Zermatt · One-day itinerary

A day in Zermatt.

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.

Time
Full day
Distance
4-8 km
Food stops
2
Sites
5
The walking route

Hour by hour.

A suggested order, feel free to swap, skip, or take it in reverse.

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

15:00 · Zermatt Village Center

Walk off lunch with a visit to Zermatt Village Center. Allow at least an hour.

5

16:30 · Matterhorn Museum

Continue to Matterhorn Museum. By now the harsh midday sun has softened, best time for photos.

6

18:30 · Drinks at Restaurant Spycher

Aperitivo or evening drink at Restaurant Spycher. Soak in the local rhythm.

7

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.

Where to eat

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

Sites & sights

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

Practical notes

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.
Paste your Google AdSense unit code here
Stay in touch

More itineraries, more cities.

We add new cities and refine the maps every few weeks. Get an email when something new goes up.