Zermatt 2 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Exploring Zermatt Village

Morning:

  • Arrive at Zermatt Train Station. (You can take a train from several major Swiss cities like Geneva, Zurich, or Milan.)
  • Check-in at your hotel. Recommendations:
    • Luxury: The Omnia Hotel offers spacious rooms and stunning mountain views.
    • Mid-range: Walliserhof Hotel features cozy rooms and a convenient location in the heart of Zermatt.
    • Budget: Youthhostel Zermatt offers affordable dormitories and private rooms for travelers on a budget.

Lunch:

  • Visit Cafe Papperla, an iconic eatery with a charming terrace overlooking the Matterhorn. They serve traditional Swiss dishes like raclette and fondue.

Afternoon:

  • Take the Gornergrat Bahn (cable car) to the top of Gornergrat for breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
  • Explore Riffelalp, a high-altitude Alpine village with several restaurants and accommodations. Don’t miss the church at Sunnegga.

Evening:

  • Return to Zermatt Village for dinner. Try Restaurant Schwarze Adler, which serves gourmet Swiss cuisine in a historic setting.
  • Stroll around the car-free village and enjoy the illuminated Matterhorn.

Things to Know:

  • Zermatt is a car-free zone. You can get around by electric taxi, bus, or on foot.
  • Most shops and restaurants close between 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM for lunch. Plan accordingly.
  • Bring layers of clothing as temperatures can vary greatly throughout the day.

Day 2: Outdoor Activities & Departure

Morning:

  • Start your day with breakfast at your hotel or grab a quick bite from one of the many bakeries in Zermatt.
  • Head to Sunnegga and take the Schwarzsee-Sunegga hiking trail (number 7) for stunning views of the Matterhorn and surrounding valleys.

Lunch:

  • Pack a picnic lunch or enjoy local cuisine at Restaurant Findlerhof in Sunnegga.

Afternoon:

  • Descend to Zermatt and rent bikes (or take the train) to visit the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise for more panoramic views and indoor activities like the Skyway observation deck.
  • Spend your last hours shopping for souvenirs, exploring the Matterhorn Museum, or relaxing at a spa before departing.

Dinner:

  • Your final meal in Zermatt could be at Chez Heinz Stueberl, where you can enjoy traditional Swiss dishes like veal Zurichseggenwürze or venison.
  • Depart from Zermatt Train Station.