Holidays in Saas Fee

Nicknamed the Pearl of the Alps - walking holidays to Saas-Fee combine some of mightiest mountains and glaciers in the Swiss Alps with chocolate-box village style

Saas-Fee is the largest of four villages in the Saas Valley, set on a high mountain plateau against a spectacular backdrop of 4,000 metre-plus peaks and snowy glaciers. It’s a popular ski resort in winter, but in summer the slopes are an excellent starting point for walking, climbing, cycling – and marvelling at some of the most sublime scenery in the Alps. Back in town, it's clear why Saas Fee is nicknamed the Pearl of the Alps. Wooden houses and rustic farm buildings line car-free streets – with many buildings transformed into cafés, shops, chalets and restaurants that serve hearty Valais specialities ideal for refuelling after a day’s explorations.

Hiking the Saas Valley

Around 350 kilometres of footpaths connect the villages, valleys, viewpoints and glaciers of the Saas Valley.  Take your pick between meandering valley strolls and village-to-village rambles – or choose a more challenging ascent. For experienced hikers, there's plenty of options to suit the ambitious or you can have a go at a via ferrata route. Cable cars lead into the surrounding Alps for spectacular views and high alpine walking paths. Mountain bikers are in their element too; there’s around 70 kilometres of cycling and biking trails along the Saas Valley.

Mittelallalin

Mittelallalin, one of the summits of the perpetually snowy Allalinhorn, is reached by the Metro Alpin - climbing to over 3,500 metres, it’s the world’s highest funicular railway, which in turn travels up to the world’s highest revolving restaurant. This is the place for a bite to eat with views over glaciers and rugged mountains – and the surreal sight of skiers who swoop around the snowy slopes all year round. You can even visit the Ice Caves - a network of caves carved into the Fee Glacier, give an insight into life beneath the ice.

Explore Saas-Fee

Saas-Fee is largely car-free – you might just catch the whirr of the odd electric vehicle buzzing between hotels and cable car stations. It makes for a peaceful place for strolling between wooden houses, stone churches and restaurants that serve everything from potato rösti and cheesy raclette to gourmet extravaganzas. Getting a sense of déjà vu while wandering the streets? Just imagine Saas-Fee with its snowy winter coat on – it was the setting of Wham’s Last Christmas music video.

The post buses of the Saas Valley

Post buses run throughout the Saas Valley. Once upon a time, these carried parcels between remote villages and farms; these days, it’s mostly hikers who are delivered between valley villages, lakes and footpaths that head up into the towering peaks above. The buses also connect Saas-Fee to Stalden – the nearest train station for journeys onward to Zermatt, a mountain town with views of the iconic Matterhorn - or to Visp, for train connections further afield.

Why book a summer holiday in Saas Fee with Inghams?

At Inghams, we do walking holidays differently. With no fixed itinerary, you have more time in your destination and the freedom to walk as much or as little as you like, discovering some of the Saas Valley's best walking routes and activities at your own pace.

With over 85 years of outdoor travel experience, our holiday packages to Saas Fee include flights, transfers, and accommodation, so you can relax and leave the small details to us. Our experts can help you choose the best holiday for you, and our team overseas can give you the inside scoop on how to spend your time away with us.

Added value

Half price rail, bus and boat travel with the Swiss Half Fare Card (worth over £100 per person)

Free travel on Swiss Transport Network for children up to 15 years incl.

Saastal Card included

Hotels in Saas Fee

  • from£894pp
  • @accommodation.PropertyRating

    4 Rating

    We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

  • 30 rooms
Speisesaal

Hotel Allalin is a family-run hotel in a quiet location near the centre of Saas Fee. The friendly atmosphere and excellent food make it a firm favourite with our guests. The Alpin Express is a ten-minute walk, and the nearby bus station gives easy access to the Saas Valley.

  • from£757pp
  • @accommodation.PropertyRating

    3 Rating

    We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

  • 16 rooms
Hotel Park Saas Fee Living Room

Hotel Allalin is a family-run hotel in a quiet location near the centre of Saas Fee. The friendly atmosphere and excellent food make it a firm favourite with our guests. The Alpin Express is a ten-minute walk, and the nearby bus station gives easy access to the Saas Valley.

  • from£799pp
  • @accommodation.PropertyRating

    3 Rating

    We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

  • 24 apartments
Allalin Apartments Saas Fee Two Bedroom Apartment (1)

Part of the excellent Hotel Allalin, the Allalin Apartments are a great value self-catering option for your Saas Fee getaway. In various locations throughout the resort, they have well-equipped kitchens and south-facing balconies so you can make the most of the sun and mountain views.

  • from£1129pp
  • @accommodation.PropertyRating

    5 Rating

    We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

  • 72 rooms
swimming pool.jpg

In the centre of Saas Fee and within easy reach of the lifts, the luxurious but family-friendly Walliserhof Grand Hotel & Spa combines luxury and homely charm. The food is exquisite but the atmosphere is laid-back. A highlight of your stay will be the hotel's extensive spa.

Swiss Half Fare Card

The Swiss transport network is an excellent combination of trains, mountain railways, cable-cars, boats and buses that make it a pleasure to get around and explore at your own pace. 

Swiss Half Fare Card included for all Inghams guests

The Swiss Half Fare Card is included in the price of your holiday and is sent to you as part of your rail transfer tickets. This card can be used around Switzerland for up to 50% discount on various modes of transport - so make sure you keep it with you. It also gives free travel to children from 6 to 15 years old, when accompanied by a parent with the Family Card.

Things to do
  • Hiking
  • Cable cars
  • Via Ferrata
  • Mini golf
  • Walking
  • Watersports
  • Swimming
  • New sports centre
  • Summer toboggan
  • Adventure park
  • Golf

In Saas Fee the walking possibilities are endless, and several cable-cars and chairlifts take you up above the village for spectacular views and higher paths. A must is a ride to the summit of the Metro Alpin, the world's highest underground funicular railway. Many Saas Fee hotels organise guided walks and picnics for guests to enjoy, whilst the tourist office also arranges a regular programme of concerts and folklore events. The village has a good selection of cafés, bars and restaurants. A day-trip to Zermatt to see the iconic Matterhorn is a must!

Other things to do in and around Saas Fee

  • Ice Palace and revolving restaurant with 360° views at Mittelallalin
  • 20km of summer skiing - the summer training ground for many national teams
  • Saas Museum of village life through the ages
  • Newly opened 'Aqua Allalin' resort pool and wellness area with sauna, steam bath and whirlpool
  • 9 hole golf course and mini-golf
  • Selection of excellent mountain restaurants
  • ‘Nostalgic Culinary Mile’ celebrating the traditional food and costume of the region takes place approx. 5 Sep
  • Excellent range of activities suitable for families including meeting the marmottes, crazy gold, adventure forest, children's playground, monster scooters, themed walking trails and Ice Pavilion.
  • Via Ferrata for beginners from Jun-September at Saas-Grund

Resort Card - Free use of resort lifts for all guests staying in Saas Fee partner hotels.

Your ‘Saas Fee Resort Card’* is provided by your hotel on arrival and gives you:

Free unlimited use of most resort lifts including:

  • Felskinn cable-car (normally open mid Jun - mid Jul)
  • Alpin Express (normally open mid Jul - Oct)
  • Plattjen gondola (normally open beg Jun - Oct)
  • Kreuzboden gondola (normally open mid Jun - Oct)
  • Speilboden gondola (normally open mid Jun - Oct)
  • Langfluh (normally open mid Jun - Oct)
  • Free use of local post buses to surrounding villages in Saas valley: Saas Balen, Saas Grund, Saas Allmagell

Subject to change. Metro Alpin and Hohsaas lifts not included (pay locally). The Hannig gondola is closed for summer 2023.

Swiss Half Fare Travel Card included for all Inghams guests

Save up to 50% with your half-price card on trips of your choice across the Swiss transport network. Included in the price of your holiday, and is sent to you as part of your rail transfer tickets.

Exploring on the Swiss Transport Network

Switzerland's excellent public transport network of mountain railways, cable-cars, steam boats and buses makes it a pleasure to explore the sights, at your own pace.

Excursions

Bookable in resort

Zermatt - The ‘Matterhorn’ Village


Visit the famous ‘Matterhorn Village’ on this coach excursion. Go up the famous Gornergrat rack railway or discover the quaint little streets of boutiques and mouth-watering chocolate shops.

Many more options available locally through your Representative including a Guided walk along the Glacier Trail. 

Please note that we act at all times as selling agent for the suppliers of activities & excursions. Prices and supplements are correct at time of publishing but may vary up or down; correct prices will be advised at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Walking

The walking opportunities in this region are superb, Saas Fee offers over 350km of well-marked paths, the majority of which are above the tree line. Post bus services offer access into the valley, and the cablecars and gondolas take walkers to the higher trails and viewpoints. The terrain is suited to all levels.

Easy Strollers will enjoy the gentle walking around Saas-Allmagell, Kreuzboden and Saas-Grund, or can take the walk around the Mattmark reservoir (approx. 1½ hrs),

Moderate Try the ‘Alpine Flower Trail’ a popular and pleasant walk on Kreuzboden above Saas-Grund, with 1000-year old larches and over 240 species of alpine plant thriving here (approx. 3½ hrs). Nature lovers should also head up to Hannig, which is a good place to see chamois, take the path leading back down to the Saas Fee from the top of Spielboden – also a popular route for the local marmots!

Slightly challenging More adventurous walkers can reach the Swiss-Italian border via the Monte Moro ‘smugglers’ pass from the Mattmark Dam, or head up high to 3000m from the top of the Felskin and across to the Britannia Hut for some incredible views!

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Combining stays in three contrasting areas of Switzerland, this 3 centre independent rail holiday gives you a fantastic overview of Switzerland’s varied scenery and also includes a journey on one of the most famous train lines in the world – the dramatic ‘Glacier Express’.

Good to know

Walking trails: around 350km walking trails and easy access to neighbouring villages and lifts

Terrain: mountainous terrain, rugged mountains, forest trails, glaciers and valleys

Best time to go: end of May to mid October

Recommended for: Walkers of all abilities, nature

Fly into: Geneva or Zurich (approx. 2 hours)

Transfer time: approx. 2 hours 30 mins (from Zurich) or 3 hours (from Geneva) by train and Postbus (journey will require changes of train and last section is taken by bus)

Rep service: Telephone

Resort card: Swiss Half Fare Card and Saastal Card included for all hotels

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