Introduction
Zermatt is a town in the Visp district in the German speaking part of Valais Canton (Wallis) in Switzerland. It's a popular tourist destinations, both in winter and summer and has a population of just under 6,000.
The village is situated at the end of Mattertal at an altitude of 1,620 metres above sea level.
Sights and Activities
Matterhorn
Although it is not the highest mountain in the Alps, the Matterhorn is considered to be one of the landmarks on this mountain range. The distinct pyramid-like summit is its claim to fame. It is part of the Pennine Alps and it overlooks the towns of Zermatt and Cervinia (in Italy). However, it is the image from the north side that is most well-known to the world.
The Matterhorn is one of the hardest mountains to climb in the Alps because of its steep ascent and the weather conditions. In the last 150 years, over 500 climbers have lost their lives on this mountain. For tourists, it is probably better to enjoy the view from the top of the Gornergrat Railway that leads up to a height of 3089 metres, or from the top of the Klein Matterhorn cable car lift at 3820 metres. The cable car is the highest in Europe.
Other sights and activities
- Skiing in winter. Zermatt is the starting point for the Patrouille des Glaciers, a ski moutaineering race.
- Hiking and climbing in summer. The Haute Route is a popular and long trail, which can also be done on skis in winter.
- Take one of the cable cars to Klein Matterhorn or Gornergrat. From the first, you can go to the top of the Breithorn, the easiest 4000+metres in Europe.
- Matterhorn Museum
Getting There
By Plane
Theoretically, Air Zermatt can fly you in. Realistically, this is not for everyone's budget. The nearest airports with good connections are Geneva and Zürich. Or you can opt for some of the airports in the north of Italy, like Turin and Milan. It takes several hours at least to get to Zermatt though.
By Train
Swiss Federal Railways provides services from other places in Switzerland like Visp and Brig. Zermatt is also the start or end of the Glacier Express rail service connecting to St. Moritz and Davos. The Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn is another great way of arriving and/or leaving Zermatt.
By Car
Zermatt is a car-free area, except for some electric vehicles. You have to park your own car in Täsch and take the taxi or train for the last 7 kilometres. Check the Zermatt Park and Ride options.
The main road to Täsch starts from Visp.
Getting Around
By Public Transport
Small electric buses travel from one end of town the other and to a few ski stations. There are cable cars running all the way to the summit of the Klein Matterhorn (3883 metres), where you can find the highest scenic outlook platform in Europe. The Gornergrat Railway goes to the top of Mount Gornergrat.
By Foot
The town is small enough to navigate on foot.
Sleep
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Alfa Zermatt | Obere Mattenstrasse 18 | Hotel | 88 |
| Matterhorn Hostel | Schluhmattstrasse 32 | Hostel | 73 |
| Matterhorn Hostel Apartments | Untere Wiestistrasse 8 | Apartment | - |
| Youthhostel Zermatt | Staldenweg 5 Winkelmatten | Hostel | 85 |
| Hotel Rhodania | Steinmattstrasse 71 | Hotel | 86 |
| Casa Della Luce Apartments | Postfach 153 | Apartment | - |
Keep Connected
Phone
See also International Telephone Calls
Post
Swiss Post is the national postal service of Switzerland and has fast and reliable services. For more information about prices to send postcards, letters and parcels, both domestically as well as internationally, they have a very useful Price Calculator. Domestically, there is priority mail (arriving the following day) and economy mail which takes 2-3 days to be send within Switzerland. Stamps can be bought at the post offices or from shops and kiosks that also sell postcards. In general, post offices are open from 8:00am to noon and 2:00pm to 5:00 or 6:00pm, with a lunchbreak in between. Opening times on Saturdays are usually only during mornings. Larger cities and central post offices might keep longer hours and skp the lunchbreak.
On Travellerspoint
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