This Adorable Swiss Town Looks Straight Out of a Dr. Seuss Book

Summer dreams just north of Italy.

When trying to picture an idealistic tidy sum - town scene — Greenwich Village full of matching wooden home palisade by dramatically jag , claw - like pinnacle — nothing compares to Switzerland . And one of the country ’s most epitomize township , which is almost a caricature of itself it ’s so darn cute , is Zermatt .

seem like something Dr. Seuss dream up , this village located just north of the Swiss - Italian border has become a thriving tourist goal . Zermatt has earned serious acclaim for its car - free streets , stellar Matterhorn panorama , and incredible mountain adventures no matter the season . And then there ’s the cheese , of course — not just the Swiss kind with cartoonishly big yap , but tons of fondu and melty cheesy goodness galore .

While winter bring an copiousness of skiers and snowboarder to the palisade slope , when the blow thawing , Zermatt ’s many hike lead leap to life , providing visitors with an awe - inspiring array of plush valley , rock faces , and alpine lakes to explore . Whether you ’re planning on trek dawn - to - dusk across the Valais countryside or just quetch back under the Matterhorn with a spritz in hand , it ’s tough to incur a more restful destination in all of the Alps . Here ’s what to do while in Zermatt .

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Eat gooey cheeses and hearty dishes

In bitchiness of its pocket-size size , Zermatt is fit with a king - sized food and deglutition scene , offer bracing trade brewage , international wines , and more melt cheese than you could peradventure dream of scarf down . For a crash course of action on the traditional cuisine of Valais — Zermatt ’s home canton — a trip to the copiously - charmingSchäferstubeis certainly in order . house within the storied Hotel Julen , this restaurant offers ample opportunity to render some of the region ’s most flavorsome dishes , with Valais rarebit , lamb fondue , and all - you - can - eat raclette all gracing the menu .

Meanwhile , a seaport for drink aficionados sit just down the road in the shape ofRestaurant Rosstall . Decadent Swiss classic bristle here , ranging from truffle - load fondu to crispy Wienerschnitzel — but the real prize can be witness on the inn ’s drinkable menu . During dinner party , supporter can taste a wealth of gabardine and reds bring on right here in Valais , or grab a crispy Zermatt Bier for a little mouthful of the local brewing scene .

And if you ’re planning on keeping the train pealing after a few brews?Elsie ’s Wine & Champagne Baris a must - visit for a nightcap , equip with an telling array of digestifs serve mighty in the center of the village .

Tradition Julen

Hike your way through the Swiss Alps

A veritable skier ' Eden in the dead of winter , Zermatt ’s landscape painting undergoes a dramatic chemise during the warm months with copious opportunity for outside dangerous undertaking . For hard-core hikers , one of the domain ’s most conquer - suitable routes kick back off powerful in the heart of the village . Running 12.3 miles in entire , theHohbalmloop trail boast some of the fine alpine scene available in the region , with no shortage of challenging summit wavering to keep thing interesting along the way .

If the above hike sounds a little too ambitious , have no fear — there ’s a far simpler route that put up fine dining as an added bonus . Beginning in the center of Zermatt , participant can follow the Blatten hiking lead in the south , taking a leisurely uphill stroll for about 1.2 miles before get in at the belovedBergrestaurant Blatten . There ’s ample space for outdoor dining around here , allowing diner to snap a perfect photo of their rösti with the Matterhorn serving as a star backdrop .

Soar to new heights on the Gornergrat Railway

There ’s no deficit of dramatic heap vistas to be found all throughout the Visp district , but if you ’re hop-skip to seize a genuinely unbelievable perspective of the Matterhorn , there ’s no scramble Gornergrat . Fortunately , advanced technology has eliminated the need for a multi - minute climbing to its summit , with theGornergrat Railwayproviding a well-off 30 - second cruise to the top .

Serving as the tall open - air cog railroad in the entire continent , this wonder of automobile mechanic climbs just under 5,000 feet as it winds its means up to Gornergrat , with stunning forest and lakeside views along the way . Upon comer , visitors are welcome to bask in the panoramic panorama , take hold of an Hugo Spritz fromRestaurant vis - à - vis , or scan the mountainside for native Valais ibex , a European wild goat that ’s famed for its long curve horns .

Immerse Yourself in the Swiss Alps on an Express Train That Takes Its Time

From Zermatt to St. Moritz on the Glacier Express.

Treat yourself to a lavish hotel stay

Zermatt ’s stellar potential for skiing has ushered in a seriously lavish cordial reception scene , and these resorts are n’t just in business when the snowfall is surging . There ’s a extensive raiment of options to opt from across town , but if you ’re planning a splurge - worthy , once - in - a - lifetime trip , there ’s just one place to keep in mind .

Known asThe Omnia , this palatial prop serves as the crown jewel of Zermatt fitting , seamlessly blend top - of - the - line sumptuousness with the rustic magical spell of an one-time - school alpine lodge . agreeableness around here ambit from the property ’s sun - rob outdoor terrace to one of Zermatt ’s coziest hangout spots — namely , the outdoor live tubful , which is dead positioned to give swimmer a salient view of the entire village with the Matterhorn hover overhead . For a truly memorable stay , leaping for the Omnia Tower Suite , a wide residence that includes a monumental Matterhorn - facing terrace , a fully - functional hearth , and a Swarovski Optik telescope that ’s perfect for finding native Swiss wildlife in the space .

If you ’re design a more budget - conscious trip , there ’s a plethora of perfectly cozy accommodations that wo n’t break the bank . Just outside the train station , theHotel Butterflyoffers tasty Italian culinary art , good afternoon afternoon tea , and an teemingness of freshly - renovated bedchamber . Meanwhile the riversideHotel Bristolis home to plush Matterhorn - facing suites and a spa complete with a traditional Finnish sauna .

Elsie’s Wine & Champagne Bar

Explore Zermatt’s neighboring villages

Though Zermatt is spectacularly beautiful on its own , it’sfar from the only idyllic alpine villagefound within the region . In increase to abundant instinctive beauty , Switzerland is also blessed with a highly - useful railing organisation that provide nimble and simple transport to a wealth of other Valais jewel .

turn up one time of day north of Zermatt , the dominion capital of Visp may not be quite as picturesque as its neighbour , but there ’s still a wealth of charming bars and eating house to search around townspeople . If you ’re in the mood for a little alpine bar Australian crawl , Visper Pintais a top spot locate just outside the wagon train station . Upon reaching , guests are welcome to snag a fresh local ale on draft , then follow it up with a pour of Valais schnapps . After a duad boozing , nearbySwiss - Thaiis a top - level speckle for flavorful Southeast Asian dining , whileOld Dublinoffers a tiny slice of the Emerald Isle if you require a little variety from the alpine scenery .