The Ultimate Zermatt Itinerary for 1 to 4 Days

The answer to these questions depends on several factors. How much time do you have? Do you want to get out and hike the trails or simply ride the cable cars to viewpoints of the Matterhorn? What time of year will you be traveling?

The short, easy answer would be to spend as much time as you can in Zermatt. With its spectacular alpine scenery, thrilling hiking trails, multiple cable cars and lifts that take you up into the mountains, charming town, and ski slopes, you could spend a week here and never run out of things to do.

Most likely, you don’t have that kind of time. In this guide, get an overview on the best things to do in Zermatt, when to visit, and get sample Zermatt itineraries, depending on your interests, travel style, and available time.

Whether you have just a day or two, or an entire week (lucky you!), we have some great options for you.

How to Use this Guide

First, we give a brief overview of Zermatt and a list of the top experiences.

After this brief summary, we list multiple daily itineraries. From these, you can pick your favorites and string them together into a multi-day itinerary. Whether you just have a few days, or an entire week, we have some great options to share with you.

A Quick Geography Lesson of Zermatt

Zermatt is a small town that sits at the far end of the Mattertal Valley. Rising up from this valley are a long list of mountain peaks. From Zermatt, you can ride a series of cable cars or a cogwheel train up into these mountains.

There are three main mountain peaks to visit from Zermatt: Klein Matterhorn (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise), Gornergrat, and Rothorn. Visit all three or pick your favorite. They are all accessible from the town of Zermatt by train, funicular, or cable car. In order to visit all three mountain peaks, you will need two days (or one extremely well-planned and busy day).

The Matterhorn is visible from just about everywhere in the town of Zermatt and from the mountain peaks. This pyramidal-shaped mountain sits on the border between Switzerland and Italy. The summit is 4,478 meters (14,692 feet) high, making this one of the highest peaks in the Alps and Europe.

Best Time to Visit Zermatt

Zermatt can be visited all year.

During the summer months, this is an excellent hiking destination, with trails crisscrossing the mountains. The summer hiking season generally runs from June through September, depending on snowfall, although hikes higher in the mountains, such as Hörnlihütte, may not open until July. Outside of these months, the trails can be closed for snow. So, if your intent is to go hiking in Zermatt, plan your visit from July through September.

During the winter months, when the area is a winter wonderland, visit Zermatt for the skiing. The best months to visit Zermatt for skiing are late November through early May. It’s possible to ski all year long from Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, although the slopes do occasionally close in the summer months.

If you will be visiting Zermatt in the spring or fall, in the transition time between hiking and skiing, some cable cars will close for maintenance, such as the Sunnegga funicular and the cable car to Rothorn. However, the cable cars to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and the Gornergrat Railway tend to run 365 days a year, with the exception of very brief closures for construction work. With that being said, if you plan to visit Zermatt in the spring or fall, double check that the cable cars and railways you want to visit are open for your dates of travel.

Best Things to Do in Zermatt

Here is a list of the best things to do in Zermatt. For the full list, and more information about each activity, take a look at our article Best Things to Do in Zermatt.

• Go hiking (in the summer). Hiking is one of the best things to do in Zermatt during the summer months. There is a long list of spectacular hikes, which we cover in our Zermatt Hiking Guide, but some of our favorites are Gornergrat to Riffelberg, hiking to Hörnlihütte, the Matterhorn Glacier Trail, and summiting Breithorn.
• Visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
• Ride the train to Gornergrat
• Ride the cable car to Sunnegga, Blauherd, and Rothorn
• Go skiing
• Stroll through Zermatt town
• Visit the Gorner Gorge
• Hike or bike the Gourmet Trail
• Visit Schwarzsee
• Take your pick from the long list of fantastic restaurants

The view of Zermatt from the Gornergrat Railway

How to Get to Zermatt

The most popular way to get to Zermatt is by train. If you are coming from Geneva, Zürich, Lucerne, or Interlaken, you will first travel to Visp. From Visp, take the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn to Zermatt. This is a slow but scenic journey through a valley in Switzerland (about 1 hour).

By train, you can also get to Zermatt on the Glacier Express. This scenic train journey starts in St. Moritz and ends at Zermatt (or you can ride it in the opposite direction).

You can also get here by helicopter or by taxi from Täsch.

If you have a car, you cannot drive to Zermatt. Park your car in the parking garage at Täsch and take a taxi or shuttle train to Zermatt. Learn more here.

How to Get Around Zermatt

Zermatt is a car-free town. Most people get here by train and once here, you will get around by walking or taking the e-Bus or an e-Taxi.

The town of Zermatt is small and easily walkable. There are several cable cars and trains that take you up into the mountains. From the city center, it is just a short walk to get to the bottom stations for these lifts.

The trains and cable cars run all year, although some cable cars do briefly close for maintenance work. You can check the operational times of the lifts on the official website before your trip.

The Gornergratbahn (photo taken on the hike from Gornergrat to Riffelberg).

Money Saving Passes in Zermatt

There are several passes that can help you save some money while visiting Zermatt.

Peak Pass

The Peak Pass gives you unlimited access to all three alpine regions (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Rothorn, and Gornergrat). You purchase the pass for the number of days you plan to visit Zermatt.

For July and August, a 1-day pass is CHF 224, a 2-day pass is CHF 248, and a 3-day pass is CHF 282. Passes are available for up to one full month.

There is also the option to buy non-consecutive passes. For example, you can buy a pass that is valid for 3 of 5 days (CHF 292). If you are planning a longer stay in Zermatt but want flexibility for the days you travel up into the mountains, this is a nice option.

For more information on pricing, restrictions, and where to purchase the pass, click here.

Peak2Peak Pass

This pass is a one-day pass to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat. Prices start at CHF 202. Click here to learn more.

Swiss Travel Pass

If you have the Swiss Travel Pass, you get a 50% discount on individual tickets to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat.

If you have the Swiss Travel Pass, you get a 25% reduction on the price of the Peak Pass and a 50% reduction on the price of the Peak2Peak Pass.

How Many Days Do You Need in Zermatt?

With two full days, you can visit all three peaks, do a little hiking (in the summer), and explore the town. Just keep your fingers crossed that you have good weather so you can see the Matterhorn.

Three days gives you more leisurely time. You need two clear days to visit all three peaks, so three days gives you an extra day, just in case the weather is bad.

We have visited Zermatt twice, both during the summer months. Between these two trips, we spent a total of five full days in Zermatt, which gave us plenty of time to ride the cable cars into the mountains, hike a bunch of trails, and thoroughly explore Zermatt town.

Returning to Zermatt in the winter is high on our to-do list. We love this town and its mountains, and it is a fantastic place to visit all year, but in the winter, when Zermatt is a winter wonderland, I think it would be magical.

Zermatt in the winter | ansharphoto/shutterstock.com

Daily Zermatt Itinerary Suggestions

Each of the itineraries below is a one day itinerary. From these, pick your favorites and them string them together to create the Zermatt itinerary that best fits your travel style.

Day #1 Getting to Zermatt

In the morning, travel to Zermatt. If you are traveling through Switzerland by train, here are the average travel times from other destinations:

• Interlaken: 2.5 hours
• Grindelwald: 3 hours
• Lucerne: 3.5 hours
• Zürich: 3.25 hours
• Bern: 2.25 hours
• Lausanne: 3 hours

If you are traveling by car, you will drive to Täsch and then ride the train from Täsch to Zermatt.

Most likely, you will arrive midday. Drop off your luggage at your hotel (most likely it will be too early to check in, but you can still drop off your things).

In the afternoon, you can explore the town of Zermatt, or, if the weather is clear, journey into the mountains.

If you have one to two days in Zermatt, I recommend riding the series of cable cars to Sunnegga and Rothorn, saving Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat for tomorrow, since they can easily be combined. For information on things to do and how to plan your time, refer to our Guide to Sunnegga, Blauherd, and Rothorn.

But if you have three or more days in Zermatt, visiting Gornergrat and hiking to Riffelberg is a great introduction to Zermatt.

In the evening, have dinner in Zermatt.

View on the hike from Gornergrat to Riffelberg

Day #2 Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Gornergrat

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat can be combined into a one day visit, since they partially share a cable car route. They can be visited in either order, and there are advantages and disadvantages to each option. This daily itinerary starts with Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Our next itinerary (day #3) is the reverse, starting with Gornergrat.

In the morning, ride the series of cable cars to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Visit the viewpoints, stroll through Glacier Palace, and visit the Cinema Lounge. It takes about 2 hours to visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, maybe a little less if you move fast. For information on how to plan your visit, refer to our Guide to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise | Zermatt Itinerary

The view of the Matterhorn from Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Schwarzsee

Once finished at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, ride the Matterhorn Glacier Ride to Trockener Steg and the gondola to Schwarzsee. In Schwarzsee, get off of the gondola and it is a short walk to see Schwarzsee, which is one of the prettiest alpine lakes in Zermatt. You can also take a photo with the ZERMATT sign.

Schwarzsee

The ZERMATT sign next to Schwarzsee

Gornergrat

At Schwarzsee, get back on the gondola and ride it to Furi. Once in Furi, ride the gondola to Riffelberg (not Zermatt). Once in Riffelberg, you can either ride the Gornergrat Railway (the cogwheel train) to Gornergrat or hike to Gornergrat. I recommend the train since it is an uphill walk from Riffelberg to Gornergrat.

In Gornergrat, enjoy the awesome views of the Matterhorn, have lunch at the 3100 Kulm Hotel, and hike the scenic loop for views of Gorner Glacier.

3100 Kulm Hotel at Gornergrat | Zermatt Itinerary

Then, it is an easy, downhill, amazing hike from Gornergrat to Riffelberg. On this hike, the views of the Matterhorn are incredible and this is our favorite hiking experience in Zermatt (and one of our favorites in Europe). This hike takes about 2 hours and it is gorgeous every step of the way.

Once in Riffelberg, ride the Gornergrat Railway to Zermatt or ride the Riffelberg Express to Furi and in Furi, change cable cars to continue to Zermatt.

In the evening, have dinner in Zermatt.

The advantage of doing it in this order is that you visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in the morning, when skies are generally clearer. By 10 am, clouds can begin to form around the Matterhorn, and many afternoons in the summer there can be some clouds around the mountain. On this itinerary, you are more likely to have clouds around the Matterhorn when you hike from Gornergrat to Riffelberg.

I personally like Day #3 (doing Gornergrat before Matterhorn Glacier Paradise) than Day #2, since you get a better chance to see the Matterhorn cloud free on the hike from Gornergrat to Riffelberg. But you risk cloudy skies when you visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, so keep an eye on the weather when making your decision.

Day #3 Gornergrat & Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

This is the above itinerary in the opposite order. In this order, you will visit Gornergrat in the morning and have a better chance of seeing the Matterhorn cloud free. But then you risk cloudy skies once at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

Gornergrat

From Zermatt, ride the Gornergrat Railway to Gornergrat. Visit the viewpoints at Gornergrat and then hike from Gornergrat to Riffelberg. From Riffelberg, ride the Riffelberg Express (the gondola) to Furi.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

From Furi, ride the series of cable cars to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Visit the viewpoints and Glacier Palace. Once finished at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, you can return to Zermatt and explore Zermatt town, visit Schwarzsee as you ride the series of cable cars to Zermatt, or add on the Matterhorn Glacier Trail, if you are doing very well on time and like hiking.

The Matterhorn Glacier Trail is a 6.8 km (4.25 mile) easy hike with more great views of the Matterhorn. It starts at the Trockener Steg station and ends at Schwarzsee. On average, this hike takes 2 to 3 hours. From Schwarzsee, ride the gondola to Zermatt.

In the evening, have dinner in Zermatt.

Matterhorn Glacier Trail

Day #4 Rothorn & the Zermatt Gourmet Trail

Spend all day visiting Sunnegga, Blauherd, and Rothorn. These three mountain stations each offer something a little bit different.

Rothorn is the highest point and from here the views of the Matterhorn are amazing. Hikers can hike to Oberrothorn, a challenging hike on the highest trail in Zermatt.

The view from Rothorn | Zermatt Itinerary

Blauherd is the middle station on the mountain. From here, you can hike to Stellisee, hike the Five Lakes Trail, enjoy more views of the Matterhorn, and ride a mountain cart to Sunnegga.

Stellisee

In Sunnegga, visit Leisee, have lunch at the Sunnegga restaurant, or walk the Gourmet Trail to Findeln and have lunch.

For a one-day itinerary and a more detailed guide on how to plan your visit, take a look at our Rothorn Blauherd Sunnegga Guide.

At Chez Vrony on the Gourmet Trail

Day #5 Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Hiking

In the morning, visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Midday, hike one of the trails that are located on the cable car route back to Zermatt. There are two great hikes to choose from.

Matterhorn Glacier Trail. The Matterhorn Glacier Trail is an easy, mostly downhill hike from Trockener Steg to Schwarzsee. This point-to-point trail weaves its way between alpine lakes and along the way you get up close views of the Matterhorn. It is 6.8 km/4.25 miles long and takes 2 to 3 hours.

Hike to Hörnlihütte. The Hörnlihütte is base camp for those who plan to climb the Matterhorn. This is a more challenging hike than the Matterhorn Glacier Trail but the views are unbeatable. If you are an avid hiker, this hike needs to be on the top of your Zermatt to do list. This hike is done out-and-back from the Schwarzsee station. It is 8.5 km (5.25 miles), strenuous, and takes about 4 hours.

On the trail to Hörnlihütte | Zermatt Itinerary

Hörnlihütte

If you are a fit hiker and tend to move fast, it is possible to do both the Matterhorn Glacier Trail and Hörnlihütte. Start at Trockener Steg and hike the Matterhorn Glacier Trail to Hirli. At Hirli, hike to Hörnlihütte. Have lunch at Hörnlihütte, hike to Schwarzsee, and ride the cable car to Zermatt. Just be aware of the last descent of the cable car, which is usually around 5 pm in the summer. If you miss the last cable car, you’ll have to hike to Zermatt.

For full details on how to combine Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the Matterhorn Glacier Trail, and Hörnlihütte in one day, read our Guide to the Matterhorn Glacier Trail.

Day #6 Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Breithorn

Breithorn is one of the easiest 4,000+ meter peaks to climb in the Alps. It’s an epic adventure to add on to your visit to Zermatt.

On top of Breithorn

The starting point is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and it is done with an experienced guide. This climb is done first thing in the morning, when the weather is generally clear. It is a 5.7 km/3.5 mile out-and-back hike that takes 3 to 3.5 hours. For more information, read our Guide to Breithorn.

After summiting Breithorn, visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, then return to Zermatt.

Day #7 Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Skiing

At Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the ski slopes remain open in the summer, just as long as the area gets enough snow, making it possible to ski all year. Visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in the morning and then spend the afternoon on the ski slopes.

Day #8 Hiking or Skiing in Zermatt

With more time, spend the day skiing (in the winter) or hiking (in the summer).

Other hikes not mentioned yet include the short, easy walk from Furi through the Gorner Gorge to Zermatt. You can hike from Zermatt town to Edelweiss, a small restaurant that is perched on the cliffs and overlooks the town. For more information, refer to our article Best Hikes in Zermatt.

Gorner Gorge | Zermatt Itinerary

Zermatt Itinerary Recommendations

To plan your Zermatt itinerary, take your pick from the daily itineraries above. For example, if you have 3 days in Zermatt, pick your three favorite daily itineraries.

For recommendations on how to put all of this together, below we list sample multi-day itineraries, putting together the daily itineraries.

One Day in Zermatt Itinerary

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Gornergrat

If you have one full day in Zermatt, for the best experience, follow our day #2 itinerary (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise & Gornergrat) or day #3 itinerary (Gornergrat & Matterhorn Glacier Paradise). In the afternoon and evening, explore Zermatt town and have dinner.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Gornergrat, & Rothorn

It is possible to visit all three alpine areas in one very busy day, but you will have to move fast in order to make it work. This is best done between late June and mid-August, when the Riffelberg Express is running.

The cable cars to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise start running the earliest, so this is a good starting point (as early as 6:30 am in the summer, but you don’t have to start quite that early. I recommend getting on the cable car no later than 8 am.). Spend about an hour at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, which gives you enough time to visit the viewpoints and Glacier Palace.

Ride the cable cars to Furi. From Furi, ride the Riffelberg Express to Riffelberg and the Gornergrat Railway from Riffelberg to Gornergrat. Enjoy the views from Gornergrat and then do the amazing hike from Gornergrat back to Riffelberg. From Riffelberg, ride the Gornergrat Railway to Zermatt.

Once in Zermatt, it is a short walk to the bottom station for Rothorn. Ride the series of cable cars to Rothorn. Have a late lunch at Rothorn and spend the afternoon at Blauherd and Sunnegga, getting down the mountain by cable car and/or mountain cart.

To do this, purchase the One Day Peak Pass, which includes your transportation for all three alpine areas.

The view from Sunnegga | Zermatt Itinerary

Two Days in Zermatt Itinerary

Day One: Follow Day #1: Arrive in Zermatt and ride the series of cable cars to Sunnegga, Blauherd, and Rothorn

Day Two: Day #2 or Day #3: Visit Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in either order you choose

Money Saving Pass: Purchase the Peak Pass, which gives you access to all three alpine regions.

Three Days in Zermatt Itinerary

Day One: Arrive in Zermatt, visit Gornergrat and hike to Riffelberg.

Day Two: Day #5, Day # 6, or Day # 7: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in the morning followed by hiking the Matterhorn Glacier Trail and/or Hörnlihütte, summiting Breithorn, or skiing.

Day Three: Day #4: One day on Sunnegga, Blauherd, and Rothorn.

Four Days in Zermatt Itinerary

Day One: Arrive in Zermatt, visit Gornergrat and hike to Riffelberg.

Day Two: Day #5, Day # 6, or Day # 7: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise in the morning. Midday and in the afternoon, hike the Matterhorn Glacier Trail and/or Hörnlihütte, summit Breithorn, or go skiing.

Day Three: Day #4: One day on Sunnegga, Blauherd, and Rothorn.

Day Four: Day #8: Spend more time hiking or skiing in Zermatt. Explore Zermatt town.

Where to Stay in Zermatt

LUXURY: The Omnia. This hotel is located on a cliff above the town of Zermatt, so you not only get a spectacular view of the town but some rooms offer views of the Matterhorn as well. Dine in the onsite restaurant, relax in the hot tub with views of the Matterhorn, or go to the spa.

UPSCALE: Panorama Ski Lodge. This is where we stayed on our first visit and it was phenomenal. We had a two-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen, large living room, and unbelievable views of the Matterhorn. This is one of our favorite hotels in Switzerland and probably one of our favorite stays in all of Europe. This hotel is located on hill (which is why the views are unbeatable). To walk into Zermatt, it is a 15-minute downhill walk. To get back to the hotel, it’s a very steep uphill walk. However, you can hire a taxi to take you back to the hotel to avoid this strenuous walk.

Panorama Ski Lodge

UPSCALE: Matterhorn Lodge Hotel & Appartements. This is where we stayed on our second visit to Zermatt and liked it just a little bit more than the Panorama Ski Lodge. We had a 3-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen and living room. From our balcony we could see the Matterhorn. This hotel is located in the town center so we could get almost anywhere in Zermatt in just a matter of minutes, with the exception of the cable car station to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise/Schwarzsee.

Matterhorn Lodge

MIDRANGE: Hotel Romantica. This hotel is located in a quiet, central area of Zermatt (it’s just a 5-minute walk to the train station). Stay in rooms decorated with Swiss décor and you can even stay in your own private, rustic cottage.

Hotel Romantica

BUDGET: Hotel Dufour Alpin Superior. Stay in a Swiss-style chalet with traditional décor. Some rooms offer views of the Matterhorn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zermatt worth it?

Absolutely! With multiple cable cars and trains that whisk riders up into the mountains, it’s hard to beat the amazing alpine views you can get in this area. Add in a picturesque town at the foot of the mountains and you have one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe.

What shouldn’t I miss in Zermatt?

Visiting Gornergrat, hiking from Gornergrat to Riffelberg, visiting Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, and exploring Zermatt town are the best things to do in Zermatt. Other popular experiences include riding the cable cars to Rothorn, hiking the Five Lakes Trail, and if you are looking to do something more adventurous, hike to Hörnlihütte or summit Breithorn.

When is the best time to go hiking in Zermatt?

The hiking season runs from June through September. During this time, the trails are clear of snow. If you have plans to visit Zermatt outside of this time frame, it may not be possible to go hiking, depending on conditions.

More Information for Your Trip to Zermatt

BEST OF ZERMATT: For more great things to do, read our article Best Things to Do in Zermatt.

GORNERGRAT: Learn how to visit Gornergrat and hike to Riffelsee and Riffelberg.

MATTERHORN GLACIER PARADISE: Learn how to visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the highest cable car station in Europe. The Matterhorn Glacier Trail is an easy and very scenic hike that runs from Trockener Steg to Schwarzsee and can easily be added on to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.

SUNNEGGA & ROTHORN: In our Guide to Sunnegga, Blauherd, and Rothorn, learn how to visit this area, what there is to do, and how to spend one day visiting the highlights.

HÖRNLIHÜTTE: The Hörnlihütte is as close as you can get to the Matterhorn without actually climbing it and is a must-do if you are an avid hiker. Learn how to get here in our article How to Hike to Hörnlihütte.

MORE HIKES IN ZERMATT: For a full list of hikes, check out our guide Best Hikes in Zermatt. We also have trail guides for the Five Lakes Trail, the Breithorn summit, and the hike from Furi to Gorner Gorge to Zermatt.

If you have any questions about planning your Zermatt itinerary, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to Switzerland

SWITZERLAND ITINERARY: If your visit to Zermatt is part of a bigger trip to Switzerland, check out our Switzerland Itinerary, which has suggestions on what to do if you have 7 days, 14 days, or even longer.

JUNGFRAUJOCH: Jungfraujoch is one of the top experiences in Switzerland. Learn more in our article about How to Visit Jungfraujoch. For an epic day in the Jungfrau region, learn how to combine Jungfraujoch with the Eiger Trail.

JUNGFRAU REGION: If you are planning a trip to the Jungfrau region, check out our Guide to the Jungfrau Region, which includes maps and important travel planning information and our Jungfrau Itinerary, which has itinerary suggestions for one day to one week. We also have a separate article about the best things to do in the Jungfrau region. Get more information on where to stay in the Jungfrau region and how to add on the thrilling Mürren Via Ferrata to your visit.

LUGANO: Lugano is located in southern Switzerland. This city is another great place to stay for day trips in Switzerland and you can easily day trip to Lake Como and Bellagio.

WALKER’S HAUTE ROUTE: The Walker’s Haute Route is a spectacular multi-day trek from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. Learn more about this amazing journey our our Guide to the Walker’s Haute Route. For a full list and overview of the stages, check out our article about the Walker’s Haute Route Stages.

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