A day in Zermatt.
A free, curated Zermatt travel guide and map, where to eat below the Matterhorn and how to spend one alpine day.
Zermatt is a car-free alpine village under the Matterhorn. Cable cars and cog railways climb to the high country; the village itself is touristy but charming. Come for hiking (summer) or skiing (winter), not for budget travel.
Hour by hour.
A suggested order, feel free to swap, skip, or take it in reverse.
09:30 · Start at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Begin your day at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Arrive early to avoid crowds and see it in the morning light.
11:00 · Gornergrat
Walk to Gornergrat, one of the city's defining landmarks. Take your time, this is the kind of place you can't rush.
13:00 · Lunch at Findlerhof
Long lunch at Findlerhof. Locals eat late, by 1:30pm you'll be at the heart of the lunch service.
15:00 · Zermatt Village Center
Walk off lunch with a visit to Zermatt Village Center. Allow at least an hour.
16:30 · Matterhorn Museum
Continue to Matterhorn Museum. By now the harsh midday sun has softened, best time for photos.
18:30 · Drinks at Restaurant Spycher
Aperitivo or evening drink at Restaurant Spycher. Soak in the local rhythm.
20:30 · Dinner
Pick a restaurant from the food list below, the city's best are within a 15-minute walk from where you're staying. Book ahead during peak season.
Picks for the day.
The food stops on the route, plus a couple of alternatives if your timing doesn't match.
Findlerhof
Address: Findeln
Restaurant Spycher
Address: Steinmattweg 7
What to see along the way.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Address: Schluhmattstrasse 28
Gornergrat
Address: Gornergrat
Zermatt Village Center
Address: Bahnhofstrasse
Matterhorn Museum
Address: Kirchpl. 11
Sunnegga
Address: Sunnegga
Tips before you go.
- Cars aren't allowed in Zermatt itself, leave the rental in Täsch and take the shuttle train.
- Cable cars run weather-permitting. Check the day-before forecast before planning the high-mountain views.
- Restaurant reservations on mountain huts (Findlerhof, Chez Vrony) need to be made a day or two ahead in season.