The letter Z sits quietly at the end of the alphabet, but in the travel world it marks some of the planet’s most striking destinations. From jagged Alpine peaks to coral-ringed islands and desert-edged national parks, places that start with Z tend to be dramatic, often less crowded, and full of character. For curious travelers searching beyond the usual “bucket list” circuit, following the trail of Z opens up a surprisingly rich atlas of landscapes and cultures.
Zermatt: Life in the Shadow of the Matterhorn
Zermatt in southern Switzerland is a village that reads like a postcard brought to life. Hemmed in by high peaks at the head of a valley and dominated by the unmistakable pyramid of the Matterhorn, it has long drawn mountaineers, skiers, and sightseers. The village itself is compact and atmospheric, a place of slate-roofed chalets and narrow lanes where the clink of cowbells can be heard above the murmur of après-ski bars.
One of Zermatt’s defining features is its car-free core. Arrivals leave vehicles in nearby Täsch and continue by shuttle train or electric taxis, which gives the village an unusually calm feel for such a major resort. Visitors move around on foot, by e-bike, or on small electric buses, while trains and cable cars fan out into the mountains. The Gornergrat Railway climbs to more than 3,000 meters, revealing a panorama of glaciers and 4,000-meter summits that can rival anywhere in the Alps.
Winter here is dominated by skiing and snowboarding across a high-altitude domain shared with neighboring Italy. Long, linked runs, reliable snow, and views of the Matterhorn from multiple angles justify the resort’s global reputation. In summer, the same slopes turn into a network of hiking and biking trails. Paths range from gentle balcony walks past mountain lakes to demanding ascents suited to experienced climbers. For many visitors, simply riding a lift to one of the panoramic viewpoints and strolling among the alpine wildflowers is reward enough.
Zanzibar: Spices, Swahili Culture, and the Indian Ocean
Floating off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar is technically an archipelago, but most travelers mean Unguja Island when they say they are going to “Zanzibar.” It is a place where the scent of cloves and cinnamon drifts on warm air and dhows with triangular sails still glide across turquoise shallows. The island’s layered history as a hub of trade between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia is visible in its architecture, languages, and food.
Stone Town, the historic heart of Zanzibar City, is the obvious starting point. Its tight maze of alleys, carved wooden doors, and coral-stone houses reflects centuries of Omani, Persian, and Indian influences woven into Swahili culture. Small mosques, bustling markets, and waterfront squares give the district a lived-in intensity that rewards slow exploration. Museums and restored historic buildings tell a more sobering story about the island’s role in the Indian Ocean slave trade, making a guided visit both fascinating and moving.
Beyond Stone Town, most visitors head for the beaches that ring the island. On the east coast, long white strands meet a broad reef, creating pale, shallow lagoons ideal for wading and kitesurfing at low tide, then for snorkeling and diving beyond the drop-off. The north and northwest coasts offer deeper water close to shore, more conventional swimming, and spectacular sunsets over the open sea. Offshore, coral gardens host reef fish, turtles, and occasionally dolphins, while traditional spice farms in the interior demonstrate why Zanzibar once held such strategic economic significance.
Zion National Park: Sandstone Cathedrals in the Desert
In the red rock country of southwestern Utah, Zion National Park has become one of the most recognizable landscapes in the American West. Towering sandstone walls rise thousands of feet above the Virgin River, forming a canyon that feels, at times, like a natural cathedral. The play of sun and shadow across the cliffs shifts in color from soft rose to deep rust as the day advances, creating endlessly changing scenes for hikers and photographers.
The park’s main canyon is largely accessed by shuttle buses for much of the year, which reduces traffic and encourages visitors to step out and walk. Trails here have taken on nearly mythic status. The Narrows invites you to hike directly in the river through a slot canyon where the walls squeeze in dramatically above the water. Angels Landing, a far more exposed climb with chains bolted into the rock near its airy summit ridge, is limited by permit to manage crowds and safety. Easier options include riverside strolls and family-friendly paths to viewpoints where you can admire the canyon without strenuous effort.
Outside the main canyon, Kolob Canyons and the higher plateaus offer a quieter experience, with trails crossing meadows and ponderosa forests that feel a world away from the desert below. Wildlife sightings might include mule deer, bighorn sheep, and a wide range of birdlife. Nearby gateway towns supply lodging, dining, outfitters, and seasonal activities like canyoneering tours, which explore the region’s lesser-known sandstone ravines.
Zurich: Between Lake, River, and Alps
Zurich is often introduced as Switzerland’s financial capital, yet as a destination it is far more inviting than that reputation suggests. The city occupies a strategic and scenic position at the point where the Limmat River flows out of Lake Zurich, with distant views of the Alps on clear days. A compact historic core, efficient public transit, and a vibrant cultural scene combine to make it an appealing base for both urban exploration and day trips into the surrounding countryside.
The old town straddles both sides of the river, its steep lanes lined with guild houses, churches, and buildings whose painted facades tell stories from the city’s mercantile past. Cafés, galleries, and bookshops sit alongside traditional restaurants and contemporary boutiques. Just beyond, the former industrial district has transformed into a quarter of design studios, performance spaces, and repurposed warehouses, reflecting Zurich’s evolving identity as a creative hub as well as a financial powerhouse.
Outdoor life is central to the city’s appeal. In summer, locals flock to riverside and lakeside swimming areas, some of them historic bathing complexes that double as social meeting points. Ferries crisscross the lake, offering breezy outings to small towns and vineyards on its shores. In winter, frequent trains carry skiers and snowboarders from Zurich’s main station to nearby resorts, making it possible to pair a museum morning with afternoon runs on the slopes when conditions allow.
Zagreb and Zadar: Two Faces of Croatia’s Z
Croatia offers a pair of notable Z destinations that complement each other well: the inland capital, Zagreb, and the coastal city of Zadar. Together they showcase the country’s mixture of Central European and Mediterranean influences. Travelers often encounter one or both when making their way along the Adriatic coast or between neighboring countries in the Balkans and Central Europe.
Zagreb, set a little way inland, is a city of trams, leafy squares, and Austro-Hungarian architecture. Its compact upper and lower towns are easily explored on foot, taking in the cathedral, markets, and hillside streets lit by traditional gas lamps that are still manually lit in the evenings. The food scene reflects both continental heartiness and Mediterranean lightness, while a growing network of museums and galleries gives visitors a nuanced picture of Croatia’s history and contemporary culture.
Several hours to the southwest, Zadar sits on a peninsula that juts into the Adriatic, its historic center a tapestry of Roman ruins, medieval churches, and modern installations. The city’s waterfront is famously home to an experimental “sea organ,” whose underwater pipes turn the motion of waves into haunting, ever-changing music, and a large circular light installation that captures and replays solar energy as colorful patterns after dark. Offshore, a necklace of islands and nearby national parks make Zadar a practical gateway for sailing, kayaking, and hiking excursions.
Zakynthos and Zhangjiajie: Landscapes Made for Photographs
Some Z destinations are known primarily for one unforgettable image, yet reward visitors who look beyond the postcard shot. Zakynthos, a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, is instantly recognizable for Navagio Beach, a crescent of white sand backed by sheer cliffs and framed by almost unreal blue water. Visible from high viewpoints as well as from boat excursions, it has become one of the most photographed coastal scenes in the Mediterranean.
Elsewhere on Zakynthos, gentler beaches, small villages, and olive groves offer a slower rhythm. The island’s marine park protects nesting sites for loggerhead turtles, and strict regulations around certain beaches during breeding season give visitors a chance to witness conservation efforts in action. Inland, winding roads and hiking paths introduce quieter corners that still feel far removed from mass tourism, especially outside the peak summer months.
On the other side of the world, China’s Zhangjiajie region in Hunan province has achieved global fame thanks to its forest of sandstone pillars obscured by mist. These formations inspired fantastical settings in popular films, and they genuinely look otherworldly when glimpsed from cable cars and cliff-edge walkways. Elevated glass bridges, hanging paths, and scenic elevators give access to vistas that can be dizzying both literally and visually.
Beyond its headline viewpoints, Zhangjiajie encompasses forests, rivers, and traditional villages where visitors can encounter local food and customs. The terrain and infrastructure can be demanding for those unused to heights or long days on their feet, so planning a visit with rest days and careful route choices is important. The payoff is an immersion in one of the world’s most dramatic combinations of geology and vegetation.
Zimbabwe and Zambia: Rivers, Falls, and Wild Frontiers
In southern Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia provide a different strand of the Z story, one defined by great rivers, wildlife, and frontier-like landscapes. The two countries share Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi River plunges into a narrow gorge in a curtain of water that can reach more than a kilometer across in the wet season. The surrounding area is a hub for both relaxed sightseeing and adrenaline pursuits such as bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, and helicopter flights over the falls.
On the Zimbabwean side, national parks like Hwange safeguard vast tracts of savanna dotted with waterholes that attract elephants, lions, and other iconic species, especially during the dry months. Lodges and guided safaris range from basic to luxurious, but even simple game drives can produce encounters that linger in memory far longer than any checklist of sightings. Cultural tourism initiatives, meanwhile, aim to connect visitors with local communities and historical sites such as the stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe.
Zambia, which takes its name directly from the Zambezi, showcases a more low-key, wilderness-oriented style of tourism. South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks are particularly known for walking safaris, canoe trips, and camps that blend into the bush rather than stand apart from it. Night drives, where permitted, reveal nocturnal animals that are rarely seen by day, while the rhythm of river life sets the pace in many areas.
Both countries face economic and environmental challenges, but responsible tourism can play a role in supporting conservation and livelihoods when managed carefully. Travelers who choose locally owned accommodations, respect park guidelines, and remain aware of seasonal conditions tend to have richer, more grounded experiences in these destinations.
The Takeaway
Travelers who follow the alphabet’s final letter find that Z marks not the end of their options, but a set of destinations that stand out for their scenery, stories, and sense of place. High Alpine villages with car-free streets, coral-fringed islands steeped in spice and trade, canyonlands carved by ancient rivers, and wildlife reserves along powerful waterways all appear on this quiet section of the map.
What links Zermatt, Zanzibar, Zion, Zurich, Zagreb, Zadar, Zakynthos, Zhangjiajie, Zimbabwe, and Zambia is not geography or language but impact. These are places where the landscapes feel oversized, where history has left deep layers, and where even a short visit can produce images and encounters that stay with you. For travelers assembling their own personal A to Z of the world, the destinations beginning with Z make a fittingly memorable finale.
FAQ
Q1. Are Z destinations generally harder to reach than more famous travel spots?
Many Z destinations require at least one connection, but they are not necessarily difficult to reach. Cities like Zurich and Zagreb are major transport hubs, while places such as Zanzibar, Victoria Falls, and Zakynthos have seasonal or year-round international flights supplemented by regional links.
Q2. Which Z destination is best for a first-time trip to Africa?
For many travelers, Victoria Falls on either the Zimbabwean or Zambian side is an accessible introduction, combining dramatic scenery with established tourism infrastructure. It can easily be paired with a short safari in nearby national parks.
Q3. Is Zermatt suitable for non-skiers or people who do not hike?
Yes. Even without skiing or serious hiking, visitors can ride mountain railways, stroll through the village, enjoy spa facilities, and take short, gentle walks to viewpoints and mountain restaurants that require minimal effort.
Q4. When is the best time to visit Zanzibar for good weather and fewer crowds?
Shoulder periods around late June to early July and again in late September to early November often offer a balance of pleasant weather and lighter visitor numbers compared with peak holiday seasons, though exact conditions vary year by year.
Q5. Do I need special permits to hike famous trails in Zion National Park?
Certain routes, such as Angels Landing, require advance permits to help manage safety and crowding. Other popular trails do not require permits but may be subject to seasonal closures or shuttle-only access, so checking current park regulations before travel is essential.
Q6. Is Zurich too expensive for budget-conscious travelers?
Zurich has a reputation for high prices, but costs can be moderated by using public transport, staying in budget or suburban accommodations, taking advantage of picnic-friendly parks, and planning a mix of free and paid activities.
Q7. How many days should I plan for Zagreb and Zadar?
A combined trip of five to seven days allows time to explore both cities comfortably, with room for side excursions to nearby islands, national parks, or inland towns without feeling rushed.
Q8. Are Zakynthos and other Greek islands starting with Z suitable for families?
Zakynthos in particular can work well for families, with shallow beaches, boat trips, and relaxed resort areas, though some coves and viewpoints involve steep steps or boat access that may not suit very young children.
Q9. Is Zhangjiajie a good destination for travelers afraid of heights?
Many of Zhangjiajie’s most famous viewpoints involve sheer drops, glass walkways, or high cable cars, which can be challenging for those with a fear of heights. It is possible to tailor a visit toward lower, less exposed areas, but travelers with severe vertigo should consider this carefully.
Q10. How can I travel responsibly in wildlife areas of Zimbabwe and Zambia?
Choosing operators who prioritize conservation, following park rules, keeping a respectful distance from animals, minimizing plastic use, and supporting community-owned or community-partnered lodges are all practical steps toward responsible travel in these regions.