The little mountain town of Zermatt is one of the most magical places that Chris and I have travelled to. The iconic town nestled in the Swiss Alps is quite simply breathtaking. With the Matterhorn in one direction and the little wooden town in the other, it’s a wonderful place to visit, come summer or winter.

There are plenty of spots to visit to jam-pack your Zermatt itinerary. This town isn’t exclusively for skiers. There are plenty of other things to do in Zermatt during the winter and summer for non-skiers, just as much as for skiers. You can thoroughly enjoy your visit without hitting the slopes. As two people who don’t ski, we had an incredible time exploring the town and the surrounding mountains without putting on a ski or snowboard.

We visited Zermatt for a long weekend and had the most incredible time. I have also visited since then as part of my Switzerland road trip and loved it just as much. The little town is gorgeous, packed full of alpine bars and restaurants, all beneath the iconic Matterhorn. It’s easy to spend a long weekend here exploring the town and up high into the mountains.

In this post, you’ll find all of the essential information that you need to plan a trip to Zermatt, Switzerland, including how to get there, when to visit and how long you should spend there, then my top 13 things that you really can’t miss in Zermatt!

Keep reading to start planning your trip to Zermatt and for our top 13 things to see and do during your trip!

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In a hurry? Here is our quick guide to visiting Zermatt, Switzerland

How to get here: Either fly into Sion (75km away), Geneva (244 kilometres away) or Zurich airport (248 kilometres away)
What language is spoken? The official language of Zermatt is German. However, some locals also speak French and Italian, due to the proximity to France and Italy.
What currency is used? the Swiss franc
Where to stay:
When to visit:

Before we dive into the top things to see and do in Zermatt, I’ll cover everything you need to know to plan your visit to Zermatt.

Where is Zermatt?

The small town of Zermatt can be found in the southern part of Switzerland. Zermatt is a municipality in the district of Visp and can be found at the base of the Matterhorn.

What is the closest airport to Zermatt?

The closest airport to Zermatt is Sion (75km). However, there are not always direct flights flying into Sion, and they can be more expensive due to it being a smaller airport. The nearest airport to Zermatt is Geneva (244 kilometres); however, flights can be expensive during peak season. Zurich airport (248 kilometres) is the next closest, which can be cheaper to fly into during peak times. Both airports are well connected to the Swiss rail network.

How to get from the airport to Zermatt

Zermatt is a car-free town, so you have to get a train into the Swiss town. The train station is conveniently located in the centre of Zermatt. Trains run from most Swiss cities either directly or with 1 change.

If you are visiting Zermatt as part of a larger trip through Switzerland and have hired a car, then you can also get a shuttle train into the town from one of the nearby Swiss towns. The train journeys through the Swiss Alps to Zermatt are also incredibly beautiful. You can read all about how to get to Zermatt in our post here.

Travel tip: I also highly recommend getting a 4-day 2nd-class Swiss Travel Pass, which not only covers trains and cable cars but also most of the excursion transportation for the different things to do in Zermatt, including the Matterhorn museum, 50% off cable cars, etc. I did this as part of my 4-day Swiss road trip and really loved the flexibility that it provided.

The SBB train pass might be a larger upfront cost (but Switzerland isn’t a cheap country to visit!). But, this pass ends up paying for itself and takes the guesswork out of buying each ticket and excursion ticket, making it easy to do some Zermatt sightseeing.

I recommend booking your Swiss Travel Pass in advance so that you can use it straight away when you land in Switzerland. You can book it here:

How long should I spend in Zermatt?

I recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Zermatt so you can explore the little Swiss town and head into the mountains to see the Matterhorn. I’ve put together a full post detailing how long you should spend in Zermatt here.

When should I visit Zermatt?

Zermatt really is magical all year round, but there’s something extra magical about the little town at Christmas. That’s when I visited for the first time, and it truly was like stepping into a Hallmark movie. November – February is the perfect time for visiting and seeing the Matterhorn and the town in all its snowy glory. Of course, if you would prefer to hike, then this is best in the summer months, when the snow has thawed and the trails are accessible.

Our top 13 things to do in Zermatt

For such a small town, Zermatt has so much to see and do. Whether you’re a skier or not. So if you’re wondering ‘what can non skiers do in Zermatt?’ Don’t worry – there’s plenty! Let’s dive into all of the best things to do in Zermatt!

Another incredible mountain town is Chamonix. If you don’t ski, there are plenty of things to do here that you can read all about in our post here.

1. Travel to Zermatt on the Glacier Express

A once in a lifetime, truly luxurious experience. Ride the Glacier Express train from St. Moritz to Zermatt where the train ends. This takes eight hours and is an incredible experience. Located in Switzerland, The Glacier Express is an eight-hour train journey that begins in St. Mortiz and travels winding up and through the mountains and finally ending in the little town of Zermatt.

For an additional fee, you can opt for an ‘excellence class’ to guarantee you a window seat and incredible panoramic views.

Tickets start from around £150. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, still complete with incredible views, then you can opt for the standard train to Zermatt.

If you have more time in Switzerland and want to visit another incredible mountain in Switzerland then Jungfraujoch, often labeled the “Top of Europe is one not to be missed.

2. Enjoy Après Ski at Harry’s Ski Bar

Whether you are skiing or not, a visit to Harry’s is an essential thing to do in Zermatt Switzerland during any trip. It can get pretty packed so you’ll either have to stand outside in your ski gear, or warm clothes, or head into the small bar to warm up with a mulled or two!

Plan the perfect trip to Zermatt.

3. Ride on the Gornergrat Railway

The Gornergrat Railway is one of Europe’s highest cogwheel railways. It offers an incredible journey to the summit of Gornergrat at 3,089 meters.

The train journeys through alpine forests and snow-capped mountains, unveiling breathtaking 360-degree views of the Swiss Alps, and ending at the iconic Matterhorn. Marvel at the iconic “Toblerone Mountain” and immerse yourself in the breathtaking Swiss Alps on this unforgettable journey.

The journey takes approximately 30 minutes each way and has multiple stops where you can get off and explore each spot and is one of the best things to do in Zermatt for non skiers.

Tickets cost around £100 for a return ticket and prices go up in peak season. It isn’t during but it’s so worth it for these views!

If you just have one day in Zermatt then you really should include this.

4. Pizza and Pasta at Grampi’s

In Zermatt you’re so close to the Italian border so it’s no surprise that the little Swiss town has some incredible Italian restaurants. We ate a few different ones. But, the one that always has amazing reviews is Grampi’s for a slightly cheaper meal. We couldn’t get a spot to eat here so to ensure you don’t suffer the same fate, be sure to book!

5. Paraglide Over the Swiss Alps

If you’re looking for the best views and an adrenalin-fueled experience then enjoy a paragliding adventure over the Swiss Alps. Fly over the Matterhorn with Zermatt Paragliding.

6. Explore Zermatt Old Town

There are plenty of things to do in Zermatt town including strolling through the car-free village, visiting charming shops, and dining on traditional Swiss cuisine. Walk around the narrow cobblestone streets, surrounded by charming, centuries-old chalets adorned with wooden facades and flower boxes all covered in crisp white snow (even if you visit during the winter). It’s small but, oh so beautiful. If you’re short on time during your trip and wondering ‘what things to do in Zermatt in one day?’ then exploring the Old Town should be high on it! It’s also one of the free things to do in Zermatt.

7. Ride the Cable Car to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

One of the top things to do in Zermatt all year round

If you’re wondering what to do in Zermatt, you really must include riding the cable car to the top, whether you’re skiing or not. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise can be reached from the town in around 40 minutes, including changes. Sitting at 3’883 metres high, it is Europe’s highest mountain station. Once you reach the top, you can hop in the lift to the viewing platform, where you’ll be greeted with 360º panoramic views.

The cable car costs around £90 return, or you can get a day pass for the slopes for £100 (prices vary depending on the season, so be sure to check this before visiting). You can buy your Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car ticket in advance here.

If you don’t fancy going all the way up then you can just go to the first or second stop in the cable car. As we were riding the Gornergrat Railway later on in the day we opted to just visit the first stop. This costs £16 each return.

8. Enjoy the 5 Lakes Walk – One of the top things to do in Zermatt in the summer

If you time your visit to Zermatt right then a hike around the 5 lakes will be high on your list of what to do in Zermatt. The lakes are breathtaking, nestled amongst the mountains. Unfortunately, during the winter months they’re covered in snow and often unreachable. But, it’s one of the top things to do in Zermatt in summer.

9. Ski at Europe’s Highest Ski Resort

The Swiss town is a skiing town after all. So, we couldn’t write a list of what to do in Zermatt without including it. As Europe’s highest ski resort if you’re a keen skier or even if you’re not. It’s a wonderful place to ski.

10. Zermatt Museum

Learn about the history and culture of this little Swiss town, including its mountaineering heritage, at the Zermatt Museum.

11. Ride on the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

The highest cable car station in Europe (3,883 metres). The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise!

Your cable car ticket includes also entry to Glacier Palace where you can see stunning ice sculptures, walk inside a glacier crevice and even slide down an ice chute. It also includes tickets to a Cinema Lounge, a small museum – the Information Cube and the Peak Restaurant and Shop. The first leg is a 6 person gondola that goes through some of the smaller villages between Zermatt and the first station Furi. The second leg is in one of the large cable cars which you will have wonderful views of the Matterhorn from. It stops at the station Trockener Steg. The final is a smaller cable car to take you to your final viewpoint.

12. Cheese and Chocolate Tasting

Indulge in Swiss culinary delights with cheese and chocolate tastings in Zermatt, experiencing the local flavours or both of these wonderful delights.

13. Enjoy Cheese Fondue with an Incredible View

There are plenty of beautiful places to enjoy a fondue in Switzerland Zermatt and being such a quintessentially Swiss thing it really should be high on everyone’s list of things to do in Zermatt.

Some restaurants that have wonderful reviews are:

• Chez Vrony
• Infinity Terrace Bar
• Findlerhof
• Restaurant Walliserstube
• Ristorante Capri

Final thoughts on things to do in Zermatt

And that’s your complete list of things to do in Zermatt! We completely fell in love with the town and recommend visiting to any traveller that loves the mountains. From travelling to Zermatt on the Glacier Express to riding the Gornergrat railway to indulging in Swiss cuisine to riding to the highest cable car station in Europe on The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

Have you been to Zermatt before? What did you do in Zermatt? We’d love to know!

If you’re wondering what to pack for Zermatt, I’ve put together a helpful packing guide that you can read here.