Home to the pyramidal-shaped Matterhorn, the Canton of Valais is a bilingual region in Switzerland’s south. It encompasses a spectacular valley that leads between two mountain ranges and is home to the largest glacier in the Alps. In addition to historically rich cities, it boasts picturesque alpine resorts offering year-round activities.
Things to do in Valais
Whether you want to discover the architectural monuments of Sion or ride the legendary Glacier Express, the Canton of Valais is easily accessible from Geneva.
Get active in Zermatt. Nestled at the foot of the Matterhorn is the resort town of Zermatt, a hub for skiing and snowboarding in the winter months and hiking in the summer. After a day spent exploring the great outdoors, you can take advantage of the lively après-ski scene along the town’s main street, Bahnhofstrasse. Zermatt is also the departure point for the Glacier Express train.
Sightsee in Sion. Serving as the capital of Valais, Sion is a sun-drenched city in the heart of the canton. It’s renowned for its hilltop fortifications, which include the turreted Tourbillon Castle and the centuries-old Valère Basilica, home to one of the oldest functioning organs in the world. In the heart of Sion is the monumental Cathedral of Notre-Dame-du-Glarier and the inspiring galleries of the Valais Art Museum.
Visit the Aletsch Glacier. Stretching for around 23 kilometres in the eastern Bernese Alps, the Aletsch Glacier is one of the Canton of Valais’ most impressive natural attractions. Ride the cable car that leads to the Bettmergrat ridge, from where it’s a short hike to the 2,858-metre-high summit of Bettermerhorn - the best location for viewing the glacier.
Getting around Valais
Geneva International Airport is just over an hour’s drive west of the Canton of Valais while Zurich Airport is best for accessing the region’s north-east. Trains travel from Geneva, Lausanne and Milan to towns throughout the valley. Buses connect from the local railway stations to most of the Canton of Valais’ villages.