Returning to Zermatt this August felt like a trip down memory lane, rekindling memories of my last visit in 2015 with my Japanese grandmother. This time, I came with friends to celebrate the Swiss National Holiday, and the experience was nothing short of magical!

Day 1:
Our arrival in Zermatt began with a pleasant train ride, just over three hours in duration. Although we had to switch to a coach bus from Visp to Täsch due to train disruptions caused by flooding, everything was well organized. We soon reached our charming Airbnb, just a 10-minute walk from the station, with a glimpse of the Matterhorn (though it was hiding behind clouds). That evening (July 31^st), the village was abuzz with festivities in honor of Swiss National Day. We wandered through the vibrant streets filled with food and drink stands, enjoying delicious Raclette and later indulging in some barhopping at the Republic Zermatt and Mamacita Club.

Day 2:
We woke up to explore the charming streets and picturesque scenery of Zermatt. Our first stop was a local bakery, where I had hoped to find the cream buns from Backzeit Bakery that I have seen on Instagram. Unfortunately, they were not ready yet, so we settled for some delightful chocolate bread. After breakfast, we headed to the Sunnegga Blauherd Rothorn Funicular and Cable Car Station to buy tickets for the Rothorn. Mountain weather can be quite unpredictable, so it is essential to pack sunscreen and warm clothing, as temperatures can drop quickly in the mountains. Don’t forget a rain jacket or umbrella too – I ended up forgetting mine buhuu! Hiking from Blauherd to the stunning mountain lakes on the 5 Seenweg (5 Lake Walk) was truly amazing. After a long day of hiking, we indulged in a delicious Fondue Chinoise à la discretion at Hotel Excelsior. On our way back to the apartment, we were treated to a fantastic fireworks display in celebration of Swiss National Day!

Day 3:
With our muscles still sore from the hike, we decided to take a relaxed approach for the day. We began with some light shopping for breakfast and picked up cheese and ham for an afternoon aperitif. I visited Zermatt Kitchen for breakfast on my own, where I enjoyed a wonderful egg benedict with avocado and a breathtaking view of the Matterhorn. Later, we strolled through the picturesque village. I highly recommend walking along Hinterdorfstrasse to admire the traditional Zermatt houses, which are reminiscent of the barns and stores of upper Valais – a photographer’s dream! In the afternoon, we savored a delightful aperitif with delicious snacks and white wine. When the rain started as we were about to head out for dinner, we chose to eat at Restaurant Avena, conveniently located right next to our apartment.

Day 4:
Time to say goodbye to Zermatt! We boarded the train to Brigg to catch the Glacier Express to Filisur, our next stop on the way to Davos. The scenic ride took just over 5 hours and was breathtakingly beautiful. As we were traveling around lunchtime, we enjoyed a delicious 3-course meal on board – food with a view, what more could you ask for? The train ride was incredibly peaceful and relaxing, with informative audio guides that highlighted notable spots along the way.

Upon arriving in Filisur, we were pleasantly surprised to catch the Nostalgia Train, a historic train running between Davos Platz and Filisur twice daily. This was an unexpected highlight and a real treat, especially since it is covered in the regular train fee. In Davos, we stayed overnight before heading home. I had been craving fondue, and Hotel Grischa made my wish come true with a special truffle fondue. Most places require a minimum of two people for fondue, but they accommodated me as a solo traveler. The fondue was absolutely delicious, and the staff were incredibly friendly.

It was a wonderful trip with friends, and I fell even more in love with the charm of Switzerland. The beauty of this country is truly captivating – definitely a journey I would love to repeat!

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Accommodation

Zermatt
Welcome Apartments Zermatt
Family Beat Summermatter
Riedstrasse 4
3920 Zermatt, Switzerland
Tel. +41 79 330 39 64
info@welcome-zermatt.ch
Room: Yumi (booked on Airbnb)
welcome-zermatt.ch

Davos
Hotel Ochsen
Talstrasse 10
7270 Davos
Tel. +41 81 417 64 44
hotels@mountainhotels.ch
davosklostersmountains.ch

Glacier Express

Start from Brigg at 10:18
approx. 5h25m train ride
Arrival in Filisur at 15:43

Price 2^nd Class: approx. CHF 100.-
seat reservation CHF 49.- / with half-fare travelcard CHF 52.- Seat reservation is required!
glacierexpress.ch