Last Updated: November 21, 2022
Best Views In Zermatt (With Epic Views of Matterhorn)
Zermatt is one of the best and most glamorous ski resorts in the Swiss Alps. Sitting in the southern Alps in the Swiss canton of Valais, it has been a bustling ski town since the mid-1800s.
What makes Zermatt so great are the epic ski slopes in winter, amazing hiking and climbing in summer, and of course, the Matterhorn views – which is Switzerland’s most iconic peak.
The mighty Matterhorn sits above the car-free town and you can get a view of the Matterhorn from a lot of different spots. But, where are the best views in this lovely ski town? That is what we are here to find out.
Join me as I run through all the amazing views in Zermatt so you can ensure you see the best of them while you’re visiting Zermatt.
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Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the highest cable car in Europe. It departs from Zermatt taking you 3883 meters above sea level, over the Matterhorn Glacier Trail, and to the Klein Matterhorn cable car station.
Standing on Klein Matterhorn is the highest point you can get to in the area without having to climb Matterhorn. The cable car journey is stunning as you see glaciers and mountain peaks in every direction.
Be sure to go up there on a clear day and you will have stunning views of the surrounding area. You will be able to see the south face of the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc in France, and Gran Paradiso in Italy.
You will find a few viewing platforms at Klein Matterhorn and there is also a great restaurant where you can enjoy a spot of lunch with a great view.
Schwarzsee
Schwarzsee is a small alpine lake that sits in between the town of Zermatt and the Matterhorn. This small lake is stunning and you can reach it via cable car from Zermatt.
Now, you might be thinking you could get a photo of the Matterhorn reflecting in the lake but the angle isn’t quite right, however, there are a number of different viewpoints to discover while you are up there.
Schwarzsee is where the Matterhorn Glacier Trail begins and when you arrive you’ll see the blue waters of the lake with a chapel sitting behind it. It is a great view and the chapel’s reflection should be sitting on the surface of the lake.
You will also get a unique view of multiple peaks from the south end of the lake and if you walk around and above the lake, you will find one of the best Matterhorn views. It is a very up-close view of the Matterhorn where you can see it in all its glory.
At Schwarzsee you can also look back down the valley and get a good view of Zermatt from above with all the mountains surrounding it.
Gornergrat
A viewpoint you have to go to when you visit Zermatt is Gornergrat, a mountain peak you can access via the Zermatt Gornergrat cogwheel train from Zermatt train station. It Is the highest open-air cogwheel train in Europe and it takes about 30 mins to reach the Gornergrat train station.
The views from the train ride are pretty spectacular as you ride up to the peaks but don’t go on a day with clouds, as cloud cover will block your views.
Once you reach Gornergrat, you will be able to see views of the Gorner Glacier, the second biggest in the alps, and an excellent Matterhorn view too.
You will find two different restaurants at the top serving up traditional Swiss cuisine with great views of the surrounding peaks and the iconic mountain too!
Sunnegga
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
Sunnegga is probably the easiest viewpoint to get to from Zermatt and it has some of the best Matterhorn views too.
You can take the funicular directly up to Sunnegga from Zermatt and a lot of people like to get up there before sunrise for the best view possible, as sunrise is the best time to shoot the Matterhorn.
From Sunnegga, you can see panoramic views of the alps and you can see the Matterhorn standing proud right in the middle.
You can also take the short hiking trail to Leisee where you can see the Matterhorn reflecting on the lake. This is one of the best places in Zermatt to take epic photos of the Matterhorn in the lake’s reflections.
Sunnega also gives you access to the Five Lakes hike and there is a marmot-watching station at the top too.
Kirchbrücke
Kirchbrücke is the best place in the town of Zermatt to catch a view of one of the most recognizable mountains in the world and southern Switzerland. I am, of course, talking about the Matterhorn.
Kirchbrücke is a bridge over the Matter Vispa river in Zermatt town center and it is a short walk from every part of town.
Standing on the bridge, looking south, you will see the Matterhorn rising up out of the valley and the pine trees. It is a spectacular view of the “Toblerone mountain” and one of the easiest to get to on any Switzerland Itinerary.
If you can, get to the bridge at sunrise as you will see the Matterhorn decorated in early morning light which makes for the best photos. Once you are done at this scenic spot, move on for an early breakfast at your hotel or at one of the many cafes.
Riffelsee
Riffelsee is an incredibly scenic spot that sits just below the Matterhorn at 2757 meters of altitude.
Riffelsee is a lake and if you plan your visit there on a sunny day with no wind, you will get amazing pictures of the Matterhorn in the lake’s reflections.
It probably offers the best photo opportunities of the Matterhorn possible without a lot of serious hiking.
Getting to Riffelsee is very easy, just take the train to Rotenboden station, and then it is a short stroll to the lake.
If you prefer, you could visit Gornergrat Bahn first, enjoy the views, and then hike down from Gornergrat Bahn to the lake, before going back down on the train to Zermatt.
The Gornergrat to Riffelsee hike is stunning and you will get additional magical views and perspectives on the hike down.
Höhbalmen
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
Höhbalmen is another viewing point in Zermatt worth spending some time at. What I love about the Höhbalmen is that it is totally immersed in nature and you have to hike to get to it, which means the crowds will be limited.
You can hike to Höhbalmen in all the seasons, from the winter months to early August, but it is best enjoyed in the summer as it is filled with beautiful meadows which you won’t see in winter.
The view from Höhbalmen is stunning. You can see the Matterhorn in all its glory and the surrounding peaks too. In summer, take a blanket and a picnic and relax in the meadows staring at the Matterhorn and trying to spot ibexes and more.
To get to Höhbalmen you should follow the Edelweiss hiking trail from Zermatt. It is a loop trail and it will take you about 2 hours to reach Höhbalmen from Zermatt. Once you have enjoyed the view, continue on the trail back to town.
Riffelalp
Riffelalp is a small resort area sitting above Zermatt. Getting to Riffelalp is very easy as you can simply hop on the train from Zermatt directly to the station at Riffelalp.
Riffelalp is home to multiple restaurants and the highest spa in Switzerland too, so you can really make a day of it if some great food and pampering are up your street!
The views from Riffelalp are pretty epic and feature the Matterhorn, multiple valleys, and mountain peaks. If you can, check in to the spa and go for a swim in the pool during the summer.
As you look up from the pool, you will see the Matterhorn while you are floating in the alps, how cool is that!
Riedweg
Riedweg, also known as the Zermatt Matterhorn Viewpoint (that is what to type into Google Maps), is one of the top places to capture both Zermatt and the Matterhorn altogether.
If you love Zermatt, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t, then this is the spot to take a photo of the magical town and the Matterhorn which will bring nostalgia every time you look at it.
To get to this awesome viewpoint, follow Riedweg until you get out of town and walk past the walking tunnel. After that, you will see the viewpoint around 50 meters on your left.
This spot is best for pictures during the winter, especially during sunrise and sunset, as the snow catches the light, as does the Matterhorn, and the town’s lights add a lot of charm.
It is also a lovely place to see the views in the summer too, but doesn’t quite have the same drama as winter.
Le Petit Village at Mürini
Sitting on the northern end of Zermatt is the Le Petit Village at Mürini viewpoint which is another place to see some of the best views around the Zermatt area.
You can access this view via a short walk from the town center and it is known as one of the top places to take photos at sunset.
The view looks across the town and into the Matterhorn and is one of the most famously photographed views of Zermatt you will find.
During sunset, the mountains and Matterhorn light up and you can capture the lights from Zermatt’s houses in the foreground. Be sure to get there quite early to get a good spot as this is a very popular place that fills up pretty quickly.
Best Hotels in Zermatt with a View
3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat
© Booking.com
The 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat is a hotel on the Gornergrat peak, one of the viewpoints I mentioned above. There is no other hotel in Zermatt that offers views quite like this and it comes with some added bonuses too.
Sleeping at 3100 meters above sea level is one thing but having views of the gorner gorge, garner glaciers, and the Matterhorn from your hotel is another. They purposely designed the hotel to have great views of the Matterhorn from most rooms and most parts of the hotel.
The facilities at the hotel are excellent and it even has two observatories. As if staring at the stars from the top of the mountain isn’t good enough, you can go into the observatories on a clear night and see the stars in a way that really can not be beaten.
Matterhorn Focus Design Hotel
© Booking.com
With a name like the Matterhorn Focus Design Hotel, you can kind of guess why this hotel has been featured among the best hotels in Zermatt with a view.
The hotel has literally been designed around being able to have a view of the Matterhorn at pretty much all times. It was designed by Heinz Julen, a Swiss artist, and designer who made sure that all the rooms, well almost all the rooms, have a stunning Matterhorn view.
The hotel also offers excellent facilities including a spa with a hot tub, Finish sauna, and lots of treatments that are bookable.
The hotel also features a hip vibe to it with a fun onsite bar and a delicious onsite restaurant. It is also located in the center of Zermatt so you can enjoy everything the town offers within a short walk.
Iglu-Dorf Hotel
The Iglu-Dorf Hotel has several locations and one of them is above Zermatt and very close to lake Riffelsee.
Now, the hotel is only open in winter as you will literally be sleeping inside an igloo which has to be rebuilt every year.
Imagine stepping out of your igloo home at sunrise to see the Matterhorn beaming in the morning light while sipping your first coffee of the day. Pretty awesome right?
The hotel is pretty amazing. Each room is decorated with sculptures and artwork on the icy walls and you will have access to saunas, and hot tubs, and they offer cool activities such as going on a night hike under the stars.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
