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Destinations / Switzerland

Zermatt

Car free village beneath the Matterhorn

natureadventureluxurycouples
Plan your trip to ZermattSee the top 10
6,097Population
GermanLanguage
CHFCurrency
3 daysIdeal stay
$300-450Typical day

Zermatt is a car free mountain village at the foot of the Matterhorn. It offers year round skiing, hiking and views.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. The Gornergrat Railway is a cog railway that climbs from Zermatt to a ridge facing the Matterhorn and the Gorner Glacier. It has been running since 1898.

    Half a dayTime needed
    about $120-165Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Return from Zermatt is CHF 132 May to October 2026 and CHF 96 in winter.

    Tip. Morning.
    Official siteSee on the map

  2. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest cable car station in Europe, at about 3,880 meters. It has an ice palace and views into Italy and France.

    Half a dayTime needed
    about $130-165Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    2026 return is CHF 104 to 132 depending on season.

    Tip. Clear days.
    Official siteSee on the map

  3. Zermatt is a car free village at the foot of the Matterhorn, with chalets, shops and restaurants. Electric taxis and horse carriages replace cars.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Walk the old Hinterdorf quarter to see wooden barns on stone stilts.
    See on the map

  4. The Five Lakes Walk links five mountain lakes above Zermatt, some of which reflect the Matterhorn. It starts from the Blauherd station.

    Half a dayTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Lift fee.

    Tip. Walk in the morning for still water and clear reflections.
    See on the map

  5. Sunnegga is a sunny plateau above Zermatt, reached by an underground funicular. It has the small Leisee lake with views of the Matterhorn.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $30-40Cost
    noBook ahead

    Return.

    Tip. Families like the lake beach and the playground.
    See on the map

  6. The Matterhorn Museum tells the story of the first ascent in 1865 and the tragedy that followed. It is built as a reconstructed village.

    1 hourTime needed
    about $10-12Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry.

    Tip. Allow an hour, and visit the mountaineers' cemetery nearby.
    See on the map

  7. The Gorner Gorge is a narrow gorge carved by glacier water, with wooden walkways over the rushing river. It is close to the village.

    1 hourTime needed
    about $5-8Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry.

    Tip. Visit in summer, when the walkways are open.
    See on the map

  8. Zermatt has one of the highest ski areas in the Alps, with glacier skiing even in summer. Its slopes connect with Cervinia in Italy.

    Full dayTime needed
    about $80-100Cost
    noBook ahead

    Day pass.

    Tip. Bring your passport if you ski into Italy.
    See on the map

  9. Riffelsee is a small lake near Gornergrat that reflects the Matterhorn. It is one of the most famous photo spots in the Alps.

    1 hourTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Train.

    Tip. Get off the train at Rotenboden and walk down.
    See on the map

  10. The Hornli Hut is the base camp for the Matterhorn climb, reached by a steep trail from Schwarzsee. It has views of the north face.

    Full dayTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Lift.

    Tip. Start early, and only go in good weather.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Zermatt in three days

Add hikes.

  1. Gornergrat RailwayHalf a day · about $120-165
  2. Matterhorn Glacier ParadiseHalf a day · about $130-165
  3. Zermatt village2 hours · Free
  4. Five Lakes WalkHalf a day
  5. Sunnegga2 hours · about $30-40
  6. Matterhorn Museum1 hour · about $10-12
  7. Gorner Gorge1 hour · about $5-8
  8. SkiingFull day · about $80-100
  9. Riffelsee1 hour
  10. Hornli Hut hikeFull day
Beyond the city

Day trips

Saas Fee

Glacier village.

22 mi · Bus and train about 1.5 hours

Leukerbad

Thermal baths.

43 mi · Train and bus about 1.5 hours

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: July to September and December to April. Hiking and ski seasons.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.94.7JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

22°F
Typical daily high
Average14°F
Rain2.5 in
About8 rainy days
Sun strength1.4 kWh/m²

No season note for this month.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

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Know before you go

At a glance

5/5
Safety

The US State Department rates Switzerland at Level 1 (normal precautions); Zermatt is very safe; mountain weather is the risk.

5/5
Walkability

Car free.

4/5
Public transport

Electric buses and mountain trains.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
123

1. Village center

$$$$

Best for: first-timers

Near station.

2. Winkelmatten

$$$

Best for: couples

Quiet.

3. Tasch

$$

Best for: budget

Shuttle.

Getting there and around

Main airportGeneva Airport (GVA), 143 mi from the center
To the centerTrains take about 3.5 to 4 hours via Visp.
Around townWalk or take e-taxis.
Ride appsUber
Taste it

What to eat

Raclette

Melted cheese.

Rosti

Potatoes.

Valais wine

Local.

Good to know

PlugsType J and C, 230 V
Tap waterSafe to drink
TippingService is included; rounding up is appreciated.
PaymentsCards and contactless are widely accepted.
EtiquetteKeep quiet on trains and in mountain huts. Greet people on trails with Gruezi or Hoi, and stay on marked paths to protect the alpine landscape.
  • The village is car free; park in Tasch and take the shuttle train.
  • Prices are high, especially for mountain lifts.
  • Weather changes quickly; check webcams before going up.
  • Peak Pass and Swiss Travel Pass discounts apply to some lifts.

A short history

Zermatt was a farming village. The first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 ended in tragedy. Railways arrived in 1891. It became a top resort.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Zermatt