Davos City
Mountain resort city in Switzerland
High in the Grisons, Davos draws skiers and conference crowds to Parsenn slopes, cross-country tracks and the Davos Congress Centre; art lovers seek the Kirchner Museum and hikers use mountain railways year-round.
Why Visit Davos?#
High in the Swiss Alps, this winter-summer resort draws visitors for world-class mountain sports and international events - think Parsenn and Jakobshorn slopes alongside the annual World Economic Forum. Powder and groomed trails share the same skyline as elegant chalet hotels and a compact town center at Davos Platz, making it easy to switch from serious skiing to après-ski fondue. The mix of alpine hiking, cross-country tracks and contemporary cultural venues gives the place a distinct high-altitude character.
Best Things to Do in Davos#
Davos Bucket List#
Parsenn funicular to Weissfluhjoch - Parsennbahn funicular rises to Weissfluhjoch, offering hiking and ski access.
Kirchner Museum Davos - Museum devoted to Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s works and alpine expressionist collection.
Schatzalp and Alpine Gardens - Historic hilltop hotel with alpine garden walkways and panoramic views of Davos.
Sertig Valley - Peaceful mountain valley with traditional Sertig Dörfli and gentle hiking trails.
Lake Davos promenade - Lakeside paths perfect for easy strolls, swimming in summer months.
Davos Platz promenade - Promenade near Kirchner Museum with historic chalets and several cozy local cafés.
Jakobshorn - Popular mountain for freeride skiing and panoramic hikes during warmer months.
Klosters - Neighboring resort village with classic alpine charm and direct rail connections.
Best Time to Visit Davos#
Davos is at its best in winter for skiing and in summer for hiking, when mountain trails and alpine meadows shine. Shoulder seasons are quieter but bring changeable weather and fewer services.
December - February
-15°C to -2°C (5°F to 28°F)
Peak ski season: crisp, snowy trails, and bustling resorts with reliable snowpack - perfect if you love alpine winter sports and cozy mountain evenings.
June - August
8°C to 20°C (46°F to 68°F)
Warm, sunny days ideal for hiking, biking and alpine lakes; pistes convert to flower-filled trails and terraces fill up. Crowds rise during July-August.
March - May & September - November
-5°C to 12°C (23°F to 54°F)
Unpredictable mix of snow, rain, and sun - quieter trails and lower prices, but some lifts and huts may be closed; good for bargain hunters who accept variable weather.
Davos's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1070 mm/year), wettest in July.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (142 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Davos#
Davos is best reached via Zurich Airport (ZRH) by rail or by car; rail connections are reliable and scenic. The town is served by two Rhaetian Railway stations (Davos Platz and Davos Dorf) with onward PostBus links to local valleys.
Zurich Airport (ZRH): Zurich is the main international gateway for Davos. Trains run from Zurich Flughafen (airport station) to Davos (change at Zurich HB and Landquart) on SBB and Rhaetian Railway services; total journey time is roughly 2h15-2h45 depending on connections. Expect point-to-point fares roughly in the CHF 40-75 range if buying single tickets (savings possible with Supersaver tickets or Swiss Travel Pass.
Innsbruck Airport (INN): Innsbruck is a secondary option for some travellers coming from Austria or southern Germany. Travel from Innsbruck to Davos requires a combination of regional trains (Innsbruck-Landquart) or a car; door-to-door travel time is typically ~3h-3h30. Prices vary by operator; regional train segments are sold by ÖBB/RhB and typically cost more than local single fares when combined across borders.
Train: Davos has two main stations: Davos Platz and Davos Dorf served by the Rhaetian Railway (RhB). Frequent regional trains run from Landquart and Chur - Landquart→Davos takes about 1h15-1h30 from Landquart; Chur→Davos is roughly 1h30. Tickets are sold by SBB/RhB; regional singles and day tickets are available and Swiss-wide passes are valid on these services.
Bus: PostBus (PostAuto) and local bus services connect Davos with surrounding valleys and villages (and to some regional railheads). Typical local fares are modest (short trips often CHF 2-8); seasonal shuttles run for ski areas and events - check timetables in high season.
How to Get Around Davos#
Trains are the best way to reach and move around Davos - the RhB network connects the town to the Swiss rail system reliably and comfortably. For last-mile travel to ski lifts or outlying villages use PostBus services or taxis when needed; most visitors find a combination of rail + walking ideal.
- Rhaetian Railway (RhB) (CHF 10-50) - The RhB provides the backbone of public transport in Davos (Davos Platz and Davos Dorf stations). Trains are frequent from Landquart/Chur, comfortable and punctual - they are the easiest way to arrive and move between Davos settlements. Reserve extra time in winter for luggage and transfers.
- SBB / Long-distance trains (CHF 40-80) - SBB intercity services connect Zurich and other Swiss hubs to Landquart where you change to RhB for Davos. Buying tickets in advance can save money (Supersaver fares). Trains are reliable and usually faster than driving in winter conditions.
- PostBus (regional buses) (CHF 2-8) - PostAuto buses link Davos to neighbouring villages, lift stations and some train junctions. They are essential for getting to ski lifts and hiking trailheads; timetables change seasonally so check current schedules. Short rides are inexpensive but allow time for connections.
- Taxi / Private transfer (CHF 200+ (Zurich-Davos private transfer)) - Taxis and private airport transfers are widely available from Zurich and Innsbruck and useful if travelling with lots of luggage or in a group. Expect higher fares in winter; confirm fixed airport-to-Davos rates in advance. Private transfers save time but cost considerably more than rail.
- Car (fuel + motorway/vignette costs) - Driving gives flexibility for exploring the surrounding region but winter driving requires snow tyres and sometimes chains. Parking in Davos is available at hotels and public lots; during events parking can be limited so pre-book when possible.
- Walking - Davos is compact enough to explore on foot within town and between neighborhoods (Davos Platz, Davos Dorf). Walking is often the fastest way to reach local shops, lifts and restaurants.
Where to Stay in Davos#
Davos Platz / Dorf - CHF70-150/night
Davos has backpacker hostels and economical pensions, but even budget options are pricier than average-book early for winter.
Davos youth hostels & guesthouses - Hostel and simple pension options.
Hotel Falken Davos - Economical, central hotel.
Davos Platz - CHF150-300/night
Several well-run mid-range hotels balance comfort and location, good for ski access and year-round mountain activities.
Hotel Grischa - Modern comfort near the train station.
Hotel Seehof - Family-run, central location.
Davos Platz / Parsenn - CHF320+/night
High-end hotels and wellness resorts cater to winter sports and conference travellers; expect premium rates and full amenities.
Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvédère - Historic grand hotel with spa.
Tivoli Hotel Davos - Upscale alpine hotel and wellness.
Where to Eat in Davos#
Comforting Swiss mountain fare - fondue, rösti and seasonal produce in cozy settings.
- Restaurant Strela - Swiss dishes with mountain views
- Restaurant Savoy - Seasonal menu and elegant setting
- Pizzeria Bolgen - Casual pizza and international favourites
Casual cafés and après-ski spots serve quick meals, pastries and hearty snacks for hikers and skiers.
- El Mundo - Relaxed bar food and international plates
- Café Elizabeth - Coffee, pastries and light lunches
- Restaurant Lily - Casual meals popular after skiing
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Davos’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Davos#
Shopping in Davos centers on sports and outdoor stores, plus a handful of boutiques and gift shops aimed at visitors. Expect ski and hiking gear, some local food products, and standard supermarket options rather than department-store shopping. If you need specialty gear, sports shops along the main thoroughfares will have current winter and summer equipment; for anything more niche, larger cities like Chur have broader choices.
Nightlife in Davos#
Nightlife in Davos is focused on hotel bars, après-ski venues in winter and occasional live-music nights during conference or festival periods. Weeknights are generally quiet outside peak tourist seasons, though events (WSF, Davos Klosters Festival) can bring busier evenings. If you want a livelier night out, nearby resort venues and seasonal club nights are where most of the late activity happens.
