Things To Do
in Martigny

Melted Valais raclette cheese scraped over potatoes, pickles and onions — the region’s signature dish and widely available in traditional restaurants and mountain huts.

Must-Try!

Classic Swiss cheese fondue made with local Valais cheeses; perfect for a cold evening and commonly found in cozy bistros and rustic eateries.

Cured and air-dried beef from Valais, served sliced as an appetizer — look for it at markets, deli counters and traditional restaurants.

A selection of local cheeses, cured meats, and regional bread — great for sampling multiple local specialties.

Local produce market (days vary by season) with stalls selling cheese, cured meats, breads, fruit, vegetables and local wines — excellent for picnic supplies or tasting regional specialties.

During summer events and festivals you’ll find local vendors selling raclette sandwiches, bratwurst and alpine cheese-based snacks; look for food stands near cultural events like concerts at Fondation Gianadda.

Use a polite 'Bonjour' (hello) and 'Merci' (thank you) — Martigny is French-speaking and basic French greetings are appreciated.

Be punctual for appointments, tours and public transport — Swiss culture values timeliness.

Keep noise levels down in residential areas and late at night; respect quiet hours and local recycling/waste-sorting rules.

Follow signage, stay on marked routes, and respect private land and agricultural areas, especially in vineyard terraces.

Service is usually included in Switzerland (prices include service); round up the bill or add a small tip (5–10%) for exceptional service. In cafés, leaving small change or rounding up is common.

Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) and contactless payments are widely accepted; carry some Swiss francs (CHF) for small shops, market stalls and mountain huts. Mobile payments are increasingly common and SBB/ticket machines accept cards.

Snow melts in the lower valleys and wildflowers appear on alpine meadows; many hiking trails open progressively. Weather can still be changeable — bring layers and waterproofs.

Warm, sunny days are common and it’s prime hiking, climbing and outdoor dining season; expect more tourists on popular trails and in valley towns. Afternoon thunderstorms occur occasionally in the high Alps.

Grape harvest and wine-related events occur; cooler temperatures and beautiful autumn colours on the vineyards. Many mountain huts close for the season, so check access before planning high-route hikes.

Cold with snow in town and heavy snow in higher elevations — excellent for skiing and winter sports nearby. Roads and mountain passes may require winter tyres and some lifts/trails are seasonal.

Major international airport about 1.5–2 hours by train or car; frequent connections to Martigny via regional trains and intercity services.

Regional airport closer to Martigny (around 30–45 minutes by car); limited scheduled flights but useful for private and seasonal connections.

Major international hub with excellent onward connections by rail; travel time to Martigny is longer (several hours by train) but viable for international arrivals.

Italian international airport reachable by car or train in roughly 3–4 hours — an option if flying into northern Italy and traveling overland into the Valais.

Alpine skiing is hugely popular in the region with numerous nearby resorts and excellent lift infrastructure in winter.

Hiking, glacier approaches and mountaineering are common pursuits for locals and visitors, ranging from valley walks to technical alpine routes.

Growing in popularity with diverse trails from valley paths to technical singletrack in the high alpine areas.

Local grassroots football is popular and widely played in communities across Valais.