Sunny summer morning in Zermatt village with Matterhorn (Monte Cervino, Mont Cervin) peak on backgroud. Beautiful outdoor scene in Swiss Alps, Valais canton, Switzerland, Europe.

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Valais

Natural beauty Valais has a tale of rags to riches, of changing seasons and celebrities, of an outdoors so fantastic it's always fashionable. Wedged in a remote corner of southern Switzerland, this is where farmers were so poor they didn’t have two francs to rub together a century ago and where luminaries flock today to sip Champagne cocktails in posh Verbier nightclubs.

Best Places to Visit

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • A hiker explores the Aletsch glacier.

    Aletsch Glacier

    Valais

    If ever a view in Switzerland is going to leave you dumbstruck (and there are a few great ones to choose from!), it will surely be the infinite swoop of…

  • The Pierre Gianadda Foundation

    Fondation Pierre Gianadda

    Valais

    This renowned gallery harbours a stunning art collection with works by Picasso, Cézanne and Van Gogh. The sculpture garden (with cafe and picnic area)…

  • The medieval Château de la Bâtiaz in Martigny, Valais, Switzerland.

    Château de la Bâtiaz

    Valais

    Clinging to a crag above town, 800-year-old Bâtiaz Castle is worth the 15-minute uphill climb. Once there, add another 120 steps to the top of castle for…

  • Autumn view from the Furka Pass, Switzerland.

    Furka Pass

    Valais

    Marking the cantonal frontier with Uri is the vertiginous Furka Pass (2431m), the run up to which offers superlative views over the fissured Rhône glacier…

  • The Valere Basilica, an ancient fortified church in Sion, Canton of Valais, Switzerland.

    Château de Valère

    Valais

    Slung on a hillock opposite Château de Tourbillon is this 11th- to 13th-century château that grew up around a fortified basilica. The church interior…

  • Rhone Glacier.

    Rhône Glacier

    Valais

    Coming from Valais, the mesmerising Rhône Glacier is first seen from the tiny hamlet of Gletsch. This glacier is the source of the Rhône River, which…

  • Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

    Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

    Zermatt

    Views from Zermatt’s cable cars are all remarkable, but the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is the icing on the cake. Ride the world's highest-altitude 3S…

  • Fondation Pierre Arnaud

    Fondation Pierre Arnaud

    Valais

    Don't miss this stunning art gallery with mountain peaks looming large on its dazzling mirrored facade and silver-leafed edelweiss in the Alpine rooftop…

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Vineyard in Valais canton, near Sierre, Sion and Martigny, Switzerland; Shutterstock ID 253309927; purchase_order: 65050; job: Lonely Planet Online Editorial; client: Best places in Valais; other: Brian Healy 253309927 agricultural, agriculture, alpine, alps, building, chalet, cloud, cloudy, cottage, countryside, cultivation, culture, field, fresh, fruit, grape, green, grow, growing, harvest, hill, house, hut, landscape, mist, misty, mountain, nature, outdoor, pastoral, pole, produce, rain, rainy, ripe, row, rural, scene, scenery, scenic, summer, swiss, town, travel, valais, valley, village, vines, wine, winery Vineyard in Valais canton, near Sierre, Sion and Martigny, Switzerland

Hiking

The 9 top things to do in Valais, Switzerland

Sep 13, 2024 • 7 min read

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Go Beyond

Valais and beyond

Beyond Valais
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