scenic viewpoint
Gornergrat
A 3,089-metre viewpoint above Zermatt reached by Europe's highest open-air cogwheel railway, with 29 peaks over 4,000 metres in view.
5 km · about 10 min drive
EuropeSwitzerlandValais
Zermatt
Valais, Switzerland · Europe
About Zermatt
Zermatt works well as a base: 20 minutes from Saas-Fee, 34km from Simplon Pass.
Zermatt is in Valais, Switzerland, with about 6,600 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Saas-Fee, about 17 km away.
Zermatt (German: [tsɛʁˈmat] , Swiss Standard German: [tsɛrˈmat]; Highest Alemannic: Zärmatt) is a municipality in the district of Visp in the German-speaking section of the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It has a year-round population of about 5,800 and is classified as a town by the Swiss Federal Statistical OfficeRead more
(FSO).
It lies at the upper end of Mattertal at an elevation of 1,620 m (5,310 ft), at the foot of Switzerland's highest peaks. It lies about 10 km (6.2 mi) from the over 3,292 m (10,801 ft) high Theodul Pass bordering Italy. Zermatt is the southernmost commune of the German Sprachraum.
Zermatt is famed as a mountaineering and ski resort of the Swiss Alps. Until the mid-19th century, it was predominantly an agricultural community; the first and tragic ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 was followed by a rush on the mountains surrounding the village, leading to the construction of many tourist facilities. The year-round population (as of December 2020) is 5,820, though there may be several times as many tourists in Zermatt at any one time. Much of the local economy is based on tourism, with about half of the jobs in town in hotels or restaurants and just under half of all apartments are vacation apartments. Just over one-third of the permanent population was born in the town, while another third moved to Zermatt from outside Switzerland.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Zermatt?
Within an hour or so of Zermatt: Gornergrat (5 km), Matterhorn (8 km), Grimentz (22 km), Grande Dixence Dam (27 km).
Are there any good drives near Zermatt?
The nearest famous roads are Simplon Pass, Great St Bernard Pass and Sanetsch Pass.
Where is Zermatt?
Zermatt is in Valais, Switzerland, about 17 km from Saas-Fee.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 6,629
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Switzerland
- Region
- Valais
- Timezone
- Europe/Zurich
- Coordinates
- 46.0200, 7.7486
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Switzerland
Motorway vignette (toll sticker) required: buy at the border or online. Roadside assistance (TCS): 140.
Full driving guide for SwitzerlandTags
Worth the detour from Zermatt
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Matterhorn
Iconic pyramid-shaped peak rising to 4,478 metres on the Swiss-Italian border, one of the most recognizable mountains in the world.
8 km · about 15 min drive
landmark
Grimentz
Val d'Anniviers village at 1,620 m where sun-blackened larch chalets, some from the 15th century, sag under prize-winning geranium displays; the road continues up to the glacier lake of Moiry.
22 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Grande Dixence Dam
At 285 m the world's tallest gravity dam seals the Val d'Hérémence with more concrete than the Great Pyramid; a cable car rides to the crest, with guided gallery tours and a zip line across the wall.
27 km · about 30 min drive
famous road
Simplon Pass
A historic Alpine crossing at 2,005 meters built by Napoleon, connecting Switzerland's Valais to Italy's Piedmont.
34 km · about 40 min drive
mountain pass
Great St Bernard Pass
At 2,469 m, this ancient pass between Switzerland and Italy shelters the hospice that bred St Bernard rescue dogs; travellers have crossed here since Roman times, Napoleon among them.
48 km · about 55 min drive
famous road
Great St Bernard Pass
The historic 2,469m pass between Switzerland and Italy with its hospice and dogs; the old road runs beside the modern tunnel.
48 km · about 55 min drive
mountain pass
Sanetsch Pass
A spectacular dead-end climb from the Rhône vineyards above Sion past the Tsanfleuron glacier to 2,242 m; because no through road exists it stays near-empty, and only a cable car continues to Gsteig.
50 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near Zermatt
- Right hereGornergratA 3,089-metre viewpoint above Zermatt reached by Europe's highest open-air cogwheel railway, with 29 peaks over 4,000 metres in view.
- 34 kmSimplon PassA historic Alpine crossing at 2,005 meters built by Napoleon, connecting Switzerland's Valais to Italy's Piedmont.
- 48 kmGreat St Bernard PassAt 2,469 m, this ancient pass between Switzerland and Italy shelters the hospice that bred St Bernard rescue dogs; travellers have crossed here since Roman times, Napoleon among them.
- 48 kmGreat St Bernard PassThe historic 2,469m pass between Switzerland and Italy with its hospice and dogs; the old road runs beside the modern tunnel.
- 50 kmSanetsch PassA spectacular dead-end climb from the Rhône vineyards above Sion past the Tsanfleuron glacier to 2,242 m; because no through road exists it stays near-empty, and only a cable car continues to Gsteig.
- 56 kmCol du PillonA 1,546 m pass in the Vaud Alps between Les Diablerets and Gstaad, the gateway to the Glacier 3000 cable car and a smooth, scenic link on any western Swiss Alps road trip.
Driving in Switzerland
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.82/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
- Vignette
- Required, around €42 for a short-stay sticker
When to drive here
April to October
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