Before you go

Your trip to Zermatt.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Zermatt – Valais

How to get there

Aeroporto de Zurique (ZRH) Zurique · 240 km
Aeroporto de Genebra (GVA) Genebra · 235 km
Zermatt 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn train links Visp and Brig to Zermatt, with departures every half hour from Visp, in a little over an hour. From Berna it's about 2 h 15 min. From Zurique airport (ZRH) it's roughly 240 km; from Genebra (GVA), roughly 235 km, also with a change in Visp. Confirm before purchasing.

How many days

One day is enough for the Gornergrat in the morning and the village center in the afternoon. Two days add the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Schwarzsee. With three days you can include Sunnegga, the five-lakes trail and the Gornerschlucht.

When to go

In the European summer, from July to September, the trails and the Gornerschlucht are open and the days are long. From December to April the village lives off skiing, with short days and very cold conditions at altitude. Some cable cars close for maintenance in May, June, October and November.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. Internal-combustion cars don't enter Zermatt: they stay in the Täsch car park, from where a shuttle train takes you to the village in 12 minutes, every 20 minutes for most of the day. In the village electric buses and taxis operate, and almost everything is within walking distance of the station.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Zermatt

Morning
Train to the Gornergrat
Take the rack railway early at the station and ride up to the Gornergrat, at 3,089 m, to see the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa.
Afternoon
Riffelsee and descent
Descend to Rotenboden, walk to the Riffelsee and return by train to the village for lunch.
Late afternoon
Hinterdorf and cemetery
Walk along Bahnhofstrasse, go into the alleys of Hinterdorf and visit the climbers' cemetery next to the church.
Evening
Dinner in the village
Try a Valais dish, such as raclette, at a restaurant in the center.

2 days in Zermatt

Day 1

Morning
Gornergrat
Take the train up to the Gornergrat on the early departures, when the sky is usually clearer.
Afternoon
Hike to Riffelberg
Walk from the Gornergrat to Riffelberg via the Riffelsee and descend by train.
Late afternoon
Museum and center
Visit the Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis, open in the afternoon, and walk to Hinterdorf.
Evening
Bahnhofstrasse
Dine near Bahnhofstrasse and look for the bronze plaques of the Walk of Climb in the pavement.

Day 2

Morning
Ascent to the Glacier Paradise
Take the cable cars up to the viewing platform at 3,883 m and visit the Glacier Palace inside the glacier.
Afternoon
Schwarzsee
On the way back, get off at Schwarzsee to see the lakeside chapel, at the foot of the Matterhorn.
Late afternoon
Gornerschlucht
In the European summer, walk to the Gornerschlucht in the south of the village and follow the walkways.
Evening
Farewell
End the trip with a fondue and the last light of the day on the Matterhorn, seen from the center.

3 days in Zermatt

Day 1

Morning
Gornergrat
Start with the Gornergrat rack railway, with a return stop at Riffelberg or Rotenboden.
Afternoon
Riffelsee
Do the short walk from Rotenboden to the Riffelsee and continue on foot to Riffelberg.
Late afternoon
Climbers' cemetery
Back in the village, visit the climbers' cemetery and the Kirchplatz.
Evening
Center
Stroll along the illuminated Bahnhofstrasse and dine in the center.

Day 2

Morning
Glacier Paradise
Go up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, with the panoramic platform, the Glacier Palace and the Cinema Lounge.
Afternoon
Schwarzsee lake
Go down to Schwarzsee, have lunch near the lake and return to the village by cable car.
Late afternoon
Matterhorn Museum
See the broken rope from the first ascent at the Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis.
Evening
Hinterdorf at night
Walk among Hinterdorf's old barns before dinner.

Day 3

Morning
Sunnegga and Rothorn
Take the funicular to Sunnegga and the cable cars to Blauherd and the Rothorn, at 3,103 m.
Afternoon
Five lakes trail
From Blauherd, do the 5-Seenweg to Sunnegga, passing Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee.
Late afternoon
Gornerschlucht
In season, end the day on the walkways of the Gornerschlucht, a 15-minute walk south of the village.
Evening
Farewell dinner
Have dinner in the center and pack your bag: the Glacier Express departs from Zermatt station in the morning.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Why are there no cars in Zermatt?

The village prohibits private combustion-engine cars. Vehicles that operate are electric, such as taxis, buses and hotel carts. Those arriving by car park in Täsch.

What language is spoken in Zermatt?

German, with the Upper Valais dialect. Valais is bilingual, but French predominates only in the lower part of the canton, in towns like Sion. English is common in hotels, restaurants and cable cars.

Where can you see the Matterhorn without climbing the mountain?

From the village center itself: the bridge over the Vispa river by the Catholic church and the streets to the south of the village have views of the mountain when the clouds allow.

Which viewpoint to choose if you have just one day?

The Gornergrat is the simplest: the train departs in front of the station and climbs in about 33 minutes. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is higher, at 3,883 m, and takes about 45 minutes including cable-car changes.

Back to Zermatt