Charrat Travel Guide

City Municipality in Valais canton, southwestern Switzerland

Sitting in the Rhône valley, Charrat serves as a lowland gateway to Valais mountains. Visitors pass through for vineyard lanes, access to alpine trails and seasonal markets; local dairies and cheese makers offer a concise taste of mountain valley agriculture.

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.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

11:22 PM

GMT+2

Weather

56°F

Mostly Clear

Population

1,156

Infrastructure & Convenience

Frequent trains/buses nearby, English signs common; tourist-friendly.

Popularity

Attracts hikers, wine tourists, and local visitors, not mass tourism.

Known For

Rhône valley scenery, vineyards, hiking trails, Alpine views, proximity to Martigny, traditional Swiss villages, local cheese, winter sports, cycling routes

Charrat sits in the Rhône valley just east of Martigny and lies within Valais's wine-producing corridor.

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

All Attractions ›

Chillon Castle

Waterfront medieval fortress on Lake Geneva

Castle

Mont Blanc

Western Europe's highest peak on France–Italy border

Mountain

Aiguille du Midi

Alpine summit with cable-car access and panoramic views

Mountain

Grandes Jorasses

High Mont Blanc massif peaks popular with mountaineers

Mountain

Grand Combin

High Valais massif with extensive glaciation

Mountain

Mont Dolent

Alpine peak marking the France–Italy–Switzerland border

Mountain

Aiguille Verte

Prominent Mont Blanc massif peak, serious alpine climbing.

Mountain

Aiguille du Dru

Prominent granite peak in Mont Blanc massif

Mountain

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.

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

December - February · -6°C to 4°C (21°F to 39°F)

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

March - May · 4°C to 18°C (39°F to 64°F)

Rapid green-up and warming; lower vineyards bloom while higher trails can still hold snow-great for hiking before midsummer crowds and wildflowers.

Summer

June - August · 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F)

Warm, dry days ideal for long hikes, mountain biking and vineyard visits; expect afternoon showers in hotter summers at higher elevations.

Best Time to Visit Charrat #

Climate

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.

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustJune

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

28°

Warmest Month

-29°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

1°

Feels Like Cold

1°C

Temperature

-3° – 5°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

63 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.9h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

3°

Feels Like Cold

3°C

Temperature

-2° – 7°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

68 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.2h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

1° – 12°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

54 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cold

10°C

Temperature

5° – 15°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

55 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.0

UV Index

High

13.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

9° – 20°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

67 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

14.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with 81 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Cool

18°C

Temperature

12° – 23°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

81 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

15.6h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

14° – 26°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

68 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

15.2h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

14° – 25°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

69 mm

Rainfall

1.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.5

UV Index

High

14.0h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

10° – 21°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

63 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.0

UV Index

Moderate

12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

6° – 15°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

71 mm

Rainfall

1.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.5

UV Index

Moderate

10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

1° – 9°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

73 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.3h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

2°

Feels Like Cold

2°C

Temperature

-2° – 5°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

72 mm

Rainfall

1.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.5h daylight

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.

By Air

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.

By Train & Bus

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 #

Charrat is compact and easy to explore on foot; most attractions and services are within a short walk. Bicycles work well for short trips along the valley. Regional buses connect the village with larger towns in Valais and the nearest major rail hubs; taxis are available but limited. Check SBB and PostBus timetables for reliable schedules and expect local fares of a few Swiss francs for short bus rides.

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

Where to Eat in Charrat #

Local Valais Cuisine

Wine & Cellar Eateries

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Charrat's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza

Regional

Italian

Burger

French

Kebab

Local

Chinese

Portuguese

Thai

Asian

Crepe

Suisse

Sandwich

Fine Dining

International

Greek

Pasta

Sushi

Tacos

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.

Nearby Cities #