Hotels in Zermatt

Zermatt: Car-Free Village at the Foot of the Matterhorn

Zermatt sits at 1,620 m in the Valais canton of southern Switzerland, directly below the Matterhorn (4,478 m), one of the most photographed peaks in the Alps. The village has been car-free since 1930 — only electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages move through its narrow lanes. That policy, combined with year-round snow access via the Klein Matterhorn cable car at 3,883 m, makes Zermatt one of Europe's most consistent mountain destinations.

Where to Stay

Most hotels cluster along Bahnhofstrasse, the pedestrian main street, and in the quieter Hinterdorf quarter, where 17th-century wooden mazot granaries still stand beside boutique guesthouses. The Winkelmatten neighborhood, a short walk south, offers calmer streets with direct sightlines to the Matterhorn's north face. Properties range from 3-star pension rooms to 5-star spa hotels above the 1,700 m mark.

Practical Tips

• Access: Zermatt is reachable only by train; drive to Täsch (5 km north) and take the shuttle rail (12 minutes).
• Season: Ski season runs roughly December–April; hiking season peaks July–September.
• Altitude: Book a lower-altitude room first night to acclimatize if arriving from sea level.
• Currency: Swiss franc (CHF); card payments accepted nearly everywhere.