From Italian flair in Valposchiavo to turquoise shimmering mountain lakes in Davos and picturesque old villages in the Engadine - Graubünden in Switzerland has everything you need to win hearts in an instant. But it's not just the scenery in this region that offers numerous favourite spots, unique accommodation also makes for extraordinary experiences - think starlit rooms under the open sky! If you're wondering where to find such unique accommodations, there's a helpful website that offers an extensive list of top-notch hotels in Switzerland. From luxurious suites to cosy and affordable rooms, you will surely find a place that suits your taste and preferences. To round off the perfect holiday package, culinary delights are of course a must. In this article, I'll tell you where you can find these places to make your trip through Graubünden unforgettable.
Graubünden Switzerland: Italian flair in picturesque Poschiavo
The journey to Valposchiavo is a wonderful experience in itself. Over the Bernina Pass, you pass glacier giants and the turquoise Lago Bianco on your way to Switzerland's southernmost valley. The Bernina Express and the Rhaetian Railway also wind their way from the Engadin through these spectacular mountain landscapes into the green valley, at the end of which the Veltlin vineyards in Italy thrive.
The centre of the valley is the municipality of Poschiavo at 1,000 metres above sea level. Even the first glance at the village clearly shows the Italian influences. Instead of rustic wooden architecture, the townscape is characterised by stone houses. Casa Tomé is one of the best-preserved farmhouses in the Alpine arc and today houses a museum that vividly illustrates how people lived here until the 18th century. The imposing palazzi, which were built from 1850 onwards by rich confectioners who had returned to their homeland of Poschiavo, provide a great contrast. Each of these magnificent houses has a garden in which all kinds of colourful fruit and vegetables thrive.
Next to the main square, a somewhat oppressive place is both fascinating and terrifying. Countless skulls from a mass plague grave from 1902/03 are on display in the so-called ossuary. The Italian-style piazza is surrounded by stately patrician houses with inviting restaurants and the impressive village church. For refreshments, I recommend the Bio-Bistro Semadeni, where you can try the famous Engadine nut cake.
The best view of the picturesque little town in Graubünden is from the mountain behind it, which you can reach after a short hike from the Hotel Foppoli on the "Runchett da Sotsassa". The view from up here is truly marvellous!
Hike to one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Alps
In the Val di Campo, which borders Italy on three sides, a magical natural beauty beckons: the fairytale Lago di Saoseo at 2029 metres. It is rightly described as one of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland and the entire Alpine region. Nestled in dense spruce forests and surrounded by mighty peaks, the crystal-clear lake shimmers in various shades of blue, turquoise and green.
You can reach it from the Sfazù postbus stop in around 90 minutes. In the summer months, a minibus also runs from the bus stop up to the Lungacqua station at Rifugio Saoseo or to Ristoro Alpe Campo, although you need to book in advance. You can stop off at both huts and reach the lake from there in just under half an hour on foot. As part of a two-hour round trip, you have the option of hiking on to Lagh da Val Viola, which I definitely recommend, as it is another jewel of a mountain lake. We had both lakes all to ourselves and only met other hikers twice. What a rare idyll!
Graubünden Switzerland: a cooking course for local specialities in Poschiavo
Regionality is very important in Poschiavo cuisine. The many private gardens in the village, where fruit and vegetables are grown, are proof of the locals' love of nature and its treasures. To immerse yourself in the cuisine of Poschiavo, I can only warmly recommend a cookery course with Loretta. Not only will you enjoy a delicious menu, but you will also get to know the region better through a local.
We start with a starter called Chisciöl. These are cheese cakes with buckwheat flour and mountain cheese that are deep-fried in a pan. For the main course, we prepare taiadin, homemade tagliatelle with vegetables, cheese and butter. The pasta is incredibly easy and quick to make, even without a pasta machine, so from now on I have no excuse not to make pasta myself! I add a wide variety of vegetables from the garden: Peas, beans, carrots, chard, potatoes, savoy cabbage or chestnuts. Top with a large knob of butter, sage and garlic and plenty of cheese and you have a hearty, delicious dish!
A sweet finish is provided by turtelin da pom cun sosa da vaniglia, apple cakes with vanilla. These are also quick to prepare and even quicker to polish off, because they are simply too delicious! The menu is accompanied by local wine, juices and tea. Incidentally, Loretta doesn't do the cooking, you have to do it yourself, knead the pasta dough, chop the vegetables or bake the apple rings. You can join her in the New Monastery every Friday for CHF 75. You can find all the information here.
Graubünden Switzerland: an unforgettable overnight stay under the stars
The traditional mountain hut Rifugio San Romerio with its small stone church towers high above the Poschiavo Valley. Only accessible on foot, this secluded place of power invites you to relax and recharge your batteries in the midst of nature. If you are looking for peace and tranquillity, you have come to the right place with the friendly Alpine farmer Gino. His family has been running the alpine pasture since 1829 and leads an enviable life in harmony with nature and the rhythm of the seasons - up here, stress and everyday life seem infinitely far away.
In addition to the rooms in the main building of the Rifugio, Gino offers another accommodation option that promises a unique experience: the Star Room. Behind this name lies a small deer hut made of Swiss stone pine above the alp - secluded, surrounded by forest and meadows and with a view of the impressive mountains of Valposchiavo. The special thing about it: the double bed can be pushed out onto the platform to spend the night under the open sky.
It's an indescribable feeling to fall asleep here under the stars in the evening and be woken up in the morning by the first warming rays of sunshine!
In the evening, your palate will be spoilt with regional specialities such as polenta (made from local corn and buckwheat) with cheese and vegetables at the Rifugio. You can also fortify yourself in the restaurant during the day after a hike. The Sternenzimmer is one of many Million Stars Hotels in Switzerland, where an overnight stay with breakfast costs just under CHF 200. You can book the room here. You can either reach it on foot from Poschiavo, which takes around four hours, or you can drive up the somewhat challenging narrow road. Alternatively, an Alpine taxi will take you to the car park 20 minutes away. We took the taxi back to Brusio and from there took the Rhaetian Railway to Poschiavo along the picturesque Lago di Poschiavo.
Hotel tip in the centre of Poschiavo: the Croce Bianca
For another night in Poschiavo down in the village centre, I can recommend the Albergo Croce Bianca on the southern edge of the village, a traditional local establishment that has existed since the 19th century. The rooms are cosily furnished and the breakfast in a modern ambience will set you up for the day ahead with delicious local produce. I also felt very comfortable here thanks to the very friendly staff.
Graubünden Switzerland: Zuoz, one of the most beautiful villages in the Engadin
If you also love picturesque mountain villages, you should definitely make a stop in Zuoz. The journey from Poschiavo over the Bernina Pass takes around an hour to reach this enchanting gem in Graubünden. The tradition-conscious village of 1400 inhabitants is considered the most beautiful in the Upper Engadine. Anyone strolling through the winding alleyways past impressive patrician houses such as the Chesa Planta on the main square will quickly understand why.
Zuoz is mentioned in documents as early as the beginning of the 9th century. In 1499, however, the village burnt down completely as the inhabitants set fire to their houses to protect themselves from the Austrian invasion. In the 16th century, the typical Engadine houses were built, some of which still exist in Zuoz today. Characteristic features include thick stone walls, small funnel-shaped windows and artistic ornamentation (sgraffiti). The cattle shed and hay barn are still recognisable in many of these houses, with the upper gate forming the entrance to the residential building and the lower one to the courtyard. If you look closely, you will recognise a bench in front of most of the houses, the so-called "Feierabendbänklein" or "Lügenbänklein", a popular place for a lively exchange of village gossip in those days.
One particularly beautiful building is the old mill at the junction of Mariöl and Via Mulins. A few metres away are the oldest houses in the village, including the Chesa Veglia. As part of our tour of the village, we were also able to visit the former prison in the village tower, a spooky place where there are remnants of that time.
Hotel tip for Zuoz: the fairytale Castell
The Castell is a wonderful hotel to relax, enjoy and feel good. High above Zuoz, the former high-altitude clinic sits idyllically on a sunny slope with a view of the surrounding mountains and the modern rooms in alpine design also offer a fantastic view of the greenery. The 4*S hotel also amazes with its interior. Whether it's the key fob in castle spirit design, the installation in the lobby or the Red Bar as well as numerous contemporary works of art, the old walls are something very special. In the hotel's own hammam, body and soul are cleansed in an oriental ritual and in the restaurant, the taste buds can savour the finest creations.
Graubünden Switzerland: Marmots & fantastic views from Muottas Muragl
To get from the Castell to the Muottas Muragl valley station, we actually wanted to cycle along the Inn Valley cycle path on e-bikes rented from the hotel. Unfortunately, we had to turn back after 20 minutes because we were completely soaked with rain. But if the weather is good, you should definitely take this wonderful tour. After our forced break in the hamam, we started a new attempt by car and the second oldest funicular railway in Graubünden up to Muottas Muragl, and it was more than worth it.
"If you want to see the Engadin, go to Muottas Muragl, the unique panoramic mountain with simultaneous views of the Upper Engadin alpine lake landscape and the ice-covered peaks of the Bernina group."
recommended the Baedecker travel guide as early as 1867
At the summit station at 2,456 metres, the enchanting Engadin with St. Moritz in the foreground lies at your feet. Let your gaze wander over the vastness of the mountain and glacier landscape and savour the beauty of this scenery created by nature. Even if you can never get enough of this view, there is something completely different to marvel at in the immediate vicinity of the cable car: cuddly marmots. Well camouflaged by the colour of their fur, they forage among the rocks or collect stalks for their cosy nest. I could really watch them for hours!
Graubünden Switzerland: Hike to the beautiful Jöri lakes
Magnificent views of the rugged peaks of the Swiss mountains, strenuous climbs and shimmering turquoise mountain lakes come together on this tour to create a wonderful hiking experience between the Lower Engadine and Davos. The starting point is at the Flüela Pass, at the "Wägerhus" postbus stop, which you reach after a 45-minute journey from Zuoz. From here, the steadily ascending path leads across pastures and scree fields up to a plateau. After a short descent, the Jöriseen lakes lie before you in a wonderful glow and a little later, after another ascent to the Jöriflüelafurgga, you can enjoy a magical view of the lakes, the Jöri glacier, the peaks of the Silvretta massif and Piz Linard. '
While the water of the largest lake shimmers a milky turquoise colour due to the glacier meltwater, you can see right to the bottom of the others through crystal-clear water in fine weather. Unfortunately, we were a bit unlucky and started in fog and 2.5 degrees. Once we reached the top, it felt like winter at the beginning of September, with snow and still thick fog. We could only glimpse the lakes when the fog suddenly lifted for 10 minutes, revealing a view of them. What a spectacle! Back in the valley, the sun was shining brightly and it was almost T-shirt weather. Well, the weather at these altitudes is simply unpredictable!
With a distance of 11 kilometres and an altitude difference of around 950 metres, this is not an easy hike, but it is easily doable. However, hiking boots, hiking poles and sufficient provisions and water should be part of your equipment. In total, you will be out and about for around 4.5 hours, with the recommended route being anti-clockwise. Try to get to the car park as early as possible, as spaces are limited and there are no other parking options here.
Graubünden Switzerland: peace, nature and panoramic views on the Schatzalp in Davos
300 metres above Davos, those seeking peace and quiet and nature will find a wonderful spot: the Schatzalp, where Thomas Mann found inspiration for his novel "The Magic Mountain" in 1912. The squirrel trail begins to the left of the entrance to the Schatzalp Hotel, where the cute little rodents actually eat out of your hand. Unfortunately, we had no luck and could only observe them in the trees. To our delight, however, a few nuthatches actually got carried away and pecked nuts out of our hands. In addition to idyllic hiking trails, a summer toboggan run above the mountain station offers fun and adventure. A visit to the botanical garden is also worthwhile, where around 5,000 different plants from all the world's mountains bloom in the "Alpineum" from June to September, including gentians, bluebells and the largest collection of edelweiss in the world.
It is also possible to spend the night at this unique location in the historic Hotel Schatzalp. Strolling through the former luxury sanatorium for tuberculosis patients feels like travelling back in time to the Art Nouveau era in which the building was constructed. A bit of sanatorium flair has also remained - especially in the rooms, which have been remodelled with a mixture of modern and nostalgic. The large dining room, where the Belle Epoche Restaurant is located and where breakfast is served, will amaze you and offers a marvellous view of the greenery from a table by the window.
If you stay overnight at the Schatzalp, you can use the funicular railway up and down for free. The car stays at the bottom.
Shopping for souvenirs on the way home
On the way home, it's worth stopping off at the VIVA Store Graubünden, just over a quarter of an hour's drive from Davos. From Steinbockhörnli (pasta) and juices to local wine and cheese, you will find a large selection of regional products for yourself at home or as a souvenir for your loved ones.
Graubünden in Switzerland really is just beautiful, isn't it? Have you ever been there and do you have any other tips for beautiful places or exciting activities? Then let us know your recommendations. We'd love to hear your comments here on our travel blog!