The small but grand, picture-perfect Swiss Alpine town of Zermatt is world-famous for the Matterhorn, which is the classic pyramidal mountain peak behind the Toblerone chocolate's packaging logo. But beyond (or rather around) what is believed to be the world's most photographed mountain, there are plenty of other record-holder attractions to enjoy in any season, and for any age and fitness level.
Zermatt is not just a popular year-round ski resort and mountaineering destination, because its scenic outdoor activities and unique indoor attractions can accommodate the varied interests of tourist groups, occasional adventures and even young families.
01 The Matterhorn
You don't have to be a Toblerone fan to fall in love with the Matterhorn, which is the real inspiration behind the mountain-shaped chocolate packaging logo since 1970. This dangerously steep rock pyramid of 4,478 meters (14,692 feet) had earned a reputation of both prestige and peril for seasoned mountaineers, even before its first record of a successful ascent by Edward Whymper in 1865. Today, the Matterhon's dramatic prominence can be enjoyed all year round from various viewpoints along Zermatt's many hiking trails for beginners and beyond.
You can see the Matterhorn's different angles from superb vantage points such as the Gornergrat Railway route and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
02 Gornergrat Railway
The Gornergrat railway (Gornergrat Bahn) is Europe's highest open-air rack railway at 3,089 meters (10,135 feet). Watch your jaw drop as you feel like watching an Ultra HD movie of the Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa range through the train windows. Six stations along this scenic train line offer plenty of activities, all while constantly seeing the iconic north and east faces of the Matterhorn (the same angle in the Toblerone logo).
We recommend stopping first at the final and highest station (Gornergrat) for the stunning observation deck, the historic 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat and the unmissable ZOOM the Matterhorn. ZOOM is an indoor multimedia facility featuring VR paragliding simulators that takes you on a thrilling virtual reality adventure. To continue your Gornergrat journey, hike downhill toward the Riffelberg cable car or train station while taking a chance to spot some cuddly Valais Blacknose sheep that graze the area every summer.
03 Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Open all year round for skiing and snowboarding, the Klein Matterhorn (commercially called Matterhorn Glacier Paradise) is truly a Swiss Alpine wonderland, even for non-skiers. The Klein Matterhorn cable car station at 3,883 meters (12,740 feet) is the highest mountain cable transport terminal in the world. From there, the accessible summit elevator takes you even higher to the observation deck for spectacular 360-degree views of the Swiss, Italian and French Alps.
Hidden nearly 50 feet below the surface of the Klein Matterhorn is the Glacier Palace, a well-lit and safely walkable ice cave with artist-made ice sculptures and natural, centuries-old ice formations. Relax indoors at the Cinema Lounge inside the Breithorn Tunnel and watch a short film about Zermatt's beauty. You can reach the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise through various connecting cable lifts based on the season's opening schedules, whether you're starting from stations in Zermatt or in Breuil-Cervinia, Italy.
04 Sunnegga Paradise
Family-friendly Sunnega is perfect for ski beginners and is a great starting point for many hiking trails. Aside from its majestic Matterhorn viewpoint, this 2,288-meter (7,507-foot) winter ski area offers plenty of summer recreation activities and relaxation spots for all ages. The shallow lake Leisee is a picturesque alpine swimming destination in summer, complete with a secured play raft, picnic and barbecue areas, and a unique children's playground called Wolli's Adventure Park. If you're an animal lover, hike along the Marmot Trail and spot some cute marmots out of their burrows. The Sunnegga station is just a 5-minute funicular ride from the Sunnegga-Rothorn Valley station in Zermatt. It's also along mountain biking, mountain carts, and kickbiking trails.
05 Zermatt Village
The charming, car-free alpine town of Zermatt can be easily explored on foot. You can't miss the Kirchbrücke (German for ‘church bridge') on the Matter Vispa River with its viewpoint of the towering Matterhorn. Spot the serene Mountaineers' Cemetery for the local and foreign mountain climbers who had died from climbing accidents in Zermatt's mountains. You'll easily see the quintessentially Swiss lodges, restaurants and shops near Kirchplatz and on Bahnhofstrasse, and you'll love strolling through the Hinterdorf, which is Zermatt's quaint old village of over 30 well-preserved traditional houses and barns made of durable larch timber.
In July and August, you may witness a procession of Valais Blacknose goats on Bahnhofstrasse. Watch some performances during the Zermatt Folklore Music Weeks, held around the village and the mountains from June to October.
06 Skiing and snowboarding in Zermatt
Aside from the rewarding alpine scenery with the distinctly recognizable Matterhorn, what makes Zermatt a remarkable world-class ski resort town is that it accommodates year-round skiing and boasts Switzerland's highest ski area. The Matterhorn Ski Paradise is 3,883 meters (12,740 feet) high, offering a satisfying long descent with plenty of piste options for different skill levels. Freeriding (off-piste skiing) and heli-skiing satisfy cravings for extra thrills, while Snowpark Zermatt is snowboarding heaven for freestylers.
The Wolli Park in Sunnegga is an ideal winter ski practice area for children and first-timers, and there are several designated slow slopes on the Rothorn, Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. First-timers can choose from plenty of ski schools and rental equipment shops to get them prepared for an incredible skiing experience.
07 Hiking and mountaineering in Zermatt
Zermatt's 400 kilometers (about 250 miles) of connected, visibly signposted trails vary by theme and difficulty for different interests and fitness levels. Many of their starting points are accessible via gondola lifts or aerial tramways, as well as by train. In the hour-long Riffelsee Lake Trail, it only takes 10 minutes to reach that postcard mountain lake view where the water clearly mirrors the Matterhorn in calm weather.
The 3-hour Five Lakes Walk features picturesque Stellisee and two swimmable lakes. If you want to get even closer to the Toblerone peak, the Matterhorn Base Camp trek (Hörnli trail) takes only 2.5 hours, but the uphill path has a ‘hard' difficulty level. For advanced hikers, the 4-day Monte Rosa trek explores beautiful forests, mountain lakes, the Gorner Glacier and the uniquely designed Monte Rosa eco-hut. In winter, Zermatt also has winter hiking, snowshoeing and sledding trails.
If you're in proper shape to climb an Alpine four-thousander (the European term for mountains over 4,000 meters), the recommended easiest mountain to climb in any season is the Breithorn. It's 4,164 meters (13,661 feet) high, but the starting point from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise only requires 415 meters (1,362 feet) of ascent. The full Breithorn tour (including descent) usually takes 3 hours. Remember to book a mountain guide and bring or rent the special mountain climbing gear required for this year-round adventure.
08 Matterhorn Museum - Zermatlantis
Behind the imposing greatness of the Matterhorn is both a tragic history and a major turning point in alpinism and the preservation of Zermatt's rich tradition and culture. Matterhorn Museum - Zermatlantis is an accessible underground indoor attraction and a must-visit all year round, even for locals. This subterranean world contains original buildings that recreate Zermatt's old village scene during the time of the Matterhorn's first explorers in the 19th century. Its exhibits of original paraphernalia include the chilling broken rope behind the tragic fall of Edward Whymper's four companions after their first successful ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865.
The museum's multimedia room shows clips from the 1938 film The Mountain Calls, which tells the story of Whymper's seven-man mountaineering expedition.
09 Furi Mountain Station
The idyllic hamlet of Furi is home to a convenient cable car connection hub in Zermatt, giving you easy access via one-stop rides to many mountain adventure trails. Stop by at Bergbahnstation Furi if you're taking a gondola lift from Trockener Steg after exploring the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise or if you're riding the Riffelberg Express after hiking downhill from the Gornergrat summit. If you're coming from the Schwarzsee station after completing the Matterhorn Glacier Trail, take a culinary stop in Furi before transferring cable cars and going back to Zermatt.
In winter, Furi is a favored descent spot for skiers because of its many piste-side restaurants, including the Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Aroleid Restaurant. For family-friendly summer activities, cross the 100-meter-long (328-foot) Furi hanging suspension bridge (Hängebrücke) over the Gornera River. This bridge leads you to the Dossen Glacier Garden, which has a unique children's playground and barbecue area, all within a tranquil forested setting.
10 Gorner Gorge
Naturally formed by the strong gushing waters of the Gornera River against magnificent cliffs, the Gorner Gorge is a thrilling geological wonder. The hanging wooden walkway of this narrow alpine canyon was built in 1886 and is frequently renovated for safety. Open from June to October, the best time to visit the gorge is at around 3 to 4 p.m. or when the natural lighting is just right to give the water a beautiful turquoise hue. The Gorner Gorge can be reached by foot from Zermatt or via a downhill hike from nearby Furi. Guided tours are also available for an in-depth exploration of the area.
11 Forest Fun Park Zermatt
Over 100 high rope courses, ziplines and climbing challenges await thrill-seeking families and friendly, competitive individuals at Forest Fun Park. Test your strength and balancing skills safely, thanks to the park's Swiss-made Saferoller systems. The Kid's Trail for ages 4 to 7 features simple ziplines and exciting hanging bridges, while the Big Trail for adults and older kids offers multiple course options from beginner to extreme. Forest Fun Park is open during warmer months, from spring to fall, and its perfect woodland location in the southern end of Zermatt village treats adventurers with rustic views of the mighty Matterhorn.
12 Rothorn Paradise
You might think that the Matterhorn already looks striking at different angles from the Gornergrat and Klein Matterhorn (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise), but there's something special about the Matterhorn viewpoint on the Rothorn. The strategic position and perfect elevation of the Rothorn at 3,109 meters (10,184 feet) make the Matterhorn and the rest of the gigantic Valais Alps truly stand out. What makes the Sunnegga-Blauherd-Rothorn route also special is the varied transport modes.
After taking the uphill funicular from Zermatt to Sunnegga, take a connecting gondola lift to Blauherd, and then transfer to the bigger panoramic cable car to Rothorn. The Blauherd-Rothorn route is open during the winter ski season with direct piste access. From summer to early fall, the Rothorn becomes a starting point for paragliding tours and intermediate to advanced hiking trails.
13 Zermatt Unplugged Music Festival
Zermatt Unplugged is an annual acoustic music festival that has featured renowned international and local artists since April 2007. Held for five days across multiple concert stages (both indoor and outdoor) throughout the village and mountainside areas of Zermatt, this one-of-a-kind event takes audiences to a total experience of world-class music in an incredible alpine landscape. If you're also a foodie, the Taste Village culinary fair should not be missed during this springtime festival. You can buy specific concert tickets for your chosen dates and stages or opt for the Unplugged Pass, which includes access to all concerts and after-show parties.
14 Glacier Express: Window to the Swiss Alps
Another record holder involving Zermatt is the Glacier Express, which is recognized as the slowest express train in the world, but for all the right reasons. This panoramic 8-hour direct train from St. Moritz to Zermatt (and vice versa) passes by Switzerland's priceless alpine sceneries including UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Landwasser Viaduct (Albula Railway), the Rhine Gorge (Swiss Grand Canyon) and the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch.
Your unforgettable grand Swiss train journey lets you enjoy freshly prepared Swiss dishes served to your table. The Glacier Express is also a relaxing indoor travel hack for almost any season or weather. You get to easily pass by idyllic villages, scenic bridges and tunnels, and many more unspeakable gems to discover before finally reaching Zermatt and that breathtaking view of the Matterhorn.
15 Paragliding and helicopter tours
Not everyone can conquer the Matterhorn, but you can fly around it and the surrounding majestic Alps. A helicopter sightseeing tour in Zermatt lets you see the pyramidal mountain's four distinct faces and four dramatic ridges up close, and you get a bird's-eye view of what many successful alpinists have seen in glory. If you prefer solo or tandem paragliding, doing it near the Matterhorn is definitely an aerial adventure of a lifetime. Another adrenaline-packed option for extreme skiers is heli-skiing, where you drop off from a helicopter instead of a ski lift. Be sure to book your preferred high-flying activity in advance and make full preparations that are suitable for your chosen season.
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