Brig

Brig used to be the most important transport hub in the region, as the old Lötschberg line from Berne, the Simplon line from Domodossola and Milan, the InterRegio trains from Lausanne as well as the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn towards Andermatt and Zermatt all converge here. Since the opening of the new Lötschberg base tunnel, a lot of this has been diverted to Visp, making Brig quieter than it used to be. Nevertheless it remains an important town, and all international trains (EC) still stop here as the last stop before Italy, and not in Visp.

While there are some buses with stops around town the city centre is quite small and nice to walk through. Parts of it are pedestrian only and all the main sights are within walking distance.

If you want to get out a bit further during summer (for instance to Brigerbad for swimming), there is a 🌍 free bike rental close to the railway station. It's run as a social project and is free for the first four hours. Be sure to check the website first as opening hours frequently change.

• 🌍 Stockalper Palace. This castle was built by a local merchant Kaspar Stockalper in the 17th century. Today the garden and the courtyard can be visited freely whereas the castle can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Fr. 8 for guided tour. (updated Mar 2016)
• 🌍 Swiss Guard Museum (Festung Naters). Jun-Oct: Sa 14:00-18:00, year round guided tours on request. This is an old fortification in the neighbouring town of Naters (which is just across the river from the main station). The museum offers an insight into the history of the Swiss Guard in Rome. There is also a couple of other museums located in the same fortification, one among which showcases the fortification itself. Fr. 10. (updated Jun 2016)
• 🌍 Ernest Guglielminetti Monument. A monument to Ernest Guglielminetti, the inventor of the tar road. (updated Jul 2016)

Take a stroll in the town centre. Typical Swiss town, with a nice river passing through the town centre.

• 🌍 Topic path railway, nature and art (starts right in front of the railway station). A 12-km, 3-hr, easy hike through Brig and neighbouring Bitsch and Naters. Passes by several railway buildings, such as the north portal of the Simplon tunnel. (updated Dec 2016)

Cordon bleu, schnitzel filled with cheese and ham, was invented in Brig.

• 🌍 Channa, Furkastrasse 5, ☏ +41 27 923 65 56. 08:00-23:00. The menu includes some local dishes, but the restaurant is mostly known for its excellent pizza. (updated Jul 2016)

• 🌍 Walliser Wii Stuba, Bahnhofstrasse 9, ☏ +41 27 923 14 28. M-F 09:00-23:00, Sa 11:00-00:00, Su 11:00-16:00. Specialises in local cuisine and wines. Fr. 16-25 for most mains. (updated Dec 2016)

• 🌍 Europe Hotel (right in front of the train station). Fr. 140 per night. (updated Jun 2016)

There are several smaller villages around Brig which are worth a trip on their own:

• 🌍 Brigerbad is a small town a short bus ride away from either Brig or Visp. There is a big 🌍 thermal bath with an extended outdoor pool area, as well as a camping ground.
• The Simplon area south of Brig makes a good destination for a day trip. From Brig take the postal bus up to the 🌍 Simplon Pass and then down the other side to the picturesque villages of 🌍 Simplon Dorf and 🌍 Gondo where the checkpoint on the Italian border is located.

• Take a 20-minute train ride to Domodossola, Italy for their weekly markets on a Saturday.
• Take a short train ride to Mörel or Betten and from there the cable car up to the Riederalp or the Bettmeralp. From here you have access to one of Europe's best ski resorts, unknown to most non-Europeans, named Aletsch as well as the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO heritage site.