Welcome to Graubünden, Switzerland’s vast alpine canton where Romansh culture, storybook villages, and world-class railways converge. This 7-day itinerary pairs Chur—Switzerland’s oldest city—with St. Moritz in the Engadin, weaving history, architecture, scenic trains, and mountain panoramas into a trip that’s rich in detail and remarkably easy to navigate.

Chur rewards wanderers: cobbled lanes, the 800-year-old cathedral, and squares framed by pastel facades. It’s also a launchpad for some of Europe’s most beautiful rail journeys—the Arosa Line, the Albula Line toward St. Moritz, and access to the photogenic Rhine Gorge (Ruinaulta) and Viamala. Along the way, taste capuns, maluns, and local Pinot Noir from the Bündner Herrschaft.

St. Moritz completes the arc with high-altitude light, mirrored lakes, and the Muottas Muragl viewpoint over the Engadin. Trains are frequent, punctual, and scenic; cafés and mountain huts are hearty and warm. Pack layers and good shoes; book alpine restaurants ahead in high season; and consider a rail pass if you’ll be riding daily.

Chur

Set where trade routes once threaded the Alps, Chur blends deep history with a youthful arts scene. Its car-free old town spirals around Martinsplatz and Arcas square, with frescoed houses, boutique galleries, and wine bars pouring local Pinot Noir.

• Top sights: Chur Cathedral (Cathedral of the Assumption), Bishop’s Palace, Raetian Museum, Bündner Kunstmuseum (in Villa Planta), and the Brambrüesch gondola to Chur’s “house mountain.”
• Why visit: Easy day trips to the Arosa Line, Viamala Gorge, and the Rhine Gorge; excellent regional cuisine; photogenic lanes that reward slow strolls.
• Local bites: Try capuns (chard-wrapped dumplings), pizokel (buckwheat pasta), and nut tortes—paired with crisp alpine whites or Graubünden reds.

Stay in Chur: Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com. For proximity to the old town, aim near Martinsplatz/Arcas or the train station.

Getting in (Zurich to Chur): Fly into Zurich and connect by train (~1h35–1h50; ~$35–$45). Search flights and trains on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). Prefer a driver? Consider this door-to-door option:

Private Transfer from Zurich to Chur Vice Versa

Day 1: Arrival in Zurich — Train to Chur, First Tastes of the Old Town

Afternoon: Land in Zurich, then ride the train to Chur (~1h40). Check in and stretch your legs with a gentle loop: Bahnhofstrasse to Martinsplatz, the Bishop’s Palace, and Arcas square. Pause for an espresso and a Bündner nut slice at Confiserie Café Merz—locals swear by their pastries.

Evening: Settle into regional flavors at Zunfthaus zur Rebleuten, a historic guild house known for capuns and seasonal game. If you prefer something more casual and creative, Werkstatt Chur pours local beers alongside hearty bowls and burgers in a buzzy, industrial-chic space.

Day 2: Historic Chur, Museums, and a Sunset Mountain Ride

Morning: Warm up with coffee at Café Arcas on the namesake square, then dive into the city’s layered past with a guided walk:

Historic Chur: Exclusive Private Tour with a Local Expert

Expect stories of Roman roots, the cathedral’s Gothic quiet, and why Chur’s lanes twist the way they do.

Afternoon: Explore the Bündner Kunstmuseum (masterpieces in a stately villa) and the Raetian Museum for archaeology and alpine culture. For lunch, Restaurant Marsöl near the cathedral plates refined Swiss dishes—try a seasonal rösti or venison when available.

Evening: Ride the Brambrüesch gondola for golden-hour views over the Rhine Valley. Return for dinner at the Romantik Hotel Stern’s Bündner Stube—homey, wood-paneled, and excellent for maluns with mountain cheese.

Day 3: Arosa Line Day Trip — Lakes, Larch Forests, and Alpine Air

Morning: From Chur, board the Arosa Line, a one-hour scenic railway that spirals from city streets onto high viaducts into pure Alpine scenery. In Arosa, stroll the Squirrel Trail (kids love hand-feeding the friendly locals) or amble around Untersee and Obersee lakes.

Afternoon: Lunch on the terrace of a mountain hut if open; otherwise, grab a hearty soup and alpine cheese plate in the village. Ride back mid-afternoon to Chur, watching the landscape unwind from pine to steeples.

Evening: Back in Chur, tuck into a relaxed dinner at Werkstatt Chur or circle back to Zunfthaus zur Rebleuten for a different specialty like pizokel with bacon and sage. Cap the night with a glass of Bündner Pinot Noir in a cozy wine bar off Obere Gasse.

Day 4: Rhine Gorge (Ruinaulta) and Flims — Scenic Overlooks + Chur Art Walk

Morning: Bus or train toward Flims/Laax (30–45 minutes from Chur) to visit the Rhine Gorge, often called Switzerland’s Grand Canyon. Walk the forest path to the Il Spir viewing platform at Conn for a dramatic look into the turquoise river meanders. In summer, detour to Lake Cauma (Caumasee) for luminous waters.

Afternoon: Return to Chur for a light lunch—think barley soup and a salad—then spice up your feed with this guided, culture-forward stroll:

Explore Chur’s Art and Culture with a Local

You’ll uncover murals, galleries, and the city’s creative pulse in under two hours.

Evening: Make it playful with this self-guided city game that doubles as a tour:

Chur Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour

Finish with dinner at Restaurant Marsöl (book ahead) or the Stern’s Bündner Stube if you didn’t go earlier; both are excellent for regional classics.

St. Moritz (Engadin)

High above 1,800 meters, St. Moritz is where Engadin light bounces off mirror-still lakes and larch forests glow in autumn gold. The Albula railway that brings you here is UNESCO-listed—looping through helical tunnels and crossing storybook viaducts.

• Top sights: Lake St. Moritz promenade, Segantini Museum, Muottas Muragl viewpoint, nearby Lake Staz (Lej da Staz), and the easy Morteratsch Glacier trail.
• Why visit: Big scenery with easy access; refined dining alongside classic mountain huts; exceptional day hikes and panoramas.
• Taste: Engadin nut tart, creamy polenta, pizzoccheri, and Valtellina wines—plus legendary hot chocolate at Café Hanselmann.

Stay in St. Moritz: Search apartments and chalets on VRBO, or compare hotels from lakeside grande dames to stylish boutiques on Hotels.com.

Getting there from Chur: Take the Albula Line train to St. Moritz (~2h; ~$35–$50). Book on Omio (trains). Sit on the right-hand side when leaving Chur for the best valley views.

Day 5: Scenic Transfer to St. Moritz, Village Stroll, and Segantini

Morning: Depart Chur by train to St. Moritz (about 2 hours). The route past Tiefencastel and Bergün is a moving postcard—watch for stone viaducts and spiral tunnels.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander the lake promenade and the village center. Art lovers should visit the Segantini Museum to see canvases that bottle Engadin light. For a sweet break, Café Hanselmann serves the region’s famous nut tart and excellent hot chocolate.

Evening: Dine at Chesa Veglia’s Pizzeria Heuboden (historic farmhouse setting, thin-crust pizzas, and grilled meats; seasonal hours, book ahead) or Veltlinerkeller for pizzoccheri, polenta, and hearty alpine flavors. Finish with a stroll under big Engadin stars.

Day 6: Muottas Muragl and the Engadin From Above

Make today about panoramas and clean, crisp air on one of the valley’s classic viewpoints and trails:

Panoramic Hike with Breathtaking View of the Engadine

Ride the Muottas Muragl funicular to a sweeping terrace over lakes and villages; hike an easy panoramic loop or linger on the deck with a coffee. Keep an eye out for ibex and marmots in summer; in winter, think snowshoe trails and sun-drenched lunches.

Evening: Back in town, grab an aperitivo at Hauser’s rooftop (seasonal) or its ground-floor confiserie. For dinner, Veltlinerkeller is a perennial favorite for wood-paneled coziness and mountain comfort food—try the venison when in season or a rich polenta with mushrooms.

Day 7: Lakeside Calm, Morteratsch, and Departure

Morning: If time allows, greet dawn at Lake Staz (Lej da Staz)—often mirror-still with larches reflected like a painting. Alternatively, walk the easy Morteratsch Glacier trail for a primer on Engadin geology and glacial history.

Afternoon: Board your train to Zurich (~3h20 via Albula and the mainline; ~$60–$90). Search connections on Omio (trains) and flights home on Omio (flights). If you prefer a private road transfer back to Zurich Airport, you can also arrange it in advance for convenience.

Optional Add-Ons and Local Gems

• Photogenic walk in Chur: Discover Chur’s most Photogenic Spots with a Local

• Viamala Gorge from Chur: Train to Thusis (~25 min) + short bus—dramatic rock walls and turquoise water.
• Wine tasting in the Bündner Herrschaft (Maienfeld/Fläsch): Light-bodied Pinot Noir in sun-warmed vineyards—combine with a Heidi Village stroll.

In one week you’ll trace Roman stones, glide over UNESCO railway masterpieces, and gaze across a valley lit like a painting. From Chur’s intimate lanes to St. Moritz’s alpine drama, this itinerary balances culture, cuisine, and effortless rail travel—an elegant slice of the Swiss Alps you’ll want to revisit.