Switzerland is full of idyllic villages, which most of us idolize because Heidi will forever hold a special place in our hearts. Soglio is one of a few small villages in the Bregaglia valley, on the Swiss border with Italy. It’s a great place to visit if you want to uncover a different side of Switzerland, one that is serene, quiet, and an entirely different world from the busy streets of Zurich and Geneva.
What’s the deal with this tiny village, where you should stay when you’re there, and what you can do in the area are all things I’ll explore in this visitor’s guide to Soglio. Keep reading to learn more about Soglio, Switzerland, so you can start planning your trip!
Table of Contents
History of Soglio
Soglio, Switzerland has a surprisingly rich history for such a small place. It was first mentioned as de Solio in 1186, more than eight centuries ago. The place is most notable for being the origin of the De Salis family, which was one of Grisons’ oligarch families.
They would later become known as Count de Salis-Soglio, and for centuries they held influence in the region. The impact of this family on the village is still visible even today, if only in their remaining properties. Several of the Salis houses can still be seen in the village, and one of them is even a hotel in which you can stay!
Soglio was also very important for Giovanni Segantini’s career. The famous Italian painter lived here for a few years, and the landscapes of the Bregaglia Valley inspired many of his paintings. Most of his works are displayed at the Segantini Museum in St. Moritz.
Things to Do in Soglio
Hiking In The Valley
The best way to explore Soglio is on foot, whether you’re just getting into hiking or you’ve already covered hundreds of kilometers on foot. The charming village offers easy access to multiple mountain summits in the area, and you can even hike to nearby villages if you want.
The most challenging hike in the area is the ascent of Piz Gallagiun. It takes approximately five and a half hours to climb to the top of the mountain from Soglio, and another three and a half hours to make it safely back to the village. The summit is 3107 meters above sea level, and the total ascent is more than 2,000 meters. It’s a tiring hike, but one that will reward you with the most incredible views of the valley and its villages.
Touring Historical Buildings
De Salis family originated from this hamlet, and this was one of the most influential families in the region at the time. They owned multiple houses in the village, many of which have been turned into tourist attractions travelers can visit. A leisurely stroll through the village will allow you to see some of these stone houses, but others are a bit further away from the historical center of Soglio.
Casa di Mezzo, Casa Alta, Casa Battista, and Casa Antonio are all still in the village. In fact, Casa Battista has been transformed into the Palazzo Salis hotel, and you can stay there during the trip if you want. There’s also Casa Gubert, on the eastern outskirts of the village.
Visit The Museums
This tiny village has a couple of museums, which says a lot about its history and tradition. They’re not big museums, but they’re absolutely worth your time if you want to know even a little bit more about this charming Swiss village.
La Streccia is a small museum with historical items found in Soglio, and Gallerie Palazzo Salis is a lovely gallery with two floors of beautiful art pieces. Giardino Casa Salis is also on the grounds of Palazzo Salis, and it features some interesting sculptures and lovely plants.
Accommodations in Soglio
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There are three hotels in Soglio, so if you want to stay in the village proper, you won’t have too many choices. There are a couple of other hotels in Promontogno, which is just a 15-minute bus ride from Soglio.
Palazzo Salis is the fanciest hotel in Soglio, with the largest and most expensive rooms. A night at this family-run hotel costs 150-360 CHF for a double room, which won’t even include a private bathroom. The hotel is actually an old palazzo that was built as a residence for Baptist von Salis. Many historic elements are preserved, from the vaulting on the ceiling to period furniture.
However, the historic nature of the building doesn’t allow for private bathrooms in most rooms, so only the Salis suites and Salis double rooms have access to this luxury. The good news is that the shared bathroom is easily accessible from all the other rooms and it is spotless.
Hotel Stua Grande is simpler and more affordable, with a fixed rate of 130 CHF for single rooms and 180 CHF for double rooms. The rooms are cozy and offer beautiful views of the valley and the surrounding mountains, but are also small and quite basic.
Hotel La Soglina has very spacious rooms with almost modern furnishings. All rooms are equipped with their own bathrooms, and the average nightly rate is 140 CHF for a double room with breakfast. Guests have access to free parking spots in the garage, and the closest bus stop is approximately 300 meters from the hotel.
What to Eat in Soglio
There aren’t too many different restaurants in Soglio; after all, the village has just 300 permanent residents. But the ones that are in the village are great, and known for delicious food that is a staple to this region. You’ll eat a mixture of Swiss and Italian cuisines in Soglio, and I really hope you’re not lactose intolerant because cheese is an essential ingredient in most dishes.
Hotel La Soglina, Hotel Stua Grand, and Palazzo Salis all have really good a la carte restaurants. You can easily eat all your meals at the hotel, and unless you specifically want to explore what the food is like at the other hotels in Soglio, I highly recommend just paying for full board immediately because it’s the best value for money.
Although there aren’t that many restaurants in the village proper, you can always board a bus (or drive) to one of the nearby towns and explore the popular restaurants there. Lanterna Verde is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Italy, just a 12-minute drive from the heart of Soglio, and a popular destination for all foodies and fine dining enthusiasts in the region.
How to Get to Soglio
Soglio is tucked away in the valley, so it’s not exactly the easiest place in Switzerland to reach. There’s no train station near the village, and the final stretch to Soglio can only be done by bus. The closest train station to Soglio is in St. Moritz, which is approximately 40 kilometers from the small village.
From there, you need to take one bus to Silvaplana, then a second bus from Silvaplana to Promontogno, then a third and final bus (632) to Soglio. It’s also possible to take a bus from St. Moritz directly to Promontogno (line 4), but these don’t run very often. In total, it takes between an hour and a half and two hours to travel from St. Moritz to Soglio by bus.
St. Moritz is most easily reached from Zurich and Chur, and trains from all over Switzerland (even Interlaken and Geneva) travel along the southern shore of Lake Zurich. If you’re able to rent a vehicle and drive to Soglio, it will be the best and quickest way of traveling to the beautiful village.
Best Time to Visit Soglio
The best time to visit Soglio is summer and the shoulder months. You can go hiking, see the countless flowers that this village is famous for, and just enjoy warm, sunny days in this romantic village on the Italian border. Sure, summer is the peak season to travel in Switzerland, but Soglio never gets that many visitors that the place becomes incredibly crowded.
Winter is a good time to visit if you enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking. Seeing the snow-covered peaks tower above the valley floor is an entirely different experience, and the traditional architecture becomes even more impressive when it’s covered with snow. The only issue is that the hotels are not open in the winter season, except for a couple of weeks around the Christmas holidays.
Although I personally enjoy traveling in the spring, you might want to avoid heading to Soglio in May. It’s by far the rainiest month of the year, and the constant rain could dampen your plans to explore the beautiful scenery and the nearby villages on hikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Soglio an expensive place to visit?
Soglio is somewhat expensive to visit. There aren’t too many hotels to choose from, so the prices are a bit high for what’s essentially a small village far from the urban parts of Switzerland.
Is Soglio suitable for solo travelers?
Soglio is suitable for solo travelers, especially those who enjoy spending time exploring the great outdoors. The village is in a beautiful Swiss region with many wonderful hiking trails and tall mountain summits in the immediate vicinity.
Is it worth visiting Soglio?
Soglio is worth visiting if you’ve already traveled a bit through Switzerland and you want to explore off the beaten path. The village is great for a relaxing vacation, but it doesn’t offer too many things to do and you might get bored easily here.
