Zermatt & Matterhorn, June 2026

No trip to the Swiss Alps is complete without staying in Zermatt village nestled underneath the iconic pyramid-shaped Matterhorn.  The Matterhorn was long considered unclimbable.  However, on 14 July 1865, British climber Edward Whymper, successfully reached the summit.  The train trip from Interlaken to Zermatt takes around 2.5 hours with 2 transfers in between.  If you go by car then you must park in Tasch and then take a bus/taxi for 15 minutes to reach Zermatt.  Zermatt is a car-free village (except for the tiny EV taxis) with traditional brown timbered chalets, known for year-round skiing and hiking.  The village is very walkable, most restaurants and shops are not far away.  I chose to stay at the recently renovated Wes Andersonesque Beausite Hotel mainly for the unobstructed views of the Matterhorn from their junior suites.
Beausite Hotel Zermatt

 

 

 

Beausite Hotel Zermatt

 

 

 

 

Beausite Hotel Zermatt

 

 

 

View from Beausite Hotel Zermatt

 

 

View from Beausite Hotel Zermatt

 

 

 

 

Zermatt

 

 

 

Kirchbrucke Bridge is where you can capture the sun’s first rays lighting up the pinnacle of the Matterhorn.  Good for both sunrise and sunset.

 

 

The old part of Zermatt is called Hinterdorf (rear village) with many barns, stables, and old houses built between the 16th and 18th centuries.

 

 

 

 

The old part of Zermatt is called Hinterdorf (rear village) with many barns, stables, and old houses built between the 16th and 18th centuries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The old part of Zermatt is called Hinterdorf (rear village) with many barns, stables, and old houses built between the 16th and 18th centuries.

 

 

 

 

 

The old part of Zermatt is called Hinterdorf (rear village) with many barns, stables, and old houses built between the 16th and 18th centuries.

 

 

 

 

 

The old part of Zermatt is called Hinterdorf (rear village) with many barns, stables, and old houses built between the 16th and 18th centuries.

 

 

 

 

Zermatt

 

 

 

 

Zermatt

 

 

 

 

Zermatt

 

 

 

 

Zermatt

 

 

 

 

 

Bahnhofstrasse main street

 

 

 

 

 

Zermatt

 

 

 

 

Zermatt

 

 

Kirchplatz is a good spot where you can climb a few of the church steps or stand on the Community Center’s terrace for photos of the Matterhorn with old wooden houses in the foreground.

 

 

Kirchplatz is a good spot where you can climb a few of the church steps or stand on the Community Center’s terrace for photos of the Matterhorn with old wooden houses in the foreground.

 

 

 

 

St. Mauritius Church

 

 

 

 

 

Noah’s Ark painted on the ceiling of St. Mauritius Church

 

 

 

 

Zermatt

 

 

 

 

Zermatt

 

 

 

 

The original plan was to head up to Petit Village with steps leading up to the Murini Viewpoint where the village unfolds beneath with the Matterhorn in the back.  The classic Zermatt Matterhorn postcard shot.  Unfortunately it was raining quite a bit so I could only photograph Zermatt from my balcony after dark.

 

 

The original plan was to head up to Petit Village with steps leading up to the Murini Viewpoint where the village unfolds beneath with the Matterhorn in the back.  The classic Zermatt Matterhorn postcard shot.  Unfortunately it was raining quite a bit so I could only photograph Zermatt from my balcony after dark.

 

 

 

Zermatt

 

 

 

 

Known as the “cutest sheep in the world,” the Valais Blacknose is an ancient, extremely rare breed native to the Swiss Alps with jet-black faces and black knees.  I was told they walk through the town everyday in the summer.  They can usually be found up on the hills behind Alex Hotel.

 

 

 

 

Valais Blacknose

 

 

 

 

Valais Blacknose

 

 

 

 

Valais Blacknose

 

 

 

Valais Blacknose

One of the best views of the Matterhorn is from the 3,089-meter high Gornergrat observation deck reached by taking a 30-minute cogwheel scenic train ride in operation since 1898.  Up top is a 360-degree panorama of the Swiss-Italian Alps and access to tourist attractions including a VR experience of paragliding over the Matterhorn.  Do try to take the earliest train either at 7am or 8am because the skies tend to be clearer making the snowy peaks, especially the Matterhorn, more likely visible.  Also do choose to sit on the right on the way up.  The ticket allows you to hop on and off the train as long as it is in the same direction.  I got off at Rotenberg, one station before Gornergrat at the very top, and walked about 10 minutes to see Matterhorn perfectly reflected in the small Riffelsee Lake.
Rotenberg station along the Gornergrat railway

 

 

Rotenberg

 

 

 

 

 

Rotenberg

 

 

 

 

Matterhorn reflected in Riffelsee Lake

 

 

 

 

 

Matterhorn reflected in Riffelsee Lake

 

 

 

 

Matterhorn reflected in Riffelsee Lake

 

 

 

 

 

 

Riffelsee Lake

 

 

 

 

Riffelsee Lake

 

 

 

Gornergrat

 

 

Gornergrat station

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heading up to the Gornergrat Observatory viewpoint

 

 

 

 

 

Gornergrat

 

 

 

 

 

View of Matterhorn from Gornergrat

 

 

 

 

 

Gornergrat

 

 

 

 

 

Gornergrat

 

 

 

 

 

Gornergrat

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gornergrat Observatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gornergrat Observatory

 

 

 

 

Gornergrat

 

 

Gornergrat

 

Zermatt and Gornergrat are no doubt my favorites of this trip to Switzerland.  Next post will be about my visit to Bern, the “capital” of Switzerland.  Stay tuned!

 

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