Best Things to Do in Zermatt: Your Ultimate Travel Guide

Welcome to Zermatt, a place where the air feels cleaner, the views hit harder, and the Matterhorn steals the spotlight no matter where you stand. Whether you’re here to chase high-alpine thrills, unwind with a glass of Swiss wine, or just soak up the kind of scenery that stops you in your tracks, this guide to the best things to do in Zermatt has you covered. It’s a destination that works its magic on everyone, couples, solo explorers, and families alike. From laid-back fondue dinners with a view to wild glacier treks and high-elevation train rides, Zermatt lets you do it all at your own pace. And if you’re a wine lover? You’re in for a surprise, wineries in Switzerland are tucked into the nearby valleys, producing crisp whites and mountain-grown reds that pair perfectly with an après-ski sunset.

What are the best things to do in Zermatt?

Visit the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Looking for that “top of the world” moment? The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise delivers, big time. One minute you’re cruising up in a cable car, the next you’re standing at nearly 3,900 meters with Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and a sweep of snowy peaks from France to Italy all around you. It’s quiet, otherworldly, and absolutely breathtaking. Don’t skip the Glacier Palace, a frozen maze of ice tunnels, glowing sculptures, and slippery slides that feels like stepping into another dimension.

Ascend Gornergrat

Hop on the Gornergrat Railway and let the scenery do the talking. This legendary ride climbs high above Zermatt, twisting through forests and past rocky ridges until it drops you at one of the most jaw-dropping viewpoints in the Swiss Alps. Up top, it’s all about big skies, glacier views, and the Matterhorn stealing the show in every photo.

Wander through the village

The village of Zermatt feels like it was made for slow strolls and cozy moments. Picture timber chalets, glowing windows, and quiet, car-free streets lined with alpine boutiques, cheese shops, and just the right amount of mountain chic. Whether you’re browsing for fondue essentials or slipping into a stylish hotel for the night, everything here runs at a relaxed, high-altitude rhythm. And when the sun dips low behind the Matterhorn? That’s your cue for glühwein, soft light, and a perfect après-ski evening you won’t want to end.

See the border between Switzerland and Italy

The Klein Matterhorn, at 3,883 meters, is home to the highest cable car station in Europe and the gateway to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. From the panoramic viewing platform, you’ll soak up jaw-dropping views that sweep across the Alpsn from Mont Blanc in France to the Gran Paradiso in Italy. While you won’t see a literal painted border, you’re standing right near the frontier between Switzerland and Italy, making it a bucket-list stop for anyone dreaming of a two-country alpine adventure.

What are the best things to do around Zermatt?

Marvel at the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge

Hold your breath, then cross into the clouds. Just outside Zermatt, near the village of Randa, the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. Stretching 494 meters across a dramatic Alpine valley, it’s not for the faint of heart, but for those who dare, the reward is a jaw-dropping panorama of the Matterhorn, Weisshorn, and lush Valais landscapes.

Walk to Täsch

Just a 12-minute train ride from Zermatt, Täsch may be best known as the car park gateway to the alpine capital, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Tucked along the peaceful banks of the Matter Vispa river, Täsch offers quiet trails through larch forests and valley views that feel worlds away from the buzz of the main resort. Staying in Täsch? It’s a smart, budget-friendly base with quick access to the Matterhorn’s top attractions, plus a chance to see this mighty peak from a new, less crowded angle before hopping back on the mountain train to Gornergrat or the Glacier Paradise.

Discover the beauty of the Gorner Glacier

The mighty Gorner Glacier spills across the landscape near Gornergrat like a frozen ribbon of time. It’s the second-longest glacier in the Alps, and catching a glimpse of it is an experience that stays with you. You don’t need skis to appreciate its scale, just head to one of the panoramic platforms for a view so epic it feels almost otherworldly. Surrounded by towering peaks and crisp alpine air, this is the kind of moment that makes Switzerland unforgettable.

Walk to Riffelsee

Riffelsee is that postcard-perfect moment you came to Zermatt for. Just a short trail from the Gornergrat station, this alpine lake serves up a mirror-like reflection of the Matterhorn that’s almost too perfect to be real. Catch it at sunrise or sunset and the whole scene glows, still water, crisp air, and that iconic peak staring back at you. It’s not just a hike, it’s a memory-maker.

Sip Alpine elegance

Perched in the Swiss countryside, this family-run estate offers more than just wine, it’s “Swiss Wine Therapy” in a glass. Wander through vineyards bathed in mountain light, then settle into an intimate tasting session featuring crisp whites and delicate reds, each carefully crafted with a rich heritage. Between sips, enjoy the slow pace of the Alps, where time seems to stretch with every panoramic view.

Visit Brig

Hop off the train and into a postcard. Just an hour from Zermatt on the scenic Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, Brig is a charming Valais town that blends mountain vibes with Swiss history. Its star? The Stockalper Palace, a 17th-century baroque gem that looks straight out of a storybook. Wander the cobbled streets of the old town, grab a coffee with views of the Alps, or use Brig as your base for exploring high-altitude trails and glacier routes. It’s also perfectly placed if you’re hopping on the Glacier Express, or simply craving a change of pace from Zermatt’s mountain buzz.

Don’t miss your next climb and discover the best things to do in Brig Switzerland!

Good to Know before visiting Zermatt