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Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Glacier Palace Tickets

Included with Matterhorn Glacier Paradise tickets

Timings

RECOMMENDED DURATION

4 hours

Visitors exploring ice sculptures inside Glacier Paradise.

Top things to do in Zermatt

Gornergrat train traveling with Matterhorn in the background, Zermatt, Switzerland.

Gornergrat Railway

from

CHF 104

Matterhorn Glacier Palace – Europe’s enchanting ice world

Step inside the highest Glacier Palace: a frozen world carved into the Matterhorn Glacier. Wander through shimmering ice tunnels, spot intricate sculptures, and discover a hidden underground lake: a surreal experience that’s especially fun for families, adventurers, and photographers.

📍 Where is it located: Inside the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise summit station on Klein Matterhorn, above Zermatt.

🎟️ How to access: All Matterhorn Glacier Paradise tickets include access to the Glacier Palace, so you don’t need a separate ticket to explore the ice tunnels and sculptures.

Glacier Palace in a nutshell

Guests exploring inside Ice Tunnel in Langjökull glacier, Iceland.

→ Year opened: 1993

→ Current use: A walk-through ice attraction and glacial landscape showcase, giving visitors a rare look inside the Matterhorn Glacier itself.

→ Must-see highlights: Glittering ice sculptures, crystal-clear glacier tunnels, and a still underground glacier lake that feels almost unreal.

→ Unique facts: The palace is re-carved and refreshed each season, and sits among the highest ice palaces in the world.

→ Why it's memorable: A rare chance to move through a frozen world beneath the surface, rather than just admire the Alps from above.

Things to know before booking your Glacier Palace tickets

  • Standard tickets: Include Glacier Palace entry, with round-trip cable car transfers from Zermatt to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, along with key highlights of the summit station such as the 360° viewing platform, and the Cinema Lounge.
  • Combo with Gornergrat: Pair Glacier Palace with Gornergrat train for a full Alpine experience. Enjoy contrasting views inside the glacier at Matterhorn summit station and sweeping basin vistas from the Gornergrat summit, with the freedom to visit both anytime within 2 months of your first entry.
  • Zermatt shuttle: Park in Täsch and take a 12-minute shuttle to Zermatt for cable car access to the summit, making this the most hassle-free way to access the Glacier Palace.
  • Day trip from Geneva: Round-trip transfers lakeside Geneva, the charming Zermatt valley, and the Glacier Palace tunnels in a single day.
  • Timing details: Open during summit station hours; mornings are quieter, afternoons offer better peak lighting.
  • Accessibility note: Cable cars, summit station, and Palace are wheelchair accessible; tunnels have smooth paths, but surfaces can be cold and slippery.

Your Glacier Palace ticket types explained

Ticket typeIs Glacier Palace access included?Why go for it?Starting priceRecommended tours

Standard entry

Yes

Budget-friendly

From CHF 109Standard tickets

Combo with Gornergrat

Yes

Cost-effective, maximum exploration

From CHF 235Combo with Gornergrat

Day trips

Yes

Seamless transfers, full-day experience

From CHF 324Day trip from Geneva

Shuttle transfers

Yes

Saves car-ban hassles in Zermatt

From CHF 127Shuttle transfer tickets

What to do at the Glacier Palace

Explore the Glacier Palace

Explore ever-changing ice tunnels and chambers, each offering a unique view of the glacier’s interior and artistic creations.

✅ Access included with all Glacier Paradise tickets

Ice slide

Experience a playful descent on a smooth ice slide, adding an element of fun to your icy adventure.

✅ Access included with all Glacier Paradise tickets

Photogenic ice points

Capture stunning photographs at various ice formations and sculptures, perfect for creating lasting memories.

✅ Access included with all Glacier Paradise tickets

Glacial crevasse walk

Step into a glacier crevasse for a rare, up-close glimpse of its icy interior.

✅ Access included with all Glacier Paradise tickets

Architectural highlights of the Matterhorn Glacier Palace

Subterranean design

Carved 15m beneath the glacier, the palace features ice tunnels and sculpted chambers.

Ice sculptures

Dynamic ice artworks of wildlife and mythical creatures are periodically refreshed.

Atmosphere

Soft lighting and ambient music create a magical, immersive icy environment.

Know before you go

Matterhorn Peak covered in snow under a clear blue sky, Swiss Alps.

Daily opening hours: 8:30am to 4pm (varies by season)

Last ascent: 30 to 45 minutes before closing (depending on cable car schedules). It’s best to check the timetable on the day of your visit.

Closed on: The Glacier Palace is open year-round, but access depends on cable car operations. Severe weather at the summit (high winds, heavy snow, or poor visibility) can cause temporary closures.

Best time to visit

Best time of day: Visit any time; mornings are quieter, afternoons offer a relaxed experience.

Best season: May–Oct for longer cable car hours; Dec–Mar for snowy alpine scenery and fewer crowds.

Check out summit station schedule

Address: Glacier Palace, Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, 3920 Zermatt, Switzerland

Located 15 meters beneath the Matterhorn Glacier summit.

Getting there: By cable car: The Glacier Palace is reached via the Matterhorn Glacier Ride cable car from Zermatt. The journey includes stops at Furi, Trockener Steg, and the summit station at Klein Matterhorn (3,883 m). Total ride time: ~45 minutes.

By train: Take the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway to Zermatt from Täsch or Visp, then board the cable car for the ascent to the Glacier Palace.

By car: Zermatt is car-free. Drivers must park in Täsch (5 km from Zermatt) at facilities such as Matterhorn Terminal Täsch, then continue by shuttle train or taxi to Zermatt before taking the cable car up to the Glacier Palace.

Ways up to the summit station
Visitors walking through an ice tunnel on the Schilthorn Cable Car trip from Geneva to Interlaken.
  • Temperature inside the Ice Palace is around –2 °C to –5 °C, so warm clothing is required even in summer.
  • Floors can be slippery due to ice, and some areas are uneven; appropriate footwear is recommended.
  • Lighting is low and ambient, designed to enhance the ice sculptures, so watch your step and follow marked paths.
Seasonal guide to Glacier Paradise
Eiger Express gondola ascending to Jungfraujoch with snowy mountain backdrop.
  • The Glacier Palace is fully accessible via cable cars from Zermatt, with step-free access from cabins to the entrance.
  • Elevators transport visitors 15 m below the glacier surface to the ice tunnels, making it wheelchair-friendly.
  • Rest areas and benches are available inside the palace for visitors needing breaks at high altitude.
Matterhorn peak surrounded by snow and clouds in the Swiss Alps.
  • Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear; ice floors and steps can be slippery even inside the palace.
  • Allow extra time during peak hours, as narrow tunnels can slow movement.
  • Follow marked paths and staff instructions to avoid restricted or thinner ice areas.
Plan your visit with tips, hacks & facilities

Frequently asked questions about Matterhorn Glacier Palace tickets

Yes! It’s a unique alpine attraction, Europe’s highest ice palace, with tunnels, sculptures, and an underground glacier lake. Ideal for families, photographers, and adventure seekers.