# Zermatt

A village with no petrol cars at the foot of the Matterhorn (4,478 m), reached by train from Täsch, with a network of mountain trains and cable cars climbing to 3,883 m at the Klein Matterhorn.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/switzerland/valais/zermatt · Revisado: 2026-11-12

## Getting there from Spain

Fly to Geneva, Zurich or Milan and continue by train to Visp and from there to Zermatt, which is the end of the line. By car you only get as far as Täsch: you park at the terminal there and continue on the Zermatt Shuttle, which runs every 20 minutes from 5:55 to 21:55 and costs CHF 17.20 return (included in the Swiss Travel Pass). In Zermatt only electric vehicles are allowed.

## Getting around in the mountains

The village is covered on foot. The ascents are two separate systems: the Gornergrat Bahn, a cogwheel train that leaves from opposite the station, and the Zermatt Bergbahnen cable cars (Sunnegga, Schwarzsee, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise). Neither is free with the Swiss Travel Pass: both give a 50% discount, the same as with the Half Fare Card. Given that, it pays to choose one or two ascents rather than do them all.

## Crowds and what to book

In August and during the ski holidays the village fills up. What you book in advance is accommodation; trains and cable cars are bought on the day, at the ticket office or online to avoid queuing. Check the weather before going up: the Matterhorn is often hidden by cloud from midday onwards.

## Dónde está
- Zonas: Alps
- Cerca: Aletsch Glacier (a 53.6 km), Gran Paradiso (a 54.8 km · Italy), Jungfrau Region (a 65.4 km), Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (a 68.8 km · France)

## Qué hacer
- **Gornergrat Cogwheel Train** (4 h · All ages · Desde 102 € adult, return in winter): If you only make one ascent from Zermatt, make it this one: the train doesn't depend on the wind the way cable cars do, and the view of the Matterhorn is the most complete.
What you see at the top
The Gornergrat Bahn, a cogwheel railway that opened in 1898, climbs from Zermatt to the Gornergrat ridge at 3,089 m. Up here you get a 360-degree view: the Matterhorn straight ahead and, according to the railway company, another 28 peaks above 4,000 metres, among them the Dufourspitze on Monte Rosa, the highest point in Switzerland, and the Dom. The Gorner Glacier flows at your feet.
On the summit you will find the Kulmhotel Gornergrat, with a restaurant, and the interactive exhibition "ZOOOM the Matterhorn", a good plan if the clouds roll in. At The Golden Spot you can have your photo taken in front of the golden locomotive 3003, with the Matterhorn behind. Because you go up by train and the viewing area is spacious, it also suits anyone who gets dizzy or doesn't walk much.
Getting to the station
The Gornergrat Bahn station is about 50 m from Zermatt railway station. Zermatt does not allow petrol or diesel cars: if you come by car, leave it in Täsch and take the shuttle train, which drops you at the same station. The journey to the top takes 33 minutes, with stops at Findelbach, Riffelalp, Riffelberg and Rotenboden.
Prices and discounts
The company's 2026-2027 prices distinguish two seasons. From Zermatt to the Gornergrat, a return ticket costs CHF 132 from May to October and CHF 102 from November to April; a single costs CHF 66 and CHF 51. If you plan to walk down, the ticket to Rotenboden costs CHF 114 return in summer and CHF 96 in winter.
With a Half Fare Card, GA travelcard or Swiss Travel Pass you pay half. Children also pay half, and with the Swiss rail Junior Card they travel free from 6 to 15 years old. For the high season, the company sells priority boarding.
How much time to allow
Allow half a day: an hour of train between the ascent and the descent, an hour or more at the top, and another hour if you walk down to the Riffelsee. If you have lunch at the summit or take the route to Riffelberg at a leisurely pace, count on the whole morning.
When to go
It runs all year. Clear mornings are the best: the Matterhorn tends to disappear behind cloud as the day goes on, especially in summer. In early November the line usually stops for a few days for maintenance; check the timetable on the Gornergrat Bahn website before you go. In winter the path to the Riffelsee becomes a snow route between Rotenboden and Riffelberg, and at Rotenboden there is an igloo village with fondue.
With children and with a dog
This is the easiest high-altitude outing from Zermatt with children: there are no cable cars to frighten them, and there is room to move around at the top. Remember that at 3,089 m it is cold and you notice the altitude; if anyone feels dizzy, go back down. Small children enjoy the short walk to the Riffelsee more than the summit.
- **Cable Car to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, at 3,883 m** (4 h · From age 3; mind the altitude · Desde 104 € adult, return in winter): If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, the return trip costs you half.
What is at the top
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the Klein Matterhorn station, at 3,883 m, the highest in Europe that you can reach by cable car. Up here there are four things, all included in the ticket:

The panoramic platform, the highest in Europe, at 3,883 m. From it you can see 38 peaks above 4,000 metres and 14 glaciers in three countries: Switzerland, Italy and France.
The Glacier Palace, an ice palace carved about 15 m below the surface of the glacier, between the Klein Matterhorn and the Breithorn, with sculptures, an ice slide and centuries-old ice formations.
The Cinema Lounge, in the Breithorn tunnel, the highest cinema in Europe, with short films about mountaineering, flora and fauna, ice, and mountain lifts and trains. It is the place to acclimatise for a few minutes and a good plan if it is foggy outside.
The restaurant, also at 3,883 m.

What's more, in summer there is snow to walk on all year round, and from here the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing sets off, crossing into Italy by cable car.
How you get up
From the Matterhorn Express station, south of the village, you go up via Furi to Trockener Steg. There you change to the Matterhorn Glacier Ride, which crosses above the Théodule Glacier to the Klein Matterhorn. If you come by car, remember that Zermatt does not allow petrol or diesel cars: leave them in Täsch and take the shuttle train.
Allow half a day: the journey in both directions, an hour or two at the top and the waits at the changes, which can stretch out in July and August.
Prices
Zermatt Bergbahnen charges CHF 138 return in summer (1 May to 31 October) and CHF 104 in winter (1 November to 30 April); a single costs CHF 69 and CHF 64. With a Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card or GA travelcard you pay half.
The afternoon ticket, from 13:30, costs CHF 110 in summer and CHF 84 in winter, but it is only sold on the same day at the ticket office and cannot be combined with those discounts. If you have a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card, the normal ticket at half price works out cheaper.
Children, dogs and accessibility
Under-9s do not pay and 9 to 15-year-olds pay half; the company asks for an official document showing the date of birth. Children under 3 cannot go up from Trockener Steg to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, because of the altitude. Dogs travel free. Bicycles cannot go on the last stretch, from Trockener Steg to the summit.
The altitude
In a very short time you go from Zermatt's 1,600 m to almost 3,900 m. It is normal to feel short of breath, get a headache or feel a little dizzy. Move slowly, drink water and, if you feel unwell, go down: it passes as you lose height. It is not a good idea for anyone with heart or breathing problems without checking first.
When to go
It runs all year. Go up when the sky is clear, ideally first thing: if the summit is in cloud you will see nothing, and the high cable cars stop in strong wind. Check the weather and the state of the lifts on the Zermatt Bergbahnen website the same morning.
This or the Gornergrat
The Gornergrat faces the Matterhorn head-on, is reached by train and is cheaper. The Glacier Paradise is higher, colder and has a glacier, an ice palace and snow in summer. If you only do one, make it the Gornergrat; if you are going with children who want snow in August, this one.
- **Five Lakes Trail, from Blauherd to Sunnegga** (3 h 30 · 11.3 km · Families with children from 6 and teenagers · Free; combined funicular and gondola ticket, CHF 52): What it is
The 5-Seenweg, Zermatt path number 11, links five mountain lakes on the Sunnegga slope, opposite the Matterhorn: Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee and Leisee. In three of them, the Stellisee, the Grindjisee and the Leisee, the mountain is reflected in the water when there is no wind, and it is the photo nearly everyone is after. It is Zermatt's best-known lake route and one of the most rewarding for families.
Route details
According to Zermatt Tourismus: 11.3 km, about 3 h 30 of walking, 265 m of ascent and 542 m of descent, medium difficulty (T2). It starts at Blauherd, at 2,571 m, and ends at Sunnegga, at 2,288 m; the highest point is at 2,617 m and the lowest at 2,130 m. In reverse it takes about 20 minutes longer. It is signposted as "5-Seenweg" with the number 11 on the yellow posts.
How to get there
From the centre of Zermatt you go up on the underground Sunnegga funicular and there change to the Blauherd gondola. At the end, at Sunnegga, you take the funicular down. Zermatt does not allow petrol cars: if you come by car, leave it in Täsch and take the shuttle train up.
In summer, Zermatt Bergbahnen sells a combined ticket for this route: ascent from Zermatt to Blauherd and descent from Sunnegga to Zermatt for CHF 52. Separately, Zermatt – Blauherd single costs CHF 34 and Sunnegga – Zermatt, CHF 18. With the Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card or GA you pay half; children under 9 travel free and those aged 9 to 15, half price.
The route step by step

Blauherd – Stellisee. A short stretch to the first lake, the most photographed: with still water the Matterhorn appears whole on the surface.
Stellisee – Grindjisee. You descend to the second lake, another of those that reflect the mountain.
Grindjisee – Grünsee. You keep going down to the Grünsee, where swimming is allowed.
Grünsee – Moosjisee. A stretch along the slope to the fourth lake. From the lowest point, at 2,130 m, you have to climb to Sunnegga, at 2,288 m: it is the part you notice most.
Moosjisee – Leisee – Sunnegga. The final climb brings you to the Leisee, a step from Sunnegga, with a picnic area, a playground and swimming allowed.

When to go
From June to September, depending on the installations' season and the snow. In early summer there may be patches of snow: check that the path is open, because the official page marks it as closed out of season, and check the lift timetables, since sometimes they only run as far as Sunnegga. For the reflection, set off early: the afternoon wind ruffles the water.
Water, shade and food
You walk above 2,100 m, with a lot of sun and little protection from the wind. Zermatt Tourismus notes that there are restaurants along the way, and at Sunnegga and Blauherd you have the stations with services. Take water and sun cream anyway.
With children and with a dog
Zermatt Tourismus recommends it for children from 6 years old. If they are small, you can shorten it: the Leisee is very close to Sunnegga and is a good plan on its own, with a picnic area and playground. Dogs travel free on the Zermatt Bergbahnen installations.
If the weather changes
In summer afternoon storms are frequent. If the sky darkens, cut across from the Grünsee towards Sunnegga and do not stay in open areas. Without visibility, the Matterhorn cannot be seen and the route loses its point: better to swap it for the Matterhorn Museum and leave it for another day.
- **Hike to the Hörnlihütte from Schwarzsee** (3 h 45 · 4.3 km · Experienced mountain walkers with a head for heights · Independent · you pay for the cable car to Schwarzsee): What it is
The Hörnlihütte is the hut from which mountaineers set out to climb the Matterhorn by the Hörnli ridge, the normal Swiss route. It stands at 3,260 m, right at the foot of the mountain, and for more than 130 years it has served as both a destination and a starting point; it was renovated in 2015 and now has 150 beds and 130 seats in the restaurant. For anyone not heading for the summit, walking up here is the way to touch the Matterhorn: the wall begins above the terrace.
The route
This is Zermatt trail number 27, the Hörnliweg. According to Zermatt Tourismus it is 4.3 km, about 2 h 15 up and 693 m of ascent, from Schwarzsee station, at 2,583 m, to the hut. The descent takes around 1 h 30. It is rated as a demanding alpine path, T4.

Schwarzsee. You leave the cable car station and pass the lake and its chapel, with the Matterhorn already in front of you.
The ridge. The path gains height along the back of the Hörnligrat. The terrain turns rocky and steep.
Equipped sections. The hut says the path is marked and has safety ropes and chains, handholds and metal ladders. One of the steps is a grating ladder hanging over the void.
Hörnlihütte, 3,260 m. Terrace, restaurant and the Matterhorn ridge above you.

Who it is for
It is for experienced mountain walkers with a steady step and a head for heights. Zermatt Tourismus makes it clear: it is a partly exposed path, and it recommends not going alone, planning well and turning back early if the weather changes. It is not a route for children or dogs: the hut admits dogs only in the private suite.
Getting to Schwarzsee
From Zermatt you take the Matterhorn Express, which leaves from the south of the village, up to Schwarzsee. The return ticket costs CHF 70 in summer (1 May to 31 October) and CHF 53 in winter; a single costs CHF 35 and CHF 33. With a Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card or GA travelcard you pay half. There is an afternoon ticket, from 14:30, for CHF 56 return in summer, but it cannot be combined with those discounts and leaves you little margin to climb to the hut.
The hut
In 2027 the Hörnlihütte is open from 25 June to 20 September, every day. It serves food from 11:00 to 15:00, with no booking, in order of arrival, and drinks and snacks all day. You cannot eat your own food on the terrace or inside. The tap water is not drinkable: carry your own up or buy it. They accept Swiss francs in cash, Twint and cards.
If you want to sleep there, bookings for 2027 open on 1 April. You need a sleeping-bag liner; the shared rooms hold up to 8 people, dinner is three courses and under-16s pay half. Out of season an emergency shelter stays open with 20 mattresses and a toilet, without water or a kitchen; it cannot be booked and a contribution of CHF 20 is payable. Camping or bivouacking around the Matterhorn above 2,880 m is forbidden and fined.
When to go
From late June to mid-September, with the hut open and the path free of snow. August and September are the months to watch the climbing parties on the ridge. Set out early: that way you avoid the afternoon storms and arrive in time for lunch.
What to bring
Mountain boots with a good sole, poles if you use them, warm and waterproof clothing, water and binoculars to follow the climbers. Ask the hut about the state of the path before setting out, especially at the beginning and end of summer.
- **Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, from Zermatt to Cervinia by cable car** (3 h · From age 3; take DNI or passport · Desde 127.5 € adult, single in winter): What it is
The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing is the passage from Switzerland to Italy over the glaciers, all by cable car. You leave Zermatt, go up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, at 3,883 m, and from there the Matterhorn Glacier Ride II, opened on 1 July 2023, crosses in about four minutes to Testa Grigia, on the border, at about 3,480 m. Then you go down on the Italian side's installations, via Laghi Cime Bianche and Plan Maison, to Breuil-Cervinia, in the Aosta Valley. It is the highest cable-car crossing of the Alps in existence, and throughout the journey you have the Matterhorn beside you.
The journey

Zermatt – Furi – Trockener Steg. You leave from the Matterhorn Express station, south of the village.
Trockener Steg – Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. The Matterhorn Glacier Ride I climbs over the Theodul Glacier to the Klein Matterhorn. At the top you have the viewing platform, the ice palace and the Cinema Lounge, included in the ticket.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise – Testa Grigia. The Glacier Ride II covers 363 m of altitude difference in about four minutes. At Testa Grigia, in summer, the ticket includes the Plateau Rosa SnowXperience, a snow area to play in.
Testa Grigia – Cervinia. You go down by cable car on the Italian side to Breuil-Cervinia.

Allow half a day to go from village to village with stops at the top. If you return to Zermatt the same day, allow the whole day.
Prices
Zermatt Bergbahnen tickets distinguish winter (1 November to 30 April) and summer (1 May to 31 October). From Zermatt to Cervinia, single, costs CHF 127.50 in winter and CHF 138 in summer; return, CHF 208 and CHF 276. Only as far as Testa Grigia, return, CHF 151 in winter and CHF 220 in summer. From the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise to Cervinia, single, CHF 63.50 and CHF 69.
The single ticket is valid for two days and the return for ten, so you can sleep in Cervinia and return another day. It also includes the local Zermatt bus.
Discounts, children and dogs
With the Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card or GA travelcard you get a 50% discount, but only on the Swiss section, between Zermatt and Testa Grigia; the Italian section is paid in full. Children aged 3 to 8 travel free and those aged 9 to 15 pay half. Children under 3 cannot go up beyond Trockener Steg, because of the altitude. Groups of 20 or more get a 20% discount. Dogs travel free; in Italy they must be on a lead and muzzled.
Documents
Take your DNI or passport. You cross a border and, besides, the company asks for an official document with your date of birth to apply the age discounts.
When to go and closures
It runs all year, but closes for maintenance: from 7 September to 23 October 2026 and from 7 January to 26 February 2027, according to the Cervinia tourism website. Check the dates before planning your trip. In strong wind or storm the high cable cars stop: check the forecast and the state of the installations on the morning of your departure, and go up early, when there is usually less cloud.
Altitude and clothing
You will spend a while above 3,800 m. It is normal to notice breathlessness, headache or dizziness; move slowly and go down if you feel unwell. Take winter clothing even in July, sunglasses and sun cream: there is snow up there all year.
With children
With children it works thanks to the ice palace, summer snow and changing country by cable car. Remember that children under 3 cannot go beyond Trockener Steg and keep an eye on how the others cope with the altitude: if anyone feels dizzy, go down.
- **Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis** (1 h · An afternoon or rainy-day plan · Desde 12 € adult): What it is
The Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis tells how Zermatt went from a farming hamlet to a mountain resort, and how the Matterhorn changed everything. It is an underground museum, beneath the church square: you walk in and wander among original houses from old Zermatt, with their interiors, as if the village had been buried. Hence the name, Zermatlantis.
What you see
The piece everyone looks for is the broken rope from the first ascent of the Matterhorn, in 1865. Edward Whymper's party reached the summit on 14 July, but on the way down the rope snapped and four of the seven men fell down the north face. The museum keeps the rope and objects belonging to the climbers who died.
There are also much older finds, such as a Neolithic stone axe and the discoveries of a 16th-century mercenary, a relief model of the Matterhorn showing its climbing routes and a multimedia room with scenes from "Der Berg ruft", Luis Trenker's film about that ascent. Audio guides are available in German, English, French and Japanese; not in Spanish.
An unhurried visit takes around an hour.
Opening hours
It opens only in the afternoon and closes in November. According to Zermatt Tourismus:

1 to 19 November 2026: closed.
20 November to 17 December 2026: Friday to Sunday, 15:00 to 18:00.
18 December 2026 to 31 May 2027: every day, 15:00 to 18:00.
1 June to 30 September 2027: every day, 14:00 to 18:00.
October 2027: every day, 15:00 to 18:00.
1 to 18 November 2027: closed.

Tickets
Adults, CHF 12; over-64s, CHF 10; students, CHF 8; ages 10 to 16, CHF 7; children under 10 accompanied by an adult, free. Groups of 8 or more pay CHF 10 per person. With the Swiss Museum Pass you get in free, and the Swiss Travel Pass, the Swiss Flexi Pass and the Swiss Youth Pass are also accepted.
Getting there
It is on the Kirchplatz, the church square, right in the centre of Zermatt, a few minutes' walk from the station along the main street. Zermatt does not allow petrol or diesel cars: if you come by car, leave it in Täsch and take the shuttle train.
Accessibility, children and dogs
The museum is wheelchair accessible. Zermatt Tourismus describes it as suitable for families. Dogs are not allowed.
When it fits
It is the plan for a rainy afternoon, or for the day when the Matterhorn is hidden and a cable car is not worth paying for. It also suits the end of the day, after coming down from the mountain, since it opens in the afternoon: if you have been up the Gornergrat or seen the Hörnlihütte, here you understand what happened on that ridge in 1865.
- **Riffelsee Trail, from Rotenboden to Riffelberg** (1 h · 2.9 km · Families with children from age 4 · Independent · you pay for the Gornergrat train): What it is
The Riffelsee is the small lake in which the Matterhorn is reflected in so many photos of Zermatt. It lies beside the Gornergrat railway line, about 10 minutes' walk from the Rotenboden stop, and the Riffelseeweg, trail number 21, skirts it and keeps descending to Riffelberg station. It is the easiest walk in the high part of Zermatt and the one that gives the most view for the least effort.
Route facts
According to Zermatt Tourismus it is 2.9 km and around an hour, almost all downhill: 13 m of ascent and 267 m of descent. It starts at Rotenboden, at 2,815 m, and ends at Riffelberg, at 2,582 m. The difficulty is moderate (T2), but the path is well marked and Zermatt Tourismus considers it suitable for children from age 4. In the opposite direction, from Riffelberg to Rotenboden, it takes about 15 minutes longer.
Getting there
You go up on the Gornergrat Bahn, the cogwheel train that leaves about 50 m from Zermatt station, and get off at Rotenboden, the stop before the summit. At the end, at Riffelberg, you catch the train back to Zermatt. Zermatt does not allow petrol or diesel cars: if you come by car, leave it in Täsch.
The most common plan is to combine it with the Gornergrat: you go up to the summit, take the train down to Rotenboden, do the walk and catch the train at Riffelberg. If you only want the lake, the return ticket from Zermatt to Rotenboden costs CHF 114 from May to October and CHF 96 from November to April; with a Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass, half, and children with a Junior Card travel free.
The path

Rotenboden. You leave the platform and follow the Riffelseeweg signs towards the lake.
Riffelsee. In 10 minutes you are on the shore. This is the long stop: if there is no wind, the Matterhorn appears reflected in full. Beside it rises the Riffelhorn, a rock needle with climbing routes for experts.
Towards Riffelberg. The path keeps descending along the hillside, with the Matterhorn ahead and alpine flowers in summer. Depending on the season, ibex can be seen around Gaggenhaupt.
Riffelberg. You reach the station and catch the train back.

If you still have energy, from Riffelberg you can extend the walk along the Mark Twain Weg or the Swiss Topwalk, two signposted routes from Zermatt Tourismus.
When to go
In summer, when the path is free of snow; in spring, patches of snow can make it impassable. For the reflection, go first thing, before the wind picks up. In summer the Gornergrat Bahn runs a sunrise outing to the Riffelsee with an optional breakfast at the summit.
In winter the lake is frozen, but the company marks out a route between Rotenboden and Riffelberg for walking in the snow or on snowshoes.
With children
It is the best high-altitude walk in Zermatt for small children: short, almost all downhill, with a lake at the start and the train at the end. Not with a pushchair: it is a mountain path. Bring warm clothes, because at 2,800 m it is cold even when Zermatt is warm, and sunglasses.
If the weather changes
If clouds cover the Matterhorn, the reflection disappears and the walk loses much of its appeal. Check the forecast and the Gornergrat webcams before paying for the ticket. In a storm, do not stay at the lake: it is open terrain at high altitude, and at Riffelberg you have the station.

## Dónde comer
- **Whymper Stube** (Restaurant, Zermatt, €€€). Qué pedir: the cheese fondue or the raclette, with a white from the Valais.
- **Chez Vrony** (Restaurant, Zermatt (Findeln), €€€). Qué pedir: the Vrony-Burger or the board of dried meat and cheese from its own herd.
- **Brown Cow Pub** (Bar, Zermatt, €€). Qué pedir: a burger or a soup; or order to take away and have dinner in your apartment.

## Car-free: Zermatt by Train, Without a Car
Zermatt is a car-free village and the train reaches its square: it is the Swiss destination where you miss the car least. The ascents are by cogwheel train or cable car, and getting around the village is on foot or by electric bus. The budget is set by accommodation and one or two big ascents.
Presupuesto orientativo: 150–300 € por persona y día.
### Dónde dormir without a car
- **Riffelalp Resort 2222m** (Hotel): A hotel at 2,222 metres, with no road
The Riffelalp Resort is on the slope of the Gornergrat, at 2,222 m, above the village of Zermatt. Neither the hotel nor the village has traffic: you arrive in Zermatt by train (or leave the car in Täsch and take the shuttle), take the Gornergrat Bahn to Riffelalp station and make the last stretch on a small tram in summer or on foot in winter. A porter collects your luggage in Zermatt and takes it up separately. The last train from Zermatt to Riffelalp leaves at 23:30.
The rooms and what is included
There are 65 rooms and suites, many with views of the Matterhorn; the website says which categories have a balcony. Some are connecting and there are suites designed for long stays. The stay includes the buffet breakfast, access to the spa and some seasonal activities with a mountain guide. There is no air conditioning: at this altitude it isn't needed.
It has three restaurants: the Alexandre, Swiss cooking, for breakfast and dinner; the Al Bosco, Italian, for lunch and dinner; and the Walliserkeller, in winter only. In winter you set off on skis from the door.
When it opens
It opens for two seasons: from 11 December 2026 to 4 April 2027 and from 18 June to 20 September 2027. Outside those dates it is closed.
- **Hotel Monte Rosa** (Hotel): The hotel of the first mountaineers
In 1853 Alexander Seiler took over a wooden chalet in Zermatt and turned it into lodgings for mountain climbers. That is the origin of the Monte Rosa. Edward Whymper stayed here from 1860 and from here he set out in July 1865 for the first ascent of the Matterhorn. Today it is an upscale hotel on the Bahnhofstrasse, the main street, a few minutes' walk from the station and the Gornergrat Bahn.
Rooms, restaurants and spa
The rooms range from the classic Alpenrose to the deluxe Edelweiss, and there are several suites, including the Matterhorn and the Whymper. In the same building are the Whymper Stube, for fondue and raclette; The Alpinist, with Swiss cooking in a house dating from 1818; and the Edward's Bar-Café, with a terrace on the street. The guests' spa is the Nescens at the Mont Cervin Palace, the sister hotel, which reopens on 10 December 2026.
Getting there
You arrive in Zermatt by train, or park in Täsch and continue on the shuttle. From the station it is a short walk along the Bahnhofstrasse; in the village there are only electric taxis.
- **Hotel Alphubel** (Hotel): A reasonably priced hotel in the centre
The Alphubel has been putting up people who want to sleep in Zermatt without paying for a luxury hotel for more than 65 years. It is on a quiet street in the centre, five minutes' walk from the station and the Gornergrat Bahn. Reception is in the building next door, at the Hotel Simi, its sister hotel: that is where you check in.
The rooms
There are 31, with bath or shower, and most have a balcony. There are singles of 11 m², doubles of 15 m² (some superior ones with a balcony), triples of 20 m² and quadruples of 23 m² with four 90 cm beds, useful for families or groups of friends. All have a safe, wifi and an empty fridge for you to fill yourself. Breakfast is included and there is a ski room.
Who it is for
For those who come to walk or ski and spend the day out: sleep near the train and the cable cars, have breakfast and set off early. If you are after a spa or a restaurant in the hotel, it is not for you.
- **Zermatt Youth Hostel** (Hostel): A hostel with the Matterhorn in the window
The Zermatt hostel belongs to the Swiss Youth Hostels network and is on the Staldenweg, in a quiet area south of the centre. From the windows you see the Matterhorn straight ahead, and the village square is a few minutes' walk away. It is the cheapest way to sleep in Zermatt itself, without going through Täsch.
Rooms and meals
It has 170 beds, spread across shared dormitories, double rooms and family rooms. Breakfast is included and the hostel has its own dining room. There is free wifi. Check-in is from 15:00 to 22:00 and check-out, in the morning, from 7:00 to 10:00.
Getting there
From Zermatt station you can walk across the village, or take the electric bus. The electric bus stop and the cable car station are nearby, so it is a good base for setting off early towards Sunnegga, Schwarzsee or the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
### Servicios
- **Zermatt Tourist Office**: On the station square · information on lifts, trails and accommodation · also an office in Täsch
- **Zermatt Station**: The end of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn line from Visp and Brig · opposite, the Gornergrat Bahn

## Luxury: Zermatt with a Luxury Hotel
Zermatt has one of the densest offerings of luxury hotels in the Alps, and some are outside the village, up in the mountains. What sets the stay apart is sleeping with the Matterhorn in the window and arriving without a car, with the luggage taken care of by the hotel.
Presupuesto orientativo: From €600 por persona y día.
### Dónde dormir in style
- **Riffelalp Resort 2222m** (Hotel): A hotel at 2,222 metres, with no road
The Riffelalp Resort is on the slope of the Gornergrat, at 2,222 m, above the village of Zermatt. Neither the hotel nor the village has traffic: you arrive in Zermatt by train (or leave the car in Täsch and take the shuttle), take the Gornergrat Bahn to Riffelalp station and make the last stretch on a small tram in summer or on foot in winter. A porter collects your luggage in Zermatt and takes it up separately. The last train from Zermatt to Riffelalp leaves at 23:30.
The rooms and what is included
There are 65 rooms and suites, many with views of the Matterhorn; the website says which categories have a balcony. Some are connecting and there are suites designed for long stays. The stay includes the buffet breakfast, access to the spa and some seasonal activities with a mountain guide. There is no air conditioning: at this altitude it isn't needed.
It has three restaurants: the Alexandre, Swiss cooking, for breakfast and dinner; the Al Bosco, Italian, for lunch and dinner; and the Walliserkeller, in winter only. In winter you set off on skis from the door.
When it opens
It opens for two seasons: from 11 December 2026 to 4 April 2027 and from 18 June to 20 September 2027. Outside those dates it is closed.
- **Hotel Monte Rosa** (Hotel): The hotel of the first mountaineers
In 1853 Alexander Seiler took over a wooden chalet in Zermatt and turned it into lodgings for mountain climbers. That is the origin of the Monte Rosa. Edward Whymper stayed here from 1860 and from here he set out in July 1865 for the first ascent of the Matterhorn. Today it is an upscale hotel on the Bahnhofstrasse, the main street, a few minutes' walk from the station and the Gornergrat Bahn.
Rooms, restaurants and spa
The rooms range from the classic Alpenrose to the deluxe Edelweiss, and there are several suites, including the Matterhorn and the Whymper. In the same building are the Whymper Stube, for fondue and raclette; The Alpinist, with Swiss cooking in a house dating from 1818; and the Edward's Bar-Café, with a terrace on the street. The guests' spa is the Nescens at the Mont Cervin Palace, the sister hotel, which reopens on 10 December 2026.
Getting there
You arrive in Zermatt by train, or park in Täsch and continue on the shuttle. From the station it is a short walk along the Bahnhofstrasse; in the village there are only electric taxis.

## On foot: Zermatt for Walking
Trails leave Zermatt in every direction and the lifts drop you at the starting point: the Five Lakes from Blauherd, the Riffelsee from Rotenboden or the climb to the Hörnlihütte from Schwarzsee. The high paths open from June to September, depending on the snow. Sleep in the village, near the station or the cable car, and set off early, when the Matterhorn is clear.
Presupuesto orientativo: 120–220 € por persona y día.
### Dónde dormir if you're on foot
- **Hotel Alphubel** (Hotel): A reasonably priced hotel in the centre
The Alphubel has been putting up people who want to sleep in Zermatt without paying for a luxury hotel for more than 65 years. It is on a quiet street in the centre, five minutes' walk from the station and the Gornergrat Bahn. Reception is in the building next door, at the Hotel Simi, its sister hotel: that is where you check in.
The rooms
There are 31, with bath or shower, and most have a balcony. There are singles of 11 m², doubles of 15 m² (some superior ones with a balcony), triples of 20 m² and quadruples of 23 m² with four 90 cm beds, useful for families or groups of friends. All have a safe, wifi and an empty fridge for you to fill yourself. Breakfast is included and there is a ski room.
Who it is for
For those who come to walk or ski and spend the day out: sleep near the train and the cable cars, have breakfast and set off early. If you are after a spa or a restaurant in the hotel, it is not for you.
- **Zermatt Youth Hostel** (Hostel): A hostel with the Matterhorn in the window
The Zermatt hostel belongs to the Swiss Youth Hostels network and is on the Staldenweg, in a quiet area south of the centre. From the windows you see the Matterhorn straight ahead, and the village square is a few minutes' walk away. It is the cheapest way to sleep in Zermatt itself, without going through Täsch.
Rooms and meals
It has 170 beds, spread across shared dormitories, double rooms and family rooms. Breakfast is included and the hostel has its own dining room. There is free wifi. Check-in is from 15:00 to 22:00 and check-out, in the morning, from 7:00 to 10:00.
Getting there
From Zermatt station you can walk across the village, or take the electric bus. The electric bus stop and the cable car station are nearby, so it is a good base for setting off early towards Sunnegga, Schwarzsee or the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
### Servicios
- **Zermatt Tourist Office**: On the station square · information on lifts, trails and accommodation · also an office in Täsch

## By plane: Fly to Geneva, Zurich or Milan and Take the Train to Zermatt
You reach Zermatt from the three big airports in the area, all with direct flights from Spain, and the rest is by train. From Geneva and Zurich it is a little over three hours, with a change at Visp; from Milan Malpensa you come in via Domodossola and Brig. If you hire a car, the last stretch changes: you leave it in Täsch and go up on the shuttle.
### Dónde dormir if you're flying
- **Riffelalp Resort 2222m** (Hotel): A hotel at 2,222 metres, with no road
The Riffelalp Resort is on the slope of the Gornergrat, at 2,222 m, above the village of Zermatt. Neither the hotel nor the village has traffic: you arrive in Zermatt by train (or leave the car in Täsch and take the shuttle), take the Gornergrat Bahn to Riffelalp station and make the last stretch on a small tram in summer or on foot in winter. A porter collects your luggage in Zermatt and takes it up separately. The last train from Zermatt to Riffelalp leaves at 23:30.
The rooms and what is included
There are 65 rooms and suites, many with views of the Matterhorn; the website says which categories have a balcony. Some are connecting and there are suites designed for long stays. The stay includes the buffet breakfast, access to the spa and some seasonal activities with a mountain guide. There is no air conditioning: at this altitude it isn't needed.
It has three restaurants: the Alexandre, Swiss cooking, for breakfast and dinner; the Al Bosco, Italian, for lunch and dinner; and the Walliserkeller, in winter only. In winter you set off on skis from the door.
When it opens
It opens for two seasons: from 11 December 2026 to 4 April 2027 and from 18 June to 20 September 2027. Outside those dates it is closed.
- **Hotel Monte Rosa** (Hotel): The hotel of the first mountaineers
In 1853 Alexander Seiler took over a wooden chalet in Zermatt and turned it into lodgings for mountain climbers. That is the origin of the Monte Rosa. Edward Whymper stayed here from 1860 and from here he set out in July 1865 for the first ascent of the Matterhorn. Today it is an upscale hotel on the Bahnhofstrasse, the main street, a few minutes' walk from the station and the Gornergrat Bahn.
Rooms, restaurants and spa
The rooms range from the classic Alpenrose to the deluxe Edelweiss, and there are several suites, including the Matterhorn and the Whymper. In the same building are the Whymper Stube, for fondue and raclette; The Alpinist, with Swiss cooking in a house dating from 1818; and the Edward's Bar-Café, with a terrace on the street. The guests' spa is the Nescens at the Mont Cervin Palace, the sister hotel, which reopens on 10 December 2026.
Getting there
You arrive in Zermatt by train, or park in Täsch and continue on the shuttle. From the station it is a short walk along the Bahnhofstrasse; in the village there are only electric taxis.
- **Hotel Alphubel** (Hotel): A reasonably priced hotel in the centre
The Alphubel has been putting up people who want to sleep in Zermatt without paying for a luxury hotel for more than 65 years. It is on a quiet street in the centre, five minutes' walk from the station and the Gornergrat Bahn. Reception is in the building next door, at the Hotel Simi, its sister hotel: that is where you check in.
The rooms
There are 31, with bath or shower, and most have a balcony. There are singles of 11 m², doubles of 15 m² (some superior ones with a balcony), triples of 20 m² and quadruples of 23 m² with four 90 cm beds, useful for families or groups of friends. All have a safe, wifi and an empty fridge for you to fill yourself. Breakfast is included and there is a ski room.
Who it is for
For those who come to walk or ski and spend the day out: sleep near the train and the cable cars, have breakfast and set off early. If you are after a spa or a restaurant in the hotel, it is not for you.
- **Zermatt Youth Hostel** (Hostel): A hostel with the Matterhorn in the window
The Zermatt hostel belongs to the Swiss Youth Hostels network and is on the Staldenweg, in a quiet area south of the centre. From the windows you see the Matterhorn straight ahead, and the village square is a few minutes' walk away. It is the cheapest way to sleep in Zermatt itself, without going through Täsch.
Rooms and meals
It has 170 beds, spread across shared dormitories, double rooms and family rooms. Breakfast is included and the hostel has its own dining room. There is free wifi. Check-in is from 15:00 to 22:00 and check-out, in the morning, from 7:00 to 10:00.
Getting there
From Zermatt station you can walk across the village, or take the electric bus. The electric bus stop and the cable car station are nearby, so it is a good base for setting off early towards Sunnegga, Schwarzsee or the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
### Servicios
- **Matterhorn Terminal Täsch**: A covered car park with 2,100 spaces and a shuttle to Zermatt in 12 minutes · the end of the road
- **Zermatt Station**: The end of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn line from Visp and Brig · opposite, the Gornergrat Bahn

## As a family: A car-free village and mountains with children's discounts

Zermatt is easy with children: no traffic, trains that climb almost to the door of the Matterhorn and generous children's fares. The hard part is the price for adults, so choose one big ascent and fill in with walks.

### What works best
The Gornergrat by train and the walk down from Rotenboden to Riffelberg past the Riffelsee

The Five Lakes Trail, with a swim in the Leisee and the Grünsee

The Matterhorn Museum for a rainy afternoon, free for under-10s with an adult

### Where to sleep
Apartments in the village, ideally near the station so you don't have to haul the luggage

Täsch, cheaper, one shuttle train away

### Where to eat
Village supermarkets for a picnic by the lakes

Mountain restaurants at Riffelberg and Sunnegga for the break

### Bear in mind
On the cable cars children do not pay up to the age of 8; on the Gornergrat they travel free with a Junior Card

The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is at 3,883 m: watch how they cope with the altitude

Bring warm clothes for everyone, even in August

### Qué hacer as a family
- Gornergrat Cogwheel Train
- Cable Car to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, at 3,883 m
- Five Lakes Trail, from Blauherd to Sunnegga
- Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis
- Riffelsee Trail, from Rotenboden to Riffelberg

## With teenagers: The most famous mountain, up close

For a teenager with strong legs, Zermatt offers something to remember: climbing to the hut where Matterhorn mountaineers set out from, or crossing into Italy above the glaciers.

### What works best
The climb to the Hörnlihütte, at 3,260 m, if they already have mountain experience

The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing to Cervinia

The Five Lakes Trail, long but not difficult

### Where to sleep
Hostels and simple hotels in the village

Täsch, if you are after a low price

### Where to eat
Supermarkets for sandwiches on the route

A fondue or a raclette, as the plan for the last night

### Bear in mind
The path to the Hörnlihütte has ropes, pegs and ladders: it is not one to start on

To cross into Italy, take an identity document

You notice the altitude: keep hydrated and go slowly

### Qué hacer with teenagers
- Gornergrat Cogwheel Train
- Cable Car to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, at 3,883 m
- Five Lakes Trail, from Blauherd to Sunnegga
- Hike to the Hörnlihütte from Schwarzsee
- Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, from Zermatt to Cervinia by cable car

## Consejos

### Go up in the morning
The Matterhorn is usually clearer first thing, and in still air it is reflected in the Riffelsee and the Stellisee.

### Children free
On the Gornergrat Bahn children with a Junior Card travel free, and on the cable cars they do not pay until they are 8.

### Combine train and walking
Walk down a stretch: from Rotenboden to Riffelberg or from Blauherd to Sunnegga, past the lakes.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Can you drive to Zermatt?
No. You park in Täsch and continue on the shuttle train, every 20 minutes.

### Which ascent should I choose if I only do one?
The Gornergrat: cheaper, by train and with the Matterhorn straight ahead. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is higher and has a glacier, but costs more.

### Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid?
It covers the train to Zermatt and the shuttle from Täsch. On the Gornergrat and the cable cars it gives a 50% discount.

### When are the lake trails open?
From June to September, depending on the snow.

### Can you go with children?
Yes. Children do not pay for cable cars until they are 8, and the Five Lakes Trail has two lakes where they can paddle.