Traveling to Chur, Switzerland and you’re not sure how to spend your time in town? You’ve come to the right place then because this guide includes all the best things to do in Chur!
Discover the most important cultural monuments, ride the panoramic trains, and explore the town’s unique museums. The alpine city is famous for quite a few things and this guide to visiting Chur will tell you about all the best attractions in town. From the best museums and landmarks to exquisite nature just outside the city – here are all the best things to do in Chur!
St. Mariae Himmelfahrt Cathedral
St. Mariae Himmelfahrt Cathedral – or just Chur Cathedral – is the oldest and most important church in Chur. It was constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries in Romanesque style with Gothic elements, and it is recognized as a Swiss heritage site of national significance.
The cathedral is a 20-minute walk from the main train station in the old town of Chur. It’s a pretty small building that can be toured quickly, so don’t hesitate to go there. It boasts beautiful stained glass windows, a spectacular altar, and some truly stunning frescos on the walls.
Another great thing about this cathedral is that there’s no entrance fee. You can tour the interior of the church for free, which makes it one of the best historical buildings in the city for travelers on a tighter budget!
Graubünden Natural History Museum
Graubünden Natural History Museum is a local natural history museum situated just some 5 minutes away from the main train station in Chur. The museum’s impressive collection traces the natural history of the region with exhibits on geology, flora, and fauna of the entire Graubünden canton.
If you are genuinely interested in natural history, this museum is absolutely fascinating. It’s also a great place to take your children in Chur – they can admire the countless stuffed (taxidermied) animals and even see a life-sized stuffed bear.
Many rocks and minerals recovered from the Graubünden canton area are also on display at this museum and they’re equally interesting to learn about. Overall, if you’re looking to kill a couple of hours in Chur and learn something new about the area, the Graubünden Natural History Museum is certainly one of the best places to visit in town.
St. Martin’s Church
St. Martin’s Church is situated in the heart of Chur’s old town and it’s a recognizable sight in the city’s skyline. The clock tower of the church rises above the roofs of the other old town buildings, but unfortunately, you can’t climb it to experience the view from the top.
This was originally a Romanesque church constructed in the 8th century, but it was largely destroyed during the fire of 1464. St. Martin’s Church was rebuilt entirely after the fire, this time in the late Gothic style that is still evident today.
In addition to its rich history, this church is also famous for the three stained glass windows by Augusto Giacometti. Together they depict the Christmas story and they’re easily the highlight of any visit to St. Martin’s Chruch.
If you happen to visit Chur in the spring, make sure to also visit the garden next to this church. It looks the absolute best in the spring when all the beautiful flowers are in bloom.
Bündner Kunstmuseum
Bündner Kunstmuseum is the most popular art museum in the city of Chur. It’s located in two buildings – a beautiful 19th-century villa and its modern annex. The modern annex sticks out like a sore thumb among the other buildings in the area, so it’s one of those attractions that you absolutely can’t miss while you’re walking around the town.
Although the new building looks a bit out of place next to the villa that’s a couple of hundred years old, it beautifully fits in with the theme of the museum. It’s representative of the modern era of art and the architectural elements inside the buildings are as fascinating as the actual art exhibits.
In terms of the museum exhibits, the Bündner Kunstmuseum boasts an excellent collection of artworks by artists from Graubünden. This includes works by Angelica Kauffman, Ernst Ludwing Kircher, Augusto Giacometti, and Giovanni Segantini. The collection represents local artists and art styles beautifully, plus the museum participates in the biannual Manor Cultural Prize, which awards up-and-coming artists from Graubünden.
Fontana Park
Fontana Park is a small but beautiful public park just outside Chur’s car-free old town. It boasts a spectacular fountain, landscaped lawns, and beautiful flowers that look the absolute best in the spring months.
The park is a perfect place to sit down and take a little break if you get a little tired from all the walking around Chur. Sit down for a moment and relax while you’re surrounded by stunning nature – Chur’s old town will be just across the street and you can get back to exploring as soon as you’ve regained some energy.
This is a public park so there’s no entrance fee or anything like that. It’s one of the best Chur activities for travelers on a tight budget, but also for people who want to explore every inch of this wonderful city.
Old Town of Chur
The old town of Chur is easily the best thing about this Alpine city. It’s a car-free old town, so there aren’t any vehicles in the area. Go for a walk through Chur’s beautiful old town and you’ll quickly realize that cars absolutely don’t belong in it.
The best way to explore the old town of Chur is either on walking or cycling tours. Cycling tours are a good option if you’re limited on time and you want to see as much of the city as possible in a short period, but walking tours are better if you want to take in all the little details.
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Walk around the cobbled city streets, admire the old buildings, and see all the beautiful churches. If any of the churches are open during your time in Chur, feel free to pop in – there’s usually no entrance fee, so you can just explore as much as you like. And in case there is an entrance fee, you’ll be stopped at the door and asked for money.
The historic old town of Chur was the oldest city in Switzerland, so it’s definitely worth a detailed exploration if you are interested in the culture and history of the region. Even if you’re not and all you want to do is drink coffee, taste the local dishes, and shop till you drop, you will find that the best restaurants, cafes, and shopping opportunities are all located in this historic center.
Forum Wurth Chur
Forum Wurth Chur is a small art gallery in the city of Church. It’s outside the old town, but still easily accessible on foot or by public transport. It’s a great place for all art lovers in Chur, but a skippable attraction if you’re not that interested in artworks.
Even if you don’t want to go inside the building, it’s worth it to check out the exterior. The gallery building is an excellent example of modern architecture, plus the vast lawns in front of it are adorned with beautiful sculptures.
It’s worth noting that the art gallery has a rotating collection. The Wurth Group operates museums and art galleries in many other cities and countries, so the collections on display often change. It’s best to check what exhibit is on display at the gallery before you visit so that you can make sure it’s something that genuinely interests you.
Bernina Express
Bernina Express is a panoramic train that runs from either Chur or St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy. The trains run in both directions, so it is possible to travel from Switzerland to Italy and vice versa. It’s possible to travel the entire route (Tirano-Chur/St. Moritz and vice versa), or just for a few stops.
Ticket prices depend on how far you are traveling and whether you book 1st or 2nd class. We highly recommend getting 1st class tickets if you can afford them – the train cars have panoramic windows that curve over the roof, for a truly spectacular view during the entire ride. Seat reservations are mandatory for 1st class tickets, and they’re an extra 20 CHF on top of the regular ticket price.
The Bernina Express journey is one for the bucket list, so it’s definitely worth it to splurge a little. The train passes through stunning nature, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and some of the most spectacular mountains in Switzerland!
Rhaetian Museum
Situated in the heart of Chur’s old town, the Rhaetian Museum is a popular local history museum. It’s an absolute must for anyone who is genuinely interested in learning about the history of the Graubünden region.
The museum boasts four floors of exhibits that tell the story of Bündner history, from its origins until the present day. In addition to the vast permanent collection, the Rhaetian Museum also boasts a program of exhibitions that detail the newer Grison history and culture.
Although history museums are usually the most fun for adults, this Chur museum made special efforts to make its collection appealing to younger visitors as well. Children who visit this museum get a special key that unlocks a box in every room, so information that remains inaccessible to adults. This makes the kids feel special, and it also provides them with additional child-friendly information in line with the theme of that specific room.
Rheinschlucht
Rheinschlucht, also known as Rhine’s Gorge, is a stunning natural landmark outside the city of Chur. It’s less than half an hour away by train, so it’s a landmark you should definitely make time for if you’re staying in Chur for more than just a day.
This fabulous gorge is often called the Swiss Grand Canyon, although that nickname is a bit ironic. Nonetheless, it is a site of incredibly beautiful nature that is easily accessible to all travelers. Avid hikers can explore the nature surrounding the gorge, but those who don’t spend too much time exploring off the beaten track can admire the views from the recreation area near the train station.
It’s worth noting that traveling by car is not quicker than the train, plus there’s the whole hassle of finding a parking spot. Train tickets are also pretty inexpensive – just be sure to ask for a one-way ticket to Versam Safien. It’s also possible to purchase tickets that offer unlimited train and bus rides in the area, but they’re around 40 CHF per day, which is twice the price of two one-way tickets.
Shelter for Roman Ruins
More than 2,000 years ago, Chur was a Roman settlement. Visit the Shelter for Roman Ruins to see the many findings that can be traced back to this period. The shelter was built as a protective building for all the archaeological findings, and it’s a fascinating attraction if you are interested in ancient history.
The best thing about this local history museum is that you will most likely have the place to yourself when you visit. Head to the Chur Tourism information center and ask for the key to the shelter – you’ll need to pay an entrance fee and leave a deposit, but the latter will be returned to you when you give them back the key.
This popular Chur attraction is situated just outside the old town, near the bottom station of Chur Bergbahnen. The tourism information center is near the main train station in Chur, and just a 13-minute walk away from the Roman ruins.
Brambrüesch
Brambrüesch is Chur’s local mountain that is easily accessible from downtown Chur by cable car. The proximity of the mountains is precisely what draws so many tourists to this lovely city, especially outdoor adventurers who want to explore the spectacular Swiss nature.
At the top station of the cable car, you’ll discover an excellent ski resort that’s particularly popular in the winter. The mountain huts and hotels fill up with visitors who want to explore the ski pistes of Chur’s local mountain, and the area can get quite busy – keep that in mind if you’re traveling to Chur in the winter season.
During the warmer months, the ski pistes turn into hiking trails that reward trekkers with mesmerizing views. Also, it’s worth noting that the cable car ride alone is incredibly scenic and rewards travelers with panoramic views of this fabulous town. You don’t even have to go all the way to Brambrüesch to enjoy the views – the ride to the first station (Känzeli) is scenic enough.
