Is Zermatt Worth Visiting?
One night while on yet another trip to the Swiss Alps, I was looking for new places in Switzerland to visit – and stumbled across Zermatt, having heard of it several times but never seriously putting it on my radar to decide if Zermatt was worth visiting or not.
View of Zermatt from Mürini 28 Viewpoint; January 2026
Zermatt is known to be an iconic ski village, embodying the epitome of cozy winter cabin vibes alongside its charming town – where there’s no shortage of lively bars, ski shops, or chalets to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or a pint of beer after a full day on the slopes.
However, as someone who doesn’t ski and never plans to in her life (re: think Emily in Paris when Gabriel leaves her “to die” on the slopes) – I wondered if visiting Zermatt was worth it due to my lack of interest in partaking in winter sports.
Luckily, I quickly found out that there was plenty to do in Zermatt for non-skiers such as myself – as stunning mountain peaks and the charming, luxurious but affable town made for the perfect weekend escape for people who love quaint towns or photography opportunities such as myself.
Walking down the streets of Zermatt in winter; January 2026
From the infamous Matterhorn (which inspired both a Disneyland ride and the packaging for Toblerone bars), infinite mountainous views, and old-style dark wooden cabins – this snow, postcard-perfect alpine destination has something for everyone.
If you’re wondering whether Zermatt is worth visiting, especially if you don’t ski – this guide from my recent trip to Zermatt will break down exactly what the infamous ski-resort village is like, what there is to do, and whether or not Zermatt is overrated.
Is Zermatt Worth Visiting?
Without a doubt, Zermatt is 1000% percent visiting – and this is coming from someone who has seen all of the other major towns and villages across Switzerland. It’s a special, cozy ski-town that is stunning with natural beauty, charming, and peacefully secluded without feeling to exclusive or inaccessible.
Honestly, Zermatt exceed my expectations – I was pleasantly surprised by how quaint the town felt and the specific atmosphere: which felt approachable and causal despite the potential wealth that could circulate in Zermatt, as it’s extremely expensive to visit similar to the rest of Switzerland.
Want to see my trip to Zermatt in action? Check out my Zermatt travel vlog below!
How Do I Get to Zermatt?
As you may have read elsewhere, you can only get to Zermatt by train – there is no local airport or way to drive into the city with your own personal or rented vehicle.
If you want to drive to Zermatt, the most effective way is to drive to the nearby town called Täsch and park your car there before catching the short 12-minute train into Zermatt.
The overview cards below will reveal how to get to Zermatt from a few of the major cities in Switzerland (takes 2 – 3 hours from each of these cities):
🚆🏔️ How to Get to Zermatt from Major Swiss Cities
🚆 Geneva
Longer, but arguably more scenic, as you hug Lac Léman and pass beautiful cities like Lausanne and Montreux before switching trains in Visp to reach Zermatt.
🚆 Basel
More direct than Geneva, traveling through classic Swiss Alpine cities like Thun and Spiez, with a final train change in Visp.
🚆 Zurich
The furthest major city from Zermatt, but still very straightforward — you’ll switch trains in Visp before heading into the Alps.
🚆 Bern
The fastest major Swiss city to reach Zermatt from — a smooth journey into the Alps with a train change in Visp.
Does Zermatt Really Have No Cars?
Before traveling to Zermatt for the first time, I had read on many other blogs how it’s a “car free” zone and how it adds to the town of the charm.
While it’s true that there are no full-sized cars in Zermatt, don’t be fooled – there’s a lot of traffic with their little electric taxis or other people movers transporting people from one point to another. As a result, I personally wouldn’t call Zermatt truly “car free” – as there were many times I was walking and ending up feeling one of those little electric shuttles behind me.
That being said, Zermatt is indeed helping in the movement to cut back on emissions from gasoline-based vehicles – so I do give them that!
View of the Matterhorn and snow-capped chalets and homes in Zermatt; January 2026
Can I Go to Zermatt If I Don’t Ski?
You can absolutely go to Zermatt without ever heading to the slopes or learning to ski – there’s plenty to do from spa days, bar or chalet hopping, or simply exploring the village-style streets.
I will say that I was slightly envious of the people coming back from the slopes, having a full day of winter sports, and then earning their cozy chalet dinner with fondue or warm hot chocolates – but this jealously only came from the ultimate snowy winter cabin vibes I saw them thoroughly enjoying!
Envisioning a warm hot tub or glass of cider after a full chilly day at the top of a mountain sure seemed like a rewarding vacation.
As someone who has never skied a day in her life, I thoroughly enjoyed Zermatt and didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. That being said, I could see how if you do know how to ski – it could be the cherry on top to making the most of what Zermatt has to offer.
Is Zermatt Only For the Super Wealthy?
No, Zermatt is not only for the rich – I, including myself, met many other young budget travelers exploring Zermatt for several days at a time.
Despite what you might have heard through the grapevine, Zermatt doesn’t give off an entirely wealthy or pretentious vibe the way some places such as Capri or Monte Carlo do. While it’s true that there are several expensive hotels and spas in Zermatt, I didn’t find it to be any more expensive than all of the other Swiss cities I have been to.
Can I See Zermatt on a Budget?
Yes, you can absolutely do Zermatt on a budget – as I honestly didn’t find it to be any more outrageously priced than any of the other dozens of cities I have seen in Switzerland.
💸🏔️ How to Save Money in Zermatt
🏨 Pick Cheaper Accommodation
Unless you’re staying somewhere with a stunning Matterhorn view, you’ll likely spend most of your time
exploring Zermatt rather than sitting in your room.
Budget-friendly options include Youth Hostel Zermatt (note: it’s a steep uphill walk).
I personally stayed at Hotel Bahnhof, located just steps from the train station.
It was affordable, clean, warm, functional, and offered both private and shared rooms —
plus a full kitchen, which is perfect for cooking and saving money.
🥖 Skip Restaurants & Grocery Shop
Restaurants in Zermatt are absurdly overpriced, with some places charging
30 CHF (around €32 or $37 USD) for a simple bowl of pasta.
Zermatt has two main grocery stores: Migros and Coop.
I personally prefer Coop as a vegan, but Migros also has plenty of great options and is slightly cheaper.
Even if your hotel doesn’t have a fridge, visiting in fall or winter means you can
easily leave food outside your window to keep it fresh.
🚆 Stay in Täsch
If you want to spend more time in Zermatt but can’t stomach the hotel prices,
consider staying in Täsch — the town just before Zermatt.
You can rent an Airbnb or book more affordable accommodation there and simply
take the 12-minute train ride into Zermatt each day.
It’s an easy, scenic commute that can save you a significant amount of money.
Chalets in Zermatt, Switzerland; January 2026
5 Best Things to Do in Zermatt (For Non-Skiers!)
Mürini 28 Matterhorn Viewpoint
Perhaps the best thing to do in all of Zermatt, and the one true non-negotiable is climbing up the Matterhorn Viewpoint at Mürini 28.
Sunny view of Zermatt from Mürini 28 Viewpoint; January 2026
Honestly, after years of seeing photos – I was amazed by how beautiful it was in person and just how much even the most incredible pictures didn’t do the view justice.
I saw people chilling up here for hours on end, but if you’re visiting in the middle of winter like I did – you may want to try visiting during the day to keep warm with sunlight even if it’s tempting to watch at sunset or nightfall.
Visiting the Mürini 28 Matterhorn viewpoint should be the number 1 thing on your to do list while in Zermatt – no contest or questioning it.
Pro-Tip: If you’re visiting Zermatt in poor weather, there isn’t enough sunshine for good photos, it’s too cold or snowing, or you simply can’t climb all the way up to the top (it’s really not that many steps, I would say it’s less rigorous than climbing to the top of Montmartre in Paris, a great swap for Mürini 28 Matterhorn viewpoint is the Infinity Cocktail Bar at the BEAUSiTE Hotel. I contacted them to check if a reservation was needed for a drink, and it isn’t – you can simply walk in and have a glass of wine with gorgeous views of Zermatt!
Matterhorn hiding behinds roofs in Zermatt; January 2026
Old Town Hinterdorfstrasse
If you want a bit more historical context when in Zermatt, visiting the Old Town, or “Hinterdorfstrasse” is the perfect place to be.
In Hinterdorfstrasse, you can wander through the narrow streets and explore the dark wooden, centuries-old buildings.
Exploring Hinterdorfstrasse in Zermatt; January 2026
Pro-Tip: Harry’s Ski Bar is right around the corner, so it’s the perfect stop to warm-up after taking pictures in the freezing cold before heading to explore the rest of the town in Zermatt.
Explore Bahnhofstrasse Main Shopping Street
Bahnhofstrasse, or the main shopping street in Zermatt, is the epitome of a holiday post card from a warm and welcoming ski village.
There’s a mix of both affordable and high-end shopping: from Rolex to mid-range ski and souvenir shops.
Banhofstrasse in Zermatt; January 2026
Pro-Tip: Plan to walk down Banhofstrasse on the coldest day you’re in Zermatt, as it’ll be easy to pop in and out of shops when it’s extremely cold to warm up before heading back out to explore the city!
Kirchbrücke Bridge
Another one of the best places to see the Matterhorn, Kirchbrücke is a bridge located a couple of minutes walking southbound away from Harry’s Ski Bar – offering beautiful photograph opportunities for the Matterhorn.
View of the Matterhorn from Kirchbrüke Bridge in Zermatt; January 2026
Pro-Tip: Keep an eye out for the signs that say, “Kirchbrücke” – as there will be a little bridge with a perfect viewpoint of the Matterhorn and river straight ahead.
People Watching the Skiers
Chalet’s a major part of the atmosphere in Zermatt, with dozens of them within reach at all times.
If I had more time while in Zermatt, I definitely would’ve picked one of these Chalet’s to people watch the skiers heading back into town after a full day of zipping through the snow.
Clock Tower near Swiss Alpine Hotel in Zermatt, Switzerland; January 2026
Pro-Tip: Try to check the menu online for each place you want to eat at before booking a table or sitting down to make sure they have something you both want and can afford, as some of the alpine style chalet’s in Zermatt can be exceptionally expensive.
Additional Things to do in Zermatt
🏔️✨ Top Experiences in Zermatt
🚆 Glacier Express
Plastered all over the internet as the train to take in Switzerland,
this iconic route between St. Moritz and Zermatt lasts around 8 hours and offers
sweeping views of the Swiss landscape.
That being said, it can be insanely expensive, with one-way tickets
often running hundreds of dollars.
🚞 Gornergrat Train
A much cheaper alternative to the Glacier Express, the Gornergrat Train climbs
to 3,089 meters above sea level for commanding views of the Matterhorn.
Prices are around 96 CHF (~€99 / ~$105 USD) in winter (Nov–Apr) and
132 CHF (~€136 / ~$145 USD) in spring & summer.
🚠 Glacier Paradise
Perfect for a half-day trip, the cable car to Glacier Paradise offers panoramic alpine views, glacier caves, and unforgettable photo opportunities — an easy addition to any Zermatt itinerary.
🧀 Try Fondue
Fondue is a Swiss staple, and Zermatt takes it seriously. After a full day freezing on the slopes, there’s nothing better than warm, melty cheese in a cozy alpine restaurant.
🪂 Paragliding
Something I was surprised to see in Zermatt was paragliding — similar to Interlaken. It’s perfect for adventurous travelers who want thrills without needing to ski.
🍻 Après-Ski Bar Hopping
Après-ski culture is huge in Zermatt. Harry’s Ski Bar and Snowboat are among the liveliest spots, making it easy to soak up the atmosphere without ever skiing.
🧖 Spa Day
Spa culture is big in Zermatt — from saunas and hot tubs to full massages. It’s the ultimate way to unwind and embrace the town’s cozy cabin vibes after a long ski day.
🚁 Helicopter Tours
If helicopter tours are your thing, Zermatt is one of the most spectacular places to do it. Seeing the Matterhorn from a bird’s-eye view is completely unforgettable.
View of the Matterhorn from apartments in Zermatt; January 2026
🇨🇭⛷️ FAQ Zermatt 🏔️
| 💰 Is Zermatt expensive? | Honestly, no – I didn’t find Zermatt to be that outrageously priced, even while visiting during the peak of ski season. If you’ve traveled elsewhere in Switzerland, such as cities like Zurich, Geneva, or Interlaken, prepare for the prices for food, excursions, etc. to be similar. |
| 🏔️ Is Zermatt worth seeing? | Yes, Zermatt is absolutely worth seeing – even if you’ve been to other similar places in Switzerland like the Alps. The view of the Matterhorn is truly unique and needs to be seen with your own eyes, as pictures didn’t do it justice! |
| ❄️ When is the best time of year to visit Zermatt? |
I personally think Zermatt’s true personality shines in the winter, but if you want to avoid
peak ski season – avoid staying in Zermatt around the holidays and New Year’s.
Shoulder seasons are in the spring and fall (think April and October), with more crowds
in the summer and middle of winter.
In my opinion, even if you hate the cold – the best time to visit Zermatt really is in the thick of winter, as you’ll witness all the skiers, snowy days, and a snow-capped Matterhorn with snow-dusted Swiss chalets for amazing photos. |
| 📅 How many days should I stay in Zermatt? |
A stay in Zermatt can stretch anywhere from a short weekend getaway to a full week-long
winter escape. The city is small and can be seen in a day, but a full weekend would let you
fully take in the atmosphere Zermatt has to offer.
Personally, I would start to get bored in Zermatt after several days – but a couple of nights in a hotel enjoying the view of the Matterhorn with a cozy hot cocoa and fireplace aura would be perfect. |
| 🍸 What are the best bars in Zermatt? | There are an infinite number of bars in Zermatt, but the most alive ones were definitely Harry’s Bar and Snowboat. |
| 🎿 Can I visit Zermatt without skiing? |
YES! As a lifelong non-skier, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Zermatt and could’ve easily
been entertained for an entire weekend while there.
There’s a lot to do for non-skiers in Zermatt such as searching for the best cocktail bar with a view, visiting Glacier Paradise, paragliding, or even enjoying a spa day! |
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Last updated: January 10, 2026