Davos Switzerland Travel Guide

Davos is a high-alpine resort town in the canton of Graubünden, eastern Switzerland, sitting at roughly 1,560 metres (5,120 ft) above sea level — making it one of the highest permanently inhabited towns in the Alps. It straddles a broad valley carved by the Landwasser River and is divided into two main neighbourhoods: Davos Platz and Davos Dorf.

The town is internationally recognised as the annual host of the World Economic Forum (WEF), drawing heads of state and business leaders each January. For most of the year, however, Davos functions as a serious alpine destination: a major ski area in winter and a walking and mountain-biking hub in summer.

Davos has a documented history as a health resort dating to the 19th century, when its clean mountain air attracted tuberculosis patients from across Europe. That legacy still shapes the town's character — unhurried, orderly, and oriented toward outdoor well-being rather than nightlife or spectacle.

A note on the guide title: Davos is located in Switzerland, not Italy. The information here covers Davos, Switzerland exclusively.

Visas

Switzerland is not a member of the European Union but is part of the Schengen Area. Entry requirements vary by nationality. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (sem.admin.ch) for current, authoritative guidance before booking.

When to Go

• Winter (December–March): Peak ski season. Expect the highest hotel rates, the liveliest atmosphere, and cold temperatures that can drop well below freezing. Book accommodation well in advance, especially around the WEF in January.
• Summer (June–September): Mild temperatures (typically 15–22 °C / 59–72 °F at valley level), long daylight hours, and a quieter, more affordable town. Excellent for hiking, cycling, and lake swimming at the Davosersee.
• Shoulder (April–May, October–November): Many facilities close or reduce hours. Snow may linger at altitude. Verify what is open before travelling.

Health & Altitude

At 1,560 m, most healthy adults adjust without difficulty, but visitors arriving from low altitudes should expect possible fatigue or mild headaches in the first day or two. Pace yourself, stay hydrated, and consult a doctor if you have cardiac or respiratory conditions.

By Train

Train is the most practical and scenic way to reach Davos. The Rhaetian Railway (Rhätische Bahn / RhB) connects Davos to the main Swiss rail network. A common route is Zürich HB → Landquart → Davos Platz or Davos Dorf, with a journey time of roughly 2.5 hours depending on the connection. Check current timetables and book tickets at sbb.ch or the RhB website.

By Car

Davos is accessible by road via the Landquart valley (Prättigau). Driving time from Zürich is approximately 1.5–2 hours depending on conditions. Be prepared for mountain driving, especially in winter when snow chains may be required. Parking in the town centre can be limited during peak season.

Nearest Airports

• Zürich Airport (ZRH): The primary international gateway, with onward rail connections.
• Innsbruck Airport (INN), Austria: A secondary option for some European travellers, though a more complex onward journey.

Verify current transport links and timetables locally or on the official rail and road authority websites, as schedules vary seasonally.

Davos Platz and Davos Dorf are connected by a regular local bus service that runs along the valley floor. The journey between the two is short — around 10–15 minutes — and buses are frequent during peak season. Verify current timetables on arrival or via the local transport authority.

In winter, ski buses link the town to various lift stations across the Davos–Klosters ski area, which spans several mountains including the Parsenn, Jakobshorn, Pischa, Rinerhorn, and Madrisa sectors. The Davos–Klosters ski pass generally covers these routes; confirm inclusions when purchasing your pass.

Most of the town centre is walkable, and taxis are available at main points. Cycling is popular in summer, with rental options available locally — verify current providers on arrival.

Davos has a wide accommodation spectrum reflecting its dual identity as a luxury resort and a conference town. Options range from five-star grand hotels with long histories as sanatoriums to mid-range hotels, guesthouses (Pensionen), and self-catering apartments.

Davos Platz is the main commercial centre and a convenient base for most visitors. Davos Dorf is slightly quieter and closer to several lift stations. Location relative to the ski area or trails you plan to use is worth considering when booking.

During the World Economic Forum (late January), accommodation is almost entirely block-booked and prices spike dramatically. Plan well ahead if travelling then. Summer offers meaningfully lower rates than the winter high season.

Book through the official Davos Klosters tourism website (davos.ch) or established booking platforms for verified listings. Verify cancellation terms carefully, as mountain-resort bookings often carry stricter policies.

Winter Activities

• Skiing and Snowboarding: Davos–Klosters is one of Switzerland's largest ski areas, with runs suited to all levels. The Parsenn sector is particularly extensive and links to Klosters. Lift passes, rental, and lesson availability should be checked directly with the Davos–Klosters tourism office or ski school.
• Cross-Country Skiing: An extensive groomed network runs through the valley floor — one of the longest in the Alps, reportedly stretching over 75 km.
• Ice Skating: The Davos Ice Sports Centre (Eisstadion Davos) is a historic outdoor rink that hosts public skating and ice hockey events. Verify current opening hours and fees on-site or at the official tourism website.
• Curling: Available at local facilities; details vary by season.

Summer Activities

• Hiking: Hundreds of kilometres of marked trails range from valley-floor walks to high-alpine routes. The Panoramaweg and routes around the Weissfluhgipfel are popular; trailhead conditions change with weather, so check local signage and forecasts.
• Mountain Biking: Well-developed trail network with varying difficulty levels. Bike rentals available locally.
• Davosersee (Lake Davos): The lake warms enough in summer for swimming. A pleasant lakeside promenade connects to Davos Dorf.
• Kirchner Museum Davos: Dedicated to the work of German Expressionist painter Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, who spent years in Davos. A notable cultural institution; verify current opening hours and admission fees directly with the museum.

Year-Round

• Schatzalp Botanical Alpine Garden: Located above town, accessible by funicular, featuring alpine flora. Open seasonally; verify hours.
• Wintersportmuseum Davos: A small museum covering the history of winter sports in the region.

Davos follows the culinary traditions of Graubünden. Regional specialities worth seeking out include Bündner Gerstensuppe (a hearty barley soup), Bündnerfleisch (air-dried beef, a Graubünden staple), Capuns (chard rolls filled with spätzle dough and dried meat), and Maluns (a potato-and-flour dish). These appear on menus throughout the town.

The restaurant scene skews toward Swiss and broader European fare, with a range of options from hotel dining rooms and mountain huts accessible by lift (called Bergrestaurants) to more casual spots in Davos Platz. Quality is generally high, and prices reflect the resort-town context — Switzerland is an expensive country and Davos sits at the upper end of Swiss pricing.

Coffee culture follows the Swiss norm: espresso-based drinks are standard, and a mid-morning or mid-afternoon Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake) pause is common. Local wines from Graubünden — particularly Pinot Noir from the Bündner Herrschaft region — are worth trying.

Groceries and self-catering supplies are available at supermarkets in both Davos Platz and Davos Dorf for travellers on tighter budgets.

Money

Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF). Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in Davos. ATMs are available in the town centre. Contactless payment is common. Cash is still useful at smaller mountain huts and markets.

Connectivity

Mobile coverage is generally good in the town and on the main ski runs, though it can be patchy on remote trails. Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and many restaurants.

Emergency Services

Swiss emergency numbers: 144 (ambulance), 117 (police), 118 (fire), 1414 (Alpine rescue / REGA helicopter). Save these before you travel.

Tourist Information

The official Davos Klosters tourism office is located in Davos Platz. Their website (davos.ch) publishes up-to-date information on lift status, trail conditions, events, and local services.

Tipping

Service charges are usually included in Swiss restaurant bills. Small additional tips (rounding up, or 5–10%) are appreciated but not obligatory.

Electricity

Switzerland uses Type J plugs (3-pin). Voltage is 230 V / 50 Hz. Visitors from the UK, EU, and North America should bring adapters.

Davos is a safe, well-managed resort town with low general crime rates. Standard urban precautions (watch belongings in crowded areas, secure valuables) apply but concerns are minimal.

Mountain Safety

The primary risks in Davos are environmental rather than social. In winter, avalanche awareness is essential for anyone venturing off-piste. Check the daily avalanche bulletin published by the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (WSL/SLF) at slf.ch before skiing in backcountry terrain. Stay on marked pistes unless experienced and properly equipped.

In summer, alpine weather changes rapidly. Carry appropriate layers, waterproofs, and adequate water on any hike. Inform someone of your planned route. Check weather forecasts from MeteoSwiss (meteoswiss.ch) before heading into the mountains.

Sunburn at altitude is more intense than at sea level. Use high-SPF sun protection, even on overcast days, especially on snow.

Davos and the broader Graubünden canton have a distinct cultural identity. The canton is officially trilingual — German, Romansh, and Italian — though Davos itself is predominantly German-speaking. You may see Romansh place names on signs in other parts of Graubünden during excursions.

The town's association with serious intellectual and economic discourse (via the WEF) gives it a certain cosmopolitan overlay, but day-to-day Davos is an orderly Swiss mountain community. Punctuality, quiet hours (generally respected after 10 pm), and a general preference for understatement are the local norms.

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's connection to the town gives Davos a modest but genuine place in art history. The Kirchner Museum is a thoughtful institution worth a visit even for visitors not primarily interested in art.

Local festivals and markets occur throughout the year; the official tourism website publishes an events calendar that is more reliable than any fixed listing in a travel guide.