Chur and Rhine Valley
Chur und Rheintal is a tourism region in eastern Switzerland, centred on the city of Chur, the capital of the canton of Graubünden and the oldest city in Switzerland. The region combines an urban, historic character with the surrounding Alpine landscape, where the Rhine flows through the valley. Chur's largely car-free old town is known for its boutiques, restaurants, bars, museums and galleries, while the surrounding area offers hiking and biking trails, with the local mountain Brambrüesch reachable directly from the city centre by gondola. The region is a gateway to Graubünden and a hub for scenic rail journeys, and it is known for its lively cultural scene and culinary offerings. The Churer Rheintal, with its wine villages along the Rhine, forms part of this destination.
Summer activities
In summer, Chur and the Rhine valley are a base for hiking and biking. The local mountain Brambrüesch is reached directly from the city centre by gondola, offering trails and panoramic views, while the Rhine gorge, known as the 'Grand Canyon of Switzerland', and the wine villages of the Bündner Rheintal invite exploration. The region is a hub for road, gravel and e-bike tours, including the Rhine route and culinary bike tours through the wine villages, with pump tracks, climbing gardens and bouldering for families.
Winter activities
In winter, the region offers real winter sports. The local mountain Brambrüesch invites skiing, sledging and winter hiking, while the small Tschiertschen ski area offers 32 kilometres of natural-snow slopes. An ice rink in Chur allows figure skating and hockey, and wellness offers such as saunas and a salt grotto round out the winter experience.
Culture and entertainment
Chur is the cultural centre of Graubünden, with a compact but high-quality art and culture scene. The city is home to several cantonal museums, a cathedral with a famous treasury, theatres, music venues and cinemas, as well as a notable street-art scene, including the largest mural in Switzerland. The old town hosts markets and a lively programme of events, festivals and exhibitions throughout the year.
