Davos Travel Guides

At 1,560 meters, Davos sits higher than almost any other town in Europe — high enough that the first night feels different, the coffee tastes stronger, and the light has a sharpness you notice immediately. It's the town Thomas Mann turned into *The Magic Mountain* and the one that hosts the World Economic Forum each January, but most of the year it belongs to hikers, skiers, and the larches that turn gold in October. The Promenade runs through Platz; the Sertig and Dischma valleys open east into meadow country; four cable cars lift you above the treeline in under fifteen minutes. Come for three days and you learn the rhythm: cable car up, long lunch, valley walk, fondue, sleep.

Browse Davos itineraries by how you travel.

Davos by travel style

The town is compact enough to cross on foot in twenty minutes, but cable cars and valley trails mean your day can span 2,500 meters of elevation without much planning. Food follows the altitude — Bündnerfleisch and rösti on the Promenade, soup and rye bread at the mountain huts, picnic cheese from the Platz bakeries when you're headed into Sertig. Below, the itineraries we've built for each travel style, each anchored to a real route through the town and valleys.

Couples

Romance in Davos isn't about luxury. It's about space, light, and the privilege of moving through mountains together. You'll wake early to catch sunrise views from Jakobshorn, share fondue at a traditional restaurant while the sun dips behind peaks, and find quiet corners near the lake or in the Sertig Valley where the only sounds are cowbells and wind. Three days lets you balance curated moments—sunrise hikes, guided wine tastings, mountain hut dinners—with downtime at your accommodation or café tables on the Promenade. Many couples find that the rhythm here slows naturally: mornings lingering over coffee, afternoons lost in one of the botanical gardens, evenings simply existing together.

Explore 3-Day Romantic Escape in Davos or Intimate 2-Day Romantic Escape in Davos.

Families

Davos with kids is about showing them that mountains aren't only for hard-core hikers. Cable cars do the heavy lifting; alpine meadows provide open space for running around; the lake becomes your anchor point for afternoon cool-downs. You'll ride the Jakobshorn cable car for easy views, explore the Schatzalp alpine botanical garden where kids navigate gentle paths at their own pace, share a family lunch at a mountain hut, and spend full afternoons by Lake Davos with shallow swimming areas and picnic time. The best part: there's no rushing. Davos is built for families who want adventure with rhythm—nap schedules matter, play time is prioritized, and nobody expects you to summit anything.

Explore Family-friendly 3-day Davos or 2-Day Family-Friendly Davos.

Friends

Summer in Davos is when the mountains come alive—trails are dry, the lake is swimmable, and the energy shifts. If you want three days of adventure without choosing between hiking or hanging out, you'll pedal into the Sertig Valley through wildflower meadows, swim in the lake, catch dinner at a mountain hut at elevation, and have time to lounge at café terraces between outings. This itinerary is paced for mixed fitness levels. Some of you might push hard on a 4-hour hike; others stick to cable car rides and lake time. The beauty is that you regroup for meals, stories, and that specific kind of laughter that happens when friends are tired and happy.

Explore Davos in Summer — Friends' Fun & Active 3-Day Weekend or Davos in Summer: 2-Day Friends Getaway.

Solo

Davos is quieter than Zermatt, Interlaken, or Lucerne — which makes it one of the better Alpine towns for solo travel. Nobody raises an eyebrow at a table for one at a Promenade café, and the Schatzalp funicular at 8 AM is often half-empty. Days structure themselves naturally: coffee, a cable car ride, a long valley walk, lunch at a hut, afternoon by the lake, fondue for dinner. The one honest caveat — a few experiences (fondue, raclette, mountain hut reservations) are built around groups. Either lean into Bündnerfleisch and café culture, or book a guided hike for a half-day of conversation.

Explore Gentle Day in Davos for a reflective single-day pace or Intimate 2-Day Romantic Escape in Davos as a slow solo template (most of it works alone).

Seniors

Davos was built on Alpine tourism before it was built on skiing — which means much of the town is designed around people who want the mountains without the climb. Four cable cars and a funicular do all the elevation gain. The Promenade is flat, paved, and lined with benches. The Schatzalp botanical garden has graded paths and a level restaurant terrace. Lake Davos has accessible shallow areas and shaded benches. You won't feel rushed here. Autumn is the quiet sweet season for senior travelers: crowds thin after mid-September, the larches turn gold through October, weather stays mild, and cable cars run on a calmer schedule.

Explore Gentle Day in Davos — Accessible Highlights for Seniors, Gentle 2-Day Davos Getaway for Seniors, or Gentle Davos: 3-Day Senior-Friendly Touring.

How many days do you need in Davos?

1 day

Perfect for a long weekend transit stop or a focused mountain experience. You can ride a cable car, have lunch at a mountain hut, and spend an afternoon by the lake—or choose a single valley hike if the weather is clear. One day scratches the Alpine itch without requiring a big time commitment. The downside: you'll want to come back. Davos has one accessible 1-day option perfect for seniors and those seeking a gentle pace.

Itineraries: Gentle Day in Davos — Accessible Highlights for Seniors.

2 days

Two days is the most common stay in Davos and enough to contrast two distinct sides of the town. Day one is usually the cable car day — ride up Jakobshorn or Parsenn, lunch at a hut, descend for lake time and a fondue dinner on the Promenade. Day two pulls you east: a half-day walk into Sertig Valley or a slower morning at the Schatzalp botanical garden, then coffee on a café terrace and the train out in late afternoon. It's also the realistic duration if you're pairing Davos with Zürich, St. Moritz, or Lucerne on a wider Swiss route.

Itineraries: Intimate 2-Day Romantic Escape in Davos, Davos in Summer: 2-Day Friends Getaway, 2-Day Family-Friendly Davos, Gentle 2-Day Davos Getaway for Seniors.

3 days

Three days is the longest in our catalog and gives you real breathing room. You can explore multiple valleys, spend full afternoons without rushing, have leisurely mornings, and still experience all the highlights: cable cars, hiking, lake, botanical gardens, Promenade cafés, a proper mountain dinner. Three days is also the duration where a place stops feeling like a destination and starts feeling like home.

Itineraries: 3-Day Romantic Escape in Davos, Davos in Summer — Friends' Fun & Active 3-Day Weekend, Family-friendly 3-day Davos, Gentle Davos: 3-Day Senior-Friendly Touring.

Bookable experiences in Davos

We've designed itineraries that pair with local guides and experiences. Here's what we recommend:

• Cable car and funicular rides: Access high-altitude meadows and gardens without exertion. Jakobshorn cable car, Schatzalp funicular, Rinerhorn cable car, and Parsenn cable car are all bookable through tourism operators or directly at the stations.

• Alpine hiking and valley tours: Guided hikes through Sertig Valley, Dischma Valley, or high-altitude routes to mountain huts. Local guides add context about alpine history, cheese-making traditions, and flora. Available for groups or solo hikers.

• Lake swimming and paddling: Lake Davos has accessible shallow areas and beach clubs with rental paddleboards and canoes. Summer is best; water temperatures reach 20–22°C by mid-summer.

• Botanical and garden experiences: Schatzalp Alpine Botanical Garden has self-guided paths and occasional naturalist talks. Mountain hut reservations for sunset dinners are available through tourism operators or directly with huts.

• Cheese and fondue experiences: Local restaurants and mountain huts serve traditional Graubünden cheese dishes. Some tourism operators offer fondue-making classes or market visits to source local ingredients.

Where to eat in Davos

Davos eating culture centers on Alpine traditions: cheese, cured meats, hearty mountain food that tastes better at elevation. The Promenade (Davos Platz's main street) is the hub for casual dining and café culture. Mountain huts offer lunch with a view. Restaurants close between lunch and dinner in some cases, so plan accordingly.

Davos Platz — Promenade and town center

The Promenade is where most of Davos' energy happens. Café tables spill onto the street in summer; locals linger over coffee and Bündnerfleisch. You'll find family restaurants, casual bistros, and places that serve both traveler-friendly salads and traditional raclette. This is where you eat breakfast before a cable car ride, have lunch on a café terrace, and browse menus for dinner. The shops nearby include bakeries for supplies and casual grocers if you're picnicking.

Recommended: cafés and restaurants along the Promenade are interchangeable on a walking tour. Pick one with views, sit outside if the weather cooperates, and order something local. Mountain hut restaurants near the Jakobshorn cable car station are also walkable from here and offer lunch with alpine views.

Davos Dorf — quieter village character

Davos Dorf, the quieter older village, has fewer restaurant choices but a more local feel. You'll find a small grocery, a couple of casual spots serving daily specials, and fewer crowds. It's worth walking here if you want to escape the Promenade, even if dining options are limited. Some families and solo travelers prefer the neighborhood feel.

Recommended: local restaurants and inns in Davos Dorf serve traditional Graubünden food and are usually less crowded than Platz. Ask your accommodation for recommendations; locals will point you to the best spot.

Schatzalp — botanical garden and mountaintop setting

The Schatzalp restaurant sits at the top of the funicular, surrounded by botanical gardens and far from the town bustle. It's the place to have lunch or coffee while looking out across the Davos valley. The setting is the main attraction—you're eating in an Alpine garden, views span for kilometers, and the pace is naturally slower.

Recommended: Schatzalp restaurant for coffee, light lunch, or afternoon cake. The walk through the botanical garden adds another reason to visit. It's accessible by funicular, so no hiking required.

Jakobshorn and higher elevations — mountain hut dining

Cable cars lift you to mountain huts at altitude. These are casual spots serving warming food—soup, sandwiches, hot chocolate, beer—and usually have outdoor terraces where you can eat while looking down at Davos. The experience is as much about the setting as the food. Some huts require reservations for group dinners.

Recommended: any hut at Jakobshorn or Rinerhorn for lunch between activities. Food is simple but satisfying. Timing matters: huts close by late afternoon, so plan a mountain lunch, not a mountain dinner, unless you're part of a reserved group.

Sertig Valley and Dischma Valley — picnic spots and small lodges

If you're hiking into the valleys, you'll find minimal commercial dining. Pack a picnic lunch. Some small lodges at valley entrances serve food, but hours vary. The goal is usually to pack your own meal, find a meadow or stream, and eat surrounded by mountains and wildflowers.

Recommended: prepare your own picnic with local cheese, bread, and cured meat from the Davos Platz bakeries. Eat at a vista point or in a meadow. It's cheaper, more flexible, and more memorable than any restaurant meal.

Fondue and raclette

Fondue and raclette are Davos staples, especially in cooler months. You'll find both in Platz restaurants and at mountain huts. Fondue is social—a shared pot, long forks, the whole ritual. Raclette is also communal. These meals are best with a group or as a couple; solo travelers might feel the social nature more keenly.

Recommended: book a fondue dinner at a Platz restaurant in the evening. Many locals do this weekly. It's warm, social, and tastes like Graubünden.

Bündnerfleisch and local cured meats

Bündnerfleisch is air-dried beef, a Davos institution. You'll see it on nearly every Promenade café menu, often served with bread and a small salad. Local grocery stores sell packaged versions if you want to take it home. It's salty, rich, and best paired with wine or beer.

Recommended: order Bündnerfleisch on the Promenade at least once. It's the taste of the region and usually only a few Swiss francs.

Coffee and café culture

Davos has excellent café culture. You can spend hours on the Promenade with coffee and cake, reading, watching people pass, and feeling like a local. The light at different times of day changes everything—morning light is stark and clear, afternoon light is golden.

Recommended: pick a café on the Promenade in morning or late afternoon light. Sit outside if you can. Watch the mountains frame the scene.

Davos neighbourhoods in depth

Davos Platz — the heart

Davos Platz is the main center and tourist hub. The Promenade is the street everyone knows—shops, restaurants, hotels, the main train station. It's lively, easy to navigate, and where most visitors spend most of their time. The lake is steps away. Cable car stations are within easy walking distance. Hotels here are more expensive but convenient. If you want to be in the energy and have restaurants and shops nearby, Platz is your base. If you want quiet, this is too busy.

Davos Dorf — the quieter original village

Davos Dorf is the older settlement, quieter and more residential. It has its own small center with local shops, a few restaurants, and less tourism infrastructure. Walking from Platz to Dorf takes 20–30 minutes. Many locals prefer Dorf. It feels more like a real mountain village and less like a resort. If you want to experience Davos beyond the Promenade, Dorf is the place.

Schatzalp — the alpine garden ascent

Schatzalp is accessed by funicular from Davos Platz. At the top is a botanical alpine garden and a restaurant with views across the valley. It's not a neighborhood to stay in, but an essential day visit. The plants, views, and pace are all slower and more contemplative. Budget 2–3 hours minimum. It's ideal for families, seniors, and anyone not interested in sustained hiking.

Schatzalp features in Family-friendly 3-day Davos and Gentle Davos: 3-Day Senior-Friendly Touring.

Sertig Valley — the hiker's sanctuary

Sertig Valley is a broad, gentle valley that extends east from Davos Platz, dotted with wildflower meadows and small mountain lodges. It's the place for longer hikes (2–5 hours), but also for shorter walks into easy meadows. The valley is less developed than Platz—mostly hiking trails, meadows, and quiet. Many Davos hikes start here. You'll need transport (cable car or hike) to reach the valley itself, but once there, you're in true mountain country.

Sertig anchors 3-Day Romantic Escape in Davos and Davos in Summer — Friends' Fun & Active 3-Day Weekend.

Dischma Valley — the wilder alternative

Dischma Valley extends northeast from Davos and is less visited than Sertig. It's deeper, narrower, and feels wilder. This is where serious hikers and trail runners go. The main settlement is small and rustic. If you want solitude and more challenging terrain, Dischma is your valley. It's also where you'll find the most peace if you're traveling solo or with someone who loves long days in mountains.

Parsenn and Rinerhorn — the ski and view destinations

Parsenn and Rinerhorn are high-altitude areas accessed by cable car. Parsenn is Davos' main ski area in winter and a vast hiking playground in summer. Rinerhorn is quieter and offers 360-degree views on clear days. Both are day-trip destinations from Davos Platz. You'll eat at mountain huts and return to town by evening.

Both cable cars appear in Davos in Summer: 2-Day Friends Getaway and the 3-Day Romantic Escape.

Museums and cultural sites in Davos

Start here

Kirchner Museum — This is the museum that defines Davos' artistic heritage. Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a German Expressionist painter, moved to Davos in 1917 for his health and spent his final decades here. The museum houses the world's largest collection of his work, plus rotating exhibitions. It's not large, but it's intimate and reveals why an artist chose to spend his life here. The museum is closed on Mondays; hours vary seasonally. Budget 1.5–2 hours. This is the mandatory cultural stop.

Thomas Mann's Alpine legacy — Thomas Mann's novel "The Magic Mountain" was written in part while staying in Davos, and it's a literary touchstone for understanding the town's 20th-century reputation as a health retreat. Mann never lived in Davos permanently, but the novel immortalized the town as a place where time moves differently, where isolation and altitude affect the soul. You won't find a museum dedicated to Mann, but walking the Promenade and reading passages from the novel deepens the experience.

Go deeper

Davos Museum (Davos Town Museum) — A small local history museum covering Davos' evolution from modest mountain settlement to international resort. Exhibits include alpine tourism history, local crafts, and the story of the World Economic Forum. It's brief but contextual. Budget 45 minutes. Good if you're interested in how Davos became what it is.

Bergün Filisur Alpine Museum — Just outside Davos (accessible by train, 30 minutes), this museum focuses on alpine culture, traditional cheese-making, and local architecture. It's more immersive than the Davos Museum and worthwhile if you're doing a day trip to explore the wider Graubünden region. Budget 1–2 hours including travel.

Off the radar

Local galleries and artist studios — Davos has a small but active artist community. Several galleries along the Promenade and in Davos Dorf feature works by local and Swiss artists. Some studios are open by appointment. Ask at your hotel or the tourism office for current exhibitions. This is a way to connect with Davos' creative side beyond the Kirchner Museum.

Schatzalp Botanical Garden — While primarily a botanical site, the garden itself has a museum-like quality in its curation and the views it frames. It's as much about art and composition as botany. The paths, the placement of benches, the way views open up—all are designed. Spend time here to understand how the landscape itself can be art.

Haus Hiltl — A historic building on the Promenade with cultural significance. It's not a formal museum but a landmark worth noticing as you walk. Ask locals about its history.

First-time visitor essentials

What to know

Davos is at 1,560 meters elevation. Some visitors feel altitude effects—shortness of breath, headaches, slower sleep—for the first night or two. Drink extra water, take it easy on the first day, and the feeling usually passes. Altitude also means weather changes fast. Bring layers and a light rain jacket even if the forecast is clear. Davos is expensive, like most Swiss destinations. Meals and cable cars add up. Budget accordingly. The town doesn't have the glossy resort feel of Zermatt or Interlaken—it's quieter and more understated, which is the point. If you're expecting a luxury Alpine village, you might feel surprised by Davos' working-town character. But that's also why it's special. Lastly, the town is walkable, but distances can deceive at elevation. What looks like 15 minutes of walking might take 20–25 minutes. Plan extra time.

Common mistakes

Arriving without accommodation booked during World Economic Forum season (winter) or peak summer and assuming you'll find a room. Book early if you're visiting in these windows. Trying to do too much in one day. Davos isn't a place to rush. Pick one activity per day—a cable car ride, a valley hike, lake time—and let the rest be flexible. Visiting in spring without accepting that trails might be muddy or snowy and cafés might have limited hours. Spring is quietest and cheapest, but the mountain is still transitioning. Summer and autumn are more reliable. Not asking your accommodation for local recommendations. Hotels have insight into current restaurants, weather conditions, and what's open. Relying solely on guidebooks leads to missed experiences. Assuming World Economic Forum season will offer the same experience as other times—the town is crowded and accommodation is booked solid, so avoid winter if you want a relaxed pace.

Safety and scams

Davos is very safe. Crime is minimal, public transport is reliable, and locals are accustomed to travelers. There are no significant scams. Prices are clearly marked. Tourism infrastructure is transparent. The main risk is weather—sudden storms, visibility drops, trail conditions changing—so check forecasts before hiking and be prepared to change plans. Solo travelers, especially at night, should use the same caution as any European Alpine town: stay aware, travel with companions when possible, and use established taxis or public transport. The bigger risk is overestimating your fitness for mountain activities. Davos' trails are well-marked and mostly safe, but altitude and distance are real. Know your limits.

Money and tipping

Switzerland uses the Swiss franc (CHF). Most places accept cards, but it's helpful to have cash for small shops, mountain huts, and tips. Tipping is not required, but rounding up or leaving 5–10% at restaurants is appreciated and common. Cable car rides, museum entries, and restaurant meals are all clearly priced. There are no hidden fees. Budget roughly 100–150 CHF per day for food and activities if you're moderate; add more if you're doing many cable car rides or eating at mountain restaurants frequently.

Planning your Davos trip

Best time by season

Summer: Warmest season, all trails open, lake swimmable (20–22°C), longest daylight hours, busiest season. Perfect for families, friends, and active travelers. Wildflowers peak mid-summer. Expect crowds on the Promenade and popular trails. Book accommodation in advance. Fondue is less appealing in heat but outdoor lake and café culture compensate.

Autumn: Golden larches, clear skies, fewer crowds, comfortable walking temperatures (12–18°C). Ideal for seniors, couples seeking quiet, and photographers. The landscape shifts daily as larch trees turn gold—every hike feels different. Cable cars offer views across the entire Graubünden region. Weather is reliable. This is the best season for most travelers if you're not skiing.

Winter: Heavy snow, skiing season, the Promenade is icy, cable cars and huts operate on winter schedules, expensive accommodation, World Economic Forum congestion, very cold and dark. Winter is specialized—excellent for skiers, beautiful for those wanting silence and snow-covered peaks, but not ideal for families or hikers. The town transforms entirely.

Spring: Rainy, trails are muddy or patchy with snow at altitude, variable temperatures, lowest prices, fewer tourists, some restaurants and cable cars have reduced hours. Spring feels transitional. The landscape is green but chaotic. Only visit if you enjoy uncertainty and solitude.

Getting around

Train: Direct trains from Zürich to Davos Platz take 2.5 hours via Landquart and the Rhaetian Railway. The journey itself is scenic—the train climbs through gorges and over viaducts. Arriving by train puts you at the town center. Trains are frequent, reliable, and included on Swiss rail passes.

Cable cars and funiculars: Jakobshorn cable car, Rinerhorn cable car, Schatzalp funicular, and Parsenn cable car are the main accesses to mountains. Day passes exist; single rides are also available. Cable cars operate year-round with seasonal hours. Check schedules online before planning.

Walking: Davos Platz is walkable end-to-end in 20 minutes. Davos Dorf is a 30-minute walk from Platz. Most neighborhoods are connected on foot. The Promenade is the main walking route. Hiking trails depart from town and valley access points; most are well-marked.

Biking: Mountain bikes and regular bikes are available for rental near the train station and Promenade. Summer is ideal. Sertig Valley has easy bike paths; higher routes are for experienced riders. Bike rentals cost roughly 30–40 CHF per day.

Taxis and car rentals: Taxis are available but expensive (Swiss standard). Most visitors don't need cars within Davos. If you're exploring the wider Graubünden region, a car is helpful. Rental agencies are near the station.

Neighbourhoods to stay in

Davos Platz: Central, walkable to everything, Promenade restaurants and shops nearby, more expensive, busier atmosphere. Best for first-time visitors and those who want convenience.

Davos Dorf: Quieter, more local feel, fewer restaurants on your doorstep, more affordable, 20–30 minute walk to Platz. Best for repeat visitors and those seeking calm.

Near Schatzalp or valley edges: More secluded, further from main activity, ideal if you're focused on hiking or specific valley experiences. Less practical for casual exploration of the town.

Train station area: Central and convenient but also the busiest zone. Good middle ground between Platz energy and Dorf quiet.

Frequently asked questions about Davos

How many days is enough to experience Davos? Three days lets you explore multiple valleys, relax without rushing, and settle into the alpine rhythm. Two days works if you're efficient and focused. One day is possible but feels rushed. More than three days is ideal only if you're hiking extensively or skiing.

What's the best time to visit Davos? Autumn is ideal for most travelers—golden larches, clear skies, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Summer is best for lake swimming and families but busier and hotter. Winter is for skiing and silence. Spring is unpredictable.

Is Davos safe for solo travelers? Yes, Davos is very safe. Low crime, good infrastructure, easy navigation, accustomed to solo travelers. Weather is the main risk, not crime.

Is Davos walkable? Davos Platz and Davos Dorf are both walkable. The Promenade is the main pedestrian zone. Getting into valleys requires hiking or cable cars. You can experience the town on foot; accessing higher elevations requires transport.

What should I avoid in Davos? Overestimating your fitness for mountain hikes at altitude. Visiting during World Economic Forum season (winter) without booking accommodation months ahead. Arriving in spring expecting summer weather. Skipping the Schatzalp gardens or Kirchner Museum if you want cultural depth.

Where should I eat in Davos? Promenade cafés for casual meals and people-watching. Mountain huts for lunch with views. Davos Dorf for a local, less-touristy feel. Pack a picnic if you're hiking into valleys. Try fondue or raclette at least once.

Are there free itineraries or activities in Davos? All nine of our Davos itineraries — romantic, family, friends, and senior-friendly — are free to read and use on TheNextGuide. You only pay if you choose to book one of the guided experiences (cable car tours, valley hikes, fondue evenings) linked from inside the itinerary. On the ground, walking the Promenade, wandering Davos Dorf, and accessing Lake Davos beaches cost nothing; trails into Sertig and Dischma valleys are free (cable car access isn't); the Schatzalp Botanical Garden and Kirchner Museum both charge entry (roughly 20 CHF for the museum).

What's the connection between Davos and "The Magic Mountain"? Thomas Mann was inspired by his time in Davos and wrote "The Magic Mountain" partly in response to the alpine sanatorium culture. The novel immortalized Davos as a place where time moves differently. The novel is not a guidebook—it's a philosophical text—but reading passages while walking the Promenade adds literary depth.

*Last updated: Spring 2026*