Zermatt

Zermatt Swiss Alps

Zermatt is one of the world's most famous ski resorts at the foot of the mighty Matterhorn mountain in the Swiss Alps, near Italy's north west border.

The majestic Swiss Alps are alluring and dramatic in both summer with lush greenery and winter with a multitude of snow capped peaks around you.
 
Photo of Zermatt train station near accommodation

Zermatt is right in the middle of an enormous hiking and ski region which makes it popular all year round. There are more than 300 kilometres of ski pistes in Europe's highest ski region. ski region encompasses 63 mountain railways and more than 300 kilometers of pistes.

You can hike all the way from Zermatt to Mont Blanc if you want to along the Haute Route, a challenging path that takes days to complete along the route of the old mule traders dating back to the 13th century.
 

Zermatt village is an attractive base that's pedestrian-friendly because cars aren't allowed in the village. You can take a fast train from just aobut anywhere in Europe to Zermatt's train station at the end of the line, where you'll find horse drawn carts with drivers dressed in the traditional leiderhosen.

The train trip to Zurich is 3 1/2 hours from Zurich and 4 hours from Geneva, changing at Visp. If you're coming from Italy, the train takes 4 hours from Milan.

WHERE TO GO NEAR ZERMATT

There are 63 mountain railways around Zermatt taking you up to some of the world's most spectacular views.
 
Photo of one of Europe's highest train stations near Zermatt

Make sure you take the Gornergrat cog railway heading up the mountain from the middle of town to the 3089 metre high Gornergrat peak. Here you'll see spectacular views of the Matterhorn at 4478 metres high and the alpine glaciers in this pretty part of the world.

This is where you'll find Europe’s highest vantage point reached by cable car. Here you can see across to the summits of the Swiss, Italian and French Alps.
 

Here you'll see paragliders and even heli-skiing, and in summer, you'll marvel at the alpine cyclists taking off down hair-raisingly steep slopes.

Not far from Zermatt is the village of Findeln which is well worth a visit.

It's an original Valais settlement with a beautiful little chapel and has Switzerland’s highest rye grain harvest at an altitude of 2100 metres.
 
Photo from mountain train of Matterhorn Mountain near Zermatt

Some of the events to be enjoyed in Zermatt include the Swiss Food Festival in August where you literally feast at the highest level and the Grand Folklore Pageant in the village, also in August.

The Zermatt Festival is a month later in September, a classical music and arts festival with soloists and ensembles of the Berlin Philharmonics.

ACCOMMODATION NEAR ZERMATT

Without a doubt the best hotel in this Swiss alpine village is the new 5 star Cervo Hotel and Restaurant which is very reasonable in price by Swiss standards.
 
Photo of Hotel Cervo Zermatt

Cervo is Italian for deer and you'll see antlers in different parts of this fine establishment that has stunning views over the Swiss Alps.

Owner Daniel Lauber has lovingly built this beautiful hotel with his partner Seraina on family land run by 'Daniel's father for many years.

Daniel is the perfect hotelier who makes sure every-one is happy and even makes sure the Cervo's outstanding restaurant here has fresh produce including deer he and his father have hunted for many years. The restaurant serves fine food complemented by the beautiful views over the Swiss Alps.

The Cervo Hotel and Restaurant has 20 deluxe rooms with that alpine feel and smell, as well as suites and five divine chalets that can accommodate up to 10 people for that special break with family or friends.
 
Photo of Hotel Cervo room with alpine views

Cervo is 100 metres above Zermatt village where you'll find plenty of other accommodation, but in our view, none has the same classy atmosphere.

When you look up from the village, Cervo resembles an eagles nest. 20 metres from the hotel entry is a lift down to the village and to the Sunnegga express funicular railway, the first Swiss railway built entirely in a tunnel.

BOOK ACCOMMODATION AT CERVO HOTEL ONLINE

The Cervo restaurant is called "Huttenzauber which translates as "hut magic". The venison we had here was literally out of this world, while the fish was also locally sourced and superb.
 
Beautiful food at Hotel Cervo restaurant

You can also relax by the roaring open fire as local musicians entertain you. The Swiss black Angus beef is also superb here, and the wine list of locally sourced and very good Swiss wines is impressive.
 
Photo of Hotel Cervo genial host "Daniel Lauber"

SUMMARY

Zermatt is a delightful Swiss alpine village that's car-free, enhancing its quaint alpine atmosphere.  The village is dominated by the mighty Matterhorn mountain, which is one of Europe's most spectacular sights.

Its proximity to the Swiss border make it a fascinating cultural mix, including the new Hotel Cervo, itself a destination within a destination.

Zermatt is an outstanding destination all year round, with powdery snow skiing slopes in winter and a beautiful grassy landscape in summer perfect for walking in the pure alpine air.

Zermatt and the towering Matterhorn rightfully belong near the top of our World's Best Holidays.


Photo of Zermatt and Matterhorn mountain from Hotel Cervo room.

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