Zermatt in Summer: 6 Amazing Activities And Tips First-Timers Should Know

This post is all about what to do in Zermatt in summer and it is packed with very useful travel tips: how to get to Zermatt, weather, Zermatt hotels, and more!

zermatt things to do — *Summer in Zermatt, Switzerland*

If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland to see the gorgeous Zermatt & the majestic Matterhorn in summer, then you have come to the right place!

I’ve created this short but complete Zermmat summer travel guide to help you plan the most unforgettable trip to the heart of Switzerland!

So let’s have a look at everything you need to know for an amazing trip to the Matterhorn!

First things first:

HOW TO GET TO ZERMATT

The beautiful town of Zermatt lies in the Southern part of Switzerland, in the Valais canton, at around 1.600m elevation, and borders the iconic Matterhorn peak (aka the Toblerone mountain).

By Air

The nearest airports to Zermatt are Geneva (CH), Zurich (CH), and Milan (IT). You can choose to fly to any of these cities and then take a train or drive from there. My recommendation is to fly to Zurich, being the closest.

The train ride is just under 3 and a half hours from Zurich airport and close to 4 hours from Geneva or Milan.

If you prefer to rent a car, the drive is close to 4 hours from Zurich and 3 hours from Geneva. Driving might be a more budget-friendly option if you are traveling in a bigger group.

By Train

Swiss trains are one of the best in the world, and the views along the way are absolutely GORGEOUS. They are also some of the most expensive trains in the world, so be prepared. 🙂

Find the timetables, ticket prices, and book: HERE.

Generally, you can book your tickets up to 30 days in advance.

By Car

You should know that Zermatt is a car-free city so you cannot drive all the way there.

If you are traveling by car, the best option is to park it in Täsch, the closest village to Zermatt, and take the train shuttle.

Parking in Täsch costs 16 CHF/24 hours.

The Zermatt-Täsch train shuttle runs every 20 minutes and you will reach the beautiful resort in 12 minutes. Book it HERE.

Once you arrive at the resort, right in front of the trains station, there are buses and taxis ready to take you to your accommodation. Depending on the distance, you can expect the taxi fare to be around 25CHF.

zermatt village taxi — *Zermatt in Summer*

(Since you’re planning the trip, make sure to check out these 10 Amazing Things to Do in Zermatt to be sure you make the most of your trip!)

WHERE TO STAY IN ZERMATT IN THE SUMMER

zermatt chalet — *Zermatt in Summer | Top activities*

While accommodation in Zermatt can be pricey, staying in the village is THE BEST choice and SO worth it.

Of course, you can find more affordable options in the villages nearby (Täsch is a good alternative), but you still have to consider the transport costs to Zermatt and back so, for a 2-3 days trip, I would definitely recommend staying in this beautiful mountain resort.

Choosing where to stay in Zermatt depends on many things like your budget, the number of people (are you traveling as a couple or a family/ bigger group), your preference for the stay (hotel or an apartment), Matterhorn view, and many more.

Here are my top recommendations for the best hotels in Zermatt in summer, tailored for any budget.

(Get ready to pay extra for that gorgeous Matterhorn view!)

LUXURY: Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel

This beautiful design hotel impresses through architecture and style. It is uniquely located higher up in the village which gives you that spectacular, unobstructed view of the Matterhorn. It’s also perfectly situated right next to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car and you can reach the center of Zermatt in a 10-minutes walk.

We booked this hotel for our winter holiday in Zermatt and I absolutely cannot wait to enjoy the spa, the heated outdoor pool, and those incredible views in December!

UPDATE: We stayed at the hotel this summer and you can read all about our incredible experience at the Matterhorn FOCUS here.

MIDRANGE: Hotel Mountain Paradise

This hotel is absolutely PERFECT if you are looking for top quality without breaking the bank! We stayed here during our visit in July and could not recommend it more!

The view of the Matterhorn is spectacular (if you’re lucky enough to have clear skies), and the rooms are very comfortable, with a charming chalet look.

We were very kindly welcomed at the reception and offered hiking maps and suggestions for traditional restaurants in the area.

The Mountain Paradise Hotel is located slightly higher up in the village, an easy, uphill 15 minutes walk from the center and 5 minutes from the Glacier Paradise Cable Care station. If you don’t feel like walking, no worries, there is a bus stop right in front and lots of taxis available.

A great option for both couples and families.

BUDGET: Hotel Alpina

Try this traditional Swiss hotel for a more budget-friendly alternative. Dating from 1903, the Alpina Hotel is very centrally located, in one of the best areas in Zermatt: only 500m from the Gornergrat train station and a 2-minute walk from the main street.

The cable cars are also within a very short distance, as most of the restaurants and shops.

ZERMATT WEATHER

Another VERY important thing you need to consider when planning your summer trip to Zermatt is the weather.

The average temperature in summer in Zermatt is around 19-20C (68F), so it doesn’t get pretty hot. This is normal considering the resort is already pretty high up in the mountains.

I wouldn’t recommend relying on your regular weather app when it comes to this area, as the weather in the mountains can change pretty quickly.

The best way to check the weather in Zermatt is to download the Matterhorn App. You will get real-time information and a webcam view of the main peaks – super handy!

WHAT TO PACK FOR A SUMMER TRIP TO ZERMATT

Since you’ll probably be hiking, you will find yourself at pretty high altitudes (even 4000m/ over 13.000 feet – yes, you read that right!), so packing appropriately is a must.

Here is a super useful Zermatt packing list for summer:

hiking boots – essential if you are planning to hit the trails (and you should!)
regular sneakers – for your walks through the town
layers: thermal top and leggings – yes, even in summer, it’s freezing on the glaciers
workout/ hiking tops
fleece jacket
wind & rainproof jacket and pants – I swear by my North Face gear!
sunblock for your face SPF 30 minimum (50 recommended for a trip to the glaciers)
sunglasses
a hat to shield you from the sun (it does shine brighter up there)
hiking backpack
water bottle and snacks for the hike
summer hiking map – you can find them everywhere (train station, cable car stops etc)

Unlike possibly other resorts in Switzerland, you will see people dressed pretty casually in Zermatt in summer, mostly wearing hiking gear or activewear. Nevertheless, you might want to pack something nice for going out to dinner but nothing too glamorous. And no need for heels!

WHAT TO DO IN ZERMATT IN THE SUMMER

There are SO many amazing things to do in Zermatt, especially in summer, so I’ve dedicated an entire post to that!

Have a look here at 10 EPIC Things to do in Zermatt and make sure you tick them off your list!

And here are some more ideas:

6 BEST SUMMER ACTIVITIES IN ZERMATT

Hiking and mountain climbing: over 400 km of trails with breathtaking views of 4000m high peaks all around. The Gornergrat-Riffelberg trail is a must-see! Check out the BEST 10 HIKES YOU MUST DO IN SWITZERLAND
Mountain biking – 220 km of mountain biking trails, from May to October
Summer skiing: yes, that’s right, you can ski all year round in Zermatt! 21 km of pistes await you, ski lovers!
Via Ferrata at Gorner Gorge- for the adrenaline seekers
Sunset dining at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Try a dirt scooter or mountain carts at Blauherd