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Zermatt is a car-free mountain village at the head of the Mattertal in the Swiss canton of Valais, sitting almost directly beneath the pyramid of the Matterhorn. It grew from a farming settlement into a mountaineering center after the first ascent of the peak in 1865, a climb that ended in tragedy on the descent and made the mountain famous. Electric taxis and the occasional horse carriage now move through streets lined with chalets and hotels.
A wander along Bahnhofstrasse leads to the Kirchbrücke, a favorite spot for Matterhorn views, and into the Hinterdorf, where old wooden barns stand on stone stilts. St. Mauritius Church and the Mountaineers' Cemetery recall climbers lost on nearby peaks, and the Matterhorn Museum covers that history in more depth. Just outside the village, walkways run through the Gorner Gorge. Above town, the cog railway to Gornergrat passes the reflective Riffelsee, while the Sunnegga funicular gives access to the Five Lakes Walk and continues toward the Rothorn. The highest lift climbs to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, where glacier skiing is possible even in summer.
Zermatt draws hikers in summer and skiers through a long winter season. The shoulder months bring lift closures and maintenance, so checking schedules matters. Accommodation spans simple guesthouses to luxury hotels.
WiserMap travel guideZermatt Switzerland Matterhorn Views and Five Lakes WalkA detailed Zermatt guide: Gornergrat, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the Five Lakes Walk, the old Hinterdorf, Valais food, where to stay and when to visit.Read the guide
Zermatt's car-free main street runs from the train station past hotels, shops and restaurants, with electric taxis humming by. At its end, the Kirchbrucke bridge over the Vispa river is a famous spot to photograph the Matterhorn. Tip: come at sunrise to see the peak glow.
The oldest part of Zermatt, a lane of dark larch-wood barns and granaries, many standing on stone discs to keep mice out, some over 500 years old. It shows what the village looked like before tourism. Tip: it lies just off the main street, a short walk from the church.
The village church in the center of Zermatt, and beside it a cemetery where climbers who died on the Matterhorn and other peaks are buried, many with ice axes and ropes carved on their graves. Tip: it is a quiet, moving place, so visit respectfully.
Two old hamlets above Zermatt with weathered wooden barns, small chapels and mountain restaurants. Findeln sits on the way to Sunnegga with Matterhorn views, and Zmutt lies on a trail west of the village. Tip: both make easy hikes with a long lunch on a sunny terrace.
An underground museum in the center of the village laid out like an old Zermatt hamlet. It tells the story of the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 and its tragic descent, showing the broken rope, and the growth of the village. Tip: it is a good option for a cloudy day.
A narrow gorge just south of the village where the Gornera river has carved through green serpentine rock. Wooden walkways and stairs lead through the gorge over the rushing water. Tip: it is open only in summer, takes less than an hour, and an entrance fee is charged.
A rocky ridge at 3,089 metres, reached by Europe's highest open-air cog railway, running since 1898. The summit faces the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and the Gorner Glacier, and has a hotel and restaurant. Tip: sit on the right side of the train going up for the best Matterhorn views.
The Unterrothorn summit at about 3,100 metres, reached by funicular and cable car through Sunnegga and Blauherd. It offers one of the most complete views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks, with a restaurant at the top. Tip: in summer, hike down past lakes to Sunnegga.
The highest cable car station in Europe, at about 3,883 metres on the Klein Matterhorn. It has a viewing platform, an ice palace inside the glacier and year-round skiing. A crossing continues to Cervinia in Italy. Tip: the altitude can cause dizziness, so move slowly up top.
A small dark lake at 2,583 metres at the foot of the Matterhorn, reached by cable car. A tiny white chapel stands on its shore, and it is the start of the hike toward the Hornli hut, the base for Matterhorn climbs. Tip: it is a fine starting point for easy hikes back down to Zermatt.
A small mountain lake below the Gornergrat, a short walk from Rotenboden station, famous for its perfect reflection of the Matterhorn on calm mornings. A trail continues downhill to Riffelberg. Tip: get off the train at Rotenboden on the way down, and walk to the lake.
An underground funicular from the village reaches Sunnegga, a sunny terrace with Matterhorn views. From Blauherd, the Five Lakes Walk links Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grunsee, Moosjisee and Leisee. Tip: Stellisee gives the classic Matterhorn reflection in the morning.
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