Daily Goat Parade in Zermatt

Their furs are half black, half white. Some call them glacier goats. And they can be spotted from miles away. We are talking about the most famous residents of Switzerland’s southern mountains, the Valais Blackneck goats.

These pesky creatures are known to sunbathe in the middle of a hiking path. No wonder they are some of the most photographed goats in the world…

A perfect photo op

For seven weeks this summer, a herd of about 50 blackneck goats will pass through Zermatt’s main street twice a day. Every morning around 9 AM and in the evening at about 5 PM, hundreds of guests will be lining up to photographs these goats as part of the Zermatt Goats’ Parade.

Insider’s Tip: Spend the night at Romantik Hotel Julen

Across the river from Zermatt’s busy main street is the four star Romantik Hotel Julen. When you spend time in the mountains, the last place you would want to stay at is a generic hotel room. We endorse this hotel because it is family run and offers rooms that will make you exclaim “typically Swiss”!

Each room at the Romantik Hotel Julen is chalet style and comes with a balcony featuring unobstructed views of the Matterhorn. What else can you ask for?

(Photograph copyright Romantik Hotel Julen)