Zermatt is one of the most popular destinations in the Alps. You could easily spend longer, but it’s possible to pack all the best sights into 24 hours. Here’s how to spend one day in Zermatt.
By: Mark Barnes | Last Updated: | Comments & Questions
Zermatt is one of the must-see destinations in the Swiss Alps.
It is home to the iconic Matterhorn Mountain, the steepest open-air railway in the world, and the highest cable car station in Europe.
Paul and I have visited Zermatt many times.
We spent 3 to 4 days on most visits exploring the sights and hiking the trails. However, if you are pressed for time, the trains, cable cars, and funiculars are so well connected that you can visit all the highlights in one day.
This is our suggested one-day itinerary for Zermatt.
We have included a detailed itinerary, a map of the area, and tips to help you plan your trip. We have also covered the best tickets to buy to save you money.
The itinerary is jam-packed with sights, so you’ll need to start early and move quickly to see them all. But it makes for an incredible day in Zermatt.
ONE DAY ZERMATT ITINERARY
MATTERHORN GLACIER PARADISE
We recommend starting early and heading to the Matterhorn Glacier Express cable car station at the southern end of Zermatt.
There are two reasons to start here.
Firstly, the cable car opens before the others (as early as 6.30 am in summer) and is ideal for a busy day.
Secondly, the skies are clearest in the morning, and the top cable car station is the highest you will reach on this itinerary.
As you walk to the station, we suggest you stop at Kirchbrücke. This tiny bridge over the Vispa River offers one of the best views of the Matterhorn and is particularly special at dawn.
It’s a great spot to capture the Matterhorn with the river in the foreground.
Now take the Matterhorn Glacier Express Cable Car.
This cable car passes through the stations of Furi and Trockener Steg before arriving at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Station on the summit of Klein Matterhorn. At 3,883m, it is the highest cable car station in the Alps.
Nestled in the snow and ice, the views from the observation platform are remarkable.
To the northwest is the Matterhorn, and (if you look carefully) Hornlihütte – Matterhorn’s base camp – can be seen on the slopes below it.
To the north is Zermatt and the Gorner Glacier, and to the southeast is Breithorn. This is one of the easiest 4,000m mountains to walk up, and you’ll probably see a queue of hikers en route.
On a clear day, you can even see Mont Blanc (the highest mountain in the Alps) in the distance. We have been here several times and never tire of the view.
You can also walk out onto the snow at the observation platform and see the ice sculptures in the Glacier Palace.
PRO TIP – MATTERHORN ALPINE CROSSING
The Matterhorn Alpine Crossing opened in 2023, enabling you to continue your cable car journey into Italy. We were among the first to ride it and write a review, but we don’t recommend this option if you stay in Zermatt.
It’s expensive, and the best views are on the Swiss side.
When you have finished exploring jump on the Matterhorn Glacier Express back down to Furi Cable Car Station.
However, we suggest hopping off at Trockener Steg on the way down. It only takes a minute and the views over the glacial lake to the almost triangular eastern face of the Matterhorn are great.
TIP—As long as you get to the Matterhorn Glacier Cable Car station in Zermatt by 8 a.m., you should have enough time to complete this itinerary. However, the earlier you arrive, the more time you’ll have to explore.
GORNERGRAT
The next stop on the itineratry is the Gornergrat, which you get to via the steepest open-air railway in the world.
The train begins in Zermatt, but to save time, we suggest taking the Riffelberg Express Cable Car from Furi to Riffelberg (it is only open from late June to mid-August).
At Riffelberg, you can join the train for the last section of its journey to the Gornergrat Train Station.
The Gornergrat Train Station is 3,089 m high, surrounded by several glaciers and 29 four thousand-metre peaks.
The Matterhorn rises in the distance, but the highlight is the Gorner Glacier, which winds around the base of Dufourspitze, the highest mountain in Switzerland.
Next to the viewing platform is the iconic Kulmhotel, with its two observatories and interactive ZOOOM exhibition. A café offers a quick snack, and a restaurant offers a more leisurely lunch.
TIP—If the Riffelberg Express is not open, you’ll need to return to Zermatt from the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Cable Car and take the Gornergrat train. This will add about an hour to the day. In this case, try to get to the Matterhorn Glacier Express Station in Zermatt as soon as it opens.
RIFFELSEE
We have tried to reduce the walking on this itinerary to leave time for all the best sights.
However, we have included the hike from Gornergrat to Riffelsee. It is our favourite short hike in Zermatt and well worth doing.
The well-signed trail leaves the Gornergrat Observation Platform and heads to Riffelsee.
The hike to Riffelsee is 2 kilometres long and takes about 1 hour. The trail has wonderful views over the Gorner Glacier and ends at Riffelsee Lake.
The lake is protected from the wind and often reflects the Matterhorn in its waters. It’s number one of our favourite viewpoints of the Matterhorn.
From the lake, you have two options. Take the short hike to Rotenboden Station (5 minutes) or the longer hike to Riffelberg Station (45 minutes) and get another good view over Riffelberg Chapel.
Whichever you choose, hop back on the Gornergrat Train and head into Zermatt.
For more comprehensive details and a map of the Gornetgrat-Riffelsee-Riffelberg walk, read our best hikes in Zermatt post.
TIP – On the descent, sit on the left-hand side of the train to get the best views.
ROTHORN & STELLISEE
The next stop on this itinerary is Rothorn.
It’s a short walk from the Gornergrat Station in Zermatt to the cable cars connecting Sunnegga, Blauherd, and Rothorn.
How much you explore this area depends on how much time you have left.
We suggest grabbing a late lunch at Sunnegga or Rothhorn and then hiking to Stellisee.
This lake has another great reflection shot of the Matterhorn and is at the beginning of the popular Five Lakes Walk (9.8km taking 3 hours).
The shortest and easiest route to Stellisee is a 1-hour round-trip hike from Blauherd.
In our opinion, the Crystal Trail is better than both these walks. It starts at Rothorn and goes via Stellisee to Blauherd. It’s 5.5km and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete.
You can find a maps and instructions for all the walks on our best hikes in the Zermatt post.
ZERMATT SUNSET
After exploring, take the cable car back down to Zermatt.
It’s time to put your feet up, grab a drink, and rest. The centre of Zermatt has many pavement cafes and bars where you can wind down.
However, if you still have a bit of energy, consider going up to Murini Hill.
It’s a 10-minute walk from the bottom of the Sunnegga Cable Car and a great place for sunset photos. The classic shot is the lights of Zermatt slowly rising as the sun fades with the Matterhorn in the background.
WHAT NOT TO MISS IN ZERMATT
The best sights in Zermatt are:
- Matterhorn Glacier observation deck on Klein Matterhorn
- Gornergrat Viewing Platform
- Riffelsee Lake reflections
- Zermatt Town centre
We have packed a lot into this itinerary but have purposely put the best stuff at the beginning.
If time is short or you want to take things slower, skip the afternoon at Rothorn.
This will give you time for a lazier lunch. Adding an extra short walk or any other of the best things to do in Zermatt.
It’s still a great day, and you’ll still see the best the area offers.
1-DAY PEAK PASS
One of the benefits of visiting Zermatt in one day is that you can buy a one-day Peak Pass. This pass gives you access to every cable car and train on this itinerary, as well as the Glacier Palace and ZOOM.
It’s still not cheap, but it’s cheaper than doing it over several days.
WHEN TO VISIT ZERMATT
For this one-day itinerary, the best time to visit Zermatt is from late June to mid-August, when the days are long, the hiking trails are open, and the Riffelberg Express is running.
It’s also possible to complete it in late August or early September, but you’ll need an extra hour to return to Zermatt and board the Gornergrat Train.
MAP OF ONE DAY IN ZERMATT ITINERARY
Below is a map of this one-day itinerary. We have colour-coded it into four sections.
- Glacier Matterhorn Express in red
- Gornergrat in orange
- Rothorn in purple
- Zermatt in brown
USING OUR MAPS. Click on the top right corner to open in the Google Maps app. Click on the star to save to your Google account.
GETTING TO ZERMATT
Zermatt is car-free, so to get here, you must park at Täsch, 5 kilometres away.
Täsch Station seems to have endless parking, but it can be easy to rush off and not pay careful attention to where you park.
Paul and I saw numerous people wandering around trying to find their cars. Take a photo of your parking space so you don’t forget the number.
Trains from Täsch Station run roughly every 20 minutes and take 12 minutes to reach Zermatt.
WHERE TO STAY IN ZERMATT
If you intend to see the sights of Zermatt in one day, it’s best to stay in Zermatt town centre.
Paul and I love staying at the Unique Post Hotel. Its mix of Swiss tradition and boutique style keeps us coming back year after year. However, there are lots of good options in this very pretty town.
If you would rather stay in the valleys and hills above Zermatt, then check out our full list of where to stay in Zermatt.
GOOD VALUE
HOTEL SARAZENA
Nothing comes very cheap in Zermatt, but this hotel is pretty good value. It’s not in the most glamorous of locations, but it could not be more convenient for the Zermatt and Gornergrat train stations. The old town is just an 8-minute walk away.
URBAN COOL
UNIQUE HOTEL POST
A mix of Swiss tradition and urban cool, this boutique hotel is right in the middle of the old town. A stylish bar spills onto the street and it’s a great place to watch the world go by. We stayed here and loved it.
TASTEFUL LUXURY
THE OMNIA
Situated on a rock, 45 metres above the roofs of central Zermatt, access to The Omnia via a tunnel leading to an elevator. It’s tastefully furnished, with an indoor pool, outdoor jacuzzi, and sauna – it’s a top-class stay.
HOW DAYS IN ZERMATT
Paul and I have tried to include the best of Zermatt in this one-day itinerary. But if you are lucky enough to have longer, then consider spending two full days and space your time out more.
Zermatt is one of the best hiking destinations in the Alps. If you like hiking, consider spending three to four days and choose from any of these excellent 12 hikes.
MORE SWITZERLAND GUIDES
- See the best of Zermatt on our 1-day itinerary.
- Here’s how to get the best views of the Matterhorn.
- These are the best things to do in Zermatt.
- Our top hikes around Zermatt are ranked from easy to challenging.
- Find your perfect stay with our Zermatt accommodation guide.
- Looking for something different? We highly recommend Appenzell.
- Take a scenic road trip on the Furka Pass.
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- Paul & Mark.
