The magic and bucolic charm of Swiss landscapes can be felt with every step you take. This happens without a doubt in Graubünden, which we are going to tell you more about below.
Idyllic beauty is the characteristic that all Swiss landscapes have in common, but there are also differences that give identity to the different regions of the country, called cantons. We invite you to learn more about the canton of Graubünden —or Grisons— which is located in the extreme southeast of the country.
On this site, the mountains and valleys form impressive ensembles, full of beauty and charm. Do you want to know more about this impressive place in Switzerland?
Canton Grisons: a place of minorities
In this Swiss region people of diverse origins coexist who speak different languages ​​with their dialects. In fact, it is the only canton where you can find people who speak German, Italian or Romance, depending on where you are.
This cultural richness is reflected in the customs, architecture and way of life of the Bündner , as the natives of the canton call themselves. Since no one group is in the majority, the result is a tolerant and peaceful society that blends perfectly with a bucolic landscape that is partly rustic and, at the same time, quite refined. Get to know some characteristics of the beautiful place that is one of the epicenters of skiing in the European winter.
Graubünden: beautiful mountains and few people
Of the 26 Swiss cantons , Graubünden is the least densely populated, with 27 inhabitants per square kilometer. Here are some interesting geographical facts about Graubünden:
- Area : 7,105 square kilometers.
- Population : 195,886 inhabitants.
- Average altitude : 1000 meters above sea level. The highest peak is Bernina, with 4048 meters.
- Relief : 70% of the surface is mountainous.
- Capital city : Chur.
- Regions : Albula, Bernina, Hinterrhein, Omboden, Inn, Landquart, Maloja, Moesa, Plessur, Prettigovia/Davos and Surselva.
What to do in Graubünden?
The canton of Graubünden, as it is also known, is home to wonderful landscapes. There, outdoor tourism is the protagonist, whether in winter or summer .
In terms of seasons and weather, winter with its everlasting blanket of white snow runs from December well into April. This time is great for lovers of winter sports: skiing, snowboarding and even snow golf. Ski resorts like St. Moritz, Davos-Klosters, Samnaun-Ischgl, Arosa and San Bernardino are packed with tourists every year.
For the not so sporty, there are sleigh rides and visits to lakes and glaciers , as well as the enjoyment of exquisite Swiss specialties such as chocolate and pastries. As the winter progresses, and especially in the fall, the days have more and more hours of sunshine and become fantastic for hiking, especially in the valleys.
From July through September, outdoor activities move higher with high-mountain trekking and biking, rock climbing, abseiling, river rafting , paragliding, and starlight camping. In addition, in Graubünden throughout the year you will find services for wellness tourism , with thermal baths, places for beauty treatments and relaxation .
Recommended from Graubünden
In addition to the above activities, in this region of Switzerland you can visit these places, which will surprise you with their beauty:
Tektonik Arena Sardona
If you like to learn about the history of the planet and the formation of the mountains in the Swiss Alps, you can visit the Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona area , declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
In the Glarus Overthrust area, it is clear how the thrust of the tectonic plates “reversed” the age of the rocks , leaving the oldest on top and the newest below.
Maienfeld and Heidialp
Heidi’s village is a walk in which you can also include a visit to the place of the Alpöhi —grandfather— and discover the place where the story of Heidi and Pedro began.
Grum Alp
This is a train station south of the Bernina-Passhöhe road and at an altitude of 2,091 meters , from where you have a privileged view of the Palü glacier, the lake of the same name and the beautiful Puschlav valley.
Poschiavo
The Italian essence is present in Graubünden. Let yourself be seduced by her in Poschiavo, a commune where the food has the flavor of the Mediterranean .
Saint Moritz
Famous for its sophistication and exclusivity, its first-class tourist services and for having hosted 2 Winter Olympic Games, this commune is a destination to visit all year round. There are even medicinal springs and spas here to frequent in the summer.
Ways to get to canton Grisons
Switzerland has an excellent train service that offers the necessary connections to get here depending on which commune you want to go to:
- From Zurich airport to Landquart and here change for the train that takes you to Klosters, Davos and Engadin.
- Lucerne to Chur .
- Bern to Chur.
By motorway, the distances from the main cities of Switzerland to the capital of Graubünden are:
- Zurich at 118 kilometers.
- Lugano at 145 kilometers .
- Basel at 203 kilometers.
- Bern at 244 kilometers .
- Geneva at 395 kilometers.
Within the canton, you can get around by bus or train by purchasing a cheap pass to use the Rhaetian rail network, the Matterhorn railway and the Glacier Express service.
Graubünden in Switzerland, your next stop
If you like nature and outdoor activities, we recommend that you include this Swiss canton in your next travel itinerary . The undeniable beauty, the generosity of nature, the forests, the serene lakes, the crystal clear rivers and the deep valleys form an ideal set for those who love to walk or play sports in the open air.
In case you are a more cultural person, you also have a lot to see: buildings with picturesque architecture, fairytale towns, multicultural gastronomy and cities with a mixture of modernism and antiquity that makes them unique. Graubünden awaits you in the winter with its landscape dressed in white and in the summer with sunny days to fully enjoy.
