Last updated: August 22, 2026.
The best things to do in Chur, Switzerland, combine its traffic-free Old Town, more than 13,000 years of settlement history, easy mountain access, Graubünden food, museums, and scenic rail journeys. Start with the Old Town and Cathedral of the Assumption, ride toward Brambrüesch if you want hiking or biking, and visit the Rätisches Museum for regional history. If you have more time, use Chur as a base for the Bernina Express or a wellness trip to Tamina Therme in Bad Ragaz. The guide below separates attractions in Chur from longer excursions so you can choose what fits a short stop, full day, or weekend.
Best Things to Do in Chur, Switzerland
Chur works especially well for travelers who want history, mountain scenery, and rail access without changing bases. Most central sights can be combined on foot, while Brambrüesch starts directly from the city and the larger rail and spa experiences work better when you have extra time.
| Experience | Best For | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Chur Old Town and Cathedral | First-time visitors, history, short stops | Central Chur |
| Brambrüesch | Hiking, biking, mountain views | Direct from Chur |
| Rätisches Museum | Graubünden history, rainy days | Chur Old Town |
| Graubünden food and wine | Food-focused travelers | Chur and the Rhine Valley |
| Bernina Express | Scenic rail travel | Excursion from Chur |
| Tamina Therme | Spa and wellness | Bad Ragaz |
| Chur festivals and markets | Seasonal culture | Central Chur |
| Old Town shopping | Regional products and souvenirs | Central Chur |
Key Takeaways
- The traffic-free Old Town is the best place to start, especially if you only have a few hours.
- Brambrüesch gives Chur unusually quick access to hiking, biking, and Alpine scenery directly from the city.
- The Rätisches Museum is the strongest indoor choice for understanding Graubünden history.
- Capuns, maluns, Bündner Nusstorte, and regional wine give the trip a clear Graubünden food identity.
- The Bernina Express and Tamina Therme are worthwhile additions, but they should be planned as excursions rather than central-Chur sightseeing.
Explore Chur Old Town and the Cathedral
Chur’s traffic-free Old Town is the best starting point for a first visit. According to Chur Tourism, the city has more than 13,000 years of settlement history, and the Old Town remains one of the most completely preserved historic centers in Switzerland. Its winding lanes connect squares, boutiques, restaurants, museums, galleries, and historic buildings without requiring a car.
Walk uphill to the Bishop’s Court and the Cathedral of the Assumption. The current cathedral dates from the 12th and 13th centuries and contains Romanesque details as well as a late-Gothic high altar. Rather than rushing through the area, give yourself time to explore the lanes around Arcas, the cathedral precinct, and the historic center on foot. Chur Tourism also offers guided Old Town tours for travelers who want more historical context.
Hike or Bike on Brambrüesch
Brambrüesch is Chur’s easiest mountain escape because the journey begins directly from the city. Switzerland Tourism states that the mountain railway reaches the high plateau at about 1,600 meters in roughly 12 minutes. From there, marked routes spread through the surrounding mountain landscape for hiking, biking, and other seasonal activities.
This is a better recommendation than choosing an arbitrary trail from the valley because you can match the outing to your fitness level and the conditions that day. Check the current operating status and route information through the official Brambrüesch information before heading up. If the weather is poor or mountain visibility is limited, keep Brambrüesch flexible and spend more time in Chur’s museums and Old Town instead.
Visit the Rätisches Museum
The Rätisches Museum is Chur’s main stop for understanding the history of Graubünden. It occupies the Baroque Buol House, built in 1675 as a private residence for Paul von Buol. The museum opened its first exhibition in the building in 1872.
Its permanent exhibition extends across four floors and follows Graubünden’s history from its beginnings to the present, while changing exhibitions add more focused themes. A media guide is also available for parts of the collection. Check current hours, admission, and accessibility information on the official Rätisches Museum website before visiting. The museum is especially useful when mountain weather makes an outdoor excursion less appealing.
Eat Graubünden Specialities and Taste Local Wine
Chur’s food is more useful to understand through specific regional dishes than through generic “Swiss cuisine.” Graubünden Tourism and Chur Tourism highlight several specialties that regularly appear in the region.
| Speciality | What It Is | Why Try It |
|---|---|---|
| Capuns | Chard-leaf parcels filled with a spätzle-style flour-and-egg mixture that may include herbs and cured meats | One of Graubünden’s best-known regional dishes, with many local variations |
| Maluns | A potato-and-flour dish commonly served with apple sauce and Alpine cheese | A traditional Graubünden farmer’s dish with a distinctive local identity |
| Bündner Nusstorte | A rich nut tart associated with Graubünden | Easy to enjoy with coffee or take home as a regional food souvenir |
Wine is another reason to look beyond central Chur. The Bündner Herrschaft wine region north of the city is particularly associated with Pinot Noir and vineyard landscapes. If wine is a priority, plan a separate tasting or vineyard outing rather than trying to squeeze it between Old Town sights. For regional food background, see Chur Tourism’s Graubünden specialties guide.
Take the Bernina Express From Chur
The Bernina Express is one of Chur’s most important longer excursions. Rhaetian Railway states that the route from Chur toward Tirano crosses 196 bridges and 55 tunnels, passing the Landwasser Viaduct, Alpine valleys, the Bernina Pass, glaciers, and the descent toward Italy. Much of the journey follows the UNESCO-listed Albula and Bernina Lines of the Rhaetian Railway.
The panoramic train requires more planning than an ordinary sightseeing stop, so check the official Bernina Express timetable and reservation information before choosing your date. For autumn 2026 travelers, RhB has announced that trains 951 and 952 will be diverted via Vereina from October 29 through November 13, 2026 because of engineering work.
If you are comparing ticket coverage and reservation rules, see our guide to Bernina Express price and Swiss Pass coverage.
Bernina Express or Glacier Express?
Choose the Bernina Express if your priority is the Albula and Bernina railway landscape and a journey toward Tirano in Italy. The Glacier Express is the better comparison if you want a panoramic route toward the Rhine Gorge, Andermatt, and Zermatt. Chur is a Glacier Express stop, although short Chur sectors are seasonal and train-specific, so check the official timetable before treating it as a simple hop-on sightseeing ride.
Relax at Tamina Therme in Bad Ragaz
Tamina Therme is a wellness excursion rather than an attraction in central Chur. Bad Ragaz is around 20 minutes from Chur by car or public transport, making it practical when you want to combine city sightseeing with a spa visit.
The history is medieval rather than Roman: the Tamina spring was discovered in 1242. Its thermal water emerges at 36.5°C, and the modern complex includes indoor and outdoor bathing areas, a sauna world, relaxation spaces, and wellness treatments. Current opening times and ticket prices can change, so confirm them through the official Tamina Therme website before traveling.
Attend Chur’s Cultural Events and Festivals
Chur’s event calendar can change the experience of the Old Town, especially in summer. Churer Fest is the city’s major August summer festival. The 2026 edition took place from August 14 to 16, and the organizer currently lists August 13 to 15, 2027 for the next edition.
Later in the year, Chur also holds its traditional Christmas market, while other recurring events include cultural performances, markets, and music festivals. If an event is important to your trip, check the official Chur events calendar rather than relying on an old annual date.
Shop for Regional Products and Souvenirs
For souvenirs, focus on Chur’s Old Town boutiques, specialty shops around Poststrasse and Rathausplatz, and regional food products rather than assuming a generic Swiss craft is locally made. Chur Tourism specifically recommends these areas for souvenirs and regional products.
Food gifts are an easy way to keep the purchase connected to Graubünden. Depending on what is available, look for regional specialties such as Bündner Nusstorte, local cheese, or other packaged Graubünden products. The Old Town also hosts a Saturday farmers’ market during the warmer months and a monthly flea market on Arcas, giving you more locally rooted options than a standard souvenir shop.
How to Plan One Day in Chur
A simple one-day plan keeps the central attractions together instead of spending the day moving between distant excursions.
- Morning: Walk through the traffic-free Old Town, Arcas, the Bishop’s Court, and the Cathedral of the Assumption.
- Lunch: Choose a restaurant serving a Graubünden speciality such as capuns or maluns.
- Afternoon in good weather: Head toward Brambrüesch for mountain scenery, a walk, or a bike outing.
- Afternoon in poor weather: Visit the Rätisches Museum and spend more time in the Old Town’s cultural sites.
- Extra day: Reserve the Bernina Express for a major rail excursion or travel to Bad Ragaz for Tamina Therme.
This approach works better than trying to combine the Old Town, a major panoramic train ride, and the spa in one rushed day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chur
What are the best things to do in Chur, Switzerland?
The best things to do in Chur include walking through the traffic-free Old Town, visiting the Cathedral of the Assumption and Rätisches Museum, riding toward Brambrüesch for mountain activities, trying Graubünden food, and exploring local markets. With extra time, add the Bernina Express or a wellness trip to Tamina Therme.
Is Chur worth visiting beyond the Bernina Express?
Yes. Chur is worth visiting even if you are not taking the Bernina Express. Its compact Old Town, cathedral precinct, museums, regional food, and direct mountain access at Brambrüesch give you enough variety for a day or weekend. The scenic trains are an advantage, but they do not need to be the only reason to stop.
Is Chur a walkable city?
Yes. Chur’s historic center is compact and largely traffic-free, making the Old Town, Cathedral of the Assumption, Rätisches Museum, shops, cafés, and several squares easy to combine on foot. Mountain and regional excursions require additional transport, but most central sightseeing does not require a car.
Can you take the Bernina Express from Chur?
Yes. The Bernina Express operates from Chur toward Tirano on selected services. Rhaetian Railway describes the Chur route as crossing 196 bridges and 55 tunnels, including the Landwasser Viaduct and the UNESCO-listed Albula and Bernina railway landscape. Check the current timetable and reserve the panoramic train before travel.
What can you do in Chur for a weekend?
For a weekend, spend the first day exploring the Old Town, cathedral, Rätisches Museum, local food, and Brambrüesch. Use the second day for a larger excursion such as the Bernina Express, a vineyard outing in the Rhine Valley, or Tamina Therme in Bad Ragaz. This keeps the city portion relaxed instead of overloading one day.
Is Chur Worth Visiting?
Chur is worth visiting if you want a compact Swiss city that combines historic streets with quick access to the mountains. For a short stop, prioritize the Old Town, Cathedral, and Rätisches Museum. With a full day, add Brambrüesch and a Graubünden meal. If you have a second day, choose the Bernina Express for a major rail journey or Tamina Therme for a slower wellness excursion. Before you travel, check the current mountain, rail, museum, and event information for the dates of your visit.
