The Matterhorn Museum at a glance
The Matterhorn Museum, called Zermatlantis, lies underground at the Kirchplatz in Zermatt, next to the village church. It opened in 2006 and counts around 40,000 visitors a year. It is a good plan for a day when clouds sit on the mountain, and it costs a fraction of any lift ticket.
The collection covers two themes: how Zermatt changed from a mountain farming village into an alpine resort, and the first ascent of the Matterhorn on 14 July 1865. Four of the seven climbers died, and the museum does not skip that part.
Opening hours for autumn and winter 2026
The usual hours are 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Dates below are from the Zermatt tourist board, checked on 19 October 2026.
| Period | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 31 October 2026 | Daily | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm |
| 1 to 19 November 2026 | Closed | – |
| 20 November to 17 December 2026 | Friday, Saturday, Sunday | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm |
| 18 to 31 December 2026 | Daily | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm |
| From January 2027 | Not yet published | – |
The museum was also closed from 29 October to 27 November in 2025, so a long break in November follows a pattern. If you visit in the shoulder season, check the dates again before you go.
Things to do in Zermatt
Tickets for the Gornergrat and the Glacier Paradise and day trips from Zurich and Geneva, with live prices and availability.
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Ticket prices 2026
Entry prices as published by the Zermatt tourist board in October 2026.
| Ticket | Price 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adult | CHF 12 |
| Senior, from 64 years | CHF 10 |
| Student | CHF 8 |
| Youth, 10 to 16 years | CHF 7 |
| Group, from 8 people, per person | CHF 10 |
| School class, per pupil | CHF 5 |
| Children up to 9 years, accompanied | Free |
Entry is free with the Swiss Travel Pass, the Swiss Museum Pass and Raiffeisen bank cards (Maestro, Visa, Mastercard). Online tickets start at CHF 12 and were offered for visits from 4 to 31 October 2026. The museum is wheelchair accessible. Dogs are not allowed.
What you see inside
The rooms are built like a village below ground.
The old village
Original houses and staged scenes show how people lived in Zermatt before tourism, and how the place grew into a resort.
The first ascent
The exhibition "Triumph and Death" is about 14 July 1865. It shows the original rope that broke and belongings of the climbers who died.
Old finds
A stone axe dated to 3000 to 5000 BC, and Theo, a figure of a 16th-century mercenary.
Film and relief
A multimedia room shows excerpts from Luis Trenker's film "Der Berg ruft" (1937/38). A relief model of the Matterhorn lights up the climbing routes.
An audio guide is available in German, English, French and Japanese.
The story of the first ascent
The Matterhorn was first climbed on 14 July 1865. Seven climbers took part in the ascent, and four of them died. The museum treats this as the centre of its story and places it next to the history of the village, from the old houses to the rope.
The exhibits are mostly objects and rebuilt scenes. Walk through the old village first, then to the first ascent, and finish in the film room. If the story interests you, the trail from Schwarzsee to the Hörnli hut leads to the start of the classic route, although it is only for experienced hikers.
When the museum is closed in November
Between 1 and 19 November 2026 several things are shut at once.
Still open
The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is open all year, and the Gornergrat Railway runs until 1 November 2026.
Closed
The Gornergrat Railway is shut from 2 to 14 November 2026. The Gorner Gorge is closed until 31 May 2027, and the Sunnegga lifts do not run until 28 November 2026.
Plan your visit
The museum opens in the afternoon, so it fits well after a morning on the mountain. The Kirchplatz is next to the village church, and in a car-free village you reach it on foot.
- Address: Kirchplatz, 3920 Zermatt.
- Phone: +41 27 967 41 00.
- With a rail pass: the Swiss Travel Pass gives free entry, which saves CHF 12.
- On a cloudy day: the museum is underground, so it works when the peaks are hidden. Save the lifts for a clear day.
For more to see, read our guide to things to do in Zermatt, or look at Zermatt in winter if you arrive in December.
More in Zermatt
Other places that fit the same day.
Matterhorn Museum: frequently asked questions
How much does the Matterhorn Museum cost?
Adults pay CHF 12 in 2026, seniors from 64 years CHF 10, students CHF 8 and young people from 10 to 16 years CHF 7. Children up to 9 years enter free when accompanied.
When is the Matterhorn Museum open?
The standard hours are 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. In 2026 it is open daily in October, closed from 1 to 19 November, open Friday to Sunday from 20 November to 17 December and daily from 18 to 31 December.
Is the museum free with the Swiss Travel Pass?
Yes. Entry is free with the Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Museum Pass. Raiffeisen bank cards also give free entry.
Where is the Matterhorn Museum?
At the Kirchplatz in Zermatt, next to the village church. The museum is underground.
Is the museum suitable for wheelchairs and dogs?
It is wheelchair accessible, but dogs are not allowed inside.