Riddes Travel Guide
City Swiss alpine municipality in Valais, near ski areas
In the Rhône valley, Riddes is a doorway to Valais slopes and cable cars; skiers and hikers use the town for mountain access, vineyard terraces, and apricots sold at roadside stalls.
Why Visit Riddes? #
In the heart of Valais, this village is a great base for wine tourism and Alpine access: terraced vineyards in the Rhône valley, tasting rooms pouring Fendant, and close links to ski areas like Verbier and hiking in the summer. Mountain scenery and sunny slopes create a pronounced contrast with cellar visits and raclette-focused meals. Cultural events tied to viticulture and valley life make it appealing for travelers who want both outdoor sports and culinary discovery.
Top Things to Do in Riddes
All Attractions ›
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- Verbier ski resort - Head to Verbier ski resort for alpine hiking, mountain biking, and panoramic trails.
- Fondation Pierre Gianadda (Martigny) - Explore Martigny and Fondation Pierre Gianadda museum with art, cars, and Roman ruins.
- Grande Dixence Dam - See the Grande Dixence Dam engineering marvel and hike nearby alpine paths.
- Bisse irrigation trails - Walk a local 'bisse' irrigation channel path for shaded, historic mountain walks.
- Les Marécottes and Salvan - Visit Les Marécottes alpine village and zoo, plus Salvan's cliffside promenade.
- Local alpine hamlets - Discover small mountain hamlets for traditional Valaisan architecture and artisan products.
- Sion and its castles - Day trip to Sion for Valère and Tourbillon castles and local wine tasting.
- Verbier and 4 Vallées - Travel to Verbier for high-mountain trails, lifts, and panoramic valley walks.
Best Time to Visit Riddes #
Riddes is best from late spring to early autumn when sunny valley weather favors hiking, vineyards and mountain access. Winters are chillier but offer easy access to nearby ski areas.
Best Time to Visit Riddes #
Riddes'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 25°C. Moderate rainfall (726 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with 71 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Riddes
Riddes in Valais is on the regional rail corridor between Sion and Martigny, making it straightforward to reach by train from Geneva, Lausanne or Sion. Local PostBus services and taxis cover connections to nearby resorts and villages.
Geneva Airport (GVA): A common international gateway for Valais. From Geneva take an InterRegio train to Sion or Martigny and change for a local train/bus to Riddes; total travel time ~1.5-2 hours, fares typically CHF 25-45.
Sion Airport (SIR): Sion has limited scheduled flights; if available, land here and take a short taxi or local bus to Riddes (~10-20 minutes), fares ~CHF 15-30.
Train: Riddes has its own railway station on the Simplon/Valais regional network between Sion and Martigny. From Sion the train takes about 10-15 minutes; from Geneva or Lausanne expect ~1.5-2 hours with one change. Regional fares vary but are commonly CHF 10-40 depending on origin.
Bus: Local PostBus services link Riddes with surrounding villages and valley towns; buses coordinate with train arrivals and are useful for last-mile travel to mountain villages and ski lifts.
How to Get Around Riddes #
Riddes village centre is walkable for everyday errands and short visits. The local layout is compact, so walking is often the easiest way to get around town. Riddes lies in Valais where regional trains and buses connect neighbouring towns; use the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and local bus services for timetables and tickets. A car gives extra freedom for exploring vineyards and mountain routes outside town.
Where to Stay in Riddes #
Where to Eat in Riddes #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Riddes's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Riddes #
Nightlife in Riddes is low-key. Expect quiet bars and hotel restaurants rather than clubs or live-music venues. Evenings are generally family-friendly and relaxed. For livelier nightlife options, head to the bigger towns in the Valais region.
Shopping in Riddes #
Shopping in Riddes is small-scale: a handful of grocery stores, bakeries and local businesses serve residents. It’s not a shopping destination for tourists. For more extensive shopping (outlet stores, larger supermarkets or specialty foods) visit larger Valais towns such as Sion or Martigny.
