Chur City
City in Switzerland known for its landscapes
Set where several alpine valleys meet, Chur's narrow streets and Roman-era walls funnel visitors to the Rhätische Bahn and mountain passes; sample Bündner dishes like capuns before catching scenic trains into the Alps.
Why Visit Chur?#
Switzerland’s oldest town is a compact gateway to alpine landscapes and regional culture. Chur’s medieval Old Town links centuries of history with easy access to the Rhaetian Railway (the Bernina and Glacier Express), a draw for rail enthusiasts and mountain travelers. Sample Graubünden specialties like capuns and Bündnerfleisch, and soak up the restrained charm of narrow lanes, cathedral steps and local cafés.
Best Things to Do in Chur#
Chur Bucket List#
Chur Old Town (Altstadt) - Cobblestone streets lined with medieval buildings, cafés, and small artisan shops.
Chur Cathedral (St. Mary of the Assumption) - Romanesque cathedral with frescoes and panoramic city views from tower.
Kunstmuseum Graubünden - Cantonal art museum featuring Swiss painters and rotating contemporary exhibitions.
Brambrüesch mountain (cable car) - Short ride to Brambrüesch for hiking trails, alpine meadows, and ski slopes.
Rätisches Museum (Rhaetian Museum) - Regional museum with archaeological finds, traditional costumes, and Roman artifacts.
Bärenplatz market square - Small market square with weekly stalls, local produce, and people-watching cafés.
Brambrüesch alpine botanical garden - Brambrüesch Alpine botanical garden near cable car station with local alpine flora displays.
Bernina Express to Poschiavo and Tirano - Bernina Express to Poschiavo and Tirano through UNESCO-listed alpine route.
Arosa - Short regional train to Arosa for lakes, hiking trails, and mountain biking.
Best Time to Visit Chur#
Visit Chur in summer for hiking in the nearby Alps, or in winter to access excellent ski resorts. Spring offers pleasant weather and far fewer crowds.
December - February
-6-3°C (21-37°F)
Winters are cold and snowy, ideal for hitting nearby ski areas; expect crisp mountain air and festive village atmospheres around Christmas and Carnival.
March - May
2-16°C (36-61°F)
Spring thaws the valleys-muddy trails early on but rewarding alpine blooms and quieter lifts, great for bargain accommodation and exploring old town streets.
June - August
12-26°C (54-79°F)
Summer is pleasantly warm with long daylight for multi-day hikes, mountain biking, and lake excursions; locals come out, so book mountain transport in advance.
Chur's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (977 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (121 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (116 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Chur#
Chur is best reached by train from Zurich Airport-regular IC/IR services deliver you directly to Chur station. Chur is also the gateway to Rhaetian Railway scenic lines and local PostBus links into the mountains.
Zurich Airport (ZRH): Zurich Airport is Chur’s main international gateway. Frequent SBB trains run from the airport (Genève/Zurich networks) to Chur with a typical journey time of about 1h 45m-2h (often with a change at Zürich HB); fares generally fall in the CHF 25-50 range.
St. Gallen-Altenrhein / Innsbruck (limited): There are smaller regional airports (Altenrhein, Innsbruck) with seasonal services; these require onward rail/bus connections and are less convenient than Zurich for regular international travel.
Train: Chur railway station is a major hub for Swiss Federal Railways and Rhaetian Railway (RhB). InterCity/InterRegio services from Zurich run regularly (about 1h 45m-2h). The Rhaetian Railway provides local and scenic services (e.g., connections towards Davos, St. Moritz and the Bernina/Glacier Express routes).
Bus: PostBus (CarPostal) and regional bus services run from Chur to surrounding valleys and mountain resorts (e.g., Arosa, Lenzerheide). Travel times depend on destination; local buses are frequent for regional connections and ski-area transfers.
How to Get Around Chur#
Rail travel is the sensible default for Chur-fast from Zurich and the hub for Rhaetian scenic lines. Use PostBus services for mountain destinations; a car helps for remote alpine exploration.
- SBB InterCity / InterRegio (CHF 25-50) - Direct and comfortable trains from Zurich and other Swiss cities to Chur. Ideal for luggage and reliable connections. Buy tickets from SBB machines, website or app; consider Swiss rail passes if travelling regionally.
- Rhaetian Railway (RhB) / Scenic Trains (CHF 10-70) - RhB operates the scenic mountain routes (e.g., to St. Moritz, Davos) and local commuter connections. Book in advance for Glacier Express and panoramic services in high season.
- PostBus / Regional buses (CHF 2-25) - Extensive PostBus network serves mountain valleys and ski resorts from Chur. Buses are essential for last-mile access to smaller villages; timetables vary seasonally (ski/winter schedules).
- Taxi / Car hire (CHF 10-100+) - Taxis are convenient for early/late arrivals or heavy luggage; car hire is useful for exploring remote Alpine valleys. Watch out for winter conditions and mountain driving rules.
- Walking - Chur’s old town is compact and easy to explore on foot; the main station sits within walking distance of the historic centre.
Where to Stay in Chur#
Old Town / Train Station - CHF 60-140/night
Simple, central options and a youth hostel are the main budget choices. Very limited hostel-style beds; small hotels offer value.
Youth Hostel Chur - Basic dorms and private rooms.
ABC Swiss Quality Hotel - Economical private rooms, central location.
Old Town - CHF 120-220/night
Comfortable historic hotels near the pedestrian Old Town and station. Mid-range choices are compact but well-located for exploring.
Hotel Stern Chur - Historic rooms in the old town.
Romantik Hotel Molveno (regional) - Quiet, comfortable regional stay.
Old Town / Central - CHF 200+/night
True luxury hotels are scarce in Chur; the top local properties offer the best rooms and service. For alpine resorts, consider Davos or St. Moritz.
ABC Swiss Quality Hotel (upper rooms) - Largest rooms in town, quiet stay.
Hotel Stern (premium rooms) - Refined atmosphere in historical building.
Where to Eat in Chur#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Chur’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Chur#
Chur’s shopping is concentrated in the pedestrianised old town with independent shops, boutiques and everyday services. Weekly markets and small food stores are where locals shop. For larger department stores or specialised shopping you’d travel to larger cantonal centres, but Chur covers most daily needs.
Nightlife in Chur#
Chur has a modest nightlife-a mix of student‑friendly bars, cosy pubs and the casino. Live‑music nights and seasonal events pop up, but there isn’t a big late‑night club scene. Evenings are relaxed; expect locals at cafés and bars rather than busy nightclubs.
