- Top Attractions
- See & Do
- Eat & Drink
- Hotels
- Apartments
- Vacation Rentals
- Bed & Breakfasts
- Villas
Why Visit Zermatt
Zermatt's history is tied to the Walser people, who settled here in the 13th century. Their influence is visible in the old village, with its sun-blackened wooden barns and granaries on stilts, designed to keep mice out. This is one answer to 'what is Zermatt famous for' beyond the mountains.
Surrounded by 38 peaks over 4,000 meters, Zermatt offers 400 km of hiking trails. The Gornergrat railway provides stunning views of the Matterhorn and Gorner Glacier. For a unique perspective, try the Five Lakes Walk, where Stellisee offers a perfect Matterhorn reflection at sunrise.
Valaisan cuisine is hearty, perfect after a day outdoors. Try a fondue or raclette made with local Gommer cheese. For a true local specialty, ask for 'Cholera,' a savory vegetable and potato pie. Pair it with a glass of Fendant, a crisp white wine from the Valais region.
- ZermattSwitzerland
- ZermattSwitzerland
- ZermattSwitzerland
- ZermattSwitzerland
Quick Travel Essentials
- Dec-Marcold, snow for skiing
- Apr-Junmild, great for hiking
- Jul-Augwarm, peak tourist season
- Sep-Novcooler, fewer visitors
- #WarmClothes
- #SkiGear
- #ComfortableHikingBoots
- #Sunscreen
- #ReusableWaterBottle
- 3-5 days for highlights
- 6-7 for side trips
- Swiss Franc (CHF)
- German & French & Italian
- English widely spoken
- #Matterhorn
- #Gornergrat
- #ZermattVillage
- #KleinMatterhorn
- #hikingtrails
- #LauterbrunnenValley
- Skiing at Matterhorn Glacier
- Hiking to Gornergrat
- Riding the Glacier Paradise cable car
- Exploring Zermatt's car-free streets
- Tasting Swiss cheese fondue
Recommended Hotels in Zermatt by Experience
Things to do in Zermatt
Discover
Exploring Zermatt unveils the iconic Matterhorn, with stunning views from Gornergrat reached by cogwheel train. Discover the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe's highest cable car station, and uncover local history at the Matterhorn Museum.
Experience
Hike over 400 km of trails in summer or ski the vast slopes in winter. Experience Swiss culinary traditions like raclette. The Zermatt Unplugged music festival and the Swiss Food Festival are popular seasonal events to enjoy in the village.
Matterhorn
Iconic pyramidal peak, a defining symbol of the Alps.
Gornergrat Bahn
Europe's highest open-air cogwheel railway experience.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Highest cable car station with a panoramic viewing platform.
Matterhorn Museum - Zermatlantis
Museum showing the village's history and first ascents.
5 Lakes Walk (5-Seenweg)
Scenic hike with Matterhorn reflections in alpine lakes.
Gorner Gorge
Natural gorge with wooden walkways over rushing water.
Hinterdorf Street
Historic old village with traditional wooden barns and homes.
Before You Arrive
Getting There
Fly to Zurich (ZRH) or Geneva (GVA) to plan a trip to Zermatt. From either airport, a scenic train to Zermatt takes about 3.5 hours, with a change in Visp. The final leg on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn offers spectacular views to the village.
Getting Around
Zermatt's car-free streets are best explored on foot. For public transport in Zermatt, use the frequent electric bus service (Zermatt shuttle bus) or electric taxis. Mountain access is easy via the Gornergrat Bahn cogwheel train and numerous cable cars.
Local Essentials
Driving in Zermatt is prohibited. Leave your car rental at the Matterhorn Terminal in Täsch and take the 12-minute shuttle train. Here are Zermatt travel tips for first-timers: book lift passes and train tickets online in advance to avoid queues.
Where to Stay in Zermatt
Where to Eat and Drink
Celebrate
Explore Zermatt's culinary scene by tasting authentic food. Eat rich cheese fondue and raclette, or try savory Valais dried meat. Join the local Apéro tradition, enjoying a glass of Fendant wine before a hearty mountain dinner.
Enjoy
The best restaurants in Zermatt include Restaurant Schaferstube's cozy, lamb-focused dining, book ahead. Brown Cow is a lively pub spot for drinks, go early. For a classic cafe feel, grab a bite at Walliserkanne, sunny terrace.
Restaurant Chez Vrony
Iconic mountain views and gourmet Swiss cuisine. Popular spot.
Restaurant Schaferstube
Specializes in traditional lamb dishes and fondue. Cozy.
saycheese!
The place for classic Swiss cheese fondue and raclette. Fun.
Restaurant Spycher
Known for exciting flambéed dishes and grilled meats. Book.
Events & Festivals
Celebrate
Explore Zermatt's heritage through its must-see traditional events. The Folklore Festival in August fills the streets with parades and costumes. The Shepherd's Festival in September celebrates the black-nose sheep, a village icon.
Enjoy
Discover Zermatt's creative side with its modern events. Zermatt Unplugged in April is a premier acoustic music festival with international artists. The Zermatt Music Festival & Academy in September offers classical concerts with renowned soloists.
Zermatt Unplugged
A five-day acoustic music festival in April.
Folklore Festival
August festival with a large parade, music, and dance.
Swiss National Day
Celebrations on August 1st with fireworks and festivities.
Shepherd's Festival
September event to choose the most beautiful sheep.
Horu Trophy
One of Europe's largest outdoor curling tournaments in January.
Taste of Zermatt
A culinary event with top chefs and regional delicacies.
Zermatt Music Festival & Academy
Classical music concerts featuring young musicians in September.
A truly spectacular place
Zermatt is just spectacular, with the Matterhorn visible from almost everywhere. The village is completely car-free, which makes walking around so peaceful. It feels super clean and safe. A beautiful place for a mountain getaway.
Unbelievable ski conditions
Absolutely epic skiing! The runs are long and the snow was perfect in March. It's so cool that you can ski over to Italy for lunch. The lift system is modern and gets you up the mountain quickly. Worth every penny for a serious ski trip.
Perfect winter village
Zermatt has such a cozy feeling, especially after a day on the slopes. Strolling down Bahnhofstrasse at night with all the lights is magical. We found a great little spot for cheese fondue that the whole family loved. Perfect winter holiday.
Great fun after skiing!
The mountains are amazing, but the aprés-ski scene is also fantastic! So many good bars right off the slopes to unwind with friends. Good music and a great crowd. It's a really fun place to be after a long day of skiing.
More than just skiing
We didn't even ski, but the trip was wonderful. Taking the Gornergrat railway up for the panoramic views of the glaciers and the Matterhorn was the highlight. The town is very walkable and has plenty of nice shops and cafes to enjoy.
High quality experience
This place is definitely high-end but delivers on quality. The mountain restaurants are a step above what you normally find. Shopping is great too. It's a polished experience from the moment you arrive on the train. Everything is efficient and beautiful.