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Verbier is a well-known upscale mountain resort in Switzerland known for its exceptional skiing facilities. Although there are plenty of interesting things to do and places to visit here, such as hiking and skiing, you still might want to take day trips from Verbier. Below are some suggestions for the best day trips from Verbier for those based there.
Verbier is easy to reach from the Lake Geneva region. As such, it is a great choice if you are coming from Lausanne, Geneva, Montreux, or Vevey.
For day trips from Verbier, the typical train travel time is one to two hours.
This article discusses the 10 best day trips from Verbier. Among these are beautiful lakes and bustling cities. Let’s go!
1. Champex
Not far from Verbier is the scenic village of Champex. Beautiful Alpine views, a stunning lake, and a sense of calm make this an excellent day trip.
Nestled in the canton of Valais, Champex is a picturesque village known as Switzerland’s Little Canada. The nickname is apt, due to its vast forests, lake, and traditional wooden chalets. This magnificent plateau is located near Verbier, between Le Châtelet and Le Catogne.
Lac de Champex, located at an altitude of 1,466 meters, is a small yet enchanting lake. From there, visitors can embark on various hikes in the mountains and enjoy the stunning Alpine scenery that characterizes the region. If you prefer water activities, you can rent a SUP or a canoe and even take a swim in the refreshing waters. Ice covers the lake in winter.
An extensive collection of alpine plants can be found at Flore-Alpe Botanical Garden. This is a haven to four thousand species of plants, from local flora to those from other continents and definitely worth visiting.
Champex is also a great starting point for numerous hiking trails. Val d’Arpette, a protected area, is definitely worth visiting.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Champex |
| * Lac de Champex * Flore-Alpe Botanical Garden * Val d’Arpette |
How do you get from Verbier to Champex?
From Verbier, take the gondola to Le Châble TV. In Le Châble TV, take the train to Sembrancher, then Orsières. In Orsières, you can take the bus to Champex, Lac. Travel time from Verbier to Champex takes between 55 minutes and 1 hour 26 minutes.
2. Lac de Mauvoisin
Verbier is an excellent departure point for a day trip to visit one of the world’s tallest dams in Mauvoisin. For a memorable day trip surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and a diverse array of outdoor activities, this is an excellent choice to consider.
Nestled in the Upper Valais region of Switzerland, Lac de Mauvoisin is a stunning place to visit. Situated near the renowned ski resort of Verbier, this destination offers not just natural beauty but is also an engineering marvel.
With a height of 250 meters, the Mauvoisin Dam is one of the highest dams in the world. It is the second-highest in Switzerland after the Grand Dixence Dam.
The Mauvoisin Lake and Dam form a breathtaking sight in the Swiss Alps, and it is fed by glacier meltwater from the Giétro Glacier. This 4 km long valley glacier is located in southwestern Switzerland, and the water it generates ends in Lake Mauvoisin before reaching the Dranse de Bagnes, a tributary of the Rhone.
Although built to provide water for hydroelectric power plants, the beauty of Lac de Mauvoisin is undeniable. From its turquoise waters to its stunning views of Switzerland, this lake is simply spectacular.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Lac de Mauvoisin |
| * Lac de Mauvoisin * Mauvoisin Dam * Sentier du barrage Educational Trail |
How do you get from Verbier to Lac de Mauvoisin?
From Verbier, take the gondola to Le Châble TV. In Le Châble TV, take the bus to Mauvoisin. It takes about an hour to travel from Verbier to Mauvoisin.
3. Sion
In just one hour, you can travel to the lovely city of Sion from Verbier. With its sunshine, unique landscape, history, and wine culture, Sion is one of the best day trips from Verbier.
The city of Sion is the capital of the Swiss canton of Valais, located in the southwest region of the country. The region is known for its wine, fruits, sun, and proximity to some of Switzerland’s highest mountains. Sion’s history goes back to the first century back when the Romans called it Sedunum.
The Sion plateau lies north of the Rhone, dominated by the Valeria and Tourbillon hills. The old town with cobblestone streets is filled with markets, shops, and restaurants. There are many historical buildings in Sion that can be explored on foot. Weather permitting, visitors and locals often eat outside and sip wine.
The underground lake of St. Leonard is a wonderful gem near Sion that I highly recommend visiting.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Sion |
| * Chateau de Tourbillon * Valère Basilica * Old Town of Sion * Musée cantonal d’histoire * Musée cantonal des beaux-arts * Musée cantonal d’archéologie * Sion Cathedral * Tour des Sorciers * St. Leonard Underground Lake |
How do you get from Verbier to Sion?
From Verbier, take the gondola to Le Châble TV. In Le Châble TV, take the train to Martigny, then Sion. Travel time from Verbier to Sion takes between 1 hour and 7 minutes and 1 hour 10 minutes.
4. Saillion
Its rich history, quaint village atmosphere, thermal baths, and charming Alpine scenery make Saillon an interesting contrast to Verbier. The journey from Verbier is a short one, and it promises to be a refreshing and welcome change.
The picture-perfect village of Saillon is in canton Valais. It’s a perfect place to grow figs, almonds, and grapes too. There are vineyards all around Saillon.
The first mention of Saillon was in 1052 as Castellum Psallionis. Saillon was ruled by the Savoys for two centuries. In this period, the town became a Savoyard commercial and military center in Valais. The Bayart Tower, a 19-meter-high keep built by the Savoys, overlooks the Rhone Valley.
Saillon’s bandit Farinet is also famous. There’s a museum dedicated to Farinet and his counterfeiting methods called the Museum of Counterfeit Coins (Musée de la Fausse Monnaie). The museum has a comprehensive history of fake and real Swiss money.
If you would like to learn more about Saillon, check out our article Saillon: A Beautiful Medieval Village in Valais, Switzerland.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Saillon |
| * Old Town of Saillon * Bayart Tower * Bains de Saillon * Musée de la Fausse Monnaie (Museum of Counterfeit Coins) |
How do you get from Verbier to Saillon?
From Verbier, take the gondola to Le Châble TV. In Le Châble TV, take the train to Martigny, then Riddes. In Riddes, you can take the bus to Saillon. Travel time from Verbier to Saillon takes between 1 hour and 13 minutes and 1 hour 39 minutes.
5. Montreux
With its vineyards, laid-back lifestyle, lake access, and mountains as a backdrop, this day trip is a relaxing choice. Montreux, a beautiful spa resort, is just over an hour away by train.
Montreux is a charming town on the northeastern shores of Lake Geneva in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Known for its mild climate, gorgeous views, and Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux has a lot to offer.
A stretch of eight kilometers runs from Clarens, through Chillon Castle, and up to Villeneuve. Together with Vevey-Montreux, it has an estimated population of 85,000. Atop the Rochers-de-Naye mountain, you can enjoy amazing views of Montreux, the lake, as well as the Swiss Alps.
If you would like to plan a day in Montreux, you can read our article How to Spend 1 Day in Montreux, Switzerland.
Consider visiting the next-door town Vevey if you have time.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Montreux |
| * Chillon Castle * Montreux Promenade * Rochers-de-Naye * Freddie Mercury Statue |
How do you get from Verbier to Montreux?
From Verbier, take the gondola to Le Châble TV. In Le Châble TV, take the train to Martigny, then Montreux. Travel time from Verbier to Montreux takes between 1 hour and 10 minutes and 1 hour 16 minutes.
6. Lausanne
It’s definitely worth a day trip from Verbier to Lausanne, one of the most picturesque cities in Switzerland because of its history, beauty, and amazing views. You will reach Lausanne in 90 minutes from Verbier.
The eponymous capital of Vaud canton, Lausanne is a beautiful city. This city has everything – a beach on Lake Geneva, pools, a gorgeous old town, museums, shops, restaurants, an aquarium/vivarium, and views of the surrounding mountains. In addition, with varying altitudes, you have parts of the city with great views.
Lausanne’s old town and Cathedral give it a rich history. The city was once ruled by Celts and Romans. Today, Lausanne is the fifth-largest city in Switzerland and the second-largest city in French-speaking Switzerland.
If you would like to plan a day in Lausanne, you can read our article How to Spend 1 Day in Lausanne, Switzerland.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Lausanne |
| * Lausanne Cathedral * Lausanne’s Old Town * Ouchy * Sauvabelin Tower * Olympic Museum and Park * Plateforme 10 * Aquatis Vivarium Lausanne * Palais de Rumine |
How do you get from Verbier to Lausanne?
From Verbier, take the gondola to Le Châble TV. In Le Châble TV, take the train to Martigny, then Lausanne. Travel time from Verbier to Lausanne takes between 1 hour and 33 minutes and 1 hour 39 minutes.
7. Brig
It’s relatively easy to travel from Verbier to Brig by train, making it a convenient day trip option. With its rich history, thermal baths, and charming streets, Brig is a fantastic choice.
Brig is a charming town located in the Swiss Alps known for its picturesque landscapes, historic buildings, and access to nearby ski resorts. The historic town of Brig lies in the Upper Valais region of Switzerland. Brig, also officially known as Blig-Glis, is located in the Rhone Valley, 691 meters above sea level.
The most famous attraction in Brig is the Stockalper Palace. The Brigerbad Thermal Baths, the largest open-air thermal baths in the Alps, are perfect for those who love to soak and relax.
If you would like to learn more about Brig, check out our article Brig, Switzerland: Where It Is and What You Need to Know.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Brig |
| * Brig’s Old Town * Stockalper Palace * Glacier Express * Brigerbad Thermal Baths * World Nature Forum, Naters |
How do you get from Verbier to Brig?
From Verbier, take the gondola to Le Châble TV. In Le Châble TV, take the train to Martigny, then Brig. Travel time from Verbier to Brig takes between 1 hour and 50 minutes and 1 hour 53 minutes.
8. Yverdon-les-Bains
Steeped in history, the charming town of Yverdon-les-Bains is a wonderful day trip from Verbier. Blending history, wellness, natural beauty, and cultural experiences, it is an appealing destination two hours away from Verbier.
Yverdon-les-Bains is a beautiful town about two hours away from Verbier. Yverdon-les-Bains has a rich history that includes the Alemanni, the Romans, and the Savoys. It’s also known for its thermal springs, which have been used as mineral baths since the Roman era.
Castellans of the Savoy dynasty used to live in Yverdon-les-Bains Castle (Château d’Yverdon). This Swiss heritage site has four towers and is considered a national treasure.
If you would like to read more about Yverdon-les-Bains, check out our article 9 Best Things to Do in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland.
| Don’t miss these attractions in Yverdon-les-Bains |
| * Thermal Center at Yverdon-les-Bains * Yverdon-les-Bains Castle (Château d’Yverdon) * Museum of Yverdon * Maison d’Ailleurs Science Fiction Museum * Yverdon-les-Bains Beach * Stone Cult Site Clendy |
How do you get from Verbier to Yverdon-les-Bains?
From Verbier, take the gondola to Le Châble TV. In Le Châble TV, take the train to Martigny, then Lausanne. In Lausanne, change to the connecting regional train to Yverdon-les-Bains. Travel time from Verbier to Yverdon-les-Bains takes between 2 hours and 5 minutes and 2 hours 25 minutes.
9. Geneva
If you are looking for a change of pace, the city of Geneva is a welcome day trip from Verbier. With its upscale boutiques, museums, restaurants, galleries, historic sites, and the iconic Jet d’Eau, it offers a diverse range of experiences in a cosmopolitan setting.
Geneva is the second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in the French-speaking part. This lively city is located on the shores of Lake Geneva. This global city is the base of many international organizations such as the Red Cross, the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization, and many more.
Geneva truly is an important city for diplomacy, international cooperation, and humanitarian engagement. It is also a major financial center, ranking fifth in Europe after London, Zurich, Frankfurt, and Luxembourg. The Pictet Group, Bank Lombard Odier & Co., Union Bancaire Privée, Mirabaud Group, Bordier & Cie, Edmond de Rothschild Group, and One Swiss Bank are just a few banks with headquarters in Geneva.
If you would like to read more about Geneva, check out our articles:
- How to Spend 1 Day in Geneva, Switzerland
- 10 Best Day Trips from Geneva
- Closest Mountains To Geneva in Switzerland
- 9 Beautiful Towns Near Geneva, Switzerland
- 12 Most Beautiful Lakes Near Geneva
- Discover St. Pierre Cathedral in Geneva, Switzerland
- A Quick Guide to Jet d’Eau: Geneva’s Iconic Water Fountain
- Musée Ariana, Geneva: 8 Things That Make You Love It
- 8 Best Things to Do in Geneva on a Rainy Day
- Enjoy Switzerland’s Largest Natural History Museum in Geneva
| Don’t miss these attractions in Geneva |
| * Ariana Museum * St. Pierre Cathedral * Palace of Nations * Maison Tavel * Jet d’Eau * Bains des Paquis |
How do you get from Verbier to Geneva?
From Verbier, take the gondola to Le Châble TV. In Le Châble TV, take the train to Martigny, then Geneva. Travel time from Verbier to Geneva takes between 2 hours and 12 minutes and 2 hours 19 minutes.
10. Zermatt
There is no way you can miss Switzerland’s most famous mountain, the Matterhorn, and the town of Zermatt. It’s an excellent day trip from Verbier. The journey will take less than 2 hours, and will be well worth the travel time.
As the home of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is one of Switzerland’s best-known mountain resorts. From Zermatt, you can easily reach Gornergrat with its spectacular views of the Matterhorn and other 28 four-thousand-meter-high peaks.
In Gornergrat, a rocky ridge with a great view of the Gorner Glacier, the third-largest glacier in the Alps. In addition, it is accessible 365 days a year, departing near the Zermatt train station. From Gornergrat, you can also see the Dufourspitze, Nordendspitze, Liskamm (Ostgipfel and Westgipfel), Castor, Pollux, and more.
Zermatt is also the second biggest ski resort in Switzerland. It is one of the most popular and best-developed ski resorts in the world. With endless runs and a spectacular backdrop, it’s also the highest winter sports area in the Alps. Zermatt has 360 kilometers of ski slopes with varying levels of difficulty.
If you would like to read more about Zermatt, check out our articles:
| Don’t miss these attractions in Zermatt |
| * Gornergrat * Gorner Gorge * Matterhorn Museum * Matterhorn Glacier Paradise * Trockener Steg * Täschalp * Sunnegga * Randa Suspension Bridge * Furi |
How do you get from Verbier to Zermatt?
The most convenient way to reach Zermatt is to drive until Täsch. Train connections via Le Châble VS, Martigny, and Visp can be quite long (3 hours one way), so I recommend taking a car if possible. You can park the car at Täsch Terminal Parking.
Summary: 10 Best Day Trips from Verbier
For those who are staying for a couple of days in Verbier, Switzerland, and wish to venture out to other places, we hope that this list was helpful.
If you’re looking for a day trip nearby, you can check out Champex, Lac de Mauvoisin, and Sion. On the other hand, if you want to visit a large city with lots of activities, Lausanne and Geneva are your best choices.
If you want to visit small charming towns where you can stroll around, Brig, Montreux, and Yverdon-les-Bains are all fantastic choices. While smaller than the other destinations, Saillon is no less delightful to visit. And in case you want to visit a charming mountain town comparable to Verbier, you can check out Zermatt.
Considering all the options at your disposal, I hope you will be able to find something from this list that you will enjoy and have a great day trip from Verbier.
Related Posts: Verbier
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- Verbier vs. St. Moritz: Which Is Better?
- Zermatt or Verbier: Which is Better?
- 10 Best Ski Towns in Switzerland
- Geneva to Verbier Train: All You Need To Know
- Lausanne to Verbier Train: All You Need To Know
Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. She is based in the Lake Zurich region in Switzerland and has a second home in Grisons. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country.
Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.