Valais
Valais draws travelers for its high Alpine valleys, Matterhorn views, glacier hiking and ski areas, and wines grown on steep terraces above the Rhône.
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Valais is a canton in southwestern Switzerland, bordered by Italy to the south and France to the west. The upper Rhône valley runs through its center, with farmland and vineyards on the valley floor and mountains rising steeply on both sides. The Matterhorn stands on the border with Italy. German is spoken in the upper valley and French in the lower valley, so road signs and menus change as you travel along it.
People come for the high mountains, glaciers and ski areas, and for villages above the valley floor. The Aletsch Glacier, the largest in the Alps, lies in this canton. Valais is also known for its wines, mostly white, grown on terraced slopes. The region suits hikers, skiers and travelers who want slow mornings in small villages. Summer, roughly June to September, is the season for hiking and cable cars, and winter is for skiing. Allow four or five days to see more than one valley.
Valais in five
- Leave the car at Täsch for the shuttle trainZermatt is car-free, so drivers park at Täsch and take the shuttle train into the village, about 12 minutes. Plan your luggage for that short transfer.Getting around
- Ride the Gornergrat early for the viewThe Gornergrat cog railway climbs from Zermatt to a viewpoint at about 3,100 m. Cloud can cover the peaks later in the day, so the first trains give the best chance of a clear view.
- Carry Swiss francs for huts and small kiosksCards work in most hotels, shops and restaurants, but some mountain huts and kiosks prefer cash. Pay in francs (CHF).Money and costs
- Set up an eSIM before you reach the mountainsMobile signal is good in the village but can fade on higher trails and cable car sections. Download offline maps for the trail before you go up.Phones and eSIM
- Dress in layers for Matterhorn Glacier ParadiseThe top station sits at about 3,800 m, and it is much colder than the valley even in summer. Pack a windproof layer, gloves and sun protection.
Things to do in Valais
See all attractions in Valais
Need to know
- Currency
- Swiss franc (CHF)
- Entry
- Schengen rules; many passports visa-free for short stays, others need a Schengen visa Read more
- Emergency
- 117 police, 118 fire, 144 ambulance; 112 also works
- Tipping
- Service included; rounding up or a small extra is customary
- Time
- UTC+1, daylight saving to UTC+2 (CEST) in summer
Weather by month
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, ski season
- FebruarySki peak, cold
- MarchSunny spring skiing
- AprilLifts winding down
- MayQuiet, some closures
- JuneHiking season opens
- JulyHiking peak, clear
- AugustHiking peak, busy
- SeptemberClear, quieter
- OctoberAutumn, quieter
- NovemberLifts often closed
- DecemberSki season opens
Festivals: Jul Verbier Festival · Aug Verbier Festival
Right now in Valais
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
0
- Feels like
- -4°
- Humidity
- 52%
- Wind
- 3 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Valais
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today2°-4°0%Monday: Clear. High 2°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue0°-3°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 0°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed0°-4°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 0°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu3°-2°2%Thursday: Snow. High 3°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri1°-2°40%Friday: Snow. High 1°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 40%.
- Sat1°-3°27%Saturday: Fog. High 1°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Sun1°-3°23%Sunday: Snow. High 1°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 23%.
Updated 05:45 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8245 CHF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Feb–MarCarnival in BernBern, a day trip
- Feb–MarRabadanTicino, a day trip
- Jun–JulAscona Jazz FestivalLocarno, a day trip
- JunGreenfield FestivalInterlaken, a day trip
- Jul–AugVerbier FestivalValais
- JulMontreux Jazz FestivalMontreux, a day trip
- Jul–SepMenuhin Festival GstaadBernese Oberland, a day trip
- JulGurtenfestivalBern, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Gornergratabout 35 min by cog railwayA cog railway from Zermatt to a viewpoint at about 3,100 m, with Matterhorn views.
- Saas-Feeabout 2 hours by train and busA car-free village below glaciers, quieter than Zermatt in summer.
- Sionabout 1.5 hours by trainThe Valais capital, with two hilltop castles, Valère and Tourbillon, above the old town.
Before you go to Valais
Rules for Valais, checked
- Switzerland is in the Schengen area. Check whether your passport needs a visa and how long it must be valid with the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).Source
- Avalanche risk is high off piste and on high trails in winter. Check the daily bulletin from the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) before you go.Source
- Private cars are not allowed in Zermatt village. Park at Täsch and use the shuttle train, or take the rail line from Visp.
- Stay on marked trails and obey closures on the mountain, since some paths and lifts close for safety or maintenance.
Plan around Valais
The village, the rail links and the main sights of the Matterhorn town.
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains from Visp, the Täsch shuttle and the mountain railways.
Read the guideMoney and costsPrices, cards and cash for a trip to the Alps.
Read the guideVisas and entrySchengen entry rules and passport checks before you fly.
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses in the village and the valley.
Read the guideValais FAQ
Is Zermatt worth visiting?
Yes, if you want high mountains, mountain railways and hiking with the Matterhorn in view. It is expensive, and with no cars in the village you will walk and ride trains for most of the day.
How many days do you need in Zermatt?
Two nights cover the Gornergrat railway, one hike and a clear morning for the view. A third night helps if you want a glacier trip, and cloud can cost you a day.
How do you get to Zermatt without a car?
Take the train to Visp, then the Visp to Zermatt line, or drive to Täsch and take the shuttle train. Private cars stop at Täsch, so bags move by train or electric taxi.
Can you see the Matterhorn from Zermatt?
Yes, it is visible from much of the village and from the Gornergrat. Cloud can hide the summit, so early in the day gives the best chance.
When is the best time to visit Zermatt?
July to September suits hiking and clear views, and January to March suits skiing. Late spring and November are quieter, and some lifts and restaurants close for maintenance then.
Is Zermatt expensive?
Yes. Hotels and meals cost more than in many other Swiss towns, and rail fares add up. The costs table below lists four spending categories.