A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zermatt vs. Villach for Hiking, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Zermatt or Villach?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Zermatt and Villach can help you decide which place is right for you.

Zermatt

Zermatt is a breathtaking, charming, and stunning town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Villach

Villach is a outdoorsy, historic, and nature-filled town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Zermatt and Villach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zermatt or Villach?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Zermatt than Villach, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Zermatt is better known for its skiing, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Villach is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Zermatt is more touristy than Villach and is known for its skiing, hiking, winter sports, and stunning views of Matterhorn. Also, Zermatt is famous for The Matterhorn. Villach is well known for its many alpine hikes, nearby lakes, and its quaint main square.

The Matterhorn

How is Zermatt different from Villach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Villach and Zermatt. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Zermatt or Villach Better for Skiing?

Zermatt is terrific for snow skiing. However, Villach is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Zermatt should be on your list. This is Europe's highest ski resort and it is one of the most famous and beautiful, at the base of the world renowned Matterhown. The slopes attract professional skiers from around the world who come for the challenging skiing and spectacular setting.

Villach is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Zermatt or Villach?

Villach is very good for its sights and museums. However, Zermatt is not a good town for its museums and history.

Villach is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical buildings in town such as the Parish Church of St. Jakob, the Holy Cross Church, and the Parish Church of St. Martin. Also worth a visit is the Museum of the City of Villach.

While most people don't head to Zermatt specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. You don't visit Zermatt for the museums, but it is worth checking out the Matterhorn Museum while you're in town.

Is the Food Better in Zermatt or Villach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zermatt is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Villach is a mediocre town for its restaurants.

Dining out in Zermatt is an experience not to be missed. There are actually many great restaurants right on the slopes, so you don't have to head into town to enjoy a meal. In town, you'll find many cozy restaurants that have terraces that offer spectacular views.

Villach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find the standard options of pizza and burgers around town. While the food scene isn't particularly special, the quality is decent and reliable.

Is Zermatt or Villach Better for Nightlife?

Zermatt is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

Zermatt has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The town cuts loose in the evening with locals and visitors intermingling at the many bars and live music venues around town. Elegant fun is a great way to describe the nightlife scene and whether you're looking for a mellow night out or a more vibrant party, there's something for everyone.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Villach. The weekends are when you'll find the best nightlife. There are some local bars and clubs that come to life and attract a young crowd on a weekend night.

Is Zermatt or Villach Better for Resorts?

Zermatt is notable for its resorts. However, Villach is not a resort destination.

Zermatt is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of upscale inns and hotels in town. Many have pools or hot tubs with views of the mountains.

Villach is not a resort destination.

Is Zermatt or Villach Better for its Old Town?

Villach is very good for its historic old town. However, Zermatt does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Villach to see the historical old town. You'll find churches and gardens throughout the charming old town. At the heart of the town is the main square.

Zermatt does not have a historic old town.

Is Zermatt or Villach Better for Hiking?

Zermatt is terrific for the nearby hiking options. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

People visit Zermatt specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There are countless hiking trails in the area that cater to all levels of fitness. Almost all trails offer some sort of view of Matterhorn, and it's possible to enjoy a great view without much effort. It's also possible to do a multi-day trek while staying in mountain huts which will get you well into the amazing scenery.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Villach. The surrounding countryside is filled with both short and long hikes. You can take a short stroll or spend hours (or days) exploring the alpine scenery. Breathtaking views and peaceful retreats make this a wonderful area for hiking.

Is the Shopping Better in Zermatt or Villach?

Zermatt is notable for its shopping areas. However, Villach is a mediocre town for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Zermatt. Luxury boutiques that sell jewelry, watches, and clothing are found all around town. You'll also find sporting equipment or anything that you may have forgotten. For the best shopping in town head to Bahnhofstrasse.

Villach is a good destination for shopping. There are your standard shopping centers where you can pick up clothes or anything you may have forgotten for your trip.

Is Zermatt or Villach Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Zermatt or Villach.

Zermatt is a very family-friendly place to visit. From world class hiking to countless outdoor adventures, this is a great place to explore with kids. There are a number of kid-friendly ways to view Matterhorn as well as cable cars and Glacier Palace.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Villach is very family-friendly. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family will enjoy. There's kid-friendly hiking, adventure parks, nature parks, and some swimming areas.

Is Zermatt or Villach Better for Couples?

Zermatt is terrific for couples. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Zermatt makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who seek an adrenaline filled adventure will be in heaven in this iconic alpine destination. There are breathtaking views of Matterhorn, stunning hikes, impressive skiing, and a charming town where you can enjoy a great meal after a day filled with adventure.

Villach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures, beautiful hikes, and stunning scenery will appreciate a visit to this area.

Is Zermatt or Villach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Zermatt and Villach are great destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Zermatt. There are a couple of hostels in town that cater to the backpacker and budget crowd. It's an expensive place to visit, with food and entertainment costing a lot, but if you can swing it, it's well worth a visit.

Many backpackers visit Villach. There are a number of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers who enjoy the outdoor setting and beautiful hikes that are nearby.

Is Zermatt or Villach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Zermatt is a popular place for its public transit. However, Villach is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Zermatt has a few public transit options. There are ebuses in town, but the town itself is car free and walking is your best option.

Public transit is mostly limited in Villach. There are buses and trains in the area, but to experience the nearby nature you'll want to have a car.

Is Zermatt or Villach a more walkable city?

Zermatt is terrific for its ease of walking around. However, Villach is a mediocre town for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Zermatt on foot. There aren't any cars in town so this is a very pedestrian-friendly town with charming streets and walking paths.

Villach is generally not a very walkable town. Parts of the town are walkable but the surrounding natural areas are most easily accessed with a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Zermatt Worth Visiting? and Is Villach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Villach or Zermatt?

How long in Zermatt or Villach?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Zermatt and Villach. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Zermatt than in Villach. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zermatt, and 1-3 days is enough time in Villach.

Families should spend more time in Zermatt than Villach. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Zermatt, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Zermatt than Villach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Zermatt that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zermatt than Villach if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Zermatt.

One day in Zermatt or Villach?

In Zermatt, you'll find skiing and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Villach, you'll find nightlife and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Zermatt or Villach?

In Zermatt, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zermatt has to offer.

In Villach, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Villach has to offer.

Five days in Zermatt or Villach?

Zermatt is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zermatt has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Villach is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Zermatt or Villach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zermatt. Many people enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting Zermatt. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Villach. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Villach. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zermatt and Villach, we can see that Zermatt is more expensive. And not only is Villach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Villach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Villach and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Zermatt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zermatt than you might in Villach.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zermatt Expensive? and Is Villach Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Zermatt or Villach?

Villach has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Zermatt. When comparing the sizes of Zermatt and Villach, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Zermatt or Villach?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Zermatt or Villach in the Summer?

Both Villach and Zermatt are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zermatt for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Villach because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Zermatt is generally around the same temperature as Villach. Daily temperatures in Zermatt average around 23°C (73°F), and Villach fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Villach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. Zermatt usually receives less sunshine than Villach during summer. Zermatt gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Villach receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Zermatt. In July, Zermatt usually receives more rain than Villach. Zermatt gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Villach receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Zermatt or Villach in the Autumn?

Both Villach and Zermatt during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Zermatt because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Villach this time of year.

Zermatt is around the same temperature as Villach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zermatt averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Villach fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Zermatt often gets less sunshine than Villach. Zermatt gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Villach receives 167 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. Zermatt usually gets more rain in October than Villach. Zermatt gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Villach receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zermatt or Villach in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zermatt and Villach. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zermatt this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Villach for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Zermatt in the winter. In the winter, Zermatt is around the same temperature as Villach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zermatt in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Villach averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Zermatt usually receives more sunshine than Villach during winter. Zermatt gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Villach receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zermatt usually receives around the same amount of rain as Villach. Zermatt gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Villach receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Zermatt or Villach in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zermatt as well as Villach. Many travelers come to Zermatt for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Villach in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Zermatt is generally around the same temperature as Villach. Daily temperatures in Zermatt average around 13°C (55°F), and Villach fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the spring, Zermatt often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Villach. Zermatt gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Villach receives 177 hours of full sun.

Zermatt receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zermatt usually gets more rain in April than Villach. Zermatt gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Villach receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Villach and Zermatt