The pleasant climate, the unique beauty of the Swiss mountains and the numerous activities make Zermatt in Switzerland an unforgettable experience in the summer months. You'll find a lot of things to do in Zermatt in summer.
Zermatt has been at the top of many travel magazines’ lists for some time; a recognition it deserves: The variety of possibilities not only fulfil the dreams of enterprising hiking groups and extreme sports enthusiasts, but also flora and fauna explorers find their happiness on little-trodden paths and families find many fun activities away from the crowds in nature. It's truly a Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
Hiking with a view of Switzerland's most famous mountain - it's possible in Zermatt. (© Pascal Gertschen)
Zermatt offers a variety of great activities in summer. Here is a list of what activities you can do in Zermatt in summer:
38 four-thousand-metre peaks can be reached from Zermatt. The alpine landscapes are a true paradies for mountaineers. Find a local guide to take you to the peaks and get to know the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
In addition to the alpine climbing tours, there are also outdoor climbing walls with different levels of difficulty. There are also suitable routes for children.
For animal lovers, the Valais mountain goats and mountain sheep can be found in many places in the valley and in the high areas in summer. It is not only children who scream with delight when they come across a family of marmots on a hike. If you are lucky, you will also come across chamois called “Gämschi” and ibexes.
In addition to the fauna, there is a unique flora to discover in the Zermatt mountains in summer. Botanists will find Edelweiss, Gentian and Alpine rose as well as rarities such as the low rapunzel. All while enjoying the beautiful views of the unspoilt nature.
Yes! You can ski in Zermatt even in the summer. Before you visiting Zermatt, plan your entire trip. Get your reservation in advance so you don’t have to face any delays. Also, you need to get up very early in the morning to enjoy the experience to the fullest. You will need to leave before the sun fully rises.
Zermatt has one of the largest ski areas in all of Europe. It’s true that in summer most of the snow melts and only 10% of the area is available for skiing. But that is more than enough to give you the ultimate skiing experience. Read the post Skiing in Summer to find out everything.
Zermatt offers the highest summer skiing area. (© Michael Portmann)
Summer, bikes and mountains – a perfect combination of everything. We believe that summer is for biking, even if skiing is a lot of fun. Zermatt is perfect for biking in summer. The trails can be challenging at times, but any biker can approach pushing their limits. You will find 100 kilometers of trails here. The altitude is between 1400 and 3100 meters, which is of course ideal for a steeper ride and a faster pace.
You can choose a family tour. You will receive all the necessary equipment and a mountain bike instructor. Most people choose this package when they try their luck at biking for the first time. For professional bikers, Helibike Unterrothorn is the best option. It is more adventurous and provides a high adrenaline level. You can also take an e-bike Taste tour. This is the best option for people who like to reach as many places or kilometers as possible in a relaxed way. Read more in our Biking Zermatt - Your Bike Guide Zermatt.
Popular summer activity in Zermatt: mountain biking in the impressive mountain world. (© Pascal Gertschen)
Fly fishing is a very popular sport worldwide and Switzerland shares this common passion. However, fishing in the Alps has always been an activity in rather rough terrain. However, there are now a few local guides who will enable you to fish in one of the many mountain lakes. Just contact us for more details.
Whether you are a tourist or a long-term resident, a beginner or an experienced angler, local guides will take you to the best fishing spots in Zermatt. Most of the time you will go up to one of the great mountain lakes with a guided tour. There you can expect probably the freshest freshwater trout the Alps have to offer. A breathtaking panorama included.
For the very brave, there is the option of taking a paragliding flight with Zermatt guides.
It doesn’t always have to be extreme sports, steep hikes or strenuous explorations for you? Zermatt has a lot to offer not only for the active, but also for the leisurely among us.
A leisurely walk through the village, with interesting information about the Zermatt history.
On foot or by cable car – in Zermatt and the surrounding mountains there are numerous first-class restaurants and cafés with panoramic views. You can find a complete list of our recommendations in our Restaurant Guide.
The mountain railways take you up to the Klein Matterhorn at 3883 metres above sea level without much movement. Once you have reached the top, you can enjoy the unique view with a cup of tea in the restaurant. Mountain railroads are a popular way to experience the breathtaking scenery of the Zermatt Valley and surrounding mountains.
Overview of hiking trails in and around Zermatt. (Source: Zermatt Tourism)
Zermatt is a tourist attraction all year round, but there are some routes that are accessible only in summer. Basically, thanks to the better weather, the highest peaks are accessible mainly in summer.
The Höhenweg is one of the most popular hiking trails in Zermatt, as it offers the best opportunity to hike the beautiful mountain scenery. The best time to hike this trail is from June to September.
The lakes are frozen in winter. The best time to hike here is also from June to September.
Above Randa, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the Alps awaits you with spectacular views. The good thing: after the hike you can easily take the train back to Zermatt within a few minutes.
The pedestrian suspension bridge in Randa offers spectacular views of the Valais mountains. (© Valentin Flauraud)
Even though it’s mostly nice weather, it can sometimes be rainy or cloudy. But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything. Because we have put together the best bad weather activities for you.
Zermatt not only delights with endless ski slopes – in summer, too, numerous tourists come to the mountain village to enjoy the imposing mountain scenery, the fresh air and a varied range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, skiing, mountaineering or mountain biking. But even here we don’t always have sunshine. So what to do when the weather is bad? We have compiled the best activities so that you are guaranteed not to get bored.
There are two Escape Room providers in Zermatt that guarantee lots of fun and variety – whether for couples, a family or a group of friends. One Escape Room focuses on solving language-neutral puzzles and is therefore also suitable for children from the age of 7. The second offers visitors a virtual reality experience and is suitable for children aged 12 and over.
– Escape Room Emporium Zermatt, Schluhmattstrasse 3, 3920 Zermatt
Opening hours: daily, 10am – 9.30pm, http://zermattescaperoomemporium.com
Languages: English, but the puzzles are language-neutral.
– Get Out! Virtual Reality Escape Room, Hofmattstrasse 30, 3920 Zermatt Opening hours: daily, 17.30 – 22.30, https://getoutvr.ch
Languages: German and English
The Zermatlantis Museum offers its visitors a different kind of experience. Nothing is boring here – neither for children nor for adults. The special setting gives visitors an understanding of the development of the mountain village into one of the most famous tourist destinations. Much emphasis is also placed on original objects from different eras. For example, the broken rope from the first ascent of the Matterhorn. Time flies at Zermatlantis and you can easily spend an afternoon there. Curious?
You can buy tickets on site or online.
Zermatlantis, Kirchplatz, 3920 Zermatt
Opening hours: daily, 2 – 6 pm (July – September), 3 – 6 pm (October)
Contact: matterhornmuseum@zermatt.ch
The inhabitants of Zermatt know how to relax body and soul and this also benefits all tourists. There are numerous spas in the mountain village that you can also visit without booking a hotel room there and enjoy the numerous treatments.
At the SchlossHotel Zermatt you can experience a new form of deep relaxation on 630 m2. Because the SchlossSpa has dedicated itself to treatment with the natural active ingredient hemp, making it the 1st CBD Spa in Switzerland. Here you can enjoy the steam baths, pools, saunas and massages almost all day. In addition, you can also take part in fitness and yoga classes or use the gym for the day. Important: Be sure to book massages and class places in advance.
In the relaxation room of the SchlossSpa Zermatt, day guests can also treat themselves to some well-deserved time out. (© SchlossSpa Zermatt)
In the Beausite Hotel, external guests can now also use the day spa and be pampered here. The spa area has an indoor pool, whirlpools, an outdoor infinity pool, sauna, hammam, infrared cabins and access to the fitness room. And of course, there is also the option of being pampered with a massage.
Unwind with a view of the Matterhorn in the Beausite Hotel spa and wellness area. (© Beausite Hotel Zermatt)
Switzerland’s newest brine bath is a great place to relax on a rainy day. External guests can also take time out in the 360 m2 Arca brine bath. The swimming pool, saunas, a steam bath and a wide range of massages are available.
Wellness of a special kind can be found in the Riffelhaus 1853. This spa resort is located at 2548 metres above sea level on the Riffelberg, where the cable car takes you, and offers you an unobstructed and truly breathtaking view of the Matterhorn. Here, a Finnish sauna, a steam bath and a outdoor hot tub invite you to relax. Getting here is easy despite the altitude: opposite Zermatt railway station, take the Gornergratbahn, which will take you up the Riffelberg in 25 minutes.
Riffelhaus 1853, Riffelberg, 3920 Zermatt
Opening hours: For external guests, the spa area is open daily from 10am – 4pm. Lunch is served in the restaurant from 12 – 14.30 hrs and there is an amazing outdoor terrace. In the evening, the spa area and the restaurant only welcome hotel guests.
Important: The spa area is only accessible to external guests by appointment, at riffelhaus@matterhorn-group.ch.
One of the best places for photos. The Blauherd mountain station is just a few minutes’ walk away to get to the lake at 2537m, ideal for a really relaxing walk in fabulous scenery. The calm water surface in the morning hours (when there is no wind) allows a perfect reflection of the Matterhorn on the lake. Guaranteed to be one of the top spots for pictures in Zermatt.
If you wish, you can also go on a hike that takes you past four other lakes. Read more in our article Hiking in Zermatt.
From the Kirchbrücke, you have a particularly beautiful view in the morning, because that’s when the sun lights up the top of the Matterhorn. Also during the day, but definitely one of the best spots in the village to photograph the Matterhorn.
For a perfect photo of the whole village, the Mürini viewing platform is one of the best places. From the train station it’s about a 15-minute walk in the direction of Ried. The climb is a bit steep, but worth the effort. If you want, you can continue walking from the platform to the Ried, where more great views await you.
There is a lot to experience in Zermatt, whether in sunshine or bad weather. Families, couples and solo travellers all get their money’s worth. At Zermatt Holidays you can not only book accommodation that suits you and your needs, we also organise summer packages according to your interests. Benefit from our great offers with accommodation, activities and wellness and depending on the package additional services! Enjoy the summer in Zermatt to the fullest!
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