Davos

Switzerland's highest city at 1,560m, Davos is a world-class winter sports destination and summer hiking hub famous for hosting the World Economic Forum. The town offers excellent skiing, mountaineering, and year-round outdoor activities with a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Things to do

• Skiing at Parsenn — Access the extensive Parsenn ski area via the historic funicular railway from Davos Platz, offering 80km of slopes across multiple peaks and varying difficulty levels.
• Sertig Valley Hiking — Trek through the scenic Sertig Valley on well-marked trails that connect remote mountain huts and offer stunning views of granite peaks and alpine meadows.
• Davos Lake Summer Swimming — Cool off in the pristine mountain lake during summer months, which is surrounded by forests and accessible from the town centre with a sandy beach area.
• Schatzalp Bobsleigh Track — Experience the famous bobsleigh run on Schatzalp mountain, one of Europe's most challenging natural ice tracks, or ride as a passenger during winter season.
• Mountain Biking Network — Explore 400km of marked mountain biking trails connecting Davos to surrounding valleys with routes suitable for all skill levels.
• Jatzmuur Nature Reserve — Visit this pristine wetland area north of Davos for bird watching and peaceful walks through protected alpine peatland ecosystems.

Food to try

• Capuns — A traditional Graubünden specialty of chard-wrapped pasta tubes filled with meat, served in a creamy sauce and popular in Davos restaurants.
• Barley Soup (Gerstensuppe) — A hearty local soup made with pearl barley, vegetables, and meat stock that warms visitors after cold mountain activities.
• Pizokel — Local buckwheat dumplings typically served with a butter and cheese sauce, reflecting Davos's Alpine heritage and readily available in mountain restaurants.
• Speck and Rye Bread — Smoked Graubünden speck paired with dense, dark rye bread is a traditional lunch choice sold in local bakeries and delis.

Local customs & good to know

• World Economic Forum Impact — Davos hosts the annual WEF gathering in January, which significantly affects local life with increased security and limited access to certain areas during that week.
• Respect Mountain Silence Hours — Many mountain restaurants and lifts operate with strict quiet hours in early mornings and evenings; visitors should keep noise levels low to respect the Alpine environment.
• Learn Basic Romansh Greetings — While German dominates, Davos is in Romansh-speaking Graubünden; locals appreciate visitors who attempt Romansh phrases like 'Allegra' (hello) or 'Bab da' (goodbye).
• Book Accommodations Early in Winter — December through February fills quickly with skiers and WEF visitors, so advance reservations are essential for securing lodging at reasonable rates.