Information
City: ZermattCountry: Switzerland
Continent: Europe
Zermatt, Switzerland, Europe
Overview
Tucked in Switzerland’s Valais canton, Zermatt is a celebrated mountain town known for its jaw-dropping alpine views, pristine ski slopes, and the sharp, snow-dusted peak of the Matterhorn.Zermatt draws travelers year-round, luring them with jagged peaks dusted in snow, upscale hotels, and trails that wind deep into the Alps.Number one.Zermatt sits at the base of the Matterhorn, its sharp, pyramid peak standing out as one of the world’s most iconic mountain shapes.The town sits high in the Valais region, just a short drive from the Italian border, at roughly 1,620 meters-where the air feels crisp and thin.The Swiss Alps rise around you in towering, jagged peaks, some dusted with snow even in July.Zermatt’s alpine climate brings long, frosty winters and summers that stay pleasantly mild.Summer usually stays mild, with temperatures sitting between 15°C and 20°C (59°F to 68°F), but in winter, the air can bite hard, dipping below -5°C (23°F).Snow falls often in winter, blanketing the slopes in fresh powder perfect for skiing and snowboarding.Perched high in the Alps, Zermatt soaks up sunshine most of the year-especially in summer-while its crisp, clear skies frame jaw-dropping views of the surrounding peaks; once just a quiet farming village, it began transforming into a mountain resort in the mid-1800s.When mountaineers began flocking to the Matterhorn, Zermatt quickly grew into a bustling tourist hub.In 1865, Edward Whymper’s team became the first to reach the summit, but the joy didn’t last-on the way down, four climbers fell to their deaths, their ropes snapping against the ice.The tragedy made Zermatt famous as a mountaineering hub, and by the 20th century it was buzzing with wealthy visitors and skiers, their breath hanging in the crisp alpine air.With the arrival of the Zermatt Glacier Express and other rail links, travelers began streaming in from every corner of the globe, their suitcases dusted with snow from the journey.Today, Zermatt buzzes with hikers, skiers, and climbers, its streets lined with cozy chalets and gear shops.Tourism drives the town’s economy, more than anything else.This mountain town draws visitors from around the globe for its skiing, mountaineering, and a whole range of outdoor adventures, from crisp dawn hikes to heart-pounding climbs.Every year, thousands come for the thrill of skiing, the challenge of a steep hike, the grip of rock under their fingers, and the rush of cycling down winding roads.Zermatt’s famous for its plush hotels, sleek boutiques, and restaurants where the scent of truffle drifts through candlelit rooms.Together with Italy’s Cervinia, it creates the Matterhorn Glacier Ski Resort-one of the biggest ski playgrounds on the planet.With its slopes open all year, Zermatt draws winter sports fans in January and off-season skiers carving fresh tracks on the glacier, and it’s long been a base for climbers setting out to conquer the Matterhorn, Dufourspitze, or Lyskamm.In town, you can rent gear, hire a guide, or take climbing lessons whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.Since Zermatt’s car-free, people get around on quiet electric shuttles, clip-clopping horse carriages, or simply on foot.Zermatt’s well-run transport network-like the Gornergrat Railway and the Zermatt-Gornergrat Funicular-whisks visitors straight into the mountains, where crisp air and snow-dusted peaks greet them; the town’s roots run deep in Swiss alpine culture, shaped by mountaineering feats, lively folk customs, and the timber-and-stone charm of traditional architecture.The town’s architecture blends wooden and stone chalet-style buildings, their balconies spilling over with bright summer flowers.Throughout the year, Zermatt comes alive with cultural events, from art exhibitions to the famed Zermatt Unplugged, an acoustic festival that draws musicians from across the globe.The town’s galleries and museums bring alpine history to life, from worn leather climbing boots to faded summit photographs.At the Matterhorn Museum, you can wander through the region’s history, from the first daring ascents of the peak to village life below.In town, Zermatt tempts visitors with rich Swiss flavors-think bubbling cheese fondue, melty raclette, and hearty Zermatter Rösti, its crispy potatoes golden and fragrant.The town boasts upscale dining, from Michelin-starred spots serving delicate truffle risotto to inventive dishes with a local flair.Zermatt’s crown jewel is the Matterhorn, a sharp, snow-dusted pyramid that ranks among the most iconic peaks on Earth.The Matterhorn pulls in climbers and photographers year-round, its jagged peak cutting into skies that shift from deep blue to storm gray.Just nearby, the Gornergrat ridge offers sweeping views of the mountain and the ring of snow-covered summits around it.From Zermatt, the Gornergrat Railway climbs to the summit, where you can step onto wooden observation decks and breathe in crisp alpine air while mountains stretch to the horizon.Skiers and thrill-seekers reach the Matterhorn Glacier through the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Europe’s highest cable car station.The glacier draws skiers, snowboarders, and mountaineers alike, its slopes glittering in the sun.The Klein Matterhorn-nicknamed the “Little Matterhorn”-is a favorite stop, reached by a sweeping cable car ride high above the valley.Visitors can ride up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, breathe in the crisp, thin air, and take in sweeping views before diving into high-altitude snow activities.Sunnegga, a favorite with travelers, serves up its own dazzling look at the Matterhorn.You can reach it by taking the funicular up from Zermatt, where trails branch out into the mountains.At the foot of the Matterhorn, Riffelsee glimmers like a sheet of glass, drawing hikers from all over.The lake mirrors the towering peak, a view so crisp it begs for a photo, while Zermatt’s Old Village lines its narrow lanes with weathered wooden chalets, some standing since the 1800s.Strolling through this part of town, you catch the scent of fresh bread from a bakery and feel Zermatt’s history in its old stone walls.Known as a top spot for mountain adventures, Zermatt’s Matterhorn Glacier Ski Resort keeps its slopes open all year, offering skiing and snowboarding for beginners and thrill‑seekers alike.Zermatt sits within the Zermatt-Cervinia-Valtournenche ski area, boasting more than 360 kilometers of slopes.It’s a magnet for mountaineers, offering routes up some of Europe’s tallest and toughest peaks, like the jagged Matterhorn and the towering Dufourspitze.When summer melts the snow, hikers set out on trails that wind past glaciers and open to sweeping views of the Alps under crisp blue skies.Hikers flock to the 5-Seenweg Trail and the Matterhorn Glacier Trail, where you might catch the scent of pine in the crisp air, while mountain bikers can tear down Zermatt’s rugged downhill tracks or explore its winding routes.
Landmarks in Zermatt
