Zermatt is located at the head of the Mattertal Valley in the Valais Alps of Switzerland. The Zermatt train station is the main point of entry, since there is a ban on all personal vehicles. For most travelers, especially hikers, it’s best to stay in the town center within walking distance of the Zermatt train station.
Many skiers favor Zermatt’s town center for its vibrant dining scene and atmosphere, while others opt for the convenience of ski-in ski-out lodgings or the tranquility of the south-end near the Furi lift valley station.
The quiet neighborhood of Winkelmatten offers an excellent selection of apartments and chalets, ideal for families and groups needing multiple bedrooms.
The ideal place to stay in Zermatt varies depending on your visit’s purpose—whether for hiking, photography, skiing, sightseeing, family getaway, or your honeymoon.
Use our lovingly-created guide to find the optimal base for your trip to Zermatt.
- Shuttle Pick-Up Service. Many hotels in Zermatt offer a free shuttle service to and from the Zermatt train station on arrival and departure days (e.g. 8 am – 6 pm or 8 am – 9 pm). Contact your hotel as soon as you know your arrival time.
- Mountain Elevators. There are several elevators around Zermatt that connect the “valley” to hillside hotels like 3-star Hotel Alpenroyal, 4-star Relais & Chateaux Schönegg, and 5-star The OMNIA. Here, you get the best of both worlds: unobstructed views of the Matterhorn as well as a convenient lift connection to town.
- Budget-friendly accommodations: Youth Hostel Zermatt, Haus Zer Weidu, and Jolimont Apartments. There are also some affordable 1-2 bedroom apartments in the Winkelmatten: Chalet Fantasia and Zermatt La Vallée. If you’re willing to stay outside of Zermatt, check out Hotel Matterhorn Inn in Täsch.
- Ski-in Ski-out Accommodations: Riffelhaus 1853, 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat, Riffelalp Resort 2222 m, Hotel Schwarzsee, Silvana Mountain Hotel, and CERVO Mountain Resort
- Romantic Honeymoon Hotels: The OMNIA, CERVO Mountain Resort, or Riffelalp Resort 2222 m.
Zermatt Accommodation Map
Places to Stay
Town Center / Train Station
Winkelmatten
Furi Lift
Mountainside / Ski-in Ski-out
Täsch
Where to Stay in Zermatt for Hiking
If you’re visiting Zermatt in summer or early autumn with hiking as your primary focus, we highly recommend staying in the town center, within walking distance of both the Zermatt and Gornergrat train stations. Note: the Gornergrat cogwheel train station is located directly across the Zermatt Bahnhof.
Edelweissweg, the most beautiful circular hike in Zermatt, begins in the village center.
Other notable Zermatt hikes begin with a short train ride. To start the Tufteren High Trail, hikers must first take a train to Täsch (12 minutes). The Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge trailhead is located in Randa, a 20-minute train ride away. And lastly, to access Gornergrat ridge, hikers must ride the Gornergrat cogwheel train.
Furthermore, staying in the town center offers the greatest convenience. Being centrally located ensures easy access to essential supplies, whether it’s picking up hiking snacks from the supermarket or grabbing a takeaway sandwich from a local bakery before your hike. For our part, we found Migros (Google Maps) ideal for snacks, while Fuchs Bäckerei, with its multiple locations, offered tasty sandwiches.
The town center of Zermatt stretches from the train station to the Parish Church of St. Mauritius. Bahnhofstrasse, the principal shopping avenue, runs through the heart of Zermatt, offering a vibrant mix of shops, pharmacies, bakeries, restaurants, and accommodations like 3-star Hotel Walliserhof Zermatt, 4-star Schweizerhof Zermatt, and 4-star Unique Hotel Post.
Near the Zermatt train station and Gornergrat cogwheel valley station, you’ll find the top-rated budget-friendly Haus Zer Weidu, 4-star SCHLOSS Zermatt, and 4-star Wellness Hotel Alpenhof.
The town of Zermatt also extends on the other side of the Matter Vispa River. Here are some well-reviewed accommodations, no more than a 12-minute walk away from the train station: budget-friendly Jolimont Apartments, 3-star Hotel Bristol, 4-star Hotel Daniela, and 4-star Europe Hotel & Spa Zermatt. Many of these hotels offer a free shuttle pick-up service.
Budget-friendly Youth Hostel Zermatt is a 20-minute walk away from the train station, partially uphill. The walk is doable with a backpack, but perhaps too cumbersome with luggage.
Related | Zermatt Summer Itinerary
Where to Stay in Zermatt for Skiing
There are three main ski areas in Zermatt: Sunnegga-Rothorn, Gornergrat, and Schwarzsee-Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
The Sunnegga-Rothorn ski area is accessed via the Sunnegga underground funicular (valley station), located on the east bank of the Matter Vispa River, a mere 6-minute walk from the Zermatt train station. The Gornergrat ski area is reached by the Gornergrat cogwheel train (valley station), located directly across the Zermatt train station.
The Schwarzsee-Matterhorn Glacier Paradise ski area is accessed via the Furi lift (valley station), located 1 km south of the Zermatt train station. From Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, you can ski across the border to the Italian Breuil-Cervini ski resort.
When planning a ski trip to Zermatt, you have three main options:
1. Town Center | Stay in the town center for the best atmosphere as well as close proximity to restaurants and bars. You will be well positioned for accessing all sides of the Zermatt ski resort. Excellen options: 3-star Hotel Walliserhof Zermatt, 4-star Schweizerhof Zermatt, and 4-star Unique Hotel Post.
2. Zermatt-Furi Ski Lift (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise valley station) | If you hate the idea of carrying your ski gear across town, stay near the Zermatt-Furi lift: 3-star Hotel Plateau-Rosa (no restaurant), 4-star Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel, 4-star Hotel Zurbriggen, 4-star Hotel Berghof, House Mojo apartments, and 3-star Hotel Mountain Paradise. The downside of staying in the south-end edge of Zermatt, is that you’ll be further away from the town center and all of its restaurants.
3. Ski-in Ski-out | There are only a few ski-in ski-out accommodations in Zermatt: 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat, Riffelhaus 1853, Riffelalp Resort 2222 m, Hotel Schwarzsee, Silvana Mountain Hotel, and CERVO Mountain Resort.
Where to Stay in Zermatt for Photography
The best places to stay in Zermatt for photography are mountainside hotels, huts, and resorts.
3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat stands on Gornergrat–the panoramic ridge overlooking Gorner Glacier, Dufourspitze, Matterhorn, and numerous glaciated peaks. Staying in the highest hotel in the Swiss Alps affords photographers the opportunity to capture sunrise and sunset of the Monte Rosa massif and the Matterhorn.
Riffelhaus 1853 is a historic mountain hotel built in 1853 at Riffelberg (2500 m). This cliffside hotel features a restaurant, spa, and Matterhorn-gazing outdoor hot tub.
Fluhalp is a mountain hut located along the Kristallweg near Lake Stellisee, one of the most popular photo motifs of the Matterhorn.
More mountainside accommodations: Hotel Schwarzsee and Riffelalp Resort 2222 m
Where to Stay in Zermatt for a Family Holiday
Winkelmatten is a quiet residential area of Zermatt, situated on a hill south of the town center (20-25 minute walk). This quiet neighborhood, brimming with chalets and apartments, enjoys prolonged sunlight at the end of the day, thanks to its elevated location.
Families and groups in search of self-catering accommodations with multiple bedrooms will discover an impressive array of inviting options.
Many of these chalet apartments have a minimum stay requirement of at least 3, or 4 nights.
There are two standout hotels in this area: 3-star Hotel Hemizeus & Iremia Spa and 4-star superior Boutique Hotel Matthiol. Both hotels have on-site dining and offer a free shuttle service to/from the Zermatt train station.
Chalets – Holiday Homes
Chalet Huwi is a pet-friendly, 280 m² holiday home with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. Extra perk: hot tub.
Chalet Matterland is a charming stone and timber 125 m² chalet with 2 bedrooms. Pets allowed.
Apartments
Chalet Nepomuk offers beautiful, well-appointed, and comfortable 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom apartments and a shared outdoor pool. Host can arrange taxi pick-up.
Alex Lodge in Winkelmatten offers Matterhorn-gazing 2-bedroom and 4-bedroom apartments. Guests enjoy access to a wellness area with a steam bath, sauna, and hot tub. Free shuttle pick-up service.
Chalet Fantasia features affordable studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom apartments.
Zermatt La Vallée features budget-friendly 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments.
Chalet Z`Wichjehues offers 2-bedroom apartments with ski-to-door access, perfect for families of four. The bus stop is located directly outside.
Ski-in Ski-out Chalet Altesse, set in the upper part of Winkelmatten, features 3-bedroom apartments, furnished in an alpine modern style. Guests have access to a Finnish sauna and steam bath.
More accommodations | Chalet Ulysse (2-bedroom apartments) and Apartment in Chalet Pizzo Fiamma (1-bedroom apartment).
Where to Stay in Zermatt for Sightseeing
Zermatt’s main attractions are Gornergrat, accessible by cogwheel train, and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, accessible by a series of cableways.
The Gornergrat cogwheel train station (Google Maps) is located across the Zermatt train station. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise valley station, aka the Furi gondola valley station (Google Maps), is located at the south edge of Zermatt, a 25-minute walk from the Zermatt train station.
For sightseeing, it’s important to stay in a central location in Zermatt, walking distance to the various cableways, funiculars, and train stations.
Zermatt is bisected by the Matter Vispa River. The village center is located on the west bank of the river. Bahnhofstrasse, the main street of Zermatt, connects the train station and the Parish church of St Mauritius. In addition to numerous shops, restaurants, bakeries, and the historic Hinterdorfstrasse street (Google Maps), you’ll find 3-star Hotel Walliserhof Zermatt, 4-star Schweizerhof Zermatt, 4-star Unique Hotel Post, 4-star SCHLOSS Zermatt, 4-star Wellness Hotel Alpenhof, and 5-star The Omnia.
On the east bank of the river, there are more restaurants, bars, and places to stay like Jolimont Apartments, 3-star Hotel Bristol, 3-star BaseCamp Hotel & Apartments, 4-star Hotel Daniela, 4-star Europe Hotel & Spa Zermatt, 4-star la couronne Hotel & Spa, 4-star Tradition Julen Hotel, and 4-star BEAUSiTE Zermatt. All of these accommodations are centrally situated, no more than a 10-12 minute walk to the train station. Many of these accommodations offer a free shuttle pick-up service from the train station.
There are more accommodations located at the southern end of the village, near the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Valley station (aka Furi gondola valley station). It takes about 25 minutes to walk from the train station to this cableway valley station, which connects Zermatt with Furi, Schwarzsee, Trockener Steg, and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
If Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the Matterhorn Glacier Trail (which runs between Schwarzsee and Trockener Steg), and the Gorner Gorge are your top priorities, then it makes sense to stay here. Take a look at Telemark apartments, 3-star Hotel Plateau-Rosa, 4-star Hotel Zurbriggen, 4-star Matterhorn FOCUS Design Hotel, and 4-star Hotel Berghof.
Keep Reading about Switzerland
Switzerland:
Lucerne:
- 5-Day Lucerne Itinerary for Hikers
- Walenpfad Hiking Trail
- Stoos Ridge Hike
- 2-Day Stanserhorn-Engelberg Hike
Bernese Oberland:
Appenzell:
- Appenzell (Appenzellerland) Region Guide
- Appenzell Village: Hotels, Restaurants, and Museums
- Best Hikes in Appenzell
- 3-Day Alpstein High Trail
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