding landscapes are mountains covered by snow. Of course, there will have means odd transportation bringing you up to the top of the mountains and pistes from easy to hard level.

Catching a train to Gornergrat

Normally, tourists are seldom hiking the Matterhorn Mount, but easily catch the views from the far off mountains. And getting on a train to Gornergrat is the best way to have best views and take photos as much as you want about this famous mountain.

The train will start at the Zermatt Station (particular station to Gornergrat and next to the station which go to Switzerland’s cities).

Zermatt itinerary 2 days: How to spend 2 days in Zermatt

Day 1: around trip from interlaken to zermatt.

5:00 a.m: Getting started the two-day in Zermatt by catching a train from Interlaken to Zermatt in the early morning. If posible, you may stop at Spiez where is near Interlaken to have a look at the beautiful Spiez Lake. Moreover, you can get the incredible window views, villages on the cliffs, snow under and so on along sides in the train to Zermatt.

8:00 a.m: The train arrives to Zermatt – the famous village of Switzerland and the top of Matterhorn isn’t far as much. Today is a snowy day and all the roads are covered by thick snow that why I’m out of the station and find the way back my apartment.

9:00 a.m: At this time, I’ve already contact to my host after my rounding trip to Zermatt. I am got by Martin and we come back to the apartment. This apartment lies at a bit high hill so that it is kinda hard to move around but for the fantastic views, I almost forget all those matter.

Wandering around streets in Zermatt town for a while, I turn back to Martin’s place right after that due to the snowy all day.

Day 2: Zermatt – Gornergrat – Matterhorn

7:00 a.m: Getting up early and taking the Zermatt’s sunrise photos from the apartment which is opposite the Matterhorn Mount.

9:00 a.m: Catch a train to Gornergrat. The train will stop at Riffelberg before getting to Gornergrat’s top. By the way, the scenery in this mount is really wonderful.

Buying tickets train to the Gornergrat’s top, you will get a cute tiny Matterhorn chocolate bar. Also, you should buy round-trip ticket because this is hop on hop off ticket which means you can get off anywhere you like with this ticket and the price is also cheaper than buying retail.

11:00 Get on the train to Gornergrat. From here, you can catch incredible views of this whole famous Matterhorn Peak. Hotels, restaurants are available on the top of Gornergrat or if you arrive here in summer, you can visit the beautiful Reffelsee Lake.

12:00 Turn back to Zermatt by train and then I have meal after wandering around the town. Finally, I come back to Martin’s place to get my luggage.

14:30 Saying goodbye to Martin as well as ending two-day in Zermatt’s stunning fairy village, I’m officially out of Zermatt.

Leave Zermatt with all my heart from snowy village to fantastic mountains. There are a lot of things in Zermatt that I didn’t experience yet. If possible in the next time, I will join The Matterhorn rock-climbing tour to explore all the magnificent lake reflecting the mountains and a variety of amazing things in Zermatt.

Are you looking for more Switzerland destinations? Read more: Lucerne travel blog — The fullest Lucerne travel guide for a great trip to Lucerne for the first-timers.

Related articles

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Explore fenqihu old street — what to do in fenqihu in a day trip, where to go in kunming — 15+ top kunming attractions & best places to visit in kunming, must eat in melaka — 10+ famous malacca street food & must try food in melaka, what to do in alishan — 5 top attractions & best things to do in alishan, taiwan, hong kong food culture — hong kong cuisine tells the historical story of the whole land.

Melaka food blog — Experience Melaka delicacies, arrived at by Trishaw

Alishan travel blog — The fullest Alishan travel guide for first-timers

Gingtiangang Grassland Yangmingshan — The ultimate guide on how to go & top things to do

Tokyo best parks — 10+ best & most beautiful parks in tokyo

Editor picks.

Explore Fenqihu old street — What to do in Fenqihu in...

What to eat in Chongqing? — 14+ most famous, best food...

Where to go in Kunming? — 15+ top Kunming attractions &...

Popular posts.

What to buy in USA? — 17+ must buy in USA...

Must buy souvenir in Taiwan — Top 17+ most famous, cheap...

Must buy in Korea — Top 23 cheap, famous & best...

Popular category.

• Inspiration + Guide 1454
• Trip Inspiration 469
• Thailand 209
• Food + Drink 207
• Coasts + Islands 193
• South Korea 168
• Vietnam 166
• Travel Photos 144
• Work for Us
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

ZERMATT-MOUNTAINGUIDE.CH

Set off on your next adventure

WE ARE UNIQUE

Zermatt mountain guides with passion!

We have been taking guests from all over the world to the mountains for more than 32 years.

Thanks to small groups and tailor-made programs, every tour becomes an exclusive experience.

The goal: satisfied customers!

Benefit from personal support and our vast experience on all 7 continents.

Professional Mountain Guides

Lifetime Experience

Unforgettable Mountain Experiences

MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE

Mountainbiking, adventure travel, alpine training, current offers, our current offers.

Gorner Gorge

Freeriding Zermatt

Follow us on Facebook / Zermatt-Mountainguide