Town that lies below the iconic Matterhorn mountain peak. No automobiles are allowed in the city, making it enjoyably walkable.
Travel Dates: August 9–16
Flight: Direct from Tampa (TPA) to Zurich via Edelweiss Air
Train: SBB First-Class Day Pass to Zermatt
Hotel: Unique Hotel Post
What I Loved
The direct overnight flight from Tampa to Zurich in a business-class seat that converted into a fully lie-flat bed.
Our hotel, Unique Hotel Post, is located in the center of town, offering easy walks to restaurants, shopping, trains and attractions. My room had a view of the Matterhorn. The hotel features several restaurants and bars, plus a free breakfast buffet for hotel guests. Our favorites were Brown Cow (a burger pub) and Vivanda (authentic Italian). We dined at Brown Cow four times because it was a casual option after a long day of walking or hiking. My recommendation: the Zermatter burger with bacon, cheese and onions. We also enjoyed dinner outdoors at Vivanda, where our favorites included the cheese board, Luma pork chop, sea bass and dry-aged ribeye steak.
Dining options we enjoyed away from the hotel included Golden India Zermatt, featuring fantastic Indian cuisine, and Fuchs Bakery—located across the street from the hotel. At Fuchs, try the hazelnut donut topped with hazelnut cream.
The day trip we took by train to Oeschinensee Lake was a highlight. Turquoise waters were surrounded by snow-covered mountains and waterfalls. We hiked around the lake and cooled off under a waterfall. There’s a convenient restaurant adjacent to the lake with outdoor tables. The mountain coaster was also a blast and a cheap thrill.
We took a gondola ride to the top of the mountain range, with stunning views of the Matterhorn, glaciers and high alpine meadows with grazing cows and sheep. My favorite mountain peak has always been Grand Teton in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, but the Matterhorn definitely gives it a run for their money.
What I Would Do Differently
While we loved our hotel, next time I would book one outside the town square and move my travel dates a few weeks later. When we arrived on August 9, Zermatt was experiencing a heat wave of 80 degrees. While we scoff at that in Florida, it made a difference in Zermatt because the hotel didn’t have air conditioning (not unusual). To cool the room, we opened the windows. The problem? There’s no weekend curfew in Zermatt, so the noise below made it difficult to sleep. If you go with your family in August, I’d recommend a hotel or home rental away from the city center.
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