Planning a Trip to Switzerland? Don’t Miss These Top Things to Do in Chur

Most travelers to Switzerland have heard of Zurich, Lucerne, and Interlaken, but have you ever considered stopping in Chur?

In this episode, I’m joined by Lara Schäffeler, Marketing Manager at Chur Tourism, to uncover everything you didn't know you needed to know about Chur, Switzerland, officially the oldest city in Switzerland! With over 13,000 years of history and stunning mountain views, Chur is far more than just a stop on the Glacier Express or Bernina Express routes.

Lara shares her local expertise and passion for this charming gem in Graubünden, a region known for its natural beauty and cultural richness. From its well-preserved Old Town to vibrant street art and active adventures, you’ll quickly see why Chur attractions deserve a place on your Swiss itinerary.

You’ll discover the fascinating history of Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland, and explore the best things to do in Chur, from urban golf and cathedral visits to spontaneous alphorn concerts. You'll get insider tips on what to do in Chur, Switzerland year-round, including how to reach the scenic Brambrüesch mountain right from the city center. 

We also share why Chur, Switzerland is the perfect base for day trips to Lenzerheide, Surselva, Flims Laax, and the storybook Heididorf. Plus, find out what to eat with local favorites like Capuns, Maluns, and Churer Fleischtorte, how the Chur guest card helps you save, and what it’s like to ride the Bernina or Glacier Express from this underrated Swiss gem.

Whether you're planning a Swiss vacation or just love uncovering hidden gems, this episode will inspire you to slow down, stay a little longer, and discover the real heart of Chur, Switzerland.

Hit play now and start planning your perfect Swiss escape!

Safe travels,

Carolyn

👉 Show notes - Episode 141

🇨🇭 Take advantage of our exclusive Switzerland trip discounts

📖 Free guide 21 useful things to know before you visit Switzerland - Get your copy here

🎙️ Tell us what you love about the podcast by leaving a voice message

Where to get more Swiss travel tips and inspiration:

•On our website

•Subscribe to our newsletter

•Join our private Facebook group

Transcript

Carolyn Schönafinger: Welcome to the Holidays to Switzerland podcast. If you're planning a trip to Switzerland, this is the podcast for you. I'm your host, Carolyn Schönafinger, the founder of holidaystoswitzerland.com, and in each episode, my expert guests and I share practical tips to help you plan your dream trip to Switzerland.

You'll get helpful advice about traveling around Switzerland and hear about the most popular destinations, as well as some hidden gems. And we'll introduce you to plenty of wonderful experiences that you can enjoy as part of your Swiss vacation.

Each episode is packed with expert tips, itinerary ideas, and inspiration to help make your Swiss vacation planning easy. So let's dive in.

Grüezi! Welcome to episode 141 of the Holidays to Switzerland travel podcast. If you're planning a trip to Switzerland and you'd like to discover a gem off the typical tourist track, this episode is for you.

I'm joined today by Lara Schäffler, Marketing Manager at Chur Tourism, to learn everything there is to know about Switzerland's oldest city, Chur. Some listeners will be familiar with the name. That’s the city spelled C-H-U-R. It's on the Glacier Express train route, and it's also the start or end station for the Bernina Express. But it really deserves a visit in its own right.

I'll admit that I was very pleasantly surprised the first time I stayed overnight in Chur. The Old Town particularly really impressed me, not to mention its location, nestled in the mountains of eastern Switzerland.

Of course, there are many more reasons to spend some time in Chur, which Lara is going to share with us today.

Hello Lara, thank you very much for giving up your time to come on the podcast and tell everyone about your beautiful city. Could you start please by telling us a little bit about yourself, your background, where you're from, and how you came to be living in Chur?

Lara Schäffler: Hello! Thank you very much for the invite. I'm Lara. I'm working as a Marketing Manager at Chur Tourism, and I’ve been doing that for about two years.

I grew up in northern Switzerland, really close to the border with Germany. Then I moved to Chur for my studies. I studied tourism here at the university. After that, I spent one year in St. Gallen, then moved back to Chur.

So in total, I’ve been living here for about six years, and as I said, working for Chur Tourism for two of those years, which I really like.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Oh, excellent. And you’ve clarified something for me there, the name “Chur” is one I always struggle with. For those who aren’t familiar, it’s spelled C-H-U-R. I’ve heard it pronounced like “Chua” or even “Hua.” So it’s “Koor,” is that right?

Lara Schäffler: Yes! I often hear “Chore” from English-speaking people. But the locals say it with a K, like “Koor.” Some dialects say more like “Hoo-er,” but around here, we just say “Koor.”

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay, so “Koor” it is. Let’s agree on that, fantastic! So for everyone listening who’s perhaps not familiar with the city, where exactly in Switzerland can we find Chur?

Lara Schäffler: Chur is located in the canton of the Grisons, which is also known as Graubünden. It’s actually the capital of the canton, and it’s situated in eastern Switzerland, surrounded by lots of mountains. It’s a really beautiful location.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay. And Graubünden is indeed the same as the Grisons, some listeners may have heard either name used. Now, I believe Chur is the oldest city in Switzerland. Can you tell us a bit of its history? When was it first settled?

Lara Schäffler: Yes, that’s correct. It’s known as the oldest city of Switzerland because Paleolithic settlement remains were found here that date back to 11,000 BC, so a very long time ago!

It’s been continuously inhabited since about 5000 BC by the Celts. Then, around 15 BC, the Romans arrived. Another important year is 451 AD, that’s when Chur became an Episcopal city, meaning it has had a bishop since then.

That’s just a quick overview. For more detailed history, I recommend taking one of our city tours. Our local guides know much more than I do!

Carolyn Schönafinger: So I guess the modern history, if you could call it that, starts around the 400s AD?

Lara Schäffler: Yes, exactly.

Carolyn Schönafinger: For anyone interested in history or exploring eastern Switzerland, how would you describe Chur? What sets it apart from other Swiss destinations?

Lara Schäffler: Chur is really charming as the oldest city in Switzerland. We have a beautiful Old Town with narrow streets and picturesque squares. There are many small shops selling local products and specialties, perfect for a leisurely stroll.

On the other hand, it’s also the cultural capital of Graubünden. There are several museums, the Art Museum, the Rätisches Museum which tells the history of our canton, and the Natural History Museum which focuses on local flora and fauna. We have a theater with national and international performances too.

Street art is becoming more and more popular. We had two street art festivals in the past initiated by Bane, a well-known artist who grew up here in Chur.

Another important point is that Chur is a great starting point to explore the surrounding areas, whether you go hiking, biking, or take one of the panoramic trains that start right here in the city.

Carolyn Schönafinger: We’ll definitely talk more about the panoramic trains in a bit. But before that, I wanted to ask you about the Old Town. I’ve visited Chur a couple of times and only stayed overnight, but I must say the Old Town really surprised me. It was much more impressive than I expected. What are some of the highlights visitors might see?

Lara Schäffler: Yes! Many people say the same, they’re surprised at how beautiful it is. The Old Town is very well preserved and clean. There are lots of narrow streets and hidden alleyways, historic buildings and houses, and colorful squares lined with restaurants and cafés.

There are more than 130 restaurants in the city, which is quite a lot for its size! Then we also have important landmarks like St. Martin’s Church, which is the main Protestant church, and the Cathedral of the Assumption, one of Switzerland’s most significant cultural monuments. Both are located in the Old Town and can be visited.

As I mentioned earlier, the best way to explore the Old Town is definitely by joining one of our guided walking tours. Our professional guides can share lots of insights and show you hidden spots around the city center.

Carolyn Schönafinger: I agree. You get so much more out of a visit with a local guide. Are those tours available every day, or just certain days?

Lara Schäffler: There’s an English-language public tour every Friday for individuals. For groups, tours can be booked on any day.

Carolyn Schönafinger: That’s great to know. And how long does the public tour last?

Lara Schäffler: It’s about one and a half hours, perfect for seeing the main sites and getting lots of interesting information.

Carolyn Schönafinger: One more surprise I had while walking around Chur, we had just finished dinner and suddenly heard Alphorn music! When we stepped outside, there were about 20 Alphorn players in the street playing the most beautiful music. Does that happen often?

Lara Schäffler: Yes! There’s a local Alphorn group. In winter, they practice indoors, but in summer, they often rehearse in the Old Town. It’s really nice for both locals and tourists to hear. I think it’s usually on Mondays, they just gather and play somewhere in the center. It’s a lovely, unexpected experience.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Well, we were certainly in luck that night. It was an impromptu concert that was just fantastic. Are there any other highlights? Perhaps you could tell us a bit more about the church and the cathedral.

Lara Schäffler: Yes. As I mentioned, Chur has had a bishop for a long time, which is why we have the impressive cathedral. It’s just slightly above the city, but still close and definitely worth the short walk. The inside is really beautiful.

St. Martin’s Church, the Protestant church, has impressive stained-glass windows created by Giacometti, a famous Swiss artist. So both are really worth a visit.

Another highlight I’d mention is the street art, because I really enjoy the contrast between Chur’s long history and the modern vibe the art brings.

A place I really like is Fontanapark. It’s a small park right in the city center, perfect for relaxing, especially in spring or summer when the flowers are blooming.

There are also lots of hidden spots in the Old Town, like the Bärenloch, which would translate as “Bear Hole.” There are several stories about how the name came about. I don’t think there were ever bears there, but you never know!

Another fun way to discover the Old Town is through our urban golf course. It’s a self-guided game with nine stations throughout the city center. Instead of holes, you aim at things like bins or markers already in the area. It’s quite unusual and lets you explore the city in a completely different way.

And of course, I highly recommend trying the local cuisine. With over 130 restaurants, you’ll have plenty of chances! I think the best way to end your day in Chur is up at the Haldenhüttli, a viewpoint just above the city where you can enjoy a stunning sunset. I definitely recommend that as well.

Carolyn Schönafinger: That’s a great tip. I always love finding a good viewpoint, and that sunset sounds like a beautiful way to finish the day.

Speaking of viewpoints, when people think of Switzerland, they usually think of mountains. You mentioned earlier that Chur is surrounded by mountains, does it have a “house mountain”?

Lara Schäffler: Yes, indeed! Our house mountain is called Brambrüesch. What makes it really special is that it’s accessible directly from the city center. Chur is actually the only city in Switzerland with its own summer and winter sports area connected to the city like that.

Carolyn Schönafinger: That’s amazing! What’s the height of the mountain, and what kind of activities can visitors enjoy there?

Lara Schäffler: When you go up to Brambrüesch in summer, there are many great hikes, including panoramic circular trails. One really nice option is a culinary hike, where you stop and enjoy some delicious food along the route.

For those looking for a bit more action, there are several mountain biking trails, including the Alpen Bike Park, which is great for downhill bikers. If you prefer something more relaxed, there are lovely mountain restaurants where you can just enjoy a meal and soak up the sun.

A fun activity for families is renting scooters, they’re a fun way to come down the mountain.

In winter, Brambrüesch becomes a small ski area with a sledding trail and options for snowshoe hiking. Or, again, just enjoy the cozy mountain restaurants.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Okay, so there’s definitely something for all ages. Fantastic. Now, you did mention earlier the panoramic trains that the city is known for. Chur is the starting point for the Bernina Express and also a stop on the Glacier Express route. I know many of our listeners will be traveling on one or both of those trains when they come to Switzerland. How do you think a ride on one of those trains enhances someone’s experience of visiting Chur?

Lara Schäffler: Yes, exactly. The panoramic trains are really popular. Many people come to Chur specifically because they’re boarding one of those trains. As the name suggests, they offer spectacular views thanks to their large panoramic windows, which let you take in all the surrounding mountain landscapes.

For example, with the Bernina Express, one of the special things is how it travels from around 2,000 meters to 400 meters above sea level. So there’s a huge altitude difference, and you see a lot of changes in the landscape.

Chur is a perfect starting point for these journeys. What’s great is that you can combine your stay in the city, exploring the cultural sites and Old Town, with one of these scenic train rides. It’s a wonderful combination.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Absolutely. Now, it’s probably fair to assume that if someone is doing one of those panoramic train journeys, they might stay overnight in Chur before or after that trip, but may not plan to return again. So if someone is staying in Chur for a couple of nights, say two or three days, what are some of the day trips they might enjoy?

Lara Schäffler: There are lots of great options. Chur is very well connected, so it’s easy to travel to the surrounding areas.

One popular destination is Arosa, which is just a one-hour train ride away. It’s a beautiful route and could be a great alternative if you’re not taking the Glacier or Bernina Express. In Arosa, you can go hiking or visit the Arosa Bear Sanctuary, where bears live in a natural alpine setting.

Other destinations include Lenzerheide, the Surselva region, and Flims Laax Falera. All three are great for hiking, biking, and skiing or snowboarding in winter.

There’s also Heidi Dorf, I’m not sure if you know the story of Heidi?

Carolyn Schönafinger: Yes, I know the story of Heidi!

Lara Schäffler: She’s a fictional character created by Johanna Spyri, and very popular in Switzerland. The Heidi Village is just a 30-minute drive from Chur. You can visit the reconstructed village where Heidi is said to have lived, it’s a great stop, especially for families.

Carolyn Schönafinger: So there’s definitely plenty of options there. And with 130 restaurants in Chur, I guess there’s a wide range of cuisine available. But what are some of the local specialties that people should try when they come to Chur?

Lara Schäffler: Yes, there are many different specialties in Graubünden. Two really popular ones are probably Capuns and Maluns. I don’t know if you’ve heard of them?

Carolyn Schönafinger: I’ve heard of Capuns, but I’m not really sure what they are.

Lara Schäffler: I’ll quickly explain. So Maluns is basically cooked potatoes that are grated into small pieces, mixed with flour, and then fried in butter. You usually eat it with mountain cheese and apple sauce.

Capuns, on the other hand, are made from Spätzle dough, similar to noodles, mixed with herbs and small pieces of dried meat. The mixture is wrapped in chard leaves and baked in a creamy cheese sauce. I really like it and definitely recommend trying it.

There’s also one dish that comes specifically from Chur: the Churer Fleischtorte. It’s basically a minced meat pie and something very traditional to our city.

If you’d like to try that, you can find it at a restaurant like Maron in the city center.

Then we have Bühler’s Zuckerbäckerei, a local bakery in the Old Town. They make Pfirsichsteine, which translates to “peach stones” because they resemble the inside of a peach. It’s a sweet treat made from marzipan, and it’s really delicious.

If you’re more into drinks, we also have something called Röteli, a cherry liqueur that’s very popular here in Chur.

Carolyn Schönafinger: We talked about where Chur is, but what are the distances like? So if someone is flying into Zurich, how long would it take them to get to Chur?

Lara Schäffler: Good question. From Zurich Airport to Chur, it’s about a one-and-a-half-hour train ride. By car, it’s pretty similar, maybe a little bit faster. But I’d say roughly one and a half hours either way.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Oh great. So if someone wanted to come straight from the airport to Chur, it’s not very far at all.

Lara Schäffler: Yes, it’s very easy. Easy access.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Good. So for first-time visitors, what are your tips for making the most out of their stay in Chur?

Lara Schäffler: Chur is rather small, which makes it really easy to discover everything on foot. That’s very convenient, within the city center, everything is basically in walking distance.

As I mentioned earlier, I really recommend visiting the Old Town’s squares and narrow streets, and definitely the area around the Cathedral.

One thing I haven’t mentioned yet is the Obertor, which is the old city gate. It’s very interesting to see and located right next to Bühler’s Zuckerbäckerei, so you can treat yourself to something sweet afterward.

Also, have a coffee break in one of our cozy cafés. There’s a local coffee roastery right in the heart of the Old Town that serves a very good cup of coffee.

If you're short on time but want a good overview of the city, definitely join a guided walking tour. You’ll get great historical background and see lots of hidden corners that you might otherwise miss.

Another big tip is to use our guest card, which overnight visitors receive when staying at a hotel. It gives you free entry to several museums, 50% off the cable car to Brambrüesch, and even free entry to our public swimming pool, which is especially nice in summer when it gets warm. The guest card is really great for making the most of your stay.

Carolyn Schönafinger: That sounds wonderful. So our listeners have plenty of great options to add to their Switzerland itinerary. In your opinion, why should they include a visit to Chur?

Lara Schäffler: I hope I’ve already shown some of the benefits, but to summarize: Chur is a very charming city that offers cultural, culinary, and active experiences.

There are museums, theater, guided city tours, and lots of street art. Culinary-wise, we have fantastic local dishes you should really try.

Then there are the active experiences, urban golf, hiking, biking, and much more just outside the city. Chur is also a great starting point for day trips, whether by public transport or by bike.

And of course, the panoramic trains like the Bernina and Glacier Express are wonderful additions to your visit.

Carolyn Schönafinger: And I think most people will definitely be like me, pleasantly surprised when they visit Chur and especially when they wander through the Old Town. It really is very, very charming.

Lara Schäffler: Yes, I hope so!

Carolyn Schönafinger: Thank you so much, Lara, for sharing all of that with us. Where can our listeners get more information to help them plan their visit to Chur?

Lara Schäffler: To plan your visit or get more inspiration, it’s best to visit our website: churtourismus.ch. The website is also available in English, and you’ll find all the information you need to plan your trip. Our contact details are there as well, in case anyone has additional questions, we’re available by phone or email.

And if you’re already in Chur, I really recommend visiting our Tourist Information Center, located at Bahnhofstrasse 32, just a short walk from the train station and right in the city center. My colleagues there are happy to help you plan activities and answer any questions. We also have brochures about Chur and the surrounding regions to help with day trip ideas.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Wonderful. I’ll put a link to your website in the show notes for this episode so people can click through and get all the information they need.

And if they’re interested in booking one of those walking tours you mentioned, can they do that through the website as well?

Lara Schäffler: Yes, exactly. You can find the tours listed there and book directly online.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Perfect. Well, thank you so much, Lara. I hope we’ve inspired lots of listeners to include a visit to Chur in their upcoming Swiss vacation.

Lara Schäffler: I hope so too! We’re looking forward to your visit. Thank you very much.

Carolyn Schönafinger: Chur is a real hidden gem in Switzerland that deserves a spot on every traveler’s itinerary. With its fascinating history as Switzerland’s oldest city, a charming Old Town, delicious local cuisine, and easy access to fantastic day trips and panoramic train journeys, there really is something for everyone in this beautiful corner of Graubünden.

Whether you plan to base yourself in Chur for a few days or make it a stopover before or after the Glacier or Bernina Express, I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

To help you plan your visit, I’ll include a link to Chur Tourism’s official website in the show notes, along with booking details for the walking tours and more tips from Lara. You’ll also find a link to download my free guide: 21 Useful Things to Know Before You Visit Switzerland, at holidaystoswitzerland.com/podcast.

And if you’d prefer some assistance with your Swiss vacation planning, be sure to check out the exclusive Holidays to Switzerland discounts on rail packages, tours, self-drive packages, and itinerary planning. You’ll find the discount codes in the show notes too.

Thank you so much for joining me today. I hope I’ve inspired you to consider including Chur in your Swiss itinerary. Until next time, Tschuss!