How Many Days in Zermatt? The Perfect Zermatt Itinerary for 1 to 3 Days

Zermatt is without a doubt one of the most famous towns in Switzerland. Even though it’s a small town hidden deep in the Swiss Alps, it has become world-famous. Its biggest attraction is the Matterhorn mountain, which is also pictured on Toblerone chocolate and is recognized by people all around the world.

Zermatt is a popular ski resort in winter, and a favorite place for hikers in summer. Surrounded by high mountains, the area offers something for every nature lover: beautiful alpine views, great outdoor sports, well-developed infrastructure, delicious local food, and much more.

However, traveling to Zermatt is not cheap or always easy. That’s why many people ask: how many days should I spend in Zermatt as a tourist? How long do I need to visit it properly? And what kind of itinerary should I follow?

To help you, I created a 1, 2, and 3-day Zermatt itinerary. You’ll find out how to make the most of your time in Zermatt whether you have one, two, or three days to spend. You’ll learn about the best places to visit, what to see and do, how to prepare, where to stay and eat, the best photo spots, and lots of other useful tips.

Along with the itinerary, I also tried to create a complete Zermatt guide, so planning your trip will be easier, whether Zermatt is your main destination or just a stop on a longer trip around Switzerland.

First, I’ll give you a quick overview of what’s included in the itinerary. Then I’ll answer the most common questions, and finally, I’ll show you the detailed 1-, 2-, and 3-day Zermatt plans step by step.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Zermatt, Switzerland

Let’s take a look at the common questions that come up when planning a trip to Zermatt.

Is Zermatt worth visiting?

Yes, Zermatt is definitely worth visiting.

It’s one of the most beautiful places in Switzerland, with amazing views of the Matterhorn, many beautiful mountain lakes, breathtaking glaciers, and great spots for hiking and skiing.

If you love nature and enjoy being active outdoors, make sure to add Zermatt to your bucket list.

How many days do you need in Zermatt?

I’ve put together a 1 to 3-day itinerary to help you find the best activities and places to visit around Zermatt.

• Even if you only have one day here, I’ll show you the top spots you shouldn’t miss.
• With two days, you’ll have time to explore a lot more.
• And if you stay for three days, you can visit most of the must-see places in the area.

It really just depends on your budget and how much time you have. In my opinion, spending 2 or 3 days in Zermatt is ideal.

This itinerary might seem a bit light at first look, but there’s a good reason for that. One of the biggest challenges when planning is that most mountain cable cars and trains stop running by late afternoon. After 5 or 6 PM, most attractions are closed, so your evening is really just for free time — like having dinner, walking around, or simply relaxing.

But if you’re up for a more intense day and can start very early, you could add the Gornergrat train ride to either Day 1 or Day 3. That way, it’s possible to fit the 3-day itinerary into just 2 days.

How to get to Zermatt

Getting to Zermatt is not so simple.

Zermatt is a car-free town, which means tourists are not allowed to drive into it. Only people with a special permit can enter by car.

As a tourist, the only way to get into Zermatt is by train, or by taxi, which is sometimes allowed.

If you’re coming by car, you can drive as far as Täsch, a nearby village. There, it’s best to park your car in the large garage next to the train station. From the garage, it’s a short and easy walk to the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn train, which takes you to Zermatt in about 12 minutes.

You can buy your train ticket at the station, either at the counter or from ticket machines. Keep in mind that the trains can be quite full, especially during the busy winter and summer seasons.

If you’re arriving by train, the direct train from Visp will take you straight to Zermatt.

If you’re wondering whether to stay in Zermatt or somewhere else nearby, or how many days to spend there, don’t forget to consider the extra travel costs. A return train ticket from Täsch to Zermatt costs about 18 CHF per person, and the parking garage is also quite expensive. Be sure to include these in your budget.

How to get around Zermatt

Zermatt is a car-free place, and since the main way to get there is by train, it’s worth preparing for walking in the town.

In addition, there are electric tuk-tuks available, and you can also rent a bike.

But basically, most people walk.

Fortunately, the town is not big, so it’s easy to get around comfortably.

Best time to visit Zermatt

Zermatt has two main tourist seasons: winter and summer.

The winter ski season is very long, it lasts from November to April, and in some places even into May. The best months for a winter trip are December, January, and February.

Personally, as a summer lover, I prefer the summer hiking season. The best months for that are July and August, when the weather is the most pleasant. That being said, you shouldn’t expect hot summer weather during this time either.

Is Zermatt expensive?

Yes, Zermatt is a very expensive place. In fact, based on my experience, it’s one of the most expensive places in Europe.

Hotel prices are very high, transportation and getting to the main attractions can be shockingly expensive, and food isn’t cheap either.

So if you’re planning to visit Zermatt, be prepared to spend a lot.

And why is it so expensive?

Simply because Switzerland is already an expensive destination. On top of that, Zermatt is one of the most popular tourist spots in the country. Despite its small size, it attracts several million visitors every year.

Best things to do in Zermatt

These are the best things to do in Zermatt:

• See the Matterhorn: The Matterhorn is the most famous mountain in Zermatt. You can see it from many places in town, but the best views are from Gornergrat or Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
• Take the Gornergrat Railway: This train goes up to 3,089 meters (10,134 ft). You get great views of the Matterhorn and other mountains. It is a great activity, especially if it is your first time in Zermatt.
• Visit Matterhorn Glacier Paradise: This is the highest cable car station in Europe at 3,883 meters (12,739 ft). You can see the mountains, go inside an ice palace, and even ski all year.
• Go hiking: Zermatt is great for hiking in summer. There are easy and hard trails with beautiful views, mountain lakes, and hanging bridges.
• Walk through the old town: The old town of Zermatt has small wooden houses and a cozy feeling. It is a nice place for a walk.
• Go skiing or snowboarding: Zermatt is one of the best ski areas in Europe. The ski season is from November to April, and you can also ski in summer at high places.
• Visit the Matterhorn Museum, called Zermatlantis: You can learn about the history of Zermatt, the first people who climbed the Matterhorn, and how the village became famous.
• Try Swiss food: You should taste Swiss dishes like fondue, raclette, or rösti in a mountain restaurant or a traditional chalet.
• Take a helicopter tour: You can fly in a helicopter around the Matterhorn and the Alps. It is a special and unforgettable experience.
• Relax at a spa: Many hotels have spas with saunas, pools, and beautiful mountain views. It is perfect after hiking or skiing.

How many days in Zermatt? Zermatt itinerary for 1, 2 and 3 days

Now let’s see what you can do in Zermatt if you have one, two, or three days to spend in the town and its surroundings.

Keep in mind that while this itinerary can partly be used in winter too, it’s mainly designed for summer activities.

Day 1: 5 Lakes Walk, Exploring Zermatt

Start your first morning with one of the best hiking trails around Zermatt: the 5 Lakes Walk.

To get there, you’ll need to find the Sunnegga-Rothorn valley station. It’s located along the Vispa River and can be a bit tricky to find. The address is Vispastrasse 32.

From this station, take the funicular up to the Sunnegga mountain station. Then, continue by gondola to Blauherd, which is the starting point of the 5 Lakes Walk.

You can also take the gondola further up to the Rothorn station if you wish.

The five lakes on the trail are: Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Mosjesee, and Leisee.

On our hike, we started at Stellisee, so get off at Blauherd and begin your walk toward the first lake. Stellisee offers what I think is the best view of the Matterhorn. If you’re short on time or don’t want to hike too far, you can even skip the other lakes. At the end of your walk, near the Sunnegga station, you can also visit Leisee, which is the fifth lake on the trail. This way, you can see two lakes without doing the full hike.

That said, I highly recommend the full trail, which is about 10 km long, moderate difficulty, mostly downhill with a few uphill sections. Be sure to bring basic hiking gear, water, and some snacks.

If you get hungry along the way, there are a few mountain huts where you can rest and enjoy a traditional Swiss meal:

• Blue Lounge (near Blauherd)
• Mountain Lodge Ze Seewjinu (near Grünsee)
• Bergrestaurant @Paradise (near Leisee)

Plan at least 3–5 hours for the hike, or longer if you stop for lunch. The scenery is stunning along the way, with waterfalls, alpine flowers, and wildlife, and there are plenty of great photo spots, so take your time and enjoy the experience.

You will probably return to the town of Zermatt by the Sunnegga funicular in the late afternoon or evening.

Since the hike is quite tiring, it’s a good idea to keep the evening free: just walk around Zermatt, look at the buildings and shops, and enjoy the views along the river.

Have dinner at one of the local restaurants. This evening is a great chance to try real Swiss fondue.

A good place for this is the Old Zermatt restaurant near the Kirchbrücke bridge. It has one of the best views in town, serves delicious Swiss dishes (especially the fondue), and even offers gluten-free bread.

After dinner, if you still feel like walking, I recommend visiting one of the best viewpoints in Zermatt: the Zermatt Matterhorn Viewpoint. You’ll find it after climbing some steps near Mürini 28. It’s one of the most beautiful spots in Zermatt and is also a popular photo location on social media.

That’s it for the first day.

If you only have one day in Zermatt, this plan lets you see the best viewpoints, enjoy the most beautiful areas, and try some local food.

If you can stay longer, we’ll continue with the second day.

Day 2: Gornergrat Railway

For the second day, I planned another popular activity: visiting the Gornergrat mountain peak.

You can get to Gornergrat by a cogwheel train called the Gornergrat Railway.

This train ride is not cheap (a full ticket costs over 130 CHF), so I recommend it only if the price is not a problem for you.

The train departs from the Gornergrat Railway station, which is next to the main train station in Zermatt. It stops at several places along the way and takes about 35–40 minutes to reach the top.

Once you’re at the summit, it’s worth spending some time there, because there are several sights to see. The most impressive one is the huge Grenzgletscher glacier, which looks amazing even in summer. You should also go up to the viewing platform at the top of the mountain.

Don’t miss the old golden train car on display next to the station — while walking around, you can read a lot of interesting information from the signs about the history of the railway.

You’ll also find the ZOOOM the Matterhorn @Gornergrat exhibition there, and the good news is that you don’t need a separate ticket to enter.

If you want to take a break, you can sit down for a coffee or snack at the summit and enjoy the view of the glacier and the Matterhorn.

On the way up or down, I suggest getting off the train at two stops.

The first one is Rotenboden. From there, a short walk takes you to Riffelsee Lake, which is a great photo spot. The Matterhorn reflects beautifully in the water — perfect for photography.

The second stop is more for photographers or those looking for amazing social media content: near Riffelalp station, there’s the Riffelboden viewpoint. It’s a hill where, from certain points, you can see both the railway and the Matterhorn in one frame — a rare and breathtaking view. For the exact photo spot, search for the coordinates: 46.004132, 7.757708.

If you return to Zermatt in the late afternoon or evening, the evening is again free time.

As an optional program, you can visit the Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis, located in the center of town. It’s open for a few hours in the afternoon, and if you have time, it’s worth checking out.

In the evening, once again enjoy a nice Swiss dinner and take a walk along the Vispa River, where you’ll get stunning views of the Matterhorn.

Whether this is your second day in Zermatt or part of a three-day trip, you’ll definitely have a day full of interesting experiences. It will be a truly enjoyable day in Zermatt.

Day 3: Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Gorner Gorge

For the third day, I planned two optional activities. These are great to visit, but only if you have more time in Zermatt.

The first one is Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. It’s a very high viewpoint with lots of interesting things to see.

To get there, go to the Matterhorn Express valley station in Zermatt. From there, you take several gondola lifts to the Klein Matterhorn, the last station, which is 3,883 meters high. The ride takes about 45 minutes, with changes at Furi and Trockener Steg.

Tip: Dress warmly for both this trip and the one to Gornergrat. It can be very cold at the top, even in summer.

At the top, you can enjoy:

• A viewing platform with amazing views of the Matterhorn and over 38 mountain peaks higher than 4,000 meters
• The Glacier Palace, an ice cave with ice sculptures and tunnels under the glacier – fun for all ages
• A Cinema Lounge that shows short films about mountaineering, glaciers, and the Matterhorn
• Snow sports, like summer skiing or snow tubing, depending on the season.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is a nice way to spend the morning. It offers great views, fun attractions, and maybe even lunch on the way down.

In the afternoon, if you still have time, you can visit another interesting place: the Gorner Gorge.

The gorge is about a 25-minute walk from Zermatt and doesn’t take long to visit. The entrance is near the Gornergorge Apartments, and there is a small entrance fee (just a few francs).

The gorge is a deep, narrow canyon created by the Gornera River. A wooden path and stairs lead you through rocks, waterfalls, and clear water.

You can spend 2–3 hours here, making it a perfect afternoon activity.

Besides these two programs, you might still have free time on your third day in Zermatt.

Zermatt is not a cheap place, and getting around can be tricky. That’s why it’s good to carefully think about how much time you want or can spend here.

This 3-day guide might help you decide how many days to stay in Zermatt.

If you plan to visit other parts of Switzerland, check out our other articles. We show many more beautiful places in Switzerland.

And if you’re ready with your Zermatt travel plan, don’t wait — book your hotel, tickets, and get ready for your trip to Zermatt!