Charrat
Charrat at a Glance
Costs: Moderately expensive Swiss town - expect ~USD 150-220 per day for mid-range travelers.
Safety: Very safe, low crime - normal Swiss safety; watch mountain hazards.
Best Time: June-September for hiking - winter for skiing (Dec-Mar) is also popular.
Why Visit Charrat?
Set in Valais’s Rhône valley, this small Swiss town draws visitors for easy access to alpine hiking, terraced vineyards and the regional wine culture. Food lovers come for Valais specialities such as raclette and local Fendant, while nearby Martigny and the surrounding mountain passes make it a quiet base for exploring high-altitude trails. Short drives bring dramatic mountain scenery without the crowds of larger resorts.
Best Things to Do in Charrat
Castle
Chillon Castle
Waterfront medieval fortress on Lake Geneva
Mountain
Grand Combin
High Valais massif with extensive glaciation
Mountain
Mont Dolent
Alpine peak marking the France–Italy–Switzerland border
Mountains
Dents du Midi
Prominent Swiss Alpine massif with multiple jagged peaks
Mountains
Diablerets
Swiss alpine massif with glacier and ski resorts
Mountain
Mont Vélan
Alpine mountain on Swiss-Italian border in the Pennine Alps
Castle
Valère Basilica
Romanesque basilica atop Sion hill with historic treasury
Mountain
Dent de Morcles
Swiss Alpine peak with prominent limestone summit
Charrat Bucket List
Don't Miss
Charrat village center - Compact town center with traditional Valais houses and a relaxed riverside atmosphere.
Rhône riverside bridge - Historic bridge crossing the Rhône offering scenic views of vineyards and nearby mountains.
Local vineyard terraces - Stepped vineyards above town where short walks provide panoramic views over the valley.
Hidden Gems
Bisse de Saxon - Historic irrigation channel trail through vineyards, shady paths, and traditional stonework.
Château de Saillon - Medieval hilltop castle in nearby Saillon with ruins overlooking thermal pools and vineyards.
Saillon thermal baths - Relaxing thermal pools and spa facilities in the thermal village of Saillon.
Day Trips
Fondation Pierre Gianadda, Martigny - Art museum with archaeological displays, classic car exhibits, and temporary international exhibitions.
Verbier - Alpine resort village accessible by car, offering mountain hiking in summer and skiing in winter.
Gorges du Durnand (Vernayaz) - Walkable gorge with wooden platforms and waterfalls, a short drive from the Rhône valley.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Charrat
Visit Charrat from late spring through early autumn for warm, mostly dry weather and easy access to Valais vineyards and alpine trails. Winters bring regular snow and cold, best for winter-sport enthusiasts higher in the valley.
Winter
Snowy, cold days; lower valley sees frost and occasional fog, while higher trails are fully snow-covered-good for winter sports if you’re prepared for subfreezing temperatures.
Spring
Rapid green-up and warming; lower vineyards bloom while higher trails can still hold snow-great for hiking before midsummer crowds and wildflowers.
Summer
Warm, dry days ideal for long hikes, mountain biking and vineyard visits; expect afternoon showers in hotter summers at higher elevations.
Charrat's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (804 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -3° - 5° | -1° | 63 mm | overcast | 86% | 1.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -2° - 7° | 1° | 68 mm | overcast | 87% | 1.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Acceptable | 1° - 12° | 5° | 54 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 1.9 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 5° - 15° | 9° | 55 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Good | 9° - 20° | 14° | 67 mm | overcast | 79% | 1.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.8h |
| June | Very Good | 12° - 23° | 18° | 81 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 1.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Very Good | 14° - 26° | 20° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 1.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Very Good | 14° - 25° | 19° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 1.5 m/s | 1.5 high | 14.0h |
| September | Good | 10° - 21° | 16° | 63 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 1.4 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 6° - 15° | 11° | 71 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 1.3 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.7h |
| November | Acceptable | 1° - 9° | 4° | 73 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 5° | 0° | 72 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
How to Get to Charrat
Charrat is best reached via Sion Airport for very short regional journeys or Geneva Airport for international flights; Martigny is the nearest main rail hub on the SBB network. From Martigny you can use regional trains and PostBus services or taxis for the final leg into the valley.
Sion Airport (SIR): The nearest local airport is Sion; it has limited seasonal/regional flights. From Sion you can reach the Valais valley by taxi (about 20-30 minutes to Charrat, expect CHF 40-60) or take a short taxi to Sion railway station and continue by SBB regional train.
Geneva Airport (GVA): Geneva is the major international gateway for Valais. Take a direct SBB/InterRegio train from Genève-Aéroport to Martigny (journey about 1h40-1h50); from Martigny take a local Regio train to Charrat-Verbier/La Tzoumaz area or a short taxi (train + local transfer total ~2h). Typical second-class ticket Geneva-Martigny is around CHF 30-40 one-way; local/regional transfers are usually CHF 5-15.
Train: Charrat is served via the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) network with the nearest main station at Martigny. Regional Regio trains connect Martigny with towns in the Valais; travel times from Martigny to Charrat area are short (under 15 minutes). Buy tickets through the SBB app or station machines.
Bus: PostBus (PostAuto) and regional buses cover local connections in Valais. From Martigny, local buses and PostAuto routes serve smaller villages; a single short regional bus ride is typically CHF 2-6 depending on distance.
How to Get Around Charrat
The most practical way to reach and move around Charrat is by rail to Martigny followed by regional PostBus or a short taxi for the final leg. For local sightseeing and accessing trails, walking and cycling are the best options.
- SBB / Regional Trains (CHF 5-40) - SBB and regional Regio trains are the most reliable way to reach the Valais towns from major hubs (Martigny is the nearest main station). Trains are frequent to Martigny from Geneva and Lausanne; use the SBB app for schedules and seat reservations on longer journeys. Expect punctual, comfortable services with luggage space for alpine travel.
- PostBus (PostAuto) (CHF 2-15) - PostBus runs local routes linking stations with villages not on the rail line. Buses are timed to connect with trains in many cases; they accept Swiss Travel Pass and point-to-point tickets bought on board or at machines. They’re economical and convenient for short hops.
- Taxi / Private Transfer (CHF 40-120) - Taxis and shared private transfers provide door-to-door service from Sion or Martigny stations; useful if you carry ski gear or arrive late. Expect higher fares than public transport but much greater convenience for remote valley locations.
- Car Rental (CHF 60-120/day) - Renting a car at Geneva or Sion gives maximum flexibility to explore Valais and surrounding passes. Roads are well maintained but winter tyres or chains may be required in snow; parking in villages is usually limited but manageable outside peak season.
- Cycling (CHF 15-60/day) - The Rhône valley is popular with cyclists; quieter lanes and dedicated cycle paths exist along parts of the valley. Suitable for fit cyclists and short local journeys in summer; hire options are available in larger towns.
- Walking - Walking is the best way to explore Charrat and nearby villages once you’re there - short distances, scenic routes and well-marked trails. No price to walk, but bring appropriate footwear for mountain terrain.
Where to Stay in Charrat
Budget
Charrat / Martigny - CHF 50-90/night
Charrat is small with limited cheap lodging; most budget choices are in nearby Martigny or Sion.
Martigny area guesthouses (see Martigny tourist site) - Several budget B&Bs and guesthouses nearby
Hotel Montaña (Martigny area) - Modest hotel in nearby Martigny
Mid-Range
Charrat / Martigny - CHF 90-160/night
Mid-range stays are best found in Martigny (a short drive). Charrat has a few local guesthouses rather than hotels.
Hotel Montaña (Martigny) - Comfortable mid-range in Martigny
Grand Hotel du Parc, Martigny - Traditional mid-range hotel
Luxury
Charrat / Valais resorts - CHF 160+/night
Charrat has virtually no standalone luxury hotels; for premium alpine hotels, head to Verbier or Crans-Montana.
Luxury hotels in Verbier / Crans-Montana (regional) - High-end alpine hotels a drive away
Le Bon Temps / upscale options in Valais - Select premium stays in the Valais region
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Charrat’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Charrat
Nightlife in Charrat is minimal, focused on quiet bars or hotel restaurants rather than a nightlife scene. For evening entertainment, live music and a broader bar selection you’ll need to travel to larger nearby towns such as Martigny or Sion.
Shopping in Charrat
Shopping in Charrat is basic: expect a small grocery or village shop and a few local services. For a wider selection - supermarkets, specialty stores and markets - head to nearby Martigny or Sion.