Bahnhofstrasse
Bahnhofstrasse is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Zermatt audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~30 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type landmark
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Zermatt Zermatt guide
About Bahnhofstrasse
Zermatt's car-free main street, running from the station toward the church, lined with hotels, watch and souvenir shops, and crossed by silent electric taxis, horse carriages and summer goats.
The Bahnhofstrasse is the main street of Zermatt, running from the railway station toward the church and the village centre, lined with hotels, restaurants, bakeries and watch, jewellery and souvenir shops. The whole village is closed to combustion-engine cars, so that the mountain air stays clean and the view of the Matterhorn is not clouded; visitors arrive by train and get around on foot, on small battery-electric taxis and buses limited to about 20 km/h, or by a few horse-drawn carriages, mostly run by the hotels.
The street is also a piece of Zermatt's history. The grand old Hotel Monte Rosa, opened by Alexander Seiler in 1855, stands here; it was in this hotel that Edward Whymper gathered part of his party before the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865. The marmot fountain of 1906 is a well-known landmark, and in July and August a herd of black-necked Valais goats is driven along the street each morning and evening, between the village and their pasture.
Did you know? Zermatt bans combustion-engine cars to keep its air clean and the Matterhorn clear; everything moves on battery power, limited to about 20 km/h, plus a few horse-drawn carriages.
How long should you spend at Bahnhofstrasse?
Plan about ~30 min at Bahnhofstrasse. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Bahnhofstrasse worth visiting?
Bahnhofstrasse is one of the 13 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Zermatt, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Zermatt
Day 1 of the Zermatt in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Bahnhofstrasse
Preview the Zermatt tour free in the Gingerguide app.