Traveling Huntleys

Inspiring travel stories, tips, and guides from a couple exploring the world one destination at a time.

Zermatt, Switzerland

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Last Updated: May 2026

Zermatt, Switzerland is a beautiful alpine village nestled at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn, one of the most photographed mountains in the world. As part of our Tauck Switzerland tour, Zermatt was among the highlights of our journey — renowned for its stunning beauty, traditional chalets and year-round mountain activities. The village is car-free, preserving its tranquil environment and allowing visitors to immerse themselves fully in the mountain atmosphere.

The iconic Matterhorn pyramid rising above Zermatt through partly cloudy skies, Switzerland

Zermatt, Switzerland

The village of Zermatt in the Swiss Alps with the Matterhorn in the background, Switzerland

One of the most scenic and convenient ways to reach Zermatt is by train. The journey itself is a breathtaking introduction to the Swiss Alps. From Gruyères we traveled by bus that weaved through lush valleys, picturesque villages and dramatic mountain landscapes. We boarded the narrow-gauge train Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, in Täsch, which climbs steadily towards Zermatt. This part of the trip is particularly stunning, passing through tunnels and over viaducts, with panoramic views of snowy peaks and alpine forests. Waterfalls were prevalent along the way.

Traveling by train in this region highlights the efficiency and beauty of Swiss public transportation. It’s environmentally friendly, convenient, and allows access to remote mountainous areas that would be hard to reach otherwise. We were able to sit back, relax and enjoy postcard-perfect scenery throughout the journey to and from Zermatt.

The car-free village of Zermatt with the Matterhorn towering in the background, Switzerland

Once in Zermatt, the Matterhorn dominates the skyline with its distinctive pyramid shape, soaring to 4,478 meters (14691 feet). Hiking, skiing and mountaineering are popular activities here.

Pedestrians and electric vehicles on the car-free main street of Zermatt, Switzerland
A horse-drawn carriage on the streets of Zermatt, Switzerland
Michael Huntley physician photographer and Sandy Huntley next to a sculpture in Zermatt, Switzerland

The train station is the main gateway to the village. From there, electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages offer quiet transport without polluting the pristine environment. Never the less, walking the streets of Zermatt still had quite a bit of electric vehicle and bicycle traffic to be mindful of.

Sandy Huntley next to the Breitling watch store in Zermatt, Switzerland
Lindt chocolate store on the main street of Zermatt, Switzerland
Sandy Huntley next to a life-size decorative plastic cow in Zermatt, Switzerland

The main stores in Zermatt were watch and chocolate shops followed by gift and clothing stores.

Michael Huntley physician photographer walking the streets of Zermatt, Switzerland
Bronze statue of an ibex mountain goat in the streets of Zermatt, Switzerland
Sandy Huntley walking the streets of Zermatt, Switzerland
Historic stone clock tower in the old village of Zermatt, Switzerland
The historic Mountaineers' Cemetery in Zermatt, Switzerland, resting place of early alpine climbers
Traditional stone-roofed mazot granary raised on mushroom-shaped supports in Zermatt, Switzerland

We enjoyed walking the streets of Zermatt and exploring the shops, sights and restaurants.

Michael Huntley physician photographer and Sandy Huntley outside the Mont Cervin Palace hotel, Zermatt, Switzerland
Sandy Huntley enjoying breakfast at Mont Cervin Palace, Zermatt, Switzerland
Elegant dinner course at the Mont Cervin Palace restaurant, Zermatt, Switzerland
Fine dining entrée at the Mont Cervin Palace restaurant, Zermatt, Switzerland

We stayed at the Mont Cervin Palace, a 5-star luxury hotel with amazing food. Our room was huge with two bedrooms, a full kitchen, two bathrooms and a spacious dining/living room. It must be very popular during ski season.

Gornergrat Summit

Cogwheel car on the Gornergrat Railway, Zermatt, Switzerland
Michael Huntley physician photographer and Sandy Huntley aboard the Gornergrat Railway, Switzerland
Friend Jim waiting to board the Gornergrat Railway, Zermatt, Switzerland
Michael Huntley physician photographer waiting to board the Gornergrat Railway, Zermatt, Switzerland

The most memorable experiences were taking a scenic train ride on the Gornergrat Railway. This cogwheel train ascends above Zermatt, climbing to 10,225 feet on the Gornergrat ridge to Gornergrat summit.

Sandy Huntley at the Gorner Glacier viewpoint, Gornergrat, Switzerland
Sandy Huntley standing above the Gorner Glacier with mountain peaks behind her, Gornergrat, Switzerland
Sandy Huntley overlooking the sweeping expanse of the Gorner Glacier, Gornergrat, Switzerland
The Gorner Glacier stretching across the valley on a partly cloudy day, Gornergrat, Switzerland
Michael Huntley physician photographer and Sandy Huntley with the Gorner Glacier in the background, Gornergrat, Switzerland

From this vantage point, we had breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the iconic Matterhorn, 29 other peaks above 4,000 meters and the impressive Gorner Glacier, which is the third largest glacier in the Alps.

Gornergrat Summit observatory and hotel at 3,089 meters, Switzerland
A fellow visitor hoping for the clouds to clear for a view of the Matterhorn, Gornergrat Summit, Switzerland
A retired gold cogwheel railway car on display at Gornergrat Summit, Switzerland
Michael Huntley physician photographer and Sandy Huntley at Gornergrat Summit waiting for the clouds to clear, Switzerland
Sandy Huntley with a humorous photo cutout of herself climbing the Matterhorn, Gornergrat Summit, Switzerland

At the summit, there were hiking trails, a restaurant and an observation platform to soak in the views. When we arrived at Gornergrat summit, it was cloudy, snowing and extremely cold. One of our options was to hike back down to Zermatt. There were train stops to pick hikers up along the way.

Michael Huntley physician photographer and friend Jim enjoying coffee and croissants at the Gornergrat Summit restaurant, Switzerland
Sandy Huntley and friend Katie indoors at the Gornergrat Summit restaurant waiting for the clouds to clear, Switzerland

We opted to go to the restaurant, enjoy a coffee and chocolate croissant and pray that the clouds would clear enough to glimpse the Matterhorn.

Clouds starting to break up revealing the Matterhorn, viewed from Gornergrat Summit, Switzerland
Skies clearing over the Matterhorn as seen from Gornergrat Summit, Switzerland
Nearly clear blue skies over the iconic Matterhorn pyramid, viewed from Gornergrat Summit, Switzerland

Eventually there was a blue sky and the Matterhorn revealed itself. Just iconic and amazing. We got very lucky to have seen it that day.

Visitor Information

Zermatt Village: Zermatt has been car-free since 1930. Drive to the village of Täsch (free parking available in large garages), then board the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn train to Zermatt — a 12-minute journey. Electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages provide transport within the village.

Mont Cervin Palace: Bahnhofstrasse 31, Zermatt. A historic 5-star luxury hotel established in 1852. montcervinpalace.ch

Gornergrat Railway: Departs from Gornergrat Bahnhof, adjacent to the Zermatt main station. The 33-minute journey climbs to 3,089 meters (10,135 feet). Round trip approximately CHF 95; book tickets in advance at gornergrat.ch. Trains run year-round.

Mountaineers’ Cemetery (Bergfriedhof): Located near St. Mauritius Church in the old village, this historic cemetery is the final resting place of early alpine climbers. Free to visit.

Practical Tips

Dress in layers for the Gornergrat summit — even in summer, temperatures at 3,089 meters can drop well below freezing, and conditions can change rapidly. We arrived to clouds, snow and bitter cold before the Matterhorn eventually emerged.

Book Gornergrat Railway tickets online in advance, particularly during summer and winter peak seasons. Morning departures tend to offer the clearest views before afternoon clouds build around the peaks.

Allow a full day in Zermatt — the Gornergrat experience alone warrants three to four hours, and the car-free village is wonderful for walking and exploring shops, restaurants and the old quarter.

Park in Täsch, not Zermatt. Vehicles are prohibited in the village; Täsch has large parking garages and the train connection is seamless.

From Zermatt we continued on to our next stop, Lake Maggiore, Italy.

FAQ

Is Zermatt really car-free? Yes — Zermatt has been a car-free village since 1930. Visitors park in Täsch and travel the final stretch by train or electric taxi. Within the village, horse-drawn carriages and electric vehicles handle transport.

What is the Matterhorn? The Matterhorn is a 4,478-meter (14,692-foot) pyramidal peak on the border between Switzerland and Italy. One of the most recognizable mountains in the world, it was first summited in 1865 by Edward Whymper’s team — a triumph followed by tragedy when four climbers fell to their deaths on the descent.

Is the Gornergrat Railway worth it? Absolutely. The cogwheel railway offers panoramic views of the Matterhorn, 29 other peaks above 4,000 meters and the Gorner Glacier — some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in Switzerland. Allow extra time at the summit in case of clouds.

What is the best time to visit Zermatt? The village is beautiful year-round. Summer (June–September) offers hiking and warm weather at lower elevations; winter brings world-class skiing. September and October often offer excellent visibility for Matterhorn views before peak ski season crowds arrive.

How do you get to Zermatt? The nearest major airport is Geneva (GVA), approximately 3 hours by train. From Zurich it’s about 3.5 hours. Drive to Täsch and take the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn train for the final 12-minute leg into Zermatt.

What is the Gorner Glacier? The Gorner Glacier is one of the largest glaciers in the Alps, covering an area below the Gornergrat ridge and surrounded by high peaks. Like most Alpine glaciers, it has retreated significantly in recent decades due to climate change, making it all the more important to witness on a visit today.