Things to do in Zermatt for Non-Skiers
Zermatt, Switzerland
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Travel Tips For Visiting Zermatt
Zermatt, Switzerland is one of the top luxury destinations in Europe. While skiing in Zermatt is one of the main drawers of visiting this beautiful Alpine village, there are still plenty of other things to do in Zermatt for non skiers. In this article, you are going to be introduced to all the best things to do in Zermatt away from the slopes, including visiting Europe’s highest cable car station and taking a ride on Europe’s highest open-cog railway.
This list has been tailored to include wheelchair friendly activities and accessible tourist attractions in Zermatt, Switzerland. Yes, there are even things to do in Zermatt in winter for non skiers. Interested to learn about all the magical things to do for non-skiers in Zermatt? You’ve come to the right place!
Gornergrat Cog Train Railway
Ride the Gornergrat Cog Train Railway
Famous for being one of the most scenic train rides in the world, the Gornergrat Railway celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2023 and to this day, continues to shuttle eager visitors up and down the mountain. One of the most popular activities in Zermatt, it’s a 33-minute journey from the Zermatt-Gornergrat station in the village to the Gornergrat Station at the summit, where you will be greeted by an extraordinary 360° view of nearly 30 different 4000m peaks!
It is advised to position yourself on the right-hand side of the train as you ascend the mountain, to give you the best possible chance of seeing those famous Matterhorn views through the window. Having the chance to ride the world’s first fully electric cog railway is an amazing experience and certainly one of the best things to do in Zermatt for non-skiers.
Worth noting: All stations along the line (with the exception of Findelbach) offer boarding and alighting assistance for passengers in wheelchairs.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise main cable car
Visit the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Discover the Matterhorn Glacier Palace
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise really lives up to its name - a snowy paradise at the top of the mountain! All gondolas in Zermatt are wheelchair-friendly, which means you can enjoy the 40-minute ascent from Zermatt Village to the summit of Klein Matterhorn, home to Europe’s highest cable car station at an impressive 3883m above sea level.
The cable car station offers ski access 365 days a year and is also home to one of the lesser-known highlights of Zermatt - the Glacier Palace. The Glacier Palace is a magical underground experience that takes you directly inside the Matterhorn Glacier. An accessible lift takes you 15m below the surface of the glacier, where you will discover intricately carved ice sculptures and get the chance to peer inside glacier crevasses - it really is a winter wonderland below the surface! Click here to get your wheelchair-accessible Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Cable Car Tickets.
Worth noting: the famous 360° viewing platform at the summit of Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is accessed via a lift, but to reach the platform itself there are about 20 steps and, unfortunately, no ramps. It is still an impressive view from the accessible walkway leading up to the actual platform, however.
Matterhorn and ski gondola
Marvel at the Matterhorn
Is Zermatt worth visiting? Well, being treated to incredible views of one of the world’s most iconic mountain peaks everywhere you venture in the village certainly adds to the appeal of visiting this amazing Swiss Alpine village. Marveling at the Matterhorn is one of the main reasons to visit Zermatt, regardless of the season, and there are a few different places in the village that offer the best viewpoints.
The first is from the Kirchbrücke bridge in the centre of Zermatt Village, it offers a spectacularly scenic view of the Matterhorn during the day. The second viewpoint is perfect for watching the sun set over the Matterhorn in the evening. The aptly named, ‘Zermatt Matterhorn Viewpoint’ overlooks the entire village at the Northern end of Zermatt, so it is best to grab a taxi to get there. The sun setting over the Matterhorn from the viewpoint is an absolutely magical experience for non-skiers in Zermatt. It will be one of the highlights of your trip for sure!
Matterhorn Museum Zermatt, Switzerland
Visit the Matterhorn Museum
If you enjoy learning more about the places you visit and getting to grips with the history of a destination, then the Matterhorn Museum is a must during your Zermatt trip. One of the most popular things to do in Zermatt, the museum covers everything from early life in Zermatt, how the village became an alpinist’s gold mine, and even has a special exhibit dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the Gornergrat Cog Railway.
Perhaps the most intriguing exhibit in the museum, however, is dedicated to the controversial first ascent of the Matterhorn by Edward Whymper and his team back in 1865. The Museum's exhibits are exclusively underground and there is an accessible lift to take you there.
Worth noting: entry to the museum is 12CHF per person, or free with the Swiss Travel Pass.
Cheese Fondue, Swiss Chalet
Eat the Finest Swiss Cheese Fondue
It’s impossible to visit Switzerland without trying one of its most famous exports - the delicious and decadent Swiss Cheese Fondue. This boozy, creamy, and gooey delicacy is produced all over Switzerland, but it’s difficult to imagine a more intimate and perfect setting for your fondue than the cute Alpine backdrop of Zermatt.
Considered the national dish of Switzerland, Cheese fondue is essentially a bowl of melted cheese, usually combined with wine, brandy, or cognac, that is served communally for people to dip bread and accompaniments into. Thankfully, there are many great fondue options in the village, not just at the mountain restaurants on the slopes, so enjoying a Swiss cheese fondue is a perfect treat in Zermatt for non-skiers.
Go Shopping on the Main Street (BahnhofStrasse)
Zermatt is a quaint, picture-perfect village in the Swiss Alps filled with wooden chalets, welcoming restaurants, and lively aprés ski bars. It is also home to a number of adorable, boutique stores, perfect for spending the day browsing and shopping in Zermatt. The main street (Bahnhofstrasse - ‘Train station street’ in English) in Zermatt is where you will find the majority of the boutique stores selling anything from the finest chocolate in Switzerland, to high-end ski clothing. It is also a great place to search for the finest examples of European craftsmanship - Swiss watches and Swiss Army Knives. Whatever your heart desires when shopping in Zermatt, the main street can deliver!
Worth noting: the main street is a pedestrian-only cobbled stone street but has accessible pavements on either side which makes it easier for wheelchair-users
The Matterhorn and Zermatt in winter
Take a Sightseeing Helicopter Tour Around The Matterhorn
The most adventurous activity to undertake as a non-skier in Zermatt is undoubtedly the sightseeing helicopter tour around the Matterhorn. The scenic helicopter flight takes you around the Matterhorn, offering glimpses of the iconic mountain peak from every angle. While viewing the Matterhorn from anywhere is special in itself, there is something truly breathtaking about being able to see this imposing mountain peak from the air. At over 4000m, a sightseeing helicopter tour around the Matterhorn isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it certainly represents one of the most memorable things to do in Zermatt.
Winter Hiking
Year-round, but particularly In winter in Zermatt, hiking is a very popular activity. Depending on your physical abilities you may want to try one of the easy hiking trails. These two are heavily recommended.
Riffelsee: This is a 1.3-mile point-to-point trail near Zermatt, Valais. Considered an easy route, it has an elevation gain of 22 feet. The time it takes to hike the trail from point to point is about 48 minutes. This is a very popular area so expect to encounter other hikers.
Gorner Gorge: This is an easy, out, and back trail with an elevation gain of 127 feet. It takes an average of 29 minutes to complete. Again, this is a popular area so expect to encounter other hikers.
Harry’s Bar Apres Ski
Savour Zermatt’s Lively Aprés Ski Scene
Non-skiers in Zermatt can experience the famous Aprés ski scene without having to venture onto the slopes. Zermatt village is home to a number of lively Aprés ski bars that welcome visitors with open arms.
Harry’s bar, found at the lower end of the village close to the Sunnegga-Rothorn Funicular Station, is arguably the liveliest of them all. Live music and a great atmosphere are guaranteed at Harry’s Bar. Best of all, as a non-skier in Zermatt, you can arrive a little earlier in the afternoon and grab yourself a table before all the skiers flood down from the slopes in the early evening.
Tips for Non-Skiers in Zermatt
Zermatt is an entirely car-free destination - with the exception of electric buses and electric taxis, Zermatt is entirely car-free, meaning all streets are pedestrianized. It also means that the train is the recommended way of arriving into Zermatt.
Consider buying a Swiss Travel Pass - Something to know about the Swiss Travel Pass and Zermatt is that it’s recommended for all non-skiing visitors to Zermatt, as it gives you a 50% discount to major attractions like the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and Gornergrat Cog Railway, on top of giving you free unlimited train access throughout Switzerland.
Avoid the peak skiing periods - December and February are perhaps the busiest months for skiing in Zermatt during winter and so, to avoid the busier crowds in the town, it is advised to avoid these months. Even if you are travelling with somebody that wants to ski, Zermatt is famous for offering 365 days of snow at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, so they will still be guaranteed great skiing conditions, whenever you choose to visit.
Make restaurant reservations well in advance - Zermatt Village is relatively small, meaning there are lots of tourists trying to eat at the same restaurants. It is recommended to book all reservations in advance to avoid being disappointed. If you just turn up to a restaurant at night, you’re likely to be turned away. Here is a full list of restaurants with wheelchair access in Zermatt.
Where to Stay in Zermatt for Non-Skiers?
Zermatt is home to over a dozen wheelchair-accessible hotels, giving you plenty of options for where to stay in Zermatt as a non-skier. On the slopes, the 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat is accessed via the Gornergrat Cog Railway and is a magical place to stay. You are surrounded by mountain peaks and the rooms on the West side of the hotel even feature unobstructed views of the Matterhorn directly from your room window.
If you’re looking for an accessible hotel in Zermatt village, however, then the Hotel Aristella SwissFlair is the place to be. It is centrally located, giving you easy access to the whole of Zermatt village, and features a really welcoming lounge area with a cozy fireplace. The perfect place to unwind after exploring all the best things to do in Zermatt.
Zermatt with The Matterhorn in the background
Final Thoughts On Zermatt For Non-Skiers
There we have it, folks, a conclusive round-up of the best things to do in Zermatt for non-skiers. Thankfully, Zermatt Switzerland is one the best ski resorts in Europe for non-skiers, meaning there are plenty of things to keep you occupied away from the slopes.
