Sion

Welcome to Sion!

Dominated by its two iconic castles, Valère and Tourbillon, Sion proudly stands as the Swiss Capital of the Alps. The city is distinguished by its dynamism, welcoming atmosphere, sunny climate, and rich historical and archaeological heritage — all qualities that make it an outstanding place to live, work and visit.

With nearly 35,000 inhabitants, 3,500 businesses and 35,000 jobs, spread across a territory extending from the Rhône Valley to almost 2,200 metres above sea level, Sion is the political and administrative capital of the Canton of Valais and the economic engine of the Central Valais region.

Sion promotes a development model that integrates both urban and mountain environments and relies on innovation to leverage its strengths in the fields of healthcare, energy, and geosciences.

As an important centre for education and research, the city is home to numerous higher education institutions, including the largest decentralised campus of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), the School of Engineering and the School of Health Sciences of HES-SO Valais-Wallis, as well as several research institutes affiliated with the Universities of Geneva and Lausanne.

The city benefits from excellent road and rail connections and is served by an international airport.

A vibrant centre for culture and social life, Sion offers a wealth of theatres, cultural venues, museums and art galleries. Throughout the summer, several festivals enliven the city, including the Tibor Varga International Violin Competition and Classical Music Festival, the Valère Organ Festival, as well as more recent events such as Sion sous les étoiles and the Irish Festival.

Sion’s medieval old town is one of the most lively and best-preserved in Switzerland. Every Friday, a large market attracts visitors from across French-speaking Switzerland.

Located in the heart of the Alps, the municipality covers approximately 35 km², stretching from the valley floor to the mountains and reaching an altitude of 2,300 metres. With 420 hectares of vineyards, Sion is the second-largest wine-producing municipality in Valais.

 

Altitude:	512 (m. above sea level)
Number of inhabitants (as of 31.12.2024):	37'154

Administration communale de la Ville de Sion
Hôtel de Ville; Rue du Grand-Pont 12, CP 2272
1950 Sion 2

Phone: +41 (0)27 324 11 11
info@sion.ch
www.sion.ch