What are the best things to do in Zermatt?
Top picks in Zermatt include Matterhorn viewpoints, Gornergrat Railway, Klein Matterhorn and Glacier Paradise, Five Lakes Walk (5-Seenweg). See the full list and itinerary on this Zermatt travel guide.
Photo: Chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Zermatt
Travel guide for Zermatt, Switzerland — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Zermatt is a stop in Switzerland, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Matterhorn viewpoints, Gornergrat Railway, Klein Matterhorn and Glacier Paradise instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 200–400 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds
Weather
Temperate, with warm summers and cool winters
Experiences
Things to do in Zermatt
1
Matterhorn viewpoints
2
Gornergrat Railway
3
Klein Matterhorn and Glacier Paradise
4
Five Lakes Walk (5-Seenweg)
5
Matterhorn Museum — Zermatlantis
6
Bahnhofstrasse
7
Hiking trails around Zermatt
8
Sunnegga viewpoint
Budget travel
Free things to do in Zermatt
Matterhorn viewpoints
Five Lakes Walk (5-Seenweg)
Hiking trails around Zermatt
Sunnegga viewpoint
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Zermatt itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Matterhorn viewpoints
- Visit Gornergrat Railway
- Visit Klein Matterhorn and Glacier Paradise
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Five Lakes Walk (5-Seenweg)
- Visit Matterhorn Museum — Zermatlantis
- Visit Bahnhofstrasse
- 3
Day 3
More highlights
- Visit Hiking trails around Zermatt
- Visit Sunnegga viewpoint
Budget
Zermatt trip cost
Budget
USD 90–150
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 200–400
per person / day
Luxury
USD 460–760+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Zermatt, Switzerland. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Zermatt
Estimated total (USD)
$4,350
≈ $2,175 per person · $621 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $300/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Zermatt mid-range ground costs (budget 90–150 · mid 200–400 · luxury 460–760+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Restaurant du pont
Manud
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Hotel Bahnhof
Hotel Allalin
Walliserhof
Alpenroyal
Schönegg
In pictures
Zermatt gallery
Photos: Chensiyuan, chensiyuan, Schnäggli, Andrew Bossi — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Zermatt travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Zermatt?
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds.
How many days do I need in Zermatt?
Plan at least 3 days in Zermatt for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Zermatt?
Popular stays in Zermatt include Hotel Bahnhof, Hotel Allalin, Walliserhof. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Zermatt cost?
On the ground in Zermatt (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 90–150 per person per day, mid-range about 200–400, and luxury about 460–760+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Zermatt, Switzerland. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
