Zermatt is the village most people picture when they think of the Swiss Alps: wooden chalets, car-free streets and, rising above everything, the unmistakable pyramid of the Matterhorn. It sits at the end of a long valley in the canton of Valais, close to the Italian border, and it is a base for some of the most spectacular mountain viewpoints in Europe.
This guide covers the best viewpoints, how to get to Zermatt without a car, and when to go for the best chance of a clear view.
Note: timetables, operating seasons and prices change, and some lifts close for maintenance between seasons. Always check the official operator websites before you travel.
Why visit Zermatt
- The Matterhorn. At roughly 4,478 metres, it is one of the most recognisable mountains in the world, and Zermatt is the classic place to see it.
- A car-free village. Petrol cars are not allowed in Zermatt itself; you arrive by train and get around on foot or by small electric vehicles.
- High viewpoints reachable by rail and cable car. You do not need to be a mountaineer to see glaciers and 4,000-metre peaks up close.
Best viewpoints and things to do
1. Gornergrat
The Gornergrat railway is a cogwheel train that climbs from Zermatt to a viewing platform at around 3,100 metres. From the top you can see the Matterhorn, the Monte Rosa massif and the Gorner Glacier. It is one of the easiest high-altitude trips in Switzerland and runs year-round, weather permitting.
2. Riffelsee reflection
On the way to Gornergrat, the small Riffelsee lake is famous for its reflection of the Matterhorn on calm mornings. Many visitors ride up to the stop closest to the lake and walk down a short section of trail. Check the season: the lake can be frozen or snow-covered for much of the year.
3. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
A series of cable cars climbs from Zermatt to the Klein Matterhorn, home to one of the highest cable-car stations in Europe. The summit area offers glacier views, an ice palace and, on clear days, panoramas across Switzerland, Italy and France. The air is thin at this altitude, so take it slowly.
4. The Five Lakes Walk (5-Seenweg)
From the Sunnegga area, reached by an underground funicular from the village, a popular summer trail links five mountain lakes. Several of them, such as Stellisee, can reflect the Matterhorn in good conditions. It is a moderate hike that suits most walkers with decent footwear; it is usually only accessible in summer.
5. Wander the village
The old part of Zermatt has narrow lanes, traditional wooden barns raised on stone slabs, and a lively main street with shops and restaurants. In the evening, walking down to the river for a view of the Matterhorn at sunset is a simple highlight.
How to get to Zermatt
- By train: Zermatt is reached by the Matterhorn Gotthard railway from Visp or Brig, which connect to Switzerland’s main rail network. From cities such as Zurich, Bern or Geneva, the usual route is a main-line train to Visp, then the regional train up the valley.
- By car: because Zermatt is car-free, drivers park in the village of Täsch and take a frequent shuttle train for the last stretch.
- By scenic train: the Glacier Express connects Zermatt with eastern Switzerland in a long, panoramic journey. It requires reservations and is a trip in its own right.
Getting around
Zermatt is compact and walkable. Electric taxis and buses serve hotels and lift stations, and most excursions start from stations within walking distance of the village centre.
Mountain excursions here are not cheap. If you are already using a rail pass for your trip, check what discount, if any, it gives on the Gornergrat railway and the Zermatt cable cars, as coverage differs from line to line. Compare this with buying individual tickets or local multi-day passes.
Best time to visit
- Summer (around June to September): hiking trails and lakes are accessible, and most lifts are running. This is the best season for the Five Lakes Walk and Riffelsee.
- Winter (around December to April): a major ski resort with snow-covered scenery. Some walks become winter trails or close.
- Shoulder seasons: spring and late autumn can be quieter, but some lifts and hotels close for maintenance.
The Matterhorn is often wrapped in cloud. Early mornings frequently give the clearest views, so if the forecast looks good, plan your viewpoint trip early in the day. Live webcams are the best way to check before buying tickets.
Where to stay
- Zermatt village: the most convenient option, especially if you want sunrise or sunset views of the Matterhorn from your window. Rooms with a Matterhorn view tend to cost more.
- Täsch: often more affordable, with a short shuttle train ride into Zermatt.
- On the mountain: a few hotels sit higher up, for example near the Gornergrat line, offering quiet evenings above the village.
Zermatt is popular in both summer and winter, so book accommodation early.
Practical tips
- Check the weather and webcams before paying for high-altitude excursions.
- Bring warm layers and sun protection: it can be much colder and brighter at 3,000 metres than in the village.
- Take altitude seriously. Move slowly at the top and seek help if you feel unwell.
- Stay on marked trails and respect glacier and avalanche warnings.
- Budget ahead: food, lifts and hotels in Zermatt are among the most expensive in Switzerland.
Is Zermatt worth it?
If seeing the Matterhorn is on your list, Zermatt is worth the journey. One clear day is enough for Gornergrat and a walk through the village; two or three days give you a better chance of good weather and time for the glacier, the lakes and a slower pace. Pair it with Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland for two very different sides of the Swiss Alps.
Read our Lauterbrunnen travel guide, and follow our Facebook page Swiss Moments for daily Swiss scenery.
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