Green meadows of wildflowers with a backdrop of snow-covered Matterhorn and surrounding Alpine peaks make Zermatt an ideal setting for a summer or fall family vacation. Traveling there by train is easy with a free Swiss Family Card, which allows children aged 6–16 to travel free with a parent holding a Swiss Travel System ticket. Children under 6 always travel free with a parent.
One of Europe’s top ski capitals in winter, Zermatt still offers plenty of outdoor activity after the snow melts. The mountain huts that cater to skiers are open for hikers, and a Peak Pass gives everyone access to unlimited trips on the cable cars that lead to mountain trails. Explore trails on the Rothorn, Gornergrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise around Zermatt, or just ride to new heights for never-ending views.
Children under 9 years old ride free on the lifts, and children 9–15 ride for half price. Travelers with various Swiss rail travel passes also get discounts.
Swim or picnic at one of Zermatt’s crystal mountain lakes. Schwarzsee, right at the foot of the Matterhorn and reached by gondola, has the best view of the famous Hörnligrat ridge on the Matterhorn and the village of Zermatt far below. The whole family will enjoy the beach at Leisee, complete with a playground, barbecue areas, picnic sites, pavilion and a postcard view of the Matterhorn.
Have breakfast at sunrise in Fluhalp mountain restaurant as the first rays of sunlight turn the white cone of the Matterhorn shades of red and pink against the deep blue sky. Or watch the sunset while eating dinner in the restaurant at Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the highest viewing platform in the Alps.
Skiers aren’t completely left out of the summer fun at Zermatt. Despite sunny days and warmer temperatures in the valleys below, there’s always snow on Theodul Glacier, high above Zermatt. Surface conditions are right for morning skiing and snowboarding, and you can rent equipment in the village.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedHotels
Sep 3, 20263 Caribbean, Latin American Marriott Hotels for Multigen Trips
Multigenerational travel continues to grow in popularity, with family travelers moving away from traditional getaways for meaningful trips with family members of all ages. The Caribbean and Latin America are growing destinations of interest for this type of travel, and three Marriott properties offer opportunities for multigen families to create lifelong memories.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Travel Tips
Sep 1, 2026TikTok Revolutionizes Travel Planning and Inspiration
With an estimated 1.9 billion users worldwide, TikTok influences nearly every part of our lives, from food to fashion. The app so profoundly changed the way we travel, it now describes itself as a “modern-day travel agency, itinerary planner, and travel blog rolled into one.” Using TikTok to plan travel is so popular, the app recently launched TikTok Go to make booking even easier.
Hotels
Sep 1, 2026Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa to Welcome Return of Elf on the Shelf This Holiday Season
The magic of Christmas quickly approaches as summer comes to a close, and families can experience the holiday season in a unique way this year.
Sponsored Content
GET TO KNOW TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal’s program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business.
Hotels
Sep 1, 2026This London Hotel Launches Little Londoners Family Package
Balance a city break in London with kid-friendly experiences at Sea Containers London, an upscale, riverside hotel. The property recently debuted the Little Londoners package, a thoughtfully designed offering that makes exploring London easier (and more fun) for both kids and parents.
ShareThis