Chamonix is probably best known for skiing, but you definitely don't need to ski to have an amazing trip here. We visited in winter without setting foot on a pair of skis and still came away wishing we'd had much longer than one day.
Sitting at the foot of Mont Blanc in the French Alps, Chamonix is packed with things to do throughout the year. You can take a cable car almost 4,000 metres into the mountains, step inside a glass box above the Alps, ride a bright red mountain train to France's largest glacier or simply spend some time exploring Chamonix itself.
On our trip we visited Aiguille du Midi, tried Step Into the Void, rode the Montenvers Railway and headed down to Mer de Glace, all during a day trip from Geneva. There were also plenty of things we didn't have time to do and would love to go back for.
In this guide, I've put together the best things to do in Chamonix, starting with the attractions we've tried ourselves, followed by some of the places already on my list for our next visit.
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Best mountain experience: Aiguille du Midi
Best for incredible views: Step Into the Void
Best scenic journey: Montenvers Railway
Best natural attraction: Mer de Glace
Best for a relaxing afternoon: Spa or outdoor heated pool with mountain views
Best for families: Alpine coaster and mountain activities
Best free thing to do: Explore Chamonix town and enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains
How long do you need? You can see several of Chamonix's main attractions in one day, like we did, but I'd choose at least 2-3 days next time so we could experience more of Chamonix itself.
Do you need to ski? Definitely not. We visited in winter as non-skiers and still found far more to do than we could fit into one day.
If you only have time for one big attraction in Chamonix, I'd make it Aiguille du Midi. This was easily one of the highlights of our day.
From Chamonix, two cable cars take you high into the mountains to Aiguille du Midi at 3,842 metres. Even the journey up is incredible, with the views getting more dramatic the higher you climb.
Once you reach the top, there are several viewing terraces to explore with views across the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. We visited in February and had a beautifully clear day, with snowy mountain peaks in every direction.
One thing I wasn't quite prepared for was how noticeable the altitude would be. We saw people struggling with dizziness and headaches, so don't rush around once you reach the top. Take your time, drink plenty of water and give yourself a chance to adjust.
We visited Aiguille du Midi as part of our organised day trip from Geneva, which meant our cable car tickets had already been booked for us. This was really useful as we didn't need to queue at the ticket office when we arrived.
I'd allow a good couple of hours for Aiguille du Midi rather than trying to rush it. You'll want time for the viewing platforms and, of course, one of its most famous attractions, Step Into the Void.
Once you're at the top of Aiguille du Midi, you'll also find one of its most famous attractions, Step Into the Void.
This glass box sticks out over the mountains at 3,842 metres, with clear glass beneath your feet and some pretty incredible views all around you. Even though you know you're perfectly safe, looking down through the floor is another matter entirely!
We had to put slippers over our shoes before stepping inside to protect the glass, and you only get a short amount of time in the box before it's the next person's turn. There's someone there to take photos for you too, so you can actually get a decent picture together rather than trying to manage a selfie.
Step Into the Void is included with your Aiguille du Midi visit, so you don't need to buy a separate ticket.
My son absolutely loved it and thought the whole thing was brilliant. Me? Not quite so much! I was very happy when my feet were back on solid ground. It's definitely an experience I'm glad I did though, and one we'll always remember.
Another one of my favourite things we did in Chamonix was taking the Montenvers Railway up towards Mer de Glace.
The bright red mountain train leaves from Chamonix and takes around 20 minutes to climb up through the mountains. The journey itself is part of the experience, with some gorgeous views along the way.
A little tip from our trip is to try and sit on the left-hand side of the train on the way up for the best views. On the journey back down, choose the right-hand side instead.
At the top you'll arrive at Montenvers, where you can look out across Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France. From here you can continue down towards the glacier and ice cave.
One thing worth knowing is that the railway is only a few carriages long and, at certain points along the route, trains travelling in opposite directions can't pass each other. Although the trains run frequently, this can cause queues when it's busy.
We found this out on the way back down. The queue was huge and we ended up waiting around an hour before we could get on a train back to Chamonix. If you're visiting as part of a day trip or have something booked afterwards, I'd definitely leave some extra time rather than relying on getting straight onto the next train.
We visited as part of our organised Chamonix day trip, so our return train tickets had already been booked for us. If you're visiting independently, I'd allow enough time for the railway and Mer de Glace rather than treating this as a quick train ride. There's much more to see once you reach the top.
The main reason most people take the Montenvers Railway is to visit Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France.
From Montenvers, you can take the gondola down towards the glacier and continue to the ice cave, where you can actually walk inside the glacier itself.
We visited in February and I loved this part of the day. Walking through tunnels carved into the ice is such an unusual experience, and there are different sculptures and displays inside too.
Be prepared for a bit of walking though. Even with the gondola taking you much closer to the glacier, there are still steps to tackle to reach the ice cave and, more importantly, you've got to get back up them afterwards!
I'd also allow plenty of time for the whole Mer de Glace experience. Between the Montenvers Railway, gondola, walking to the ice cave and queues, it can easily take up a good chunk of your afternoon. We then had the long wait for the train back down too, which meant we ended up with far less free time in Chamonix than we'd originally expected.
Despite that, I'm really glad we did it. Standing beside the glacier and then actually walking inside it was one of those experiences that made our day in Chamonix feel completely different from a normal city break.
One thing I really wish we'd had more time for was simply exploring Chamonix itself.
We'd expected to have some free time during our day trip, but between Aiguille du Midi, the Montenvers Railway, Mer de Glace and the queues, most of our day disappeared. By the time we made it back down from the mountains, we didn't have nearly as long in the town as we'd hoped.
Chamonix has a completely different feel to Geneva. In winter, you've got snowy mountains surrounding the town, Alpine-style buildings, cafés, restaurants and bars, and that proper ski resort atmosphere even if, like us, you haven't come to ski.
I'd definitely leave a few hours just for wandering around, stopping for something to eat and actually enjoying being in Chamonix rather than racing between attractions.
This is one of the main reasons I'd stay in Chamonix next time rather than visiting for the day. We managed to tick off some of its biggest attractions, but I came away feeling like we'd barely scratched the surface of the town itself.
One thing we really wanted to try but didn't have enough time for was the Chamonix Alpine Coaster at Parc de Loisirs.
The coaster runs along a track for around 1,300 metres, with jumps, waves, twists and turns as you make your way around the course. You control your own speed too, so you can decide just how brave you want to be!
It's open throughout the year, including during winter, which is when I think it would be particularly fun with the snowy mountains around you.
You can ride alone or with two people in one sledge, making this a good one to add if you're visiting Chamonix with children or teenagers.
This is definitely going on our list for next time. My son would have absolutely loved it, and after seeing how much he enjoyed Step Into the Void, I suspect he'd be going around more than once.
Now this is much more my kind of Chamonix activity!
QC Spa Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a huge mountain spa with indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpools, saunas and relaxation areas, all surrounded by the Alps. There's even an infinity pool with views towards the Bossons Glacier.
I think this would be particularly gorgeous in winter when there's snow on the ground and you're sitting outside in a warm pool looking up at the mountains.
We didn't have anywhere near enough time to fit a spa visit into our day trip, but this is very high on my list for when we return. In fact, it's one of the reasons I'd choose to stay in Chamonix next time rather than travelling back to Geneva at the end of the day.
One important thing to know if you're travelling as a family is that children under 14 aren't allowed into the spa, and anyone under 18 needs to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Of course, we can't have a list of things to do in Chamonix without mentioning skiing!
Chamonix is one of the best-known ski destinations in the French Alps, with several different ski areas around the valley and options for different abilities.
We visited Chamonix as non-skiers, so I can't give you a first-hand review of the slopes, but what surprised me was just how much there was to do without skiing. Before our trip I'd always thought of Chamonix mainly as a ski resort, whereas now I'd happily return for a few days in winter without planning to ski at all.
If skiing or snowboarding is the main reason for your visit, I'd definitely stay in Chamonix rather than using Geneva as your base. You'll have much more time in the mountains and won't be spending part of your day travelling backwards and forwards across the border.
If Step Into the Void isn't quite enough of a thrill, you can take things a little further and go paragliding over Chamonix.
Tandem paragliding flights are available, so you don't need any previous experience. You'll fly with an instructor and get to see the Chamonix Valley and surrounding mountains from above.
We didn't try this on our trip, and I'm not entirely convinced you'd get me up there either! My son, on the other hand, would probably sign up without a second thought.
There are different flights available depending on the time of year, conditions and how long you want to spend in the air, so this is one I'd book with a reputable local operator and check the cancellation arrangements in case the weather isn't suitable on the day.
Chamonix isn't just a winter destination. Once the snow clears, the mountains become home to loads of walking and hiking routes, from fairly easy valley walks to much more challenging mountain trails.
This is another side of Chamonix we haven't experienced yet, as we visited in February, but I'd love to come back during the warmer months and see how different the valley feels without all the snow.
There are routes for different abilities, so you don't necessarily need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the scenery. Several of the cable cars and mountain lifts also operate during the summer season, making it possible to get higher into the mountains without having to walk all the way up.
If you're planning to hike, I'd always check the route, lift opening dates and mountain conditions before setting off, as conditions can change quickly at altitude.
If you want to get out into the snowy scenery without skiing, snowshoeing is a great alternative. You can hire equipment and explore independently or join a guided snowshoe walk around the Chamonix Valley.
Husky sledding is another winter activity available around the Chamonix area. It's worth booking ahead if this is high on your list, particularly during the busy winter months.
Chamonix has an indoor Olympic-sized ice rink, giving you something to do away from the mountains and a handy option if the weather isn't playing ball.
If you want to learn a little more about Chamonix and its mountaineering history, add the Musée Alpin to your list. It's a good one to keep in mind for a rainy or particularly cold day.
Chamonix is famous for mountaineering and climbing, with options ranging from beginner sessions to much more serious Alpine adventures. If you're new to climbing, look for an introductory experience with a qualified guide.
During the warmer months, swap the skis for a mountain bike and explore the Chamonix Valley on two wheels. There are trails for different abilities as well as e-bike hire if you fancy a little help with the hills.
The Tramway du Mont-Blanc is another gorgeous mountain railway in the wider Mont Blanc area and one I'd definitely consider on a future summer trip. It's separate from the Montenvers Railway, so don't get the two confused when planning your itinerary.
Visiting during the warmer months? You can go white water rafting on the River Arve, with guided trips available from Chamonix.
Another summer option for the more adventurous is canyoning, where you'll make your way through mountain gorges using a mixture of climbing, jumping, sliding and abseiling. Definitely not one for me, but I can think of someone who would volunteer immediately!
You don't have to spend money on an activity every hour you're in Chamonix. Grab a coffee, find somewhere with a mountain view and just enjoy being in one of the most incredible settings in the French Alps. Sometimes that's enough.
You can definitely visit Chamonix in one day, which is exactly what we did from Geneva. We managed to fit in Aiguille du Midi, Step Into the Void, the Montenvers Railway and Mer de Glace, but it was a very full day.
The biggest thing we missed was having time to actually enjoy Chamonix itself. Queues at the mountain attractions took longer than we'd expected and we ended up with very little time left to explore the town.
Next time, I'd stay for at least 2 or 3 nights. That would give us time for the main mountain attractions without rushing, an afternoon at the spa, the Alpine Coaster and plenty of time for food, drinks and wandering around Chamonix.
If you're visiting for skiing or planning lots of outdoor activities, you could easily stay for much longer.
For a first visit, I'd say one day is enough to see some of the highlights, but 2-3 days would be much better.
We visited Chamonix in February and I absolutely loved seeing it in winter. Even as non-skiers, we had far more we wanted to do than we could possibly fit into our day.
Obviously skiing and snowboarding are a huge part of winter in Chamonix, but you could also visit Aiguille du Midi, ride the Montenvers Railway, see Mer de Glace, go snowshoeing, try the Alpine Coaster or spend a few hours warming up at QC Spa Chamonix.
For me, a big part of the appeal is simply the setting. Seeing Chamonix surrounded by snow-covered mountains gives it that proper Alpine winter atmosphere that we'd been hoping for.
If I returned in winter, I'd stay for a couple of nights rather than doing another day trip. I'd want one day for the mountain attractions, then another for the Alpine Coaster, spa and actually having time to enjoy Chamonix itself.
Although we visited in winter, I can completely see the appeal of coming back to Chamonix in summer. Once the snow starts to disappear, you've got a completely different range of things to do in the mountains.
Hiking is obviously a big one, but you can also go mountain biking, paragliding, white water rafting and canyoning, as well as visiting many of the mountain attractions we've already covered.
Aiguille du Midi and the Montenvers Railway aren't just winter activities either, so you can still experience some of Chamonix's biggest attractions without the snow.
I'd love to return in summer and see the other side of Chamonix. I think combining a couple of days here with a longer trip through the French or Swiss Alps would make a brilliant summer break.
Chamonix is really easy to reach from Geneva, with direct buses and transfers from Geneva Airport taking around 90 minutes. We've put together a full guide to getting from Geneva to Chamonix, covering the different options and what we'd choose.
If you're thinking of combining Chamonix with a stay in Switzerland, you can also read our 3 day Geneva and Chamonix itinerary. This is the exact trip we did, including our day at Aiguille du Midi, Step Into the Void, Montenvers Railway and Mer de Glace.
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Absolutely. We visited Chamonix in winter as non-skiers and still didn't have enough time to do everything we wanted. Aiguille du Midi, Step Into the Void, the Montenvers Railway, Mer de Glace, the Alpine Coaster and the spa are just some of the things you can do in Chamonix without skiing.
One of the best free things to do is simply explore Chamonix itself. Wander around the town, browse the shops and enjoy the incredible mountain views surrounding you. There are also walks around the valley that don't require paying for a mountain lift.
Yes, there's plenty to do in Chamonix with children and teenagers. The Alpine Coaster, mountain railways and cable cars are good family options, although you'll need to check individual age and height restrictions. My son particularly loved Step Into the Void at Aiguille du Midi.
If the weather isn't great, you could visit one of Chamonix's museums, go ice skating or spend a few hours at QC Spa Chamonix. Bear in mind that poor weather can also affect mountain lifts and visibility, so it's worth keeping some flexibility in your plans.
Chamonix isn't a particularly cheap destination, but we actually found food and drink noticeably cheaper than Geneva. During our trip, we paid around £22 in Chamonix for a panini, cake, coffee, wine and hot chocolate, while two basic meals and two bottles of water in Geneva cost us around £60.
Accommodation, mountain lifts and activities can quickly increase the cost of a trip, so I'd book the things you really want to do in advance and compare prices before travelling.
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