Discover Davos: Culture, mountain lake and Sertig

If you are looking for a hotel in Davos, it is helpful to first consider whether cultural history, outdoor activities or water experiences are the main focus of your stay. Davos encompasses almost the entire Landwasser Valley in the canton of Graubünden and is located in the Prättigau/Davos region. The different highlights can help you plan your days.

History and museums in Davos

Davos developed into the largest Walser settlement in Graubünden and founded the League of the Ten Jurisdictions in 1436. In 1526, the town joined the Reformation. From the mid-19th century, Davos developed into a health resort. In 1889, Karl Turban opened the sanatorium in the park here, the town’s first closed sanatorium. Later, greater emphasis was placed on winter sports. These historical milestones tell the story of the different roles Davos played over time; they should be distinguished from today’s museum and landscape experiences.

The Kirchner Museum Davos presents temporary exhibitions from its collection, as well as works by artists of Classical Modernism and contemporary art. Exhibition content changes. The Davos Local History Museum offers a different perspective on the town’s history: it documents the transformation from farming village to tourism and conference destination, and focuses on customs, crafts, everyday life, historical documents and Walser culture. The museum is housed in the historic Grosses Jenatschhaus. The museum complex also includes a mill that is still in operation.

Mountain scenery, hiking and cycling

Sertig is a typical glacial valley with steps and rock bars, striking mountains and a waterfall at the far end of the valley. The region is considered particularly worthy of protection. In Sertig-Dörfli stands the little church «Hinter den Eggen», built in 1699. If you are considering a longer hike, there is a described ridge walk that starts at Jakobshorn, follows a narrow path to Jatzhorn and continues downhill into the Sertig Valley for hikers. Trail conditions and access may vary seasonally; check them before setting off.

Davos also has a clear appeal for mountain biking enthusiasts: the Alps Epic Trail Davos is the first and so far the only mountain bike route in Switzerland to have been awarded «Epic Trail» status by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). This may change if another Swiss route receives the award. Davos Adventure Park has a high ropes course with five routes of varying difficulty. The park grounds in Färich also feature a bike park with a pump track and dirt line. The outdoor facilities operate seasonally.

For cross-country skiing, Davos and Davos Wiesen list 79.4 kilometres of classically groomed trails and 56.6 kilometres of skating trails. The extent and grooming of the trails may change seasonally. The two figures distinguish between classic and skating trails and refer to the locations named.

Lake Davos and getting there

Lake Davos is a natural mountain lake fed by meltwater from the surrounding glaciers and rainwater. Activities at the lake include swimming at the public beach, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding and wakeboarding. As availability may vary depending on the season, it is worth checking the conditions for your visit. This helps distinguish the lake activities from the hiking and cultural experiences in town.

You can reach Davos by train via Landquart: first travel with the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), then take the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) to Davos. Check the timetables before travelling. There is an extensive local bus network for getting around town; bus routes and timetables can also change. Current connections can help you coordinate your journey with your plans for each day.

Regional specialities

At the show dairy of the Davos dairy, you can watch Davos mountain cheese being made. You can buy the products you learn about during the tour from the shop; tour arrangements may vary seasonally. Various beer experiences are also offered in the heart of Davos. A direct sale is possible on Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m.; tour arrangements may change. Both offers complement the museum and nature themes with insights into local products.

Discover more destinations: Fideris, Schiers, Arosa, Conters im Prättigau, Davos Platz, Pany, Küblis, Pragg-Jenaz

See the wider travel overview: Prättigau-Davos.