Zermatt

Zermatt, a picturesque car-free village in the Swiss Alps, sits at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn. This pyramid-shaped mountain stands at 4,478 meters and has become synonymous with Switzerland, even inspiring the design of Toblerone chocolate.

The town offers some of Europe's best skiing with over 360 kilometers of slopes that attract winter sports enthusiasts from around the world. During summer, the area transforms into a hiking and mountain biking paradise with hundreds of trails offering spectacular Alpine views. The town itself features charming wooden chalets, luxury hotels, and high-end shops along its main street, Bahnhofstrasse.

Zermatt has an interesting history as a simple farming community that transformed into a mountaineering center in the 1800s after the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865. This climb ended tragically when four of seven climbers died during the descent, bringing worldwide attention to the area. Today, the Matterhorn Museum shares this history alongside exhibits about local Alpine culture.

Despite its small population of about 6,000 permanent residents, Zermatt welcomes nearly two million visitors annually. The town maintains its commitment to clean air and sustainability by banning combustion-engine vehicles. Visitors and locals get around using electric vehicles, horse-drawn carriages, or simply walking through the compact village center.