A weekend in Chur: sights, the Alps and indulgence

Contents:

• Friday evening: Arrival in Switzerland’s oldest town

• Saturday morning: Urban Chur, art and the charm of the old town

• Saturday afternoon: Taking the mountain railway up to Brambrüesch

• Sunday: A short Alpine trip or a relaxing finale

• Events in Chur in 2026

• Practical tips for Chur

• Conclusion: Chur is ideal for an enjoyable weekend

Friday evening: Arriving in Switzerland’s oldest city

Anyone arriving in Chur on a Friday evening will quickly sense the special charm of the capital of the canton of Graubünden. The old town is just a few minutes’ walk from the station, and before you know it you’ll find yourself amongst historic façades, narrow alleyways, small squares and cosy restaurants.

For your first evening, a leisurely stroll through the old town is well worth it. The Obere Gasse, the Untere Gasse, the Kornplatz and the area around the Arcas are particularly lovely. Here, Chur shows its charming side – compact, historic and lively all at once.

The Hofkellerei is the perfect choice for dinner: the oldest restaurant in Switzerland’s oldest town. In its historic surroundings, the restaurant combines regional and local produce with contemporary cuisine – an atmospheric start to an enjoyable weekend in Chur.

Saturday morning: Urban Chur, art and the charm of the old town

Saturday gets off to a leisurely start with breakfast at Kaffeeklatsch Chur – the perfect place to kick off the day in a relaxed atmosphere with a good cup of coffee, fresh pastries or a hearty breakfast. Afterwards, Chur shows its urban side: anyone wishing to explore the city in a playful way can plan a round of urban golf. This allows you not only to see Chur, but to actively experience it – an entertaining way to get to know the city’s squares, alleyways and special spots from a different perspective.

Afterwards, it’s well worth taking a stroll towards Postplatz. There, Robert Indermaur’s ‘Orbiter’ hovers above the square – an eye-catching sculpture that adds an artistic touch to the modern city centre. From here, it’s not far to the Graubünden Art Museum, one of the city’s most important cultural venues. It combines historic architecture with a modern extension and exhibits art from Graubünden, Switzerland and around the world. A detour to the Hofbezirk district, home to the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary, is also a must. Those interested in modern architecture can also visit the Heiligkreuzkirche: this striking building, constructed from exposed concrete, reveals a completely different, surprisingly contemporary side to Chur.

If you’d like to include a small, lesser-known vantage point in your itinerary, you can take a stroll to the Haldenhüttli. The small wooden pavilion on Schanfiggerstrasse was built in 1879 by the Chur City Association, when Chur was seeking to establish itself as a climatic health resort. Today, it is a romantic retreat offering a beautiful view over the city towards the south-west. 

Saturday afternoon: Taking the mountain railway to Brambrüesch

After lunch, we head straight from the town into the mountains. The valley station of the Chur Bergbahnen is close to the town centre, near the Stadthalle Chur. From Chur railway station, you can reach it either on foot in around 15 minutes or by city bus to the Brambrüschbahn/Stadthalle stop. From there, the cable car takes you straight up to Chur’s local mountain, Brambrüesch. The journey itself is part of the experience: a panoramic ride covering around 1,000 metres in altitude takes you from the city centre up into the mountains. 

In summer, Brambrüesch is perfect for short hikes, walks, cycle tours or a leisurely break to enjoy the views. Those looking for a more active outing can plan a route towards the Dreibündenstein. In winter, Brambrüesch transforms into a small, unpretentious winter sports resort.

Back in Chur, it’s well worth popping into the Giger Bar before dinner. The bar is dedicated to the Swiss artist H. R. Giger, who gained international renown for his dark, futuristic imagery. Its extraordinary interior provides a fascinating contrast to the historic old town. For dinner, we recommend the Veltliner Weinstube zum Stern at the Hotel Stern. This cosy Graubünden-style parlour combines a traditional atmosphere with regional, creative and seasonal cuisine – the ideal way to round off your Saturday in style. 

Sunday: A short trip to the Alps or a relaxing finale

On Sunday, Chur once again demonstrates its strength as the gateway to Graubünden. Anyone wishing to experience a little more before heading home can spend the morning on a short trip with the Rhaetian Railway. The journey from Chur to Arosa is particularly beautiful: the route leads straight out of the town, through the Schanfigg valley, over viaducts and up into the mountains. The train journey takes around one hour each way and can therefore easily be fitted into a half-day trip. 

Alternatively, a trip to the Rhine Gorge – also known as the ‘Swiss Grand Canyon’ – is well worth it. Depending on your destination, you can reach places such as Trin, Versam-Safien or Valendas-Sagogn by train from Chur in around 20 to 40 minutes. Particularly lovely is the combination of a short train journey and a stroll or hike along the gorge – for example, from Versam-Safien to Valendas-Sagogn, for which you should allow an additional 1.5 hours’ walking time. 

Those who prefer to stay in Chur can take it easy on Sunday: a late breakfast, a short stroll through the old town and a final lunch featuring Graubünden specialities. Afterwards, it’s a relaxed journey back home – with the feeling of having experienced not just a town, but also a slice of Graubünden over the weekend.

Events in Chur in 2026

It’s well worth taking a look at the events calendar for 2026 too, as Chur has several exciting events on offer that are perfect for a weekend break.

• Swiss National Shooting Festival 2026: From 5 June to 5 July 2026, Chur will be all about Swiss shooting sports. This traditional sporting event attracts marksmen and women, as well as numerous guests, to Graubünden. The focus is on sporting competitions involving rifles and pistols, as well as a programme of side events for visitors.
• Polenta 7000: From 1 May to 1 August 2026, weather permitting, the Walserbüel site in Chur will be transformed into a summer cultural hub with a bar, music, beats and a relaxed atmosphere. It is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 5 pm to 11 pm and on Saturdays from 3 pm to 11 pm. 
• Haldenstein Castle Festival: From 31 July to 22 August 2026, Haldenstein Castle near Chur will become an atmospheric venue for orchestral programmes, film music, pop, rock and funk. 
• Chur Festival: From 14 to 16 August 2026, Chur will be celebrating its grand city festival in the old town. Visitors can look forward to music, culinary delights, socialising and a festive atmosphere in the squares and alleyways.

Practical tips for Chur

• Best time to visit: Chur is well worth a visit at any time of year. Spring and autumn are ideal for exploring the old town and going on gentle walks. In summer, the mountain railways, events and day trips are a major draw. In winter, Chur combines the charm of city life with easy access to the snow.
• Duration: A weekend is more than enough for a first impression. If you’re also planning a longer scenic drive or a trip to the surrounding area, you can easily add another night.
• Getting around: The best way to explore the old town is on foot. For trips to Brambrüesch, Arosa or other destinations, mountain railways, the Rhaetian Railway and buses are ideal.
• Who is Chur suitable for? Chur is ideal for couples, leisure travellers, culture vultures, rail enthusiasts and anyone looking to spend a relaxing weekend between the city and the Alps.
• Accommodation: For a weekend, we recommend staying in or near the old town. This way, you can easily reach restaurants, cafés, sights and the railway station on foot. We recommend the Hotel Chur: centrally located, steeped in tradition and ideal for exploring the city and the surrounding area with ease. If you’re looking for attractive deals for your trip to Chur or for other short breaks in Switzerland, you’ll find a regular selection of hotel and travel offers with exciting discounts on the Swiss Bankers Travel Deals page.

Conclusion: Chur is ideal for an enjoyable weekend

A weekend in Chur combines many of the elements that make for a successful short break: historic streets, good restaurants, exciting culture and mountains right on your doorstep. Arrive on Friday, explore the old town and Brambrüesch on Saturday, and spend Sunday strolling at a leisurely pace or taking the Rhaetian Railway into the Alps – it’s precisely this mix that makes Chur so appealing.