The Ultimate Zermatt Travel Guide
There are very few places in the world that are as instantly recognizable as Zermatt.
With the Matterhorn towering above the village, it’s one of Switzerland’s most iconic destinations—and for good reason.
After finishing our Bernese Oberland Traverse, we spent the final few days of our trip relaxing, hiking and exploring Zermatt. It was the perfect way to end a week in the mountains, giving us time to slow down, recover and experience a completely different side of the Swiss Alps.
While Zermatt is undoubtedly one of Switzerland’s busiest destinations, I still think it’s absolutely worth visiting. The key is knowing what to prioritize, where to spend your time and what experiences are actually worth the money.
In this guide, I’ll share exactly how we’d plan a trip to Zermatt again—including my favourite hikes, restaurants, viewpoints and a few attractions I’d happily skip.
Zermatt at a Glance
Location: Valais, Switzerland
Access: Train only (no private cars)
Elevation: 1,620 m
Recommended Stay: 2–4 nights
Best For: Hiking, Matterhorn views, mountain railways, food
My Rating: ★★★★★
Where is Zermatt?
Located in the canton of Valais, Zermatt is one of Switzerland’s most famous alpine towns, sitting at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn.
Unlike many mountain destinations, Zermatt is completely car-free, which gives it a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere despite being one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Electric taxis and hotel shuttles provide transportation around town, while the extensive network of trains, gondolas and mountain railways makes it easy to explore the surrounding peaks.
Zermatt also serves as the gateway to attractions like Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the Five Lakes Trail, Gornergrat and countless other hiking trails, making it one of the best bases for exploring the Swiss Alps.
How to Get to Zermatt
One of the things I love about Switzerland is that you really don’t need a car.
In fact, you can’t drive into Zermatt.
Instead, you’ll park in the nearby town of Täsch (if you’re driving) or simply arrive by train like we did.
We travelled entirely using Switzerland’s excellent public transportation network, booking our tickets through the SBB Mobile App with the Swiss Half Fare Card. The train journey into Zermatt is beautiful in itself, winding through mountain valleys before arriving right in the centre of town.
If you’re travelling from the Bernese Oberland like we were, the connections are straightforward and make it easy to combine the two regions into one itinerary.
Is Zermatt Worth Visiting?
I’d say yes—but with realistic expectations.
Zermatt is one of the most popular places in Switzerland, and unlike some of the quieter villages we visited during our trip, you’ll definitely notice the crowds.
That said, it’s popular for a reason.
The Matterhorn is every bit as impressive in person as it is in photos, and the hiking opportunities around Zermatt are incredible. Whether you’re tackling a full-day alpine hike or simply wandering the village with a coffee, it’s hard not to appreciate the scenery.
For me, Zermatt is less about the village itself and more about everything surrounding it.
There’s no getting around it—Zermatt is expensive.
Between accommodation, mountain railways and restaurants, it’s one of the priciest places we visited in Switzerland.
That said, I never felt like we were paying simply because of the name.
The hiking, scenery and overall experience genuinely lived up to the price tag, especially if you spend your days exploring the mountains rather than just wandering through the village.
If your budget only allows for one destination in Switzerland, I think Zermatt deserves to be high on your list.
How Many Days Do You Need?
If it’s your first visit, I’d recommend at leasr 3 days.
That gives you enough time to:
Explore the village
Hike the Five Lakes Trail
Enjoy a spa afternoon
Have flexibility for weather
We spent three nights here after finishing our trek and thought it was the perfect amount of time.
Where We Stayed: Hotel Antika
We stayed at Hotel Antika, and I wouldn’t hesitate to book it again.
If your budget allows, I highly recommend paying a little extra for a Matterhorn View Room.
Every morning we woke up to the Matterhorn glowing in the sunrise, and every evening we watched the last light hit the mountain from our balcony. One of my favourite memories was making coffee around 5:30 a.m. and enjoying the view while crowds gathered in the streets below, waiting for the same sunrise we could watch from the comfort of our room.
The hotel itself was clean, comfortable and within easy walking distance of the train station, restaurants and mountain lifts, making it an excellent base for exploring Zermatt.
Would I stay here again?
Absolutely.
Get the Peak Pass
If you’re planning to visit multiple mountain attractions, I highly recommend looking at the Peak Pass.
We purchased the 2-Day Peak Pass, which gave us access to the mountain railways we wanted to use during our stay, including access for the Five Lakes Trail and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
For us, it worked out to be much better value than purchasing individual lift tickets, while also giving us the flexibility to adjust our plans depending on the weather.
If you’re staying two or three days in Zermatt, I’d definitely compare the Peak Pass against individual ticket prices before your trip.
Things to Do in Zermatt
Hike the Five Lakes Trail ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you only have time for one hike in Zermatt, make it this one.
Distance: 9.8 km
Elevation Gain: Approximately 165 m
Time: 2.5–3.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
The Five Lakes Trail is famous for its reflections of the Matterhorn, but what surprised me most was how varied the scenery felt. Each lake has its own personality, and the trail constantly changes between alpine meadows, rocky paths and panoramic viewpoints.
The hike is mostly downhill thanks to the gondola access, making it achievable for most hikers.
Visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Compared to Jungfraujoch, it’s a little quieter and offers spectacular views of the Matterhorn and surrounding glaciers.
Matterhorn Glacier Trail
If you’re already visiting Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, don’t head straight back down.
The Matterhorn Glacier Trail is one of the best ways to experience the landscape around the glacier.
We hiked the trail one-way before catching the gondola back down.
Distance: ~6.6 km
Elevation Gain: Minimal (mostly downhill)
Time: 2–2.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
The scenery feels completely different from the Five Lakes Trail, with glaciers, rocky alpine terrain and incredible views of the Matterhorn throughout the hike.
It’s a fantastic way to get even more value from your Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ticket.
Relax at the Beausite Spa
After finishing the Bernese Oberland Traverse, this ended up being one of my favourite afternoons of the entire trip.
We started the day with a short 10 km hike, then spent the afternoon enjoying the Beausite Hotel Spa Day Pass.
The pass includes access to:
The outdoor infinity pool overlooking the Matterhorn
Indoor pool
Multiple saunas
Steam room
Relaxation areas
Wellness facilities
Complimentary towels and robes
The views from the infinity pool alone made it worth the visit.
At 80 CHF, it definitely isn’t cheap, but if you’re looking for a recovery day between hikes—or simply want to treat yourself—I think it’s one of the best spa experiences in Zermatt.
Wander the Village
Zermatt is a great place to simply slow down. Walk the streets, browse the outdoor shops and enjoy the atmosphere.
Where We Ate
This section can be one of the strongest because you actually remember the meals.
Hotel Schönegg Terrace
One of my favourite meals of the entire trip.
The blackberry summer salad topped with steak was incredible, and the terrace has one of the best Matterhorn views in town.
Their mocktails were excellent too.
Say Cheese – Grand Hotel Zermatterhof
If you’re looking for a memorable fondue experience, this is it.
We finished our trip with both cheese fondue and Toblerone chocolate fondue, and it was the perfect way to celebrate.
Things I’d Prioritize
If I only had two days in Zermatt, I’d:
✔ Hike the Five Lakes Trail
✔ Visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
✔ Eat dinner overlooking the Matterhorn
✔ Spend an afternoon at the Beausite Spa
Things I’d Skip
Glacier Express
This is probably my hottest Switzerland take…
I wouldn’t do it again.
We rode First Class from Zermatt to Andermatt, and while it was comfortable, I honestly preferred travelling on Switzerland’s regular trains.
The scenery was nice, but not dramatically better than what we experienced throughout the rest of the country.
Ironically, my favourite part of that day ended up being Andermatt, not the train ride itself.
For the price, I’d spend the money somewhere else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zermatt worth visiting?
Yes—especially if it’s your first trip to Switzerland.
How many days should you stay?
I’d recommend 2–4 nights.
Do you need a car?
No.
In fact, you can’t drive into Zermatt.
Is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise worth it?
Yes, particularly if you’ve never visited a high-alpine glacier before.
Should you ride the Glacier Express?
Personally, no. I’d spend that money on another hike, mountain railway or hotel instead.
Zermatt is one of those destinations that lives up to its reputation.
Yes, it’s busy. Yes, it’s expensive.
But it’s also home to some of the best hiking, scenery and mountain experiences I’ve found anywhere in Europe.
For me, the magic wasn’t just standing in front of the Matterhorn—it was spending a few days exploring the trails, relaxing between adventures and finishing an unforgettable Switzerland itinerary in one of the country’s most iconic mountain towns.
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