Zermatt Family Day Trip
A day trip to Zermatt offers fantastic views of the mountains, a variety of experiences and culinary delights to suit every taste. It’s not just the Matterhorn that captivates visitors every day: the unspoilt natural beauty of the Swiss Alps also promises relaxation and a chance for the whole family to immerse themselves in another world. Although Zermatt is internationally renowned, it feels as though time moves at a different pace in this small mountain village. This is precisely what makes Zermatt such a magical destination. Let yourself be enchanted by the mountain village and the sights that await you and your family in the heart of Valais. In this article, you’ll find out everything you need to know about your visit to Zermatt, as well as various options for a day trip. The list of special experiences here is almost endless – do feel free to read our other blog posts too.
Is a day trip to Zermatt worth it?
Yes, a trip to Zermatt is well worth it. Nestled into the mountains with amazing views in the valais canton, our absolutely loved place is suitable for everyone – whether during high season or in mid-October, when the atmosphere is more cosy in the run-up to the winter season. Whatever the season, visiting Zermatt is exciting and varied activities such as cycling, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, mountaineering and exploring the old village with the Matterhorn Museum, the Mountaineer’s Cemetery and the après ski bars. Food lovers will also be in their element, as there is a wide selection of different restaurants here. And all this includes the absolutely fantastic views of the unspoilt mountains and natural surroundings of the swiss alps. And of course, you can admire our iconic mountain from different spots of the town center. A quick visit lasting a few hours is not enough to enjoy Zermatt Switzerland to it’s fullest. You need a day in Zermatt to explore snow activities, summer hikes, things for non skiers or the various infrastructure like the gornergrat train. Getting around is fairly easy, especially on your first trip with children; it makes planning easier and helps you make the most of your stay. Next station: Zermatt Switzerland.
Destination for the whole family
Zermatt Switzerland offers plenty of attractive destinations and experiences for families all year round, as well as excellent facilities for young and old alike, even with limited time. Enjoy a day trip or a stay of several days at the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Zermatt is a car free village: The best way to travel there is by train to the train station Zermatt. The train journey offers panoramic views and is totally worth it. If you’d like to travel by car, please have a read of our Zermatt Guide, which is full of useful tips. You can also take the Glacier Express on a round trip in the Swiss alps. Another advantage is Switzerland’s stable currency, the Swiss franc. You’ll find ATMs on the main street, but credit and debit cards are accepted everywhere in Zermatt.
Hikes with stunning views
5 Lakes Hike
Immerse yourself in a special part of the Swiss Alps. This hike takes you past five lakes, high above Zermatt, with breathtaking views of many four-thousand-metre peaks. In three of the lakes, the Matterhorn is reflected in clear weather. In summer, there’s a campfire site and play facilities at Stellisee. This makes the destination feel not so far away, and the views of the Klein Matterhorn and various glaciers impress young and old alike.
Age: The hike is suitable for children aged 6 and over and takes approx. 3 hours 30 minutes.
The starting point is the Blauherd mountain station (cable car), which is just one journey away from Zermatt via the Sunnegga funicular and the gondola lift from Sunnegga to Blauherd.
Family tip: Tickets for the mountain railways can be bought online before your trip.
Would you like more hiking tips for Zermatt with lots of useful information? In the Zermatt Holidays blog post ‘Hiking in Zermatt’, you’ll find the most beautiful hikes in the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
Would you like to have a picnic or barbecue your food at one of the fire pits? You’ll find all the right treats in the shops in Zermatt village. You can find the best places to eat in and around Zermatt in our Zermatt Holidays blog post ‘Best Restaurants in Zermatt’.
Marmot Trail
The Marmot Trail is ideal for young and old alike, as with a bit of luck you can observe the little rodents up close and learn lots of interesting facts about these cute little animals whilst hiking.
Age: The hike is suitable for children aged 4 and over and takes approx. 1 hour 10 minutes.
The starting point is the Blauherd mountain station, just like for the 5 Lakes Walk. The destination is Sunnegga, from where you can take the mountain railway back down to Zermatt village.
Family tip: Near the Sunnegga mountain station is the Wolli Adventure Park, which also serves as a viewing platform overlooking the surrounding countryside. There’s a playground, a fire pit, and tables and benches. And best of all, a breathtaking view of the Matterhorn and many other mountains.
Would you like to discover even more fantastic walks? In the Zermatt Holidays blog post ‘Zermatt with Kids (in Summer)’, we’ve put together a list of child-friendly walks for the whole family. And best of all: there are also walks that can be done with a pushchair.
Please check the weather forecast before setting off so that you can enjoy the day to the full, as the weather in the mountains can change quickly.
Bike trails for the whole family
Above the village centre, there are various cycle trails for the whole family to enjoy. There’s a wide range of difficulty levels to choose from, as well as a pump track for children. Find out more in our detailed blog post ‘Zermatt Biking’.
Fire pits and barbecue areas in Zermatt
The excellent facilities in and around Zermatt mean you can bring your own food and enjoy lunch or a snack at the many fire pits and barbecue areas – and, with a bit of luck, you might even catch a glimpse of the Matterhorn whilst you’re there.
Important: Please note that you must bring your own matches and firewood.
Wolli Wonderland Adventure Playground
A varied playground above Zermatt, which you can reach via the Pensioners Trail. There is also a fire pit here. Through the trees surrounding the site, you can see the mountain peaks. Children aged 2 and over can look forward to hours of fun and great experiences here.
Dossen Glacier Garden Fire Pit
The fire pit and playground are situated in a larch forest, which provides pleasant shade on hot summer days. Here you can get a close-up view of the glacier landscape and enjoy the scenery from various vantage points. You can reach the Glacier Garden in about 30 minutes on foot from Furi station. You can get there on the Matterhorn Express. Alternatively, you can hike there from Zermatt town centre in about 1 hour 30 minutes, taking a short detour via the hamlet of Findeln on the way. It’s well worth a visit, as you can marvel at the traditional mountain huts there.
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Glacier Palace
All the way up! To experience the magnificent mountain landscape from a different perspective, head to the 360-degree viewing platform at Europe’s highest mountain station (3,883 metres above sea level), the Klein Matterhorn. Here, you can admire the imposing four-thousand-metre peaks and snow-capped summits of the Alps all year round in the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. A genuine and unspoilt “paradise”. The journey from the village to the “Trockener Steg” station takes around 45 minutes, and from there you continue on to the Klein Matterhorn. Tickets can be conveniently purchased online.
Visit the Glacier Palace, located 15 metres beneath the ice. We recommend sturdy footwear and warm clothing.
Important: Please note that some children may not cope well with this extreme altitude. For safety reasons, children under the age of 3 are not permitted entry to the Glacier Palace and the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise.
Journey on the Gornergrat Railway
The journey from the valley station to the Gornergrat station takes around 33 minutes with the gornergrat railway. It’s also worth getting off at the intermediate stations, such as Riffelberg, as you can enjoy a fantastic view of the Matterhorn from there. At the Riffelsee mountain station, you can admire the stunning views of the reflection of the Matterhorn on the water’s surface in good weather. From the Gornergrat you can spot the Gorner Glacier. Please also bear in mind the differences in altitude, which can lead to health problems, particularly for young children while visiting Zermatt surroundings.
The region’s recommendation: skiing
Even in summer, it’s time to ‘hit the slopes’. In Switzerland, you can ski all year round. A trip to the Theodul Glacier and the area around the Klein Matterhorn offers year-round experiences for snow enthusiasts. Gondolas and cable cars reliably take visitors to the ski area. Please check here to see which slopes are open. It’s worth setting off early in the morning, as it gets warm even in the Alps in summer and the snow quality is better in the morning. There is no newsletter on current slope conditions, but you can check which slopes are open via the official website of the mountain railways. You’ll also find further exciting information in the website’s table of contents. Enjoy the panoramic views of our glacier paradise.
Would you like to stay with us for longer? Zermatt Holidays has the right accommodation in Zermatt for you and helps you with all the things you want to experience.
Family-friendly restaurants in Zermatt
Restaurant Pavillon Zermatt
This venue delights younger guests with two playgrounds on the premises, plenty of child-friendly activities and specially tailored menu options. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat or a place to spend the whole day and rest for a bit, the Pavillon offers the perfect atmosphere for both.
It is situated in the heart of Zermatt, between the railway station and the River Vispa (towards the Sunnegga valley station).
Opening hours:
- Open daily from 11.00 to 19.00
- (Rooftop 13.00 to 21.00)
- Kitchen open from 12 noon to 7 pm
Restaurant Pavillon
Obere Mattenstrasse 25
3920 Zermatt
Golden India Zermatt
Hospitality and heavenly Indian delicacies come together in this special venue. Savour authentic cuisine whilst enjoying the view of the hustle and bustle on the streets.
Opening hours:
- Open daily from 11.45 am to 10 pm
- Restaurant Golden India
Bahnhofplatz 2
3920 Zermatt
Bookings can be made directly via the website.
OVIS Alpine Kitchen
Guests particularly praise the warm and friendly atmosphere at OVIS. The menu features home-style dishes as well as Italian and Asian cuisine. Located near the Kirchbrücke photo spot, you can also catch an unobstructed view of the Matterhorn in good weather. It’s well worth waiting at the Kirchbrücke at sunrise to catch this view. Are you looking for accommodation tailored entirely to your needs? Zermatt Holidays offers everything you need for your stay in the most beautiful place in the world.
Opening hours:
- Open daily from 6.30 pm to 11 pm
- OVIS Alpine Kitchen
Riedstrasse 18
3920 Zermatt
Bookings can be made directly via the website.
Bergrestaurant Blatten
Enjoy the views and culinary delights with your family at the Bergrestaurant Blatten, situated above Zermatt with a view of the iconic Matterhorn. The restaurant can be reached via several hiking trails. Those who prefer not to hike can take the Matterhorn Express to Furi station (at 1,876 metres above sea level) and then walk at a leisurely pace to the Blatten Mountain Restaurant (at 1,740 metres above sea level). Along the way, you’ll really immerse yourself in Switzerland’s natural beauty and gain an insight into the region.
Opening hours:
- Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm
- Blatten Mountain Restaurant
Blatten
3920 Zermatt
Bookings directly via the website
Would you like to find out more about the best restaurants in Zermatt? Read our blog posts ‘Best restaurants in Zermatt’ and ‘Best vegetarian restaurants in Zermatt’.
Departure from Zermatt
Are you sure you want to leave us already? Or do you want to stay overnight for one night or even more? Zermatt offers incredible views of a world of unspoilt nature, culinary delights and experiences for sports enthusiasts, connoisseurs and adventure seekers alike. If you’d like to stay with us for longer than a day trip or a short visit, please do take a look at the Zermatt Holidays accommodation options.
Departure is simple and efficient. You can either take the train from Zermatt train station, which will take you back, or travel as far as Täsch, where you’ve parked your car. Another option is to take a taxi. Take a final moment to let your gaze wander over the mountain peaks before returning to everyday life. And for everyone back home, you can bring back a little souvenir from the gift shop in the main street of Zermatt town center.
