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11 Best Things to Do in Sion, Switzerland
Switzerland, Europe / March 24, 2025 / Be the first to comment
Located in the heart of the Valais Canton and known as the Swiss capital of the Alps, Sion is a fantastic place to set up a base and explore the region no matter the time of the year. As the capital of the Valais canton, there are so many things to do in Sion. It boasts a rich heritage, with its iconic twin castles—Château de Tourbillon and Château de Valère—standing proudly above the city. Visitors can wander through the medieval Old Town, explore its vibrant markets, and admire centuries-old churches. Sion is also known for its deep-rooted wine traditions, making it an excellent destination for vineyard tours and tastings of some of Switzerland’s finest wines. Whether you’re strolling along the Rhône River or discovering its archaeological treasures, Sion offers a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure.
Beyond its historical charm, Sion is a gateway to outdoor experiences that cater to all seasons. In the warmer months, hiking trails lead to breathtaking alpine views, while the surrounding lakes offer opportunities for swimming and paddleboarding. During winter, the nearby ski resorts of the Valais region provide world-class slopes for skiing, and snow with its combination of history, culture, and outdoor activities, Sion is a must-visit destination for travelers looking to experience the best of Switzerland.
I spent a few weeks in the region and now I recommend it to everyone as there are so many things to do in Sion, it instantly became one of my favourite underrated European destinations!
Disclaimer: This is a guest post written by a fellow travel blogger, Juan, of Planet of Adventures.
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Visit the Chateau de Tourbillon
Together with the Basilique de Valère, the Chateau de Tourbillon will be one of the first sights you will see on arrival to Sion as its hilltop positioning is quite imposing.
The Tourbillon Castle is the former residence of the Prince Bishop of Sion and was built in the early 1300’s and has been in ruins since the great fire of Sion in 1788.
You can visit the castle for free but note that it’s only open from mid March until mid November. During the winter you can still hike up to the castle but won’t be able to access the ruins.
Basilique de Valère
Also known as the Valère Castle, this fortification is a catholic church and a Swiss Heritage Site of National Significance.
Located directly opposite the Chateau de Tourbillon, I list Valere as the second hill to climb as in addition to the church, the fortified village includes a cafe where you can have a well-deserved refreshment after you climb two short but sweet hills.
The hill of Valère features as well the Museum of History of Valais and a couple of beautiful viewpoints of the city of Sion.
The Valère Castle was built at around the same time as the Chateau de Tourbillon but it’s in much better conservation state.
A fun fact about the Valère Basilica is that it contains one of the oldest functioning pipe organs in the world, dating back to 1435. A few locals mentioned this to me in different conversations so they’re quite proud of this.
Go for a Wine Tour
The Valais region is famous for its wines and you can see the vineyards from many places when you’re wandering around Sion.
There are multiple wineries in Sion and you can take a Wine Bus and choose to visit up to 4 different wineries where you can have a tasting of 5 wines in each of them. That’s a lot of wine, thankfully someone else will drive the Wine Bus for you!
The most popular wine in the region is the Fendant du Valais which is a white wine, but in the tastings you will be able to try a few different options and also buy some wine to take back home with you!
Want to do the Wine Tour for free?
Wait, what!? Something is free in Switzerland? Yes! You could do the tour for free if you decide to buy 12 bottles of wine in advance. It’s not the most common thing to buy 12 bottles of wine when you’re travelling around Europe but if that happens to be the case for you, don’t miss the chance!
Go Hiking to Lac Bleu
This short and easy hike is a must when you’re travelling the Valais Canton. You can easily squeeze this as a half day activity or make it a full day if you like to walk as there are multiple trails in the area.
Everything is really well signalled so you don’t need to be a hiking expert, I wrote all the important details to know about how to go hiking to Lac Bleu as it’s such a beautiful place that I want everyone to go and enjoy this gift from nature.
Indulge yourself with yummy Raclette
You cannot travel in Switzerland and not go for a good Raclette!
The Valais Raclette has its own protected designation of origin so make sure to go for a Raclette Valaisanne which is made with cheese from the region.
The simple yet delicious dish of slowly melted cheese, boiled potatoes, cornichons and pickled onions is a common sight when having some Fendant wine in Sion.
A great place to try Raclette in Sion is the Vieux Valais Restaurant in the old town but you will find it in many other places too.
Visit the Museum of Art
Just on the way down from the hilltop fortifications and entering the old town, you will find the Musee d’Art which has varied exhibitions throughout the year about modern art, nature and other performances.
Go to the Friday Market
Every Friday morning, the old town gets a festive atmosphere with vendors setting up shop along the pedestrian streets.
You will find stalls to buy crafty artisan objects, clothes, books, locally-grown food, cured meats and cheeses from nearby Italy, lots and lots of options for international cuisines, multiple local wineries setting up pop-up bars, and much more. It’s really civilised and I didn’t think it was crowded but very lively.
It’s a lovely market to walk and you will be surprised by how big it is!
Go hiking the Bisse de Pont Neuf
All around the Valais Canton there are trails known as Bisses. They are part of the historic irrigation channels of the Valais which take water from mountain streams to pastures and fields.
There are plenty of Bisses near Sion that can be walked and the Bisse de Torrent Neuf is one of the most spectacular ones due to its hanging bridges and suspended boardwalks. It takes about two and half hours to walk the Bisse de Torrent Neuf and although I consider it a safe trail, it’s certainly not for the faint hearted!
The Bisse can only be accessed by car as it’s about 20 minutes away from Sion, and the closest bus leaves you about an hour away from the start of the trail. The Bisse is only open from April until late October.
Visit the largest underwater lake in Europe
The underground lake of St Leonard, is one of the most unusual things to do in Sion and brings otherworldly images not normally associated with Switzerland and that reminded me of my time exploring similar landscapes when I was travelling in Ninh Binh, Vietnam.
When you visit the Lac Souterrain, you will get on a 30-minute boat trip along the iluminated cave with a guide explaining all the history about the cave and the lake. The lake is open between mid-March and early November and the cave’s temperature is always at around 15 degrees Celsius so make sure to grab a layer to put on even if visiting in the summer time. Online booking is recommended.
You can go to St Leonard by train, it’s a 5-minute journey from Sion station.
Visit the prettiest village in Switzerland
The village of Evolene was named a few years ago the prettiest in Switzerland, and that comes across instantly when you arrive at this charming place about half an hour away from the centre of Sion.
When you walk along the beautiful medieval houses you will find some stories telling the history of the village and how they built their houses which is really interesting. The views of the Val d’Herens are breathtaking and it’s an easy place to disconnect from everything whilst still having the comforts of finding nice restaurants and places to go for a drink.
One of the best things to do in Evolene is to walk the circuit trail to the nearby village of Les Heuderes. You can do this either in winter or summer and it’s incredibly beautiful. If you like cross-country skiing, you can also do so as there are over 40 Km of alpine ski slopes.
Go for some world-class snow sports
One of the best things to do in Switzerland that everyone thinks of first is to go skiing, and you can reach some of the best ski areas in the world when you set a base in Sion as you can go to areas such as the 4 Valleys, Zermatt and Crans-Montana.
You can also go cross-country skiing or go on snow racquet excursions in lots of places near Sion.
From the centre of Sion you will find numerous buses taking you directly to all the stations so you can enjoy the après ski recovery refreshments without worrying about driving back.
FAQ’s for Visiting Sion, Switzerland
How to get to Sion
You can easily visit Sion by public transport as it’s really well connected both by train and buses. If you’re driving, it takes about two hours from Geneva or three hours from Zurich or Basel.
TIP: If travelling by train from Geneva, make sure to take a sit on the righthand side of the train and you will be rewarded with beautiful views of Lake Geneva for a good chunk of the journey.
Is Sion worth a visit?
Definitely! The old town itself is really pretty, with its two dominant hilltop fortifications against the mountainous backdrop. Sion is also really well connected to a number of beautiful, and some unusual, sights that are a guarantee you will love your next trip to Sion.
With over 7000 years of history and the old town dating back to medieval times, Sion is a gem of a destination for those that love history, nature and great food.
Where to stay in Sion?
Sion and its surrounding villages do not have many large hotels but mostly apartments and mountain chalets but I recommend you to find accommodation near the old town as it’s the prettiest part of Sion.
When to visit Sion?
Sion is blessed by an incredible location for any nature lover that can be enjoyed in winter or summer. During the colder months you can go skiing in some of the most famous ski resorts in the Alps and during warmer months you can hike to dreamy spots in the mountains, there are walks for all abilities.
Are you ready to travel to Sion?
With so many things to do in Sion throughout the year, this is simply a perfect base to enjoy everything that Switzerland has to offer and whether you like active holidays, cultural immersions or nature appreciation you will definitely have all that in the Valais!
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