Zermatt summer, a car-free paradise in the Swiss Alps with perfect weather

A few weeks ago, when the sun was still shining and I could leave the house without a parka… I was lucky enough to visit Zermatt. I was actually visiting my parents. They decided to spend part of their holidays in the North of Italy until I convinced them to take a small trip to the Swiss Alps. And to be honest, while it was ridiculously hot in Italy, this small trip to Zermatt summer was basically heaven. Even though it is not a twenty minute ride from Italy… Zermatt can be the perfect daytrip!

Where’s Zermatt and why Zermatt summer is the best

Well, this little town is located in the South of Switzerland. Right in the middle of the Alps. It can be reached from anywhere in Switzerland and from the North of Italy in about two hours. If you are feeling wild, the border with France is slightly further away, but still at around the 3-4h mark. Expect colder weather than in Italy while still being summerish.

How to get there

So why am I doing a new section on how to get there? Well, in this case, knowing where a town is does not automatically links with you being able to get there. Google maps can tell you where Zermatt is but you won’t find a way to get there by car. The why is simple, cars are not allowed in this town! There are a few ways to get there though.

Depending on how fancy you are and how much money you are willing to spend, there are a couple of train options. If you want to take in the panorama, ride the Glacier Express. You will enjoy a journey through some amazing valleys and landscapes before arriving to this beautiful town. If you are traveling with a car and you just can’t wait to get there, your best and fastest option is to go to Täsch. This tiny town is the closest spot from where you can take the train to Zermatt. It leaves every 30 minutes and departs untill well into the evening, so do not worry about schedules! If you are staying in Zermatt, some hotels have a shuttle service available, so ask about it. Finally, you can also trek from Täsch to Zermatt. The landscape is beyond fantastic but you will have to sweat for it (and please do not do it during winter). Take into consideration that Zermatt summer and Zermatt during the winter are very different.

What is unique about Zermatt

As I have already told you, this little town is amazing for a few reasons. Yes, it is car free, and that is already refreshing on itself. Now close your eyes and imagine the most picturesque and typical place you can think of in the Alps. In my mind that it actually includes Heidi running to Pedro and both of them rolling around in green fields. With sharp and snowy mountains in the background. Do you have the mental image already? Well that is exatly what Zermatt summer is (also in the winter it is also quite similar, just colder!). There are lovely wood houses everywhere with flowers in all windows and balcons. Stone streets and a bunch of small restaurants. And all of this with a beautiful canvas in the background composed by green fields of grass and the majestic Swiss Alps. Above it all, and hovering not that far away is the Matterhorn. To be honest, even their water fountains are extremely cute.

Unfortunately, I must also add a negative note about Zermatt… it is packed with tourists. Yes, I know I was one of them too, but it felt like Picadilly in London or Las Ramblas in Barcelona. Just so you know. And sorry to tell you that you will have the same problems whether you are visiting Zermatt summer or winter!

Places to visit and things to do

Even though walking through the streets of Zermatt is entertaining enough, there are a few activities that you can do there. The main one being trekking in the Zermatt summer and skying any other time of the year. Independently on when you decide to visit Zermatt, it would be a good idea to head to the Matterhorn. The “mother peak” is a characteristic peak in the alps that you can see from anywhere in Zermatt. And a peak that I am sure you have seen before in the cover of Toblerone’s. Yes, it is the same one. In order to visit the Matterhorn you do not need to climb by foot, it is possible to take cable car that will take you halfway there. You will have beautiful views both of the peak and the neighbouring mountains. Even though the summit looks beautiful, it is one of the most complicated summits in the world, so unless you are an expert, don’t attempt it, please. It is an amazing opportunity, but beware, like everything else in Switzerland, it is EXPENSIVE. If you love skiing, there are also many slopes available to navigate around Zermatt.

Another activity I really enjoyed in this lovely town was the Gorner Gorge. This small gorge is quite similar to the one I already told you about in Canada, the Johnston Canyon. The trek around this gorge is mostly a set of rail woods hanging from rocky walls going around a deafening waterfall. Maybe not the best of the options if you are scared of heights, but lovely anyways.

What to do in a day in Zermatt during the summer

Whether you just want to walk around town and eat one of the local delicacies or climb the Matterhorn, Zermatt has everything you can wish for. I would not spend a week there because it is quite small, but it is the perfect spot for a day trip or even for a couple of days. It is just gorgeous.

Have you been there? Did you like it? Tell me about it in the comments section!