Chur Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Southern Switzerland
Stroll through the streets of this ancient Alpine town, visiting historic buildings. Enjoy year-round outdoor adventures in its surrounding mountains.

Chur claims to be Switzerland’s oldest city, an Alpine destination with over 5,000 years of history. Its long past is evident in ancient buildings and cobblestone streets, while the mountainous surroundings provide winter and summer playgrounds for outdoor enthusiasts. Hike through Alpine meadows, ski down steep slopes and visit a cathedral founded in the 12th century.

To discover more about Chur's past enter the car-free Old Town with its many historic buildings. Walk through the Obertor, a medieval tower that was once part of the city’s fortifications. Tour the 800-year-old Romanesque Cathedral of St. Mary’s Ascension and the 15th-century St. Martin’s Church. Uncover more history at the Rhaetian Museum (Rätisches Museum). Inside this 17th-century manor house are artifacts from prehistoric times to the 20th century.

With its mountain setting, Chur entices year-round outdoor sports enthusiasts. Take the Brambrüesch aerial cableway from the city center up Brambrüesch Mountain. During winter, experience the thrill of speedy downhill descents on a toboggan or a pair of skis. Snowshoe across the frozen countryside. The warmer weather brings its own enjoyable pursuits. Hike and mountain bike amid green forests and meadows. Stop by vineyards within the Bündner Herrschaft winemaking region.

Another way to experience the majestic landscapes is on the Rhaetian Railway. The line has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy winding travel over tall bridges and through mountains past Alpine towns and villages.

Complete your Chur vacation in one of the spa resorts dotted among the Grison mountains, less than an hour’s drive from the city.

To get to Chur, fly into Zurich, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) away. Trains from Zurich’s international airport whisk visitors into Chur in under 2 hours. Alternatively, drive or take a taxi or bus.

Chur is small and easily walkable, but buses and taxis also operate. Driving is possible, although the Old Town is mostly pedestrianized. Enjoy your stay in an Alpine city of historical buildings surrounded by mountainous escapes.

Where to stay in Chur

Default Image

Altstadt Chur

Skiing, historical sites and mountain views are just a few things travellers enjoy about Altstadt Chur. Check out Rathaus or St. Martinsplatz Square while you're exploring the area.

Altstadt Chur
Hotel Drei Könige
Hotel Drei Könige
2.5 out of 5
Reichsgasse 18, Chur, GR
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$213 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
NZ$213
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Chur. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (601 reviews)
Overall good place to stay at a reasonable price.
"Very good location. Did not have breakfast but the option is there for you to purchase. The shared shower and bathroom was a bit outdated but fairly clean. If you are a light sleeper might not be the best place as I could hear literally every noise coming from other rooms and hall."

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Hotel Drei Könige
Ambiente Hotel Freieck
Ambiente Hotel Freieck
3 out of 5
Reichsgasse 44, Chur, GR
Stay at this hotel in Chur. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (383 reviews)
"In a really great location."

Reviewed on 23 Mar. 2024

Ambiente Hotel Freieck
Hotel Franziskaner
Hotel Franziskaner
3 out of 5
Kupfergasse 18, Chur
The price is NZ$258 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
NZ$258
per night
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Chur. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions AdventureRooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (191 reviews)
"It is a wonderful hotel with an incredible staff. Anna was beyond amazing and accommodating during our stay. She even helped give us directions and suggestions before we even arrived. The breakfast was perfect and had a lot of variety, and she even offered delicious, fresh, personalized coffee. The ..."

Reviewed on 20 Mar. 2024

Hotel Franziskaner
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Aparthotel Muchetta
Aparthotel Muchetta
3 out of 5
Aussergasse 18, Davos, Graubünden
Stay at this 3-star spa aparthotel in Davos. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Popular attractions Landwasser Viaduct and Alteinsee are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (36 reviews)
Not what we were expecting.
"Lot of construction on the way up the hill to the hotel. GPS got confused gping on the goat path, the only way we could get there. We new it would be somewhat isolated so we brought a few food items because the kitchen was advertised. Olny one pot. No frying pan. Very poorly equipped compaired to ..."

Reviewed on 9 Oct. 2023

Aparthotel Muchetta
Peaks Place
Peaks Place
4 out of 5
Via Uletsch 1, Laax, GR
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Laax. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 indoor pools, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Senda dil Dragun and Laax Ski Resort ...
9/10 Wonderful! (55 reviews)
"All was good except we found some broken glass on the floor which a friend's 3 year old daughter managed to put in her mouth thinking it was snow/ice. Pool area very nice, good hot tub area. View was of a car park and petrol station rather than mountains as described but COOP was handy for food, ..."

Reviewed on 21 Feb. 2024

Peaks Place
Loft in Walserhaus, balcony, unobstructed location
Loft in Walserhaus, balcony, unobstructed location
Davos Monstein
Stay at this apartment in Davos. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and an in-room DVD player. Popular attractions Rinerhornbahn Gondola and Rinerhorn-Bahn are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (23 reviews)
"The shower was a bit uncomfortable. The internet was not all the time and in all the apartment strong enough. I suggest to add some heat resistant gloves in the kitchen. We had a wonderful stay and will come back for sure."

Reviewed on 17 Oct. 2023

Loft in Walserhaus, balcony, unobstructed location
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Chur

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
" "5 - Excellent 42.857142857142854%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 42.857142857142854%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 14.285714285714286%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
25 Apr 2019

Dine early before everything closes

Cities near Chur