Valais is the land of high peaks and sunshine. The most famous sight is the Matterhorn towering over Zermatt. Since Zermatt is car-free, families can walk safely through the streets, dodging only the quiet electric taxis and horse-drawn carriages. The Gornergrat Bahn cogwheel train takes you up to a viewing platform where you can see 29 different 4,000-meter peaks. In summer, the lake at Riffelsee reflects the mountain perfectly and offers a great picnic spot.
Animal lovers must visit Barryland in Martigny, a living museum dedicated to the St. Bernard rescue dogs. Families can watch the puppies playing and learn about the history of these gentle giants. Another unique natural wonder is the St-Léonard Underground Lake, the largest of its kind in Europe. A guided boat trip takes you into the silent, illuminated cavern—a mystical experience that fascinates children.
For active families, the Aletsch Arena offers views of the longest glacier in the Alps. The hiking trails here are well-marked, and you can take a cable car up to viewpoints like Eggishorn. If relaxation is needed, Leukerbad is famous for its thermal waters. The public baths are very family-oriented, featuring waterslides and children's pools alongside the hot soaking basins. In the Saas-Fee region, the resident marmots are so tame they often come out to be fed carrots by visitors, providing an unforgettable wildlife encounter.
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Activities & Best Times
Hiking, wildlife, outdoor exploration, ecotourism
Featuring 45 peaks over 4,000m and the UNESCO-listed Great Aletsch Glacier, this is a premier global destination for high-alpine hiking and mountaineering. Peak summer months (July-August) ensure accessible trails and the best visibility; shoulder months can be prone to late-season snow or early frosts that limit high-altitude access.
Winter sports, ski resorts, snow activities
Home to iconic resorts like Zermatt and Verbier, Valais offers world-class infrastructure and reliable high-altitude snow coverage (averaging -5°C to -3°C in winter). Peak season provides pristine powder and authentic après-ski culture; shoulder months offer spring skiing with variable snow depth and warmer midday temps.
Sport tourism, fitness activities, active recreation
A world-class hub for mountain biking, paragliding, and rock climbing with highly developed professional infrastructure. Optimal conditions occur during the warmest months (max 20°C); shoulder months are suitable for lower-valley activities but high-altitude terrain remains restricted by temperature and lingering snow.
Spa retreats, wellness centers, peaceful getaways
Features renowned thermal spa destinations like Leukerbad and high-end luxury wellness retreats in Zermatt that cater to discerning global travelers. Peak periods align with the 'snow-and-spa' winter experience and the refreshing summer mountain air; off-season periods often coincide with resort maintenance and less favorable weather.
Scenic drives, countryside tours, route-based travel
Offers spectacular drives through the Furka, Grimsel, and Nufenen passes, featuring some of Europe's most dramatic alpine scenery. Peak months provide clear roads and maximum visibility; most high passes are closed due to heavy snowfall (over 100mm monthly precip) from October through May.
Urban tourism, museums, historical sites, architecture
The historic town of Sion and the Rhône Valley vineyards offer authentic Roman history and world-class viticulture. Summer and harvest periods (June-September) provide the best climate for exploring heritage sites and vineyards, while winter temperatures often drop below freezing, shifting the regional focus away from urban exploration.
Learning experiences, scientific sites, historical education
Provides unique learning opportunities regarding glaciology, alpine ecology, and the history of mountaineering at the Matterhorn Museum. Peak summer offers the best access to outdoor educational trails and glacier viewing platforms; winter conditions significantly limit safe access to natural research sites.
Events, celebrations, seasonal attractions
Hosts authentic cultural events such as the Zermatt Unplugged music festival (April) and traditional cow-fighting finals and grape harvests (September). These specific months offer high-quality, culturally unique experiences, while other months lack significant events of international standing.
Attractions (58 total)
Adventure Park / Outdoor Activity Center
Alaïa Bay
Sion
Continental Europe's first surfing wave pool, providing a high-performance surfing experience in a stunning Alpine setting.
Visit website →Le Labyrinthe Aventure
Evionnaz
The world's largest permanent hedge maze featuring giant slides, climbing walls, and various family-friendly outdoor challenges.
Visit website →Champéry Aventure Team Parc
Champéry
An adventure park in the forest featuring zip lines, high-wire bridges, and a unique climbing wall under a bridge.
Visit website →Western City
Martigny
An American Old West-themed park offering laser tag, mini-golf, and over 50 outdoor activities for children.
Visit website →Alaïa Chalet
Lens
An indoor and outdoor action sports center with high-end facilities for skateboarding, trampolining, and gymnastics.
Visit website →Forest Fun Park
Zermatt
A high ropes adventure course nestled in the forest offering various skill levels and spectacular views of the Matterhorn.
Visit website →Parc Aventure Sion
Sion
An expansive treetop adventure park located in the Les Iles nature area, featuring multiple courses and lake-crossing zip lines.
Visit website →Landmark / Monument / Iconic Urban Attraction
Aletsch Glacier
Fiesch
The largest glacier in the Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing a massive 23-kilometer river of ice visible from several panoramic viewpoints.
Visit website →Gornergrat
Zermatt
A high-altitude mountain ridge accessible by cogwheel train, offering the most iconic panoramic views of the Matterhorn and surrounding 4,000-meter peaks.
Visit website →Grande Dixence Dam
Hérémence
The world's highest gravity dam, an engineering marvel where visitors can take a cable car to the top or explore the interior tunnels.
Visit website →Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
Zermatt
The highest cable car station in Europe at 3,883 meters, featuring an ice palace carved inside the glacier and year-round snow.
Visit website →Saint-Maurice Abbey
Saint-Maurice
A 1,500-year-old monastery known for its exceptional treasury of gold religious artifacts and its location against a sheer cliff.
Visit website →Château de Tourbillon
Sion
A dramatic 13th-century ruined castle perched on a rocky hill, serving as a symbol of the city and offering views over the Rhône Valley.
Visit website →Stockalper Palace
Brig
A magnificent 17th-century Baroque palace featuring three iconic towers with gilded domes, built by a wealthy merchant prince.
Visit website →Valère Basilica
Sion
A fortified church housing the world's oldest playable organ, located on a hilltop opposite the Tourbillon castle.
Visit website →Water Park / Splash Park / Aquatic Centre
Aquaparc
Le Bouveret
A massive indoor and outdoor water park featuring high-speed slides, a lazy river, and a pirate-themed children's area on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Visit website →Leukerbad-Therme
Leukerbad
The largest thermal spa resort in the Alps, offering ten different pools, multiple slides, and stunning views of the surrounding Daubenhorn cliffs.
Visit website →Thermalbad Brigerbad
Brigerbad
One of the largest open-air thermal centers in Switzerland, famous for its 182-meter thermal waterslide and extensive alpine spa facilities.
Visit website →Les Bains d'Ovronnaz
Ovronnaz
A mountain-top thermal center with indoor and outdoor pools offering panoramic views of the Muverans mountain range.
Visit website →Les Bains de Saillon
Saillon
A popular thermal complex featuring a unique thermal river, semi-Olympic pool, and themed slides set amidst the Valais vineyards.
Visit website →Farm Park / Petting Zoo / Rural Experience
Barryland - Saint Bernard Museum
Martigny
A dedicated museum and kennel for the iconic St. Bernard rescue dogs, offering interactive exhibits and daily opportunities to meet the national dog of Switzerland.
Visit website →Zoo des Marécottes
Salvan
The highest alpine zoo in Europe featuring native species like black bears, wolves, and lynx alongside a stunning swimming pool carved into natural granite rock.
Visit website →Tierpark Aletsch
Fiesch
A charming family-oriented animal park located at the base of the Aletsch Arena, featuring goats, sheep, and other local farm animals in a traditional alpine setting.
Visit website →Valais Blacknose Sheep Experience
Zermatt
An authentic rural experience where visitors can visit a traditional barn to interact with the world-famous fluffy Valais Blacknose sheep and learn about alpine farming.
Visit website →Botanical Garden / Formal Gardens
Flore-Alpe Botanical Garden
Champex-Lac
An award-winning high-altitude garden featuring over 4,000 species of alpine plants set against panoramic views of Lake Champex.
Visit website →Thomas-Bagnoud Botanical Garden
Lens
A contemporary botanical space dedicated to the rich flora of the Valais, featuring terraced landscapes and a focus on mountain medicinal herbs.
Visit website →Alpine Garden of Villa Cassel
Riederalp
A historic Victorian-style villa garden showcasing 300 species of high-alpine flora at the edge of the Great Aletsch Glacier UNESCO site.
Visit website →Art Gallery / Fine Art Museum
Fondation Pierre Gianadda
Martigny
A world-class cultural center featuring a sprawling sculpture garden with works by Rodin and Miró, alongside a prestigious collection of vintage automobiles.
Visit website →Fondation Opale
Lens
Europe’s premier center for contemporary Aboriginal art, offering visitors high-quality exhibitions and cultural dialogue in a striking modern architectural setting.
Visit website →Musée d'Art du Valais
Sion
Housed within two historic medieval castles, this museum showcases a rich collection of Alpine-inspired fine art and contemporary regional works.
Visit website →Natural Feature / Scenic Site
Great Aletsch Glacier
Fieschertal
The largest glacier in the Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring a massive 23km river of ice.
Visit website →The Matterhorn
Zermatt
The world's most iconic pyramid-shaped mountain peak, offering breathtaking views and world-class alpine scenery.
Visit website →Dents du Midi
Champéry
A magnificent mountain range with seven distinct peaks, dominating the skyline of the Chablais region.
Trient Gorge
Vernayaz
A deep and narrow canyon with 200-meter high rock walls, explored via a spectacular wooden walkway above the rushing river.
Visit website →Rhône Glacier and Ice Grotto
Gletsch
A walk-in ice grotto carved into the heart of the glacier, providing a unique perspective of blue-tinted glacial ice.
Visit website →Saint-Léonard Underground Lake
Saint-Léonard
Europe's largest subterranean lake, where visitors can take a guided boat trip through a stunning illuminated cavern.
Visit website →Castle / Palace / Historic Site
Great St Bernard Hospice
Bourg-Saint-Pierre
Located high in the mountains, this historic refuge allows families to learn about the famous mountain rescue dogs and alpine history.
Visit website →Tourbillon Castle
Sion
Kids will enjoy the climb to these massive castle ruins that offer stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains.
Visit website →Martigny Roman Amphitheatre
Martigny
A well-preserved site where families can imagine gladiatorial contests and explore the remains of a Roman settlement.
Visit website →Historic Town / Village / Cultural Area
Grimentz Old Village
Grimentz
Wander through one of Switzerland's most beautiful villages, famous for its ancient sun-blackened timber houses and vibrant red geraniums.
Visit website →Sion Old Town
Sion
The medieval capital of Valais features cobblestone streets leading to the twin hills of Valère and Tourbillon, offering castles and historic charm.
Visit website →Zermatt Old Village (Hinterdorf)
Zermatt
Explore a cluster of over 30 traditional 16th-century barns and granaries built on stone stilts to protect grain from rodents.
Visit website →Evolène Village
Evolène
Experience traditional Alpine life in a village known for its preserved timber architecture and the distinct culture of the Val d'Hérens.
Visit website →Abbey of Saint-Maurice
Saint-Maurice
Discover a 1,500-year-old monastery built against a cliff, housing an incredible collection of gold religious treasures and Romanesque architecture.
Visit website →Theme Park / Amusement Park
Happyland
Granges
The largest amusement park in Switzerland, offering various family rides including roller coasters, log flumes, and traditional carousels.
Visit website →Swiss Vapeur Parc
Le Bouveret
A unique miniature railway park where families can ride scaled-down steam and electric trains through a landscape of Swiss landmarks.
Visit website →Western-City
Martigny
A Wild West themed park featuring authentic frontier-style wooden buildings, gold panning activities, and cowboy-themed entertainment.
Visit website →Labyrinth Adventure
Evionnaz
Home to the world's largest natural hedge maze, this park includes giant slides, trampolines, and climbing structures for all ages.
Visit website →Beach / Coastal Recreation Area
Plage Rive-Bleue
Le Bouveret
A popular family-friendly beach resort on Lake Geneva featuring sandy shores, water slides, and various aquatic sports.
Visit website →Domaine des Iles
Sion
An expansive outdoor recreation area featuring a large swimming lake and picnic spots set against an alpine backdrop.
Visit website →Lac de Géronde
Sierre
A picturesque swimming lake near Sierre surrounded by vineyards, offering a relaxing atmosphere and modern bathing facilities.
Visit website →National Park / Nature Reserve
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch (Aletsch Glacier)
Fiesch
A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the largest glacier in the Alps, offering spectacular ice-sculpted landscapes and family-friendly viewpoints.
Visit website →Derborence Natural Site
Conthey
A protected valley known for its virgin forest and a serene lake created by 18th-century landslides, offering a wild and mystical atmosphere.
Visit website →Haut Val de Bagnes Nature Reserve
Verbier
Switzerland's second-largest nature reserve, home to the massive Mauvoisin Dam, ibex populations, and dramatic glacial scenery.
Visit website →Binntal Nature Park
Binn
A tranquil park famous for its rare minerals, traditional stone-roofed villages, and untouched alpine meadows perfect for hiking.
Visit website →Pfyn-Finges Nature Park
Leuk
One of Switzerland's most important biodiversity hotspots, featuring a vast pine forest, the wild Rhône river, and diverse bird species.
Visit website →Zoo / Wildlife Park / Safari Park
Zoo et Piscine des Marécottes
Salvan
This high-altitude alpine zoo showcases native species like black bears, wolves, and lynx in natural rocky habitats and features a swimming pool carved into the stone.
Visit website →Les Aigles de Sion
Sion
A professional falconry park offering spectacular flight demonstrations of eagles, hawks, and vultures with the historic castles of Sion as a dramatic backdrop.
Visit website →