Zermatt is one of Switzerland’s premiere destinations for skiing, hiking and just enjoying one of the most adorably quaint, yet upscale mountain villages in the world. Whether you decide to visit in summer or winter, there is plenty for you to see, do and enjoy. Zermatt’s famous Matterhorn is one of Europes highest and arguably its most recognizable Alpine peaks. Besides being beautiful to look at, Zermatt’s glaciers provide year round opportunities to ski. The skiing conditions are not necessarily the best in the alps, but the views are unbeatable.

How to Get There

Zermatt has a no car policy inside the town so no matter how you plan on getting to Zermatt you’ll undoubtedly end up on a bus or train that drops you off at the edge of town. For us, the best way to both get to Zermatt while experiencing the incredible scenery as you approach is to do so by train, particularly on the Glacier Express if it fits your itinerary.

This legendary train trip connects St. Moritz with with Zermatt. This trip is not included in the price of a regular Swiss Travel Pass and must be purchased as a stand alone ticket. But, if it fits your travel itinerary and budget, it will reward you with what is widely considered to be one of the greatest train journeys in the world. The Classic Trip from St Moritz to Zermatt starts at 395 CHF. You can find more information HERE.

If a ride on the famous Glacier Express doesn’t fit your itinerary, there are plenty of other train options that will get you from where you are to Zermatt. One option to consider if you are traveling through Switzerland for a while is the Swiss Travel Pass.

A Swiss Travel Pass includes:

– Unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat

– Public transportation in more than 90 cities and towns

– Including mountain excursions: Rigi, Schilthorn, Stanserhorn, and Stoos

– Free admission to more than 500 museums throughout Switzerland

Get your Swiss Travel Pass HERE.

Two free informative apps to help plan your Switzerland journey are: Grand Train Tour of Switzerland app and the Swiss Travel Guide app

As we mentioned above, no cars are allowed in Zermatt. So, in the event the you are driving, you will have to make your way to Matterhorn Terminal Täsch first to drop off your car. There is a massive covered parking lot there where you can leave your car and board the train that takes everyone to the village of Zermatt. The Zermatt shuttle runs every 20 minutes and takes 12 minutes to get from Matterhorn Terminal Täsch to Bahnhofstrasse (the main pedestrian street) in Zermatt. The journey from Täsch to Zermatt is included in your Swiss Travel Pass.

Where to Stay

Back Stage Hotel

One of the, hands down, coolest hotels we’ve ever stayed at. This stunning hotel is impeccably decorated, features an incredible bar, great options for food, comfortable rooms and even a movie theatre in the basement. Right across the street is an excellent outdoor ice-skating rink.

Things to Do in Zermatt

Matterhorn

The famous Matterhorn is a sight to see all by itself but it also provides an excellent back drop for outdoor activities regardless of time of the year. Here you can find year round skiing, some of Switzerland’s best hiking and the unique chance to experience a range of glaciers.

Sunrise at Lake Stellisee

In summer, one of the best ways to see the Matterhorn is to get an early start so you can watch the sunrise over Lake Stellisee. The Matterhorn reflecting in this crystal clear mountain lake is one of the most stunning views you’ll see anywhere on Earth. Make sure to book your ticket in advance as only a limited number of people are allotted to go up to Lake Stellisee at sunrise each day. In the morning, you’ll make your way to the Sunnegga-Rothorn valley station at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. You’ll then board the underground funicular up to Sunnegga and then transfer to the gondolas further up to Blauherd. It is then a 20-30 minute hike to the lake where you will be treated to this incredible view. You can camp up at Stellisee as well if that is something that interests you.

Hike the 5 Lake trail

This is from an excellent hiking resource (Earth Trekkers): “Once you have watched the sunrise over the Matterhorn, breakfast can be had at Restaurant Fluhalp just a short walk from the lake. With a full stomach, you then have the day free to hike the popular 5 Lake Trail.

The five lakes consist of Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee. This hike is a pleasant and easy walk that is mostly downhill. Each lake is unique offering different perspectives to view the mighty Matterhorn and surrounding mountains.

Lake Grindjisee, in particular, has a lovely reflection view of the Matterhorn. Lake Grünsee is popular for swimming with its sandy beach and sandy bottom. Moosjisee is a storage reservoir that is a perfect place to stop for a picnic. The milky blue waters provide a stunning contrast to the evergreen trees and white cap mountains. Most people continue on to Leisee for the 5 lake trail and end their day there. However, you can also continue on to Riffelalp where you can catch the train to Gornergrat. Gornergrat provides one of the most awe-inspiring views in the world. Tickets to Gornergrat start at 40 CHF per person. You can purchase them in advance HERE.

From Blauherd (the middle station on the way up to Rothorn, you can walk to Stellisee, which has the best views of the matterhorn. The rest of the hike can be kind of tedious though (6.1 miles and takes at least 3 hours with much of the best views at the beginning). You can just go to Stellisee and then turn around (2 miles – takes about an hour). You can ride the funicular to Sunnegga and then take gondola to Blauherd. The hike to Stellisee starts at Blauherd station. For the best Rothorn experience, you can do Sunnegga, the Rothorn summit and the hike to Stellisee all in the same visit. Purchase return tickets to Rothorn (CHF 77) and visit the 3 in any order that you like. It takes roughly 3 hours.”

I highly recommend you check out the Earth Trekkers’ website if you choose to do this hike as they have excellently detailed information.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Similar to the glacier experience in Grindelwald, there is a dug out glacier experience where you can enter the glacier and enjoy ice sculptures, an ice bar and an ice slide, from within the Matterhorn Glacier.

Gornergrat

If you’re looking for a day trip outside of the tiny town of Zermatt, hands down the most unforgettable excursion you can take from you home base in Zermatt is a trip on the highest open-air rack railway in Europe.

The Gornergrat Bahn shuttles up to the observation platform at Gornergrat, just over 3,000 metres above sea level through a mountain wilderness where no fewer than 29 peaks rise above 4,000 metres. Shockingly the Gornergrat Bahn was originally laid in 1896, becoming the world’s first fully electric cogwheel train.

The trip takes just 33 minutes, but is just as much a part of the excursion as anything else. The train traverses stunning ravines, tunnels, mountain passes and beautiful alpine forests, awe-inspiring views the entire time, before dropping you off at a platform from which the most jaw-dropping scenery imaginable awaits you.

Before hiking down, you can stop and check out the views, from one of Europe’s highest hotels. Here you’ll discover an interactive display called “Zoom The Matterhorn” where you can immerse yourself in a unique IMAX alpine experience as well as a lovely restaurant to grab some food.

The hike to the Toblerone Viewpoint in Rotenboden from Gornergrat is about 30 minutes if you don’t stop. If you are into hiking, it is even possible to hike all the way down to the town of Zermatt from this spot, taking in picturesque views and Zermatt’s famous blacknosed sheep the entire way.

If you want to ensure that you find the sheep, you can do so via GPS collars HERE.

Gorner Gorge

The Gorner Gorge is the result of a glacial river that has been slicing through the rocks since the last Ice Age. This ravine is only about a 15 minute walk from the center of Zermatt.

The gorge is fully navigable with wooden paths, steps and ladders installed to allow you to explore the beautiful formation from within.

Sunnegga

Sunnegga is the ski region of Zermatt and is accessed only via funicular or chair lift. While at Sunnegga you can take a four-seater chairlift to a little cluster of farmhouses that make up the village of Findeln.

The history of Findeln is interesting. As recently as 1954 this was a summer farming community, producing rye and barley. At the start of every summer villagers from the town below would embark on an exhausting cattle drive to this remote spot spot where they could harvest grain, produce cheese and milk to be sold to the villagers down below.

The old barns and farmhouses are still standing, as is the chapel that dates from the 17th century.

Zermatt’s Old Villiage

The old part of the village of Zermatt, known as the “Hinterdorf” (rear village), is home to more than 30 traditional Valais style barn homes, stilted on rock pilings to keep out mice. This is a picturesque road to walk through while exploring the town of Zermatt.

Downhill Mountain Biking

If you’re a biking enthusiast, you can rent mountain bikes at Slalom Sport – Intersport. Hop on the train at the Sunnegga-Rothorn valley station with your mountain bikes and make your way up to Sunnegga via the gondola. From here you can coast down well marked mountain bike paths back towards the town of Zermatt. If you like adventure there are fun bike tours that take you along wide, well marked, well differentiated mountain bike paths that traverse 4 of the 5 mountain lakes that we discussed earlier.

Watch Sunset from The Zermatt Matterhorn Viewpoint

One of the best places, among many, to view sunset in Zermatt is from the Zermatt Matterhorn Viewpoint. Give yourself ample time before the sunsets as there is a substantial uphill walk involved getting to your final destination. Walk just past the Sunnegga-Rothorn valley station for 10 – 15 minutes (uphill) for this classic view.

Forest Fun Park

Especially if you have kids, this is a great time to go zip lining and climbing rope bridges. Forest Fun Park offers 31 amazing zip lines and 95 various obstacles in between the trees to exercise balance and strength of adventurers for 1-3 hours.

Crazy Piano Player Marco

We were not able to find Marco on our last trip to Zermatt. I certainly hope that he is around, somewhere, providing the world with his insane brand of cover songs and bar rocking piano playing. If you’re looking for something to do at night, see if you can find Marco…you won’t be disappointed.