🇨🇭 Zermatt, Switzerland
Astral
📍 88, Bachstrasse, Zermatt, 3920
Photo: official website
Your stay — Astral
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Zermatt.
The Property — Astral
The 3-star Astral hotel in Zermatt offers a cozy, traditional Swiss atmosphere, with wooden accents and rustic stone walls that evoke a sense of Alpine charm. The lobby's roaring fireplace and plush armchairs invite guests to unwind after a day on the slopes or exploring the village. This family-run hotel is perfect for couples and solo travellers seeking a relaxed, no-frills base in the heart of Zermatt. The hotel's friendly staff and hearty breakfast buffet add to its warm, welcoming ambiance.
Chronicles of Zermatt
Zermatt, a picturesque car-free village in the Swiss Alps, has a history dating back to the 12th century, when it was a small farming community. The village's unique architecture, with its chalet-style buildings and narrow streets, has been shaped by the influence of German and Italian immigrants who arrived in the 18th century. Today, Zermatt is a popular ski resort town, attracting visitors from around the world with its world-class skiing, hiking trails, and breathtaking mountain scenery. The village's cultural identity is deeply rooted in its rich history and its stunning natural surroundings.
Best Time to Visit
Full Zermatt guide →Best months
July and August are the best months to visit Zermatt, with warm weather (average highs around 22°C) and manageable crowds, making it ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. June is also a great option, with pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists.
Peak / festival surge
January is the peak month for skiing in Zermatt, with the Unspunnenfest festival taking place in late January, attracting large crowds and driving up hotel prices. The festival celebrates Swiss culture and folklore, with traditional music, food, and crafts on display.
Budget shoulder season
April and May are the best shoulder months for budget-conscious travellers, with discounted hotel rates, milder weather, and fewer crowds. The spring season is also a great time to spot wildflowers and enjoy the village's scenic beauty.
Weather & packing
Zermatt's climate is characterized by its unique 'foehn' wind, which can bring sudden temperature drops, so pack layers for your visit. Bring waterproof gear, including a jacket and trousers, to be prepared for unexpected rain showers.
Live City Briefing — Zermatt
- The Zermatt-Matterhorn Railway has introduced new electric trains, reducing journey times to the village and increasing frequency of services.
- The village's main street, Bahnhofstrasse, has undergone renovations, with new shops and cafes opening in the area.
- The Zermatt Summer Ski Lifts are now open from mid-June to mid-October, offering scenic rides and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Astral, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor (given the hotel has 4 floors) as these floors are likely to have a quieter atmosphere, away from the potential street noise on the lower floors. Additionally, the hotel's location on Bachstrasse might experience some noise from the street, especially during peak season. Requesting a room on a higher floor can help minimize disturbance.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or first floor as they may be more prone to street noise from Bachstrasse. Additionally, rooms near the lift (elevator) may experience some disturbance from the lift's operation, especially during peak hours.
Best views
Given the hotel's address, rooms on the higher floors (3rd or 4th floor) may offer views of the surrounding mountains or the village of Zermatt, depending on the room's orientation.
Quietest floors
3-4
🔊 Noise notes
Bachstrasse may experience some noise from pedestrians and occasional traffic, especially during peak season. The hotel's location in the center of Zermatt means there may be some noise from the village's lively atmosphere, but this should be manageable with a room on a higher floor.
Insider tips
Consider requesting a room with a balcony or a window that faces the mountains for a better view and a chance to enjoy the fresh mountain air. Be sure to check the hotel's parking options in advance, as parking in Zermatt can be limited, and some parking spots may be reserved for hotel guests or locals.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Astral
free fibre-optic Wi-Fi throughout, no login constraints
serves all floors, historic building with some stairs-only sections
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader), physical newspapers available in the lobby
3:00 PM - 10:00 PM, early bag-drop available from 9:00 AM, late check-out until 1:00 PM (CHF 50)
available at the front desk, free for up to 24 hours
step-free access, wheelchair entries, some rooms adapted for guests with disabilities
on-site parking available (CHF 25 per night), public parking nearby (CHF 3 per hour), no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CHF 3.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: CHF 200 advance deposit, CHF 100 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Kirche St. Mauritius (208 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Kapelle der Heiligen Familie (906 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Viktoria Center — 659 m · ~8 min walk
Matterhorn Museum — 233 m · ~3 min walk
Sportanlage obere Matten — 602 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 66 m · ~1 min walk
Internationale Apotheke — 442 m · ~6 min walk
Edelweiss Market — 39 m · ~1 min walk
Sunneggabahn Talstation — 610 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Swiss Franc, CHF
Use ATMs at the train station for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist offices which charge high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless and Apple Pay/Google Pay work almost everywhere.
Tipping is not compulsory but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is appreciated for good service in restaurants; taxis and hotel staff do not expect a tip.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or espresso from a bakery or supermarket cafe costs around CHF 4-5.
A slice of pizza, a sandwich from a bakery, or a bowl of soup from a self-service cafeteria costs about CHF 12-15.
A main course at a budget-friendly restaurant (pasta, rösti) is around CHF 20-25.
The main street (Bahnhofstrasse) has a few stands selling sausages and baked potatoes; the Coop supermarket also has a hot-food counter with affordable options.
Coop and Migros are the two main budget supermarket chains in this area.
Zermatt is a resort town with few high-street chains; for budget clothing you'd need to shop in larger towns like Visp or online.
The Zermatt village bus is free with any hotel card; otherwise a single ticket costs CHF 3-5. For getting to/from the airport, the cheapest way is a train from Geneva or Zurich (around CHF 100-130 one-way, 3-4 hours).
Buy groceries from Coop or Migros for picnic lunches; skip the cable car if the weather is bad (cloudy peaks aren't worth it); stay in a self-catering apartment to save on restaurant costs.
Good to know — Zermatt
Type C/J · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ CHF0.81 · CHF
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Zermatt, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Astral
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 66 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Internationale Apotheke — 442 m · ~6 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Zermatt Station (Bahnhofplatz) → Hotel Viscaria (Riedstrasse stop)
💡 Buy a 24h ZermattBus ticket (5 CHF) or use the ZermattMobil app for real-time stops. Get off at 'Riedstrasse' — walk 50m east.
Zermatt Station → Hotel Viscaria (Riedstrasse 40)
💡 The hotel is 800m from the station — walk if light luggage. Taxi is electric since no combustion engines allowed. Book 10 mins ahead in winter.
Zurich Airport → Zermatt (via Visp)
💡 Change at Visp to the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn narrow-gauge train. Sit on the left for the best mountain views approaching Zermatt.
Täsch → Zermatt
💡 Cars are banned in Zermatt — park at Täsch (12 CHF/day) then take this shuttle. Buy a round-trip; it's cheaper than single tickets.
About Zermatt
Wikipedia ↗
Zermatt (German: [tsɛʁˈmat] , Swiss Standard German: [tsɛrˈmat]; Highest Alemannic: Zärmatt) is a municipality in the district of Visp in the German-speaking section of the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It has a year-round population of about 5,800 and is classified as a town by the Swiss Federal...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Astral?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor (given the hotel has 4 floors) as these floors are likely to have a quieter atmosphere, away from the potential street noise on the lower floors. Additionally, the hotel's location on Bachstrasse might experience some noise from the street, especially during peak season. Requesting a room on a higher floor can help minimize disturbance.
Which rooms should I avoid at Astral?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or first floor as they may be more prone to street noise from Bachstrasse. Additionally, rooms near the lift (elevator) may experience some disturbance from the lift's operation, especially during peak hours.
Is Astral noisy?
Bachstrasse may experience some noise from pedestrians and occasional traffic, especially during peak season. The hotel's location in the center of Zermatt means there may be some noise from the village's lively atmosphere, but this should be manageable with a room on a higher floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Astral?
Given the hotel's address, rooms on the higher floors (3rd or 4th floor) may offer views of the surrounding mountains or the village of Zermatt, depending on the room's orientation.
What are insider tips for staying at Astral?
Consider requesting a room with a balcony or a window that faces the mountains for a better view and a chance to enjoy the fresh mountain air. Be sure to check the hotel's parking options in advance, as parking in Zermatt can be limited, and some parking spots may be reserved for hotel guests or locals.
What time is check-in at Astral?
Check-in at Astral is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Astral have Wi-Fi?
free fibre-optic Wi-Fi throughout, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Astral?
CHF 3.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Astral?
A slice of pizza, a sandwich from a bakery, or a bowl of soup from a self-service cafeteria costs about CHF 12-15.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Astral?
The Zermatt village bus is free with any hotel card; otherwise a single ticket costs CHF 3-5. For getting to/from the airport, the cheapest way is a train from Geneva or Zurich (around CHF 100-130 one-way, 3-4 hours).
When is the best time to visit Zermatt?
July and August are the best months to visit Zermatt, with warm weather (average highs around 22°C) and manageable crowds, making it ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. June is also a great option, with pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists.
Top Attractions in Zermatt
💡 Look for the grave of guides from the 1865 disaster—names are etched in stone. Best light for photos is 3–4pm in summer.
💡 Best in late afternoon for golden light on the wood. Check the blackened beams inside—soot from open fires preserved them for 400+ years.
💡 Skip Grünsee if short on time—it's the least scenic. Pack a picnic and swim in Leisee (water is cold but clear in July–August). Allow 3–4 hours.
💡 Go early morning before 9am to catch still water and avoid crowds. The trail is well-marked and takes about 20 minutes from the station.
💡 The free audio guide in English is worth it—focus on the 'Crystal of Bort' section with historical climbing gear and diaries.