Things to Do in Zermatt
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Zermatt, Switzerland, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Zermatt. Car-free village, one very famous mountain, an Alpine village built around views of one of the most photographed peaks in the world, banning petrol and diesel vehicles entirely in favour of electric transport, and connected by ski lift across the border into Italy. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Zermatt: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the altitude. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
The Matterhorn
Zermatt is famous as the base for viewing the Matterhorn, an iconic, pyramid-shaped Alpine peak, one of the most photographed mountains in the world, worth a proper cable car ride up to one of the viewing platforms, Gornergrat and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise both offer sweeping close-up views of the peak, worth choosing based on your budget and how high you want to go.
The mountain's distinctive pyramid shape makes it recognisable from countless angles around the village itself, worth simply spending time in Zermatt with the peak in view rather than only via a cable car trip, several viewpoints right in town offer properly excellent photos without the extra cost.
Best time Clear mornings for the best visibility
Zermatt's Car-Free Streets
Zermatt bans petrol and diesel cars from its village streets, in favour of electric vehicles only, keeps the whole village remarkably quiet, worth appreciating this notably different, peaceful atmosphere compared to most Alpine resort towns, small electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages handle transport within the village, and walking covers most of the compact centre easily.
It's worth arriving by train specifically, given the car-free policy, visitors typically park in nearby Tasch and take a short train into Zermatt itself, worth building this into your travel planning.
Getting there Train from Tasch, about 12 minutes
Skiing Across the Italian Border
Zermatt's ski area connects to Italy, you can ski directly from Switzerland into Italy and back, a properly unique feature among European ski resorts, worth trying this specific route if you're skiing during winter season, the connected lift system allows a full day crossing between the two countries without ever needing a passport check at altitude.
It's worth checking current lift and border conditions before planning this specific route, worth allowing a full day given the distances involved crossing between the Swiss and Italian sides of the mountain.
Best time December through March for the main ski season
Best time to visit Zermatt
December through March gives the main ski season, worth planning around this specifically if skiing is your priority.
June through September offers hiking and summer mountain views without the winter crowds, a completely different, greener version of the village worth considering if you'd rather avoid the ski season entirely.
Getting around Zermatt
Zermatt's village centre is entirely walkable, electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages cover longer distances given the car-free policy.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Zermatt worth visiting?
- Yes, unquestionably, few places offer views of a mountain this iconic combined with a properly peaceful, car-free village atmosphere.
- How many days do you need in Zermatt?
- Three days gives a comfortable pace for the cable car viewpoints and, if visiting in winter, proper skiing time.
- Is Zermatt expensive?
- Yes, one of the pricier destinations in Switzerland, itself one of the pricier countries in Europe, though village viewpoints of the Matterhorn remain free.
- What is Zermatt famous for?
- The Matterhorn, one of the most photographed mountains in the world, its car-free village streets, and its ski area, which connects directly across the border into Italy.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
