Zermatt and the Matterhorn travel guide

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

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.

Top attractions and things to do in Zermatt

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).

Which areas should you visit in Zermatt?

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.

Best places to stay in Zermatt

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.

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.

Best restaurants and cafés in Zermatt

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.

• 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.

Nightlife and entertainment in Zermatt and the Matterhorn

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.

How to get around Zermatt

By train

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.

By car

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.

By taxi

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).

By bus

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.

Excursions and day trips from Zermatt

Saas-Fee

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 Goms

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.

Münster

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 .

Sports and activities around Zermatt and the Matterhorn

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.

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.

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