You’ve probably seen the photos. That jagged tooth of a mountain, the Matterhorn, looking like it was hand-drawn by a god with a flair for the dramatic. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel tiny and incredibly lucky at the same time. But honestly? Most people treat Zermatt like a one-trick pony. They show up, take a selfie with the mountain, maybe ski for a day if they're into that, and leave.
That's a mistake. A big one.
Zermatt is weirdly special. It’s car-free, which means you’re dodging electric taxis that look like overgrown milk crates instead of SUVs. The air actually smells like nothing—in a good way. It’s crisp. It’s clean. If you're looking for the best things to do in Zermatt, you need to look past the obvious tourist traps and find the spots where the village actually breathes.
The Matterhorn isn't the only peak in town
Everyone talks about the Matterhorn. I get it. It’s the star. But if you want the best view of the star, you have to leave its base.
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The Gornergrat Railway is the move. It’s this chunky, old-school cogwheel train that's been rattling up the mountain since 1898. You sit there, watching the larch forests turn into rocky tundra, and suddenly you’re at 3,089 meters. From the top, you aren't just looking at the Matterhorn; you're looking at 29 different 4,000-meter peaks. It’s overwhelming.
Pro tip: don't just ride it up and down. Get off at Rotenboden on the way back. There’s a short walk to Riffelsee. On a still day, the lake acts like a mirror for the Matterhorn. It’s the "Instagram shot," sure, but standing there in the silence? That’s something else entirely.
The Glacier Paradise is actually kind of intense
If you want to feel the altitude, head to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. This is Europe’s highest cable car station. It sits at 3,883 meters. At that height, you might feel a little lightheaded—that’s the thin air saying hello.
There’s a "Glacier Palace" inside the ice itself. It’s basically a series of tunnels carved into the glacier with ice sculptures. It’s cold. Really cold. Like, -2°C year-round. But walking through blue-lit ice tunnels under the surface of a glacier is one of those things you sort of have to do once.
Beyond the slopes: Finding Zermatt’s soul
Zermatt is famous for skiing, and the 2025/2026 season has seen some big tech updates, including the new Gifthittli chairlift and those fancy smartphone tickets that let you skip the physical pass queues. But if you aren't a skier, don't sweat it.
The village has a "hidden" side. Go to the Hinterdorf (the old village). There are about 30 barns and storehouses made of dark larch wood, some dating back to the 16th century. They sit on flat stone stilts to keep the rats out. It looks like a movie set, but it's real history.
Why the museum is actually worth it
Usually, I’m the first to skip a local museum on a short trip. Don't skip the Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis. It’s built underground and looks like a sunken village.
The most chilling thing there? The snapped rope from the first ascent in 1865. Seven men went up, only three came down. It changes how you look at the mountain. You realize it isn't just a pretty backdrop; it’s a beast that people have died trying to tame.
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Eating your way through the Alps
Zermatt is low-key a foodie capital. You have Michelin stars scattered all over the place, but you also have mountain huts that serve the best rosti of your life.
- Chez Vrony: This place is legendary. It’s in Findeln and you have to hike or ski to it. Get the Vrony Burger. Just trust me.
- Brasserie Uno: This place recently picked up a Green Michelin Star for sustainability. They do a 6-course surprise menu that changes with the season.
- Saycheese!: If you’re in Switzerland, you’re eating cheese. This spot in the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof is cozy and serves a truffle fondue that will probably ruin all other cheese for you forever.
Honestly, the mountain dining is better than the village dining. There’s something about sitting on a wooden terrace at 2,000 meters with a glass of Valais wine that makes the food taste 10 times better.
What most people get wrong about Zermatt
The biggest misconception? That Zermatt is only for the ultra-wealthy. Yes, you can spend $1,000 a night at the Mont Cervin Palace. But you can also stay at a hostel or a family-run B&B like Parnass and eat incredible food without selling a kidney.
Another thing: people think it’s a winter-only destination. Summer in Zermatt is arguably better. The Five Lakes Walk (Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee) is the best day-hike in the region. Each lake is different, and the reflection of the mountain in Stellisee at sunrise is enough to make a grown man cry.
A quick word on logistics
Zermatt is car-free. You park in Täsch and take the shuttle train. It runs every 20 minutes and takes about 12 minutes. If you try to drive into Zermatt, you'll get a massive fine and a lot of dirty looks.
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Also, get the Swiss Travel Pass if you’re doing more than just Zermatt. It covers the trains to get there and gives you massive discounts on the mountain railways like the Gornergrat.
Actionable next steps for your trip
- Check the webcam: Before you buy a $100+ lift ticket to the summit, check the live webcams. If the Matterhorn is "in the clouds," wait. It’s not worth going to the top if you’re standing in a white-out.
- Book dinner early: The good spots (like Chez Vrony or 1818 Eat & Drink) fill up weeks in advance, especially in February or July.
- Pack layers: Even in July, it can be 25°C in the village and 0°C at the Glacier Paradise.
- Stay in the village: While staying up at the Kulmhotel Gornergrat is a "bucket list" thing, staying in the village lets you experience the evening vibe when the day-trippers leave.
Zermatt is one of those rare places that actually lives up to the hype. Just make sure you spend as much time looking at the old wooden barns as you do looking at the big white mountain.