A Day Trip to Sion: Castles, Climbs, and a Glass of Wine, Sion, Switzerland

If you’re spending time in Switzerland in the Swiss canton of Valais, Sion is a really easy and lovely day trip to do. It’s well connected by train, and from the moment you arrive, you’ll spot two impressive hilltop landmarks that have to be explored: Tourbillon Castle and the Basilique de Valère. Just be warned — both involve a bit of climbing.

Tourbillon is a dramatic 13th-century ruin overlooking the town. It’s open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 (March to November) and offers fantastic views from the top.

From the train station, it’s about a 30-minute walk. Most of the way to the castle is straightforward, but the final section is rather steep, rocky, and just when you think you’ve reached the top, there’s more. But the panoramic view over Sion and the surrounding vineyards makes the effort worthwhile. 

Directly across the valley, on another hill, stands the Basilique de Valère, a fortified church dating back to the 11th century. It’s home to one of the world’s oldest playable pipe organs, built around 1435. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).