Valais is Switzerland's third-largest and most dramatically alpine canton, home to 40 of the Alps' 52 four-thousand-metre peaks including the iconic Matterhorn. With the driest climate in Switzerland, over 300 sunny days a year, and the country's largest wine-growing region, it offers an extraordinary blend of high-altitude adventure, luxury resorts, and centuries-old culture.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Geneva
Switzerland's cosmopolitan lakeside city, home to international organisations, the Old Town with St Peter's Cathedral, the Jet d'Eau fountain, the CERN particle physics museum, and excellent museums along Lake Geneva's shores.
Highlights: Old Town and St Peter's Cathedral · Jet d'Eau fountain · Lake Geneva waterfront promenade · CERN visitor centre (free, book ahead) · Patek Philippe Museum
Interlaken and Jungfrau Region
The adventure capital of Switzerland, set between lakes Thun and Brienz beneath the Jungfrau massif. Take the world-famous Jungfrau Railway to Europe's highest train station at 3,454m (Jungfraujoch) for glacial panoramas.
Highlights: Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe (3,454m) · Lauterbrunnen waterfall valley · Grindelwald glacier viewpoints · Paragliding over Interlaken · Thun and Brienz lakeshores
Chamonix (France) — Mont Blanc
The legendary mountaineering capital of the world, dominated by Mont Blanc (4,808m — the highest peak in the Alps). Ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car to 3,842m for breathtaking glacier views, visit the Mer de Glace glacier, and explore the famous mountaineering town.
Highlights: Aiguille du Midi cable car (3,842m) · Mer de Glace glacier train · Chamonix town and alpine museums · Mont Blanc views · Mont Blanc Express scenic train journey
Bern — Swiss Federal Capital
Switzerland's UNESCO-listed medieval capital, with 6km of arcaded sandstone buildings (Lauben), the famous Clock Tower (Zytglogge), Bear Park, Einstein's apartment, and the spectacular Bernese Oberland backdrop. A city unlike any other in Europe.
Highlights: UNESCO Old Town with medieval arcades · Zytglogge clocktower · Federal Parliament building (free tours) · Einstein Museum · Bernese Rose Gardens with Alps panorama
Lausanne and Lake Geneva Wine Country
Switzerland's Olympic capital sits above Lake Geneva's northern shore amid the UNESCO Lavaux wine terraces. Visit the Olympic Museum, the stunning Gothic Cathedral, the medieval old town, and cruise on Lake Geneva.
Highlights: Olympic Museum (CHF 20) · Lausanne Cathedral (Gothic, free) · Lavaux UNESCO wine terraces (viewpoint and tasting) · Lake Geneva boat cruise · Ouchy waterfront promenade
Domodossola (Italy) via Simplon Pass
A charming Italian market town just through the Simplon Tunnel, with a beautiful arcaded old town, colourful Saturday market, excellent Italian food at a fraction of Swiss prices, and a gentle introduction to northern Italy.
Highlights: Domodossola Saturday Market · Piazza Mercato arcaded square · Italian restaurants and pizzerias (much cheaper than Switzerland) · Centovalli Railway (panoramic train)
Aosta Valley (Italy) via Grand St Bernard
The Aosta Valley is Italy's smallest and most alpine region, with Roman ruins, medieval castles, and Mont Blanc views. The Roman theatre in Aosta city is one of the best-preserved in Europe, and the valley's food and wine scene is outstanding.
Highlights: Aosta Roman Theatre and Arch of Augustus · Fenis and Issogne medieval castles · Aosta valley local wines and food · Gran Paradiso National Park · Mont Blanc views from Courmayeur
Montreux and the Chillon Castle
The Swiss Riviera town of Montreux is famous for its jazz festival (July), mild microclimate, and the exquisite medieval Chillon Castle perched on a rocky outcrop in Lake Geneva. A quintessentially beautiful Swiss day trip.
Highlights: Château de Chillon (CHF 14) · Montreux lake promenade with rose gardens · Freddie Mercury statue (Queen connection) · Casino de Montreux · Rochers-de-Naye rack railway (panoramic views)
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organised day trips available through major Valais hotels and tourist offices; typically CHF 85–150 including transport
- Private
- Private car hire from CHF 80/day (Sion or Martigny); driver services available through hotels from CHF 250/day
- Public
- Swiss Travel Pass makes most train-based day trips free; PostBus connections for Domodossola and Chamonix cost extra
- Rental
- Car rental from CHF 60/day — essential for Aosta Valley and Grand St Bernard Pass day trips
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start early (first train or 8 AM departure) to maximise time at the destination
A Swiss Travel Pass covers all SBB trains to Geneva, Bern, Lausanne, Interlaken, and Montreux
The Mont Blanc Express to Chamonix is one of Switzerland's most scenic train journeys — sit on the left side heading west
For Jungfraujoch, book tickets online in advance and check the weather forecast (cloud often obscures views)
Domodossola is the best budget day trip from Valais — Italian prices are much lower than Swiss