Valais

Travel Guide

Where 4,000-metre giants meet sunlit vineyards and starlit skies

Stretching from the Rhône Valley to the icy peaks of the Matterhorn, Switzerland’s Valais (Wallis in German) is a land of extremes — and irresistible contrasts. Think 4,000-metre summits, vast glaciers, and some of Europe’s most legendary ski resorts, paired with sun-drenched vineyards, charming stone villages, and steaming thermal baths.

Editor's Pick

Winter Sports in the Aletsch Arena, Valais

Where Silence Fills the Mountains

‘Car-free ski villages! Without traffic, diesel buses or salted roads, everything feels softer, purer – and somehow slower. Here, the walker sets the pace. In the Aletsch Arena you can choose from three such villages. Add the neighbours of Belalp and you’ve got four.’

hansa_sq

Hans Avontuur

|Editor-at-large

Featured STORIES

The Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt, Switzerland, offers stunning views of the Matterhorn and the Alps, especially magical at night under the stars.

Gornergrat, Valais – Dining & Sleeping Under the Stars

A starry night above Zermatt’s glaciers

High above Zermatt, the Gornergrat Railway climbs through snow and silence to the roof of the Alps. By day, the Matterhorn steals the show; by night, the stars take over...
A skier carves down a snow-covered slope in the Swiss Alps, surrounded by majestic mountains and clear blue skies, embodying the spirit of pure adventure.

Les Marécottes, Martigny Région, Valais

Across the border of paradise

Ski touring across the Martigny Region means diving deep into the wild heart of Valais — through steep cols, untouched snowfields and stories steeped in history. From tasting pear brandy..
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Outside

Valais Lifestyle

When the mountains are around the corner, you make grateful use of them. This is how the people of Valais are. Whenever possible, they head out. On skis but increasingly..
Ice cold adventures in Wallis, Switzerland

Pearls of Valais

Canyoning, Hiking & Glacier Trekking Switzerland

In Saas-Fee and the Aletsch, Malte Clavin explored a via ferrata, suspension bridges, nature hikes, monster scooters, delicious local hut cuisine and the adventurous highlight of a glacier hike –..

All Valais Stories

Aletsch Arena, Valais, Switzerland: A timeless winter village scene unfolds as dusk settles, with snow-covered chalets glowing warmly against the darkening mountain landscape.

Winter Sports in the Aletsch Arena, Valais

Where Silence Fills the Mountains

A skier carves down a snow-covered slope in the Swiss Alps, surrounded by majestic mountains and clear blue skies, embodying the spirit of pure adventure.

Les Marécottes, Martigny Région, Valais

Across the border of paradise

The Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt, Switzerland, offers stunning views of the Matterhorn and the Alps, especially magical at night under the stars.

Gornergrat, Valais – Dining & Sleeping Under the Stars

A starry night above Zermatt’s glaciers

18_-SAAS-alpage-1

Outside

Valais Lifestyle

Ice cold adventures in Wallis, Switzerland

Pearls of Valais

Canyoning, Hiking & Glacier Trekking Switzerland

Valais Facts

Destination Flag

Flag_of_Canton_of_Valais.svg

Timezone

Central European Time (CET) — UTC +1 / Daylight Saving Time: UTC +2

Capital

Sion (French) / Sitten (German)

Languages

French, German

Currency

Swiss Franc (CHF)

Country Code

+41

Voltage

230 V / 50 Hz AC

Valais Info

Good to know
  • Best Time to Visit
    Winter brings world-class skiing (December–April), while summer (June–September) means hiking, wildflowers, and glacier views. May and October are for solitude seekers.
  • Language Mix
    Valais is split by language – German in the east, French in the west. A simple ‘Grüezi’ or ‘Bonjour’ earns instant smiles either way.
  • Altitude Awareness
    Many resorts sit above 1,500 metres – drink water, take it slow, and let your lungs catch up to the views.
  • Public Transport Magic
    Trains and cable cars connect even the tiniest villages. The Swiss Travel Pass covers nearly everything – just sit back and watch the Alps glide by.
  • Etiquette 101
    Be on time. Always. And when sharing a toast, make eye contact – it’s practically a national law.
  • Money Matters
    Switzerland uses Swiss francs (CHF), not euros. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, even on mountaintops.
  • Tipping
    Service is included, but rounding up or leaving 5–10% for great service is always appreciated.
  • Stay Charged
    Swiss sockets use Type J plugs. Bring an adapter unless you want your camera to die mid-Matterhorn selfie.
  • Sunshine Capital
    Valais gets over 300 sunny days per year – more than Nice or Barcelona! Pack sunscreen, even for skiing.
  • Peak Performance
    The canton is home to 46 peaks over 4,000 metres, including the Matterhorn, Weisshorn, and Monte Rosa.
  • Wine at Altitude
    Valais is Switzerland’s largest wine region – vineyards grow up to 1,100 metres high. Try the rare Petite Arvine or Heida.
  • Glacier Giant
    The Aletsch Glacier is the longest in the Alps, stretching 23 kilometres – and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Animal Encounters
    Look up! You might spot golden eagles, chamois, or the iconic Alpine ibex balancing effortlessly on cliffs.
  • Fondue’s Birthplace
    The Swiss staple has deep roots in Valais – melted cheese and mountain air are a match made in heaven.
  • Thermal Bliss
    After skiing, soak in the natural hot springs of Leukerbad – the largest alpine spa resort in Europe.
  • Stargazing Haven
    The Gornergrat Observatory, perched at 3,100 metres, is one of Europe’s best places to see the stars (and eat fondue under them).

1. Mont Fort — Summit of the Summits

At 3,300 metres, Mont Fort offers one of the most jaw-dropping views in the Alps – a full 360° sweep from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc. Ride the cable car from Verbier, Nendaz or La Tzoumaz, breathe in the thin air, and if you dare, launch yourself on Europe’s highest zip line.

2. Gornergrat Train — Face to Face with the Matterhorn

Zermatt, framed by glaciers and legendary peaks, boasts the highest ski area in the Alps. Hop aboard the historic Gornergrat Bahn, a cogwheel train climbing straight into the sky, and step out to a view that defines Switzerland: the mighty, perfect pyramid of the Matterhorn.

3. Eggishorn — Where the Glacier Rules

Ten billion tons of slow-moving ice carve their way through the mountains here. The Great Aletsch Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the Alps’ largest and most awe-inspiring river of ice. From the Eggishorn viewpoint, the scale is staggering, the silence humbling.

4. Barryland — Home of the Legendary St. Bernards

Icons of the Valais, St. Bernard dogs have been bred by monks on the Great St. Bernard Pass since the 17th century. At Barryland in Martigny, meet these gentle giants, explore the museum, and maybe melt a little inside when you meet the new puppies.

5. Bisse de Clavau — Vineyards in the Sky

Between Sion and St. Léonard runs the Bisse de Clavau, a historic irrigation channel meandering through sun-drenched, terraced vineyards. Walk along its winding trail, sample a local wine, and gaze across the Rhône valley — a view as rich as the land itself.

High in the side valleys of the Rhône, time seems to slow. Ancient wooden chalets bronzed by the sun, barns balanced on stone ‘mushrooms’, and winding cobbled lanes tell stories of centuries of mountain life. These five villages, among the Most Beautiful Villages in Switzerland, are living postcards of heritage and alpine soul.

1. Albinen – Located high above the Dala Valley, Albinen basks in sunlight and silence. Its narrow alleys twist between centuries-old chalets and barns resting on stone stilts — a clever trick to keep out mice and snow. From here, paths lead to the historic Gemmi Pass and the thermal town of Leukerbad. Few places capture the raw charm of old Valais quite like Albinen.

2. Évolène – Hidden in the Val d’Hérens, Évolène looks exactly like the Switzerland on vintage postcards. Locals still wear traditional dress on feast days, and their dialect – unlike any other in the Alps – still fills the air. Carnival here is legendary, blending masks, music, and ancient rituals.

3. Ernen – Overlooking the Goms Valley, Ernen feels lifted straight from a storybook. Its baroque church rises proudly over wooden chalets dating back to the 15th century, clustered around an old fountain. The Tellenhaus bears a 16th-century mural of William Tell — crossbow raised, legend alive. History breathes here, quietly but unmistakably.

4. Grimentz – With its sun-blackened barns, flower-laden balconies and cobbled lanes, Grimentz is the kind of mountain village you dream of discovering. Every corner bursts with colour and life. It’s also home to Vin des Glaciers, an ancient white wine aged in larch barrels and passed from generation to generation. A sip of Grimentz is a taste of eternity.

5. Niedergesteln – Once a fortified trading post founded by Savoyard merchants, Niedergesteln still wears its medieval heart on its sleeve. Follow the Ritterweg (Knights’ Road) past carved wooden knights and up to the ruins of Gestelnburg Castle. A suspension bridge spans the Jolischlucht Gorge, linking past and present. With its old farmhouses and clock museum, Niedergesteln remains a proud guardian of Valais tradition.

See all Most Beautiful Villages in Valais here.

Plan Your Trip

Go Stargazing at 3,000 Metres

There are three ways to stargaze in Zermatt: from the village with your head tilted back, by staying overnight at 3,000 metres, or by booking Dining with the Stars on the Gornergrat Railway. In the last two cases, clear skies guarantee a celestial show – with almost zero light pollution. Even the train ride itself – up in daylight, down in darkness – is unforgettable.

WideOyster Journeys

We know where to go. We know the best places to stay. And we know the local partners who turn a trip into something unforgettable. That’s why when we design your journey, it isn’t just a holiday. It’s a story you’ll carry for life.

Our mission is simple: to inspire you to explore the world with curiosity, optimism, enthusiasm, and respect. To connect with cultures, to marvel at breathtaking landscapes, and to embrace the beauty of untamed nature.

So, tell us — what once-in-a-lifetime adventure may we design for you?

Taste the good life

Immerse yourself in the good life of the Martigny Region. Winter here means unspoiled alpine landscapes, fascinating museums, superb wines, healing waters, and charming villages — with or without skis.

WideOyster Journeys

We know where to go. We know the best places to stay. And we know the local partners who turn a trip into something unforgettable. That’s why when we design your journey, it isn’t just a holiday. It’s a story you’ll carry for life.

Our mission is simple: to inspire you to explore the world with curiosity, optimism, enthusiasm, and respect. To connect with cultures, to marvel at breathtaking landscapes, and to embrace the beauty of untamed nature.

So, tell us — what once-in-a-lifetime adventure may we design for you?

A Winter Fairytale Without Cars

Without traffic, a ski village becomes its own small universe. Snow stays on the roads, children play safely outside, and the pace slows to that of a wandering soul. Build snowmen, pull sleds, breathe deep. Switzerland has more car-free ski villages than any other alpine country.

WideOyster Journeys

We know where to go. We know the best places to stay. And we know the local partners who turn a trip into something unforgettable. That’s why when we design your journey, it isn’t just a holiday. It’s a story you’ll carry for life.

Our mission is simple: to inspire you to explore the world with curiosity, optimism, enthusiasm, and respect. To connect with cultures, to marvel at breathtaking landscapes, and to embrace the beauty of untamed nature.

So, tell us — what once-in-a-lifetime adventure may we design for you?

Plan Your Trip

Go Stargazing at 3,000 Metres

There are three ways to stargaze in Zermatt: from the village with your head tilted back, by staying overnight at 3,000 metres, or by booking Dining with the Stars on the Gornergrat Railway. In the last two cases, clear skies guarantee a celestial show – with almost zero light pollution. Even the train ride itself – up in daylight, down in darkness – is unforgettable.

WideOyster Journeys

We know where to go. We know the best places to stay. And we know the local partners who turn a trip into something unforgettable. That’s why when we design your journey, it isn’t just a holiday. It’s a story you’ll carry for life.

Our mission is simple: to inspire you to explore the world with curiosity, optimism, enthusiasm, and respect. To connect with cultures, to marvel at breathtaking landscapes, and to embrace the beauty of untamed nature.

So, tell us — what once-in-a-lifetime adventure may we design for you?

Taste the good life

Immerse yourself in the good life of the Martigny Region. Winter here means unspoiled alpine landscapes, fascinating museums, superb wines, healing waters, and charming villages — with or without skis.

WideOyster Journeys

We know where to go. We know the best places to stay. And we know the local partners who turn a trip into something unforgettable. That’s why when we design your journey, it isn’t just a holiday. It’s a story you’ll carry for life.

Our mission is simple: to inspire you to explore the world with curiosity, optimism, enthusiasm, and respect. To connect with cultures, to marvel at breathtaking landscapes, and to embrace the beauty of untamed nature.

So, tell us — what once-in-a-lifetime adventure may we design for you?

A Winter Fairytale Without Cars

Without traffic, a ski village becomes its own small universe. Snow stays on the roads, children play safely outside, and the pace slows to that of a wandering soul. Build snowmen, pull sleds, breathe deep. Switzerland has more car-free ski villages than any other alpine country.

WideOyster Journeys

We know where to go. We know the best places to stay. And we know the local partners who turn a trip into something unforgettable. That’s why when we design your journey, it isn’t just a holiday. It’s a story you’ll carry for life.

Our mission is simple: to inspire you to explore the world with curiosity, optimism, enthusiasm, and respect. To connect with cultures, to marvel at breathtaking landscapes, and to embrace the beauty of untamed nature.

So, tell us — what once-in-a-lifetime adventure may we design for you?

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