WHAT TO DO IN SOGLIO + TRAVEL TIPS
If you’re looking for one of the most picturesque villages in Switzerland, I’ve got great news for you: the village of Soglio is an absolute gem! Located close to the border with Italy, this tiny village is nestled among snowy peaks and features a few notable buildings.
Seriously, it may not sound like much, but it was named Switzerland’s most beautiful village of the year in 2015 and it is a beauty indeed!
Keep reading to find out what are the best things to do in Soglio and more interesting information so you can enjoy a great day trip to Soglio (or stay even longer).
SOGLIO – TRAVEL TIPS AND MORE
Soglio is located in the south of Switzerland, in the canton of the Grisons (Graubünden in German). Actually, in just 10 minutes by car, you’ll find yourself in Italy, close to the town of Chiavenna and then to Lago di Como. In the other direction, across the Maloja Pass and the beautiful Engadine Valley, you will reach the ski resort of Saint Moritz in about 40 minutes by car.
Soglio is in the district of Maloja and part of the municipality of Bregaglia, together with a few other villages. It’s so small that Google Maps will show you the total area of the village, including the nearby mountains! It’s easier to find it by typing “Soglio, Villaggio, Bregaglia, Switzerland”.
Soglio is built at 1090 meters above sea level, on a terrace of Bregaglia Valley facing south.
The name of the town is already found in documents dated as early as the year 13th century.
To pronounce it, think of “quesadilla”: it’s the same “s” sound, and the Italian “gl” sounds just like the “ll”, so it’s basically “sollo”.
Less than 300 people live here – you see, it is really small and actually thus also a very peaceful place to visit in Switzerland.
Even though I always say that the weather in Switzerland is quite unpredictable, you can reasonably expect more rain in the summer than in the winter. However, summer days last approximately 15 hours and have more sunshine, and sunny days are more frequent in the winter. Snow usually falls from the end of November through March, when temperatures go well below 0°C, and summers are also pretty fresh with the highest temperatures at 15°C.
Italian is the main language but German and basic English are also spoken.
Wear comfy shoes – these cobbled-stoned streets are not meant for high heels.
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HOW TO GET TO SOGLIO
Soglio is isolated and yet, there are several ways to get there.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
From St.Moritz, you take bus no. 4 and pass the beautiful lakes of St. Moritz Lake, Silser Lake, and Silvaplana Lake before driving towards Majola and the Majola Pass. It gets windy but the views are excellent.
In Promontogno/Posta, change buses and take bus no. 632 which will drop you off directly in Soglio village.
It will take about 90 minutes from St.Moritz and buses do not run frequently, so check and plan ahead.
CAR
You can also drive to Soglio and it will take about 45 minutes only. From St.Moritz, you will pass the beautiful lakes before reaching the Majola Pass. It is a mountain pass, open all year round. You have (paid) parking spots in Soglio, though I am not sure how busy it gets in the warm summer months.
WHERE TO STAY IN SOGLIO
Soglio has just very few hotels – if you want to stay overnight, especially in the warmer and busier months, book rather early than last minute.
- Hotel La Soglina is a family-run hotel in the village of Soglio. You will have basic amenities like free wifi, free parking, and more. Check out prices here.
- Another hotel in Soglio is Hotel Stüa Granda which is in the heart of Soglio. Parking is not free, so it is a good option if you get to Soglio by bus. Find out more about the hotel here.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN SOGLIO IN ONE DAY
Soglio is small – like really small and there isn’t much to see in Soglio, but it is still a lovely place for a walk and for hiking. And admiring the beautiful, beautiful, beautiful scenery! If you are lucky and visit on a sunny day, you will love that view even more.
STROLL VILLAGE CENTER
The most important tip I have for you is to just stroll the few streets with their traditional stone houses and cute decorations.
One of the few attractions is the church that you cannot miss. The belfry of Reformed Church stands out among the houses huddled along the narrow stone streets. Make sure you walk around it and into the beautiful cemetery to admire the stunning view of the valley and of the Alps.
Then, you’ll find easily the Hotel Palazzo Salis, a 17th-century hotel with a classy historical atmosphere and a wonderful garden. Could it have been in the garden here where Giovanni Segantini, the famous Italian painter, was sitting and claiming that Soglio was “the gateway to paradise“?
As you stroll the street, keep in mind that some of these houses are 400 years old! It’s quite magical to be surrounded by such old and rusty architecture, based on simple stone and wood.
If you are planning to spend a whole day here, let me reassure you that there are a few restaurants where you can enjoy good meals.
SOGLIO VIEWPOINT
One picture you probably all have seen is this one. Soglio from above!
If you get to Soglio by bus or car, you have to walk through the village center and walk towards “Val Bregaglia” to enjoy this view. You have to walk for about 10 minutes and do a short uphill walk. If you wear comfy shoes it is no big deal at all. This is probably the most famous image from Soglio – and it is indeed very pretty.
HIKING IN SOGLIO
In the mountains, there are also beautiful hiking trails and this is also true for Soglio.
VAL BREGAGLIA – CASACCIA TO SOGLIO
Another popular thing to do in Soglio is hiking. It’s the best way to enjoy this pure panorama. One of the most famous hikes is through the Val Bregaglia, namely from the town of Casaccia, down through the whole valley, until Soglio.
You can reach Casaccia by bus from St. Moritz and then continue through chestnut woods and meadows along the panoramic trail “Sentiero Panoramico”.
You’ll pass a few small villages and some abandoned farms as the path dips and rises until reaching Soglio. All along, the views are just fantastic.
SOGLIO TO PIZ GALLAGIUN – A much more challenging hike is the one from Soglio to Piz Gallagiun: a whole day to reach 3105 meters of altitude, surrounded by the beautiful Swiss/Italian nature. If you’re not up for the whole hike, of course, you can take it slow, or just come back when you feel like it.
VISIT ST. MORITZ
If you are in Soglio, St. Moritz should be on your list for sure. Soglio is a small village hidden in the mountains – St.Moritz and the Engadine Valley is where the “action” is.
Whether you come to Soglio in winter or summer, a day trip to St. Moritz is a must – to stroll the wonderful lakes, get up on one of the many mountain summits, or stroll the town center of St. Moritz…there is a bit more to do than in Soglio. Check out my St. Moritz guide for more tips.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BEST SOGLIO ACTIVITIES / SIGHTS
Soglio is such a beautiful gem! It really is. Though it is tiny and quite remote, I highly suggest visiting at least for a day or so. And while there are not many attractions per se, Solgio is worth visiting. So, I hope you have found out about the best things to do in Soglio
