Top Things to do in Canton of Valais
Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Canton of Valais, Swiss Alps
At the foot of the Swiss Alps lies Valais, "the valley." This fabled region is a year-round favorite, with spectacular skiing in the winter and superb hiking in summer. The Matterhorn, the Great St. Bernard Pass and Zermatt are the stars of the area, but glaciers, lakes, mountain paths, castle-churches and a wealth of resorts also beckon. Visit L'Hospice du Grand St. Bernard to see the animals who helped the monks rescue travelers or the Fondation Pierre Gianadda, Roman ruins that now house modern art.
Restaurants in Canton of Valais
1. Furka Pass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 292 reviews
Reviewed By ymt888 - Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Furka Pass, with an elevation of 2,429 metres, is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps known for its winding hair pin bends and scenic views. Be prepared to capture the sites like the Rhone glacier, the Schöllenen Gorge, numerous valleys and small Swiss villages.
2. Eskimos Ski School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 518 reviews
Reviewed By CarolineB1972 - Preston, United Kingdom
Just returned from a weeks skiing holiday. My confidence in skiing was quite low and my 18 yr old son hadn't been skiing for 4 years. The excellent teaching by James was superb, he built my confidence so much, I managed to ski the whole way down from the revolving restaurant via the black run by the end of the week. My son was skiing so well by the end of the week and loved it so much he's wanting to go back next month and become a ski instructor himself! James taught us so much in a few days and builds confidence so well. Eskimos service was great, so accommodating with how we split out lessons. Definitely recommend them. Thanks James and Eskimos.
3. Lac de Tanay
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By dannekah2016 - Nyon, Switzerland
Lac de Tanay provides a wonderful Swiss hiking experience. It is a decent elevation (~1,300ft over >2 miles) hike up to the top, where it levels out and opens up to a quintessential little Swiss hamlet on a beautiful alpine lake. There are two restaurants at the top with outdoor and indoor seating and traditional Swiss offerings like fondue, providing the ideal way to rest and refuel after the hike. There is also plenty of space for picnics along the lake and a few barbecue grills installed as well. The parking lot at the trail head (Parking du Flon) fills up fast on the weekend, and there are no toilets at the bottom (there are at the top), so plan accordingly. If doing this hike with small children would highly recommend a carrier option if they get tired during the ascent up.
4. Premier Alpine Centre SA
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 72 reviews
Premier Alpine Centre offers the full range of services you need during your holidays in Nendaz in our One Stop Shop - We organise You enjoy. Skis & Snowboards rental Ski School Official Mountain Guide office Ski passes Chalets & Apartments rental Transfert to the chalet
Reviewed By LesleyCDLondon - London, United Kingdom
Premier Alpine Centre is conveniently located at the bottom of the funicular that takes you straight up to the main Nendaz gondola Tracouet. If you opt for the storage option, your ski days are very easy just coming off the gondola or skiing down, straight into the shop and putting your street shoes on, leaving your ski gear there overnight. The staff are very friendly, and they were very helpful in fitting boots for my children and getting all of our skis. There is also a lot of ski clothing and kit onsite in case you have forgotten anything at home or if your little one has lost a glove on the slopes. We highly recommend this ski rental shop for anyone skiing in Nendaz.
5. Abbaye de Saint-Maurice d'Agaune
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 110 reviews
Le parcours de visite est basé sur la lumière et l’image, symboles de la connaissance et de la foi. Il raconte une histoire exceptionnelle: celle d’une communauté religieuse vivante, miraculeusement préservée et constituant le témoignage unique d’une activité spirituelle et culturelle sans équivalent dans le monde occidental chrétien. Consciente de l’importance mondiale de son patrimoine historique et culturel, l’Abbaye de Saint-Maurice a décidé de l’ouvrir au public à l’occasion de son Jubilé. La visite de son Site culturel et patrimonial débute dans la basilique qui date du 17e siècle. Vous parcourez ensuite le site archéologique des anciennes églises – aussi appelé site du Martolet – qui résulte de dix années de fouilles. Enfin, vous traversez les catacombes avant de découvrir le Trésor abbatial.
6. Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 141 reviews
A monument for the mountain panorama The pedestrian suspension bridge, named after main sponsor Charles Kuonen, measures a proud 494 meters in length and stretches up to a height of 85 meters above the Grabengufer ravine in Mattertal valley. The bridge is intended to be a “monument for the mountain panorama”, whereby utmost emphasis was placed on interfering as little as possible with nature – a design that worked. The transparent construction of steel cable and wire mesh integrates perfectly into the environment. Working at a dizzying height, Swiss company swissrope finished construction of the bridge in only two and a half months by using special “assembly sleds”
Reviewed By 165hadass
What an adventure to climb up to the Suspension Bridge! The hike was not at all easy, but very rewarding once you've reached the top. Four families with children (ages 8 - 10 ) and 2 Shitzu dogs (one lazy - had to be encouraged and the other one pushing forward and encouraging us) all had a wonderful time. We absorbed the beauty of nature, the fresh smell of the trees, and the breathtaking views. Some of us didn't reach the top, because they were not prepared for a steep hike such as this one. They climbed down and had ice-cream and french fries in a small pub. However, if you are well prepared, mentally, and physically, you'll have an unforgettable day. Make sure to have enough water (there are fountains of fresh cold water in the village) and some fruit and snacks. Bring or find a walking stick, especially for the climb down. It is much nicer to do it with friends, the kids chatted all the way through and were way ahead of us. This adventure is free and freeing!
7. Passerelle a Farinet
8. Great St. Bernard Pass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 189 reviews
Reviewed By sprice234 - Swansea County, United Kingdom
The pass is only open after 1st of June until October after the majority of the winter snow has melted. Enjoyed looking around the small museum at the Monastry, together with old pictures of Monks in the snow with the dogs. Great views of the surrounding mountains, and there are pleasant walks in the vicinity.
9. Valere Basilica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 207 reviews
Reviewed By thegreenwizard - Fort Lauderdale, United States
As every year, in the summer every Saturday afternoon, there is a concert with this old organ. The organ is in the minor basilica of Valère. Each concert is different with musician coming from around the world to interpret various pieces of musics, mainly pieces that are not so common for the no connoisseurs of organ music.
10. Swiss Vapeur Parc
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 538 reviews
This unique park displays its attractions in an area of over 17’000 m2 at Le Bouveret, in a pleasant location adjacent to the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland. One miniature train enthusiast, having come from afar to admire this touristic marvel of lower Valais, confided that all the troubles of everyday life seem to disappear within the gates of the park. Only a child’s earliest experiences of joy can come close to expressing the first sensations of a trip on a miniature train. The little trains chug along as if by magic through a sumptuous decor displaying miniature replicas from the rich heritage of Switzerland: the Castle of Aigle, the Church of Saanen, the Halls of Neuchâtel, the Swiss Residence, railway buildings and constructions of every sort (bridges, viaducts, tunnels, etc.), conjuring up a journey into a land of dreams !
Reviewed By Juma1707 - New York City, United States
For train lovers and aficionados, the Swiss Vapeur Parc is a must. Our children rode the whoooole day on lots of different Swiss trains and particularly loved the Krokodil pulling the RhB and the cute little cogwheel train. There were plenty of adults enjoying the rides too. The restaurant food was not great so I’d suggest maybe trying the crepes further inside the parc or bring a picnic instead.
