2 DAYS IN ZERMATT ITINERARY
Are you headed to Zermatt and wondering how to spend 2 days in Zermatt? This charming mountain village, nestled at 1,600 meters (5,250 feet), offers plenty to do—but even if all you want is to soak in the views and take it slow, Zermatt is an incredible place to be. And here, you will find out how to plan your 2-day itinerary for Zermatt.
Zermatt is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Switzerland, and while it is a perfect place to visit in winter in Switzerland, it is actually a great idea at any time of the year. I have been to Zermatt about 8 or 9 times so far. However, I am neither a skiing person nor overly sporty, yet I enjoy time outdoors and being active – and as such a person, I totally adore Zermatt.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I might earn a small commission when you buy a product/service via my link (at no extra cost to you). More about it here.
TRAVEL TIPS FOR YOUR 2-DAY ZERMATT ITINERARY
Here are some important travel tips for your Zermatt itinerary.
How to Get to Zermatt
ℹ️ Zermatt is a car-free town. You’ll need to leave your car in Täsch, a small village just a few minutes away. There’s a large covered parking garage that charges around 24 CHF for two days. From Täsch, a shuttle train takes you straight up to Zermatt.
With a Swiss Travel Pass, you can get up for free. Without such a pass the price is around 17 CHF for a return ticket.
ℹ️ You could also hike up or cycle – the distance is about 7 km, and it is not flat but probably great if you want to start with some hiking.
Swiss Travel Pass
If you use public transportation in Switzerland, I recommend getting a Swiss Travel Pass.
- A Swiss Travel Pass allows you to use trains and buses without any extra costs.
- You can also do boat cruises without additional costs. There are no lakes in Zermatt to cruise, but if you create a Switzerland itinerary and visit more places, then you might enjoy those boat cruises.
- You have a 50% discount on most mountain rides (you can get up via cable car/funicular for half of the price). You can use it for all the mountain rides mentioned here in Zermatt to receive that discount.
- Check out prices for a Swiss Travel Pass here.
The prices are quite high. But I have bought them myself, and it pays off if you get around via public transportation and are active. If you just plan to visit other places and stay in Switzerland for more than 3-4 days, it most likely will make sense financially.
Check prices for train rides and mountain excursions and then calculate if it is a good option for you.
How to Get Around Zermatt
Zermatt is full of electric taxis, shuttle buses, and regular buses, but you cannot drive your own electric car in Zermatt.
Where to Stay in Zermatt For 1 or 2 Nights
- LUXURY: HOTEL MONT CERVIN PALACE – If you are looking for a 5-star hotel, this might be perfect for you. ➡️ Book your stay at Hotel Mont Cervin Palace
- MATTERHORN LODGE HOTEL & APPARTMENTS – Decorated in a classic Alpine style, it boasts a wellness area with three different saunas. The hotel is conveniently situated just a two-minute walk from a ski bus stop. ➡️ BOOK YOUR STAY AT MATTERHORN LODGE HOTEL & APPARTMENTS HERE
Click here to find my accommodation guide for Zermatt.
BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN ZERMATT IN 2 DAYS
Here are my top recommendations about the best things to do in Zermatt in two days.
DAY 1 IN ZERMATT
After dropping off your luggage at the hotel, head out and explore the beautiful village center.
Stroll Zermatt Town
The town center starts just left from the train station.
Strolling the town center – the houses are so charming, and the scenery makes everything more beautiful.
TIP: As in all parts of Switzerland, water fountains provide fresh drinking water. So, bring your bottle and refill it with fresh water.
Walk Along the Matter Vispa River
From the old town, it is not very far from the lovely Matter Vispa River. The Vispa is a river in the canton of Valais with a length of 84 kilometers (52 miles).
There are many cafes and restaurants along the river where you can sit down and relax – or you can bring your own snacks and sit on a bench and enjoy the impressive Matterhorn views.
Head to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise – Klein Matterhorn
Ready for a mountain adventure with stunning Matterhorn views? While climbing the Matterhorn itself is out of reach for most of us, there’s a spectacular alternative: the Klein Matterhorn, also known as the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
Starting from Zermatt at 1,600 meters, you’ll ascend to nearly 4,000 meters, home to the highest cable car station in all of Europe.
From the highest viewing platforms in the Alps, you have views that allows you to take in all 38 mountain peaks towering over 4,000 meters. If you are lucky and the view is very clear, you can even see Mont Blanc (I was not so lucky).
- Check out the Ticket Prices for the Klein Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Entrance.
- If you have a Swiss Travel Pass, I recommend buying on the spot. You might have to wait in line for a while but can then save money.
At the top is a restaurant and shop as well as a little cinema lounge which shows videos about the Matterhorn and the Alps. The Glacier Palace is another main attraction. It is a kind of museum inside of a glacier, with ice crystals and ice sculptures.
There is also a snow sports area (open all year). If you have a ticket, the snow tubing is free of charge.
You have to change cable cars/gondolas a couple of times, and it takes about 30 minutes to get to the top. It might sound long, but it is actually very fast to get up so high. I recommend getting out at one of those stops and taking a break for half an hour or so, so you are not up that fast – and drink a lot of plain water. Then it should be even more fun because you are less likely to feel sick.
Though I didn’t feel 100% well, it was definitely worth getting up to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Even if you are used to beautiful mountain views, I am sure this trip will amaze you.
- TIP: Check out the opening hours, because certain activities/places close quite early, e.g. Glacier Palace.
HOW TO GET TO KLEIN MATTERHORN
- There are no hiking trails to the very top, so you can only get there via cable car.
- The cable car station in Zermatt is easy to find – head towards the Furi cable car station and start your first part of the trip there. Then you have to change cable cars a few times, but it is quite straightforward.
- The cable cars get you to the top in about 30-40 minutes to get to the top (without stops).
Back in Zermatt town, you can have dinner at one of the numerous cafes and restaurants and end your day with more views of the mighty Matterhorn Mountain.
DAY 2 IN ZERMATT
After an exciting first day in Zermatt, it’s time to see even more of what this mountain town has to offer.
Get up Gornergrat
Gornergrat is another beautiful mountain standing at about 3135 meters above sea level (almost 900 meters lower than Klein Matterhorn) with no less stunning views. The “opening hours” are longer than on Klein Matterhorn, so if you start your day later or very early, this might be an alternative.
I got up the Gornergrat by the cogwheel (it takes 30 minutes) and then hiked down all the way to Zermatt. Up Gornergrat, the views of the surrounding mountains and a glacier were breathtaking. Luckily, the sky was clear (unlike when I visited Klein Matterhorn), which allowed me to enjoy this day trip even more.
What I enjoyed most were the views. You can see Switzerland’s highest mountain—Monte Rosa (also called the Dufourspitze)—rising to an impressive 4,634 meters above sea level.
Zooom the Matterhorn is an interactive museum with virtual activities like paragliding. Virtual paragliding in Zermatt was really, really great. It is just a short experience (3 minutes) but good enough for me.
- Ticket prices for adults are around 12 CHF for this Zoom experience, BUT if you have a funicular ticket to Gornergrat, it is included.
- Random info: If you want to visit Zooom the Matterhorn with a dog, you will need to put him/her in a bag.
Hiking at Gornergrat
Even if you are not into hiking, I highly recommend the short hiking loop at the top of Gornergrat. It takes about 20-30 minutes, and you have superb views already.
Hiking Down Gornergrat
If you are up for a great (but steep) downhill hike, I have an idea for you.
Instead of taking the funicular down, you can rather hike down. It takes several hours, and it is quite a steep hike – but it is worth it. I hiked down from Gornergrat – all the way to Zermatt. It was a steep downhill hike and not knee-friendly. I still recommend it if you are a fit person. It took me about 5-6 hours, but apparently, it will only take 3-4 hours for some more sporty people.
Along this hike, you will pass Lake Riffelsee. It is a small, yet beautiful lake that – on clear days without wind – has the reflection of the Matterhorn.
Visit Gorner Gorge
Another place to visit is Gorner Gorge. The rock – greenish serpentinite – is an astonishing 220 million years old. You do not actually have to visit the gorge and pay the entrance fee – you will see quite a bit already by just hiking down from Gornergrat. And it looks stunning!
If you hike down from Gornergrat, then you can add it to your itinerary, as it is “on your way” to Zermatt town. Some parts are open 24/7, and you can also go inside the gorge.
- Gorner Gorge is closed during winter, making it the perfect Zermatt summer activity.
- Entry is only about CHF 5 (bring cash).
You can do the above-mentioned activities in 2 days in Zermatt. However, of course, there is much more to do in Zermatt. If you stay longer than 2 days in Zermatt, especially in the summer months, you can spend weeks outdoors exploring the area without getting bored.
If you hiked down instead of using the cogwheel train, you are probably tired and just want to rest for the end of the day. If you still have time, why not see the Matterhorn from a different perspective?
EXTRA ACTIVITIES FOR ZERMATT IN 2 DAYS
Here are two more extra activities you can add to your 2-day Zermatt itinerary.
Paragliding in Zermatt
In Zermatt, you can enjoy a tandem paragliding flight at an altitude of 3000-4000 meters – a flight from Rothorn (or Gornergrat – season dependant).
Enjoy the breathtaking 360° views of Switzerland, Italy, and France while your pilot takes care of everything.
- CHECK OUT PARAGLIDING TOURS IN ZERMATT VIA GETYOURGUIDE HERE
- BOOK YOUR PARAGLIDING TOUR IN ZERMATT VIA VIATOR HERE
Learn About Zermatt at Matterhorn Museum/Zermatlantis
Visit the Matterhorn Museum in the town center. The main topic of the cultural-natural museum is the Matterhorn.
The museum is in the form of a reconstituted mountain village consisting of 14 houses (church, hotel, huts, and granaries). You will find info on the development of Zermatt and the tourism sector, including information on the triumph and tragedy surrounding the first ascent of the Matterhorn.
It is rather small, and though you can also watch a short video, it did not take me long to go through it.
TIP: Entrance is free with a Swiss Travel Pass
The museum is open for just a few hours each day, so if you are interested, check out opening times beforehand.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON ZERMATT IN 2 DAYS
Zermatt is a must-see place that should be on any Switzerland itinerary. I loved every second of my trip, and even though I haven’t managed to do all the above-mentioned activities myself, I believe these are the best things to do in Zermatt.
If you have only 2 days in Zermatt, you clearly cannot do everything, but still, you can fit in a lot. I hope you have gotten some travel inspiration and added some of these attractions to your Zermatt itinerary.
Here are more travel tips for Switzerland:
- Find out more about the best places to stay in Switzerland.
- Check out the 25 best things to do in Switzerland.