When people think about the best things to do in St Moritz and the surrounding Engadin, then the first activities that come into their minds are mostly skiing in St Moritz, snowboarding and hiking. While this is true, and the area DOES offer some of the best hiking, skiing and snowboarding in Switzerland, there are so many more things to do and see in this beautiful part of the world.
St Moritz Switzerland and the Engadin will bring you some of the best moments and memories of your life, no matter in which season you decide to go. And with 40 different things to do in St. Moritz Switzerland, we’re sure, that everyone will find something that will make her or his heart beat faster.
Summer Activities
Winter Activities
Museums and Exhibitions
Leisure and Recreation
Accommodation St Moritz
How to get to St. Moritz
Things to do in St Moritz and the Engadin: Summer Activities
Hiking
St. Moritz is the perfect base for beautiful summer hikes in the Swiss Alps. You will find trails for every expert level and even the easiest hikes offer some breathtaking vistas. We recommend the Muottas Muragl Panorama Trail or walking from Maloja to the Lake Cavloc. If you want a bit more security on the sometimes rocky trails, get yourself some hiking poles. This is one of the ultimate St Moritz summer activities.
The Panorama Trail
Tandem Paragliding
In case you want to see the majestic Alps from even higher above, you can book a paragliding experience in the Engadin Valley. Check out this page for more information. This is definitely one of the St Moritz attractions for the braver ones.
Mountain Biking
For a more thrilling experience on two wheels, you can conquer the mountains with a bike. 400 km of trails and marked routes make mountain biking in the Swiss Alps an unforgettable experience. You can rent your bike on site for example from Engadin Bikes in St. Moritz or from Bernina Sports in Pontresina. This is definitely one of the more adrenaline filled things to do in St Moritz in summer.
Normal or Electric Bikes
Where there are mountains, there are also valleys. These valleys are perfect for some leisurely bike tours. One of the easier and still picturesque routes is around the Lake St Moritz. If you plan to bike a bit more uphill, then there are several places where you can rent normal bikes, mountain bikes and electro bikes, for example, Suvretta Sports in St. Moritz or Bernina Sport in Pontresina.
There are some great biking routes, especially around the lakes
Sailing
Sailing in the Swiss Alps is an unforgettable experience, especially with the magnificent mountain views around you. At 1800 metres above sea level there are often wind conditions between 3 and 6 Beaufort. For further information, you can visit following three web pages: Segelschule St. Moritz (sailing school), Engadin Segeln (sailing Engadin) or Swiss Sailing School.
Windsurfing
The legendary good St Moritz weather and the Maloja wind allow perfect windsurfing conditions in the Lake of Silvaplana. Windsurfers from all over the world know this and visit this place for their surfing holidays. If you want to know more, check out www.windsurfing-silvaplana.ch.
Kitesurfing
Did you know that kitesurfing was invented in Silvaplana? Here you can find the perfect wind conditions in the middle of the Swiss Alps. There is even a kitesurfing school where you can learn how to properly glide and fly on the lake.
Kite Surfers – Picture from Pixabay
Stand up Paddling
The famous Maloja wind normally only comes after lunch time, and before that, the lake is calm and serene. This makes it perfect for an idyllic Stand Up Paddling experience, especially with the breathtaking vistas all around you. You can rent a SUP board here.
Canoeing and Kayaking
If you’re rather sitting in a boat than standing on a board, then renting a canoe or a kayak might be the better alternative for you. If you like it a bit wilder, check out one of the kayak tours on the river Inn. You can find more information here.
Fishing
With its abundance of fish, the Engadine Valley is a paradise for every hobby fisherman and fisherwoman. Make sure that you have a permit and know the right season.
Golfing
There is not only one, but several golf courses around St. Moritz. Samedan, for example, sports the oldest golf course in Switzerland. Alternative golf courses are in St. Moritz, Sils and Zuoz. Check out http://www.engadin-golf.ch for more information.
Try your hands on some golfing – Picture from Pixabay
Horse-drawn carriage
One of the most romantic ways to discover St. Moritz and the Engadin is ultimately on a horse-drawn carriage. There are several options available. However, from personal experience, I can say, that the one in the Roseg Valley is one of the most beautiful routes. Check out this link to find out more or visit http://www.engadin-kutschen.ch/ for further information.
Things to do in St Moritz and the Engadin: Winter Activities
Skiing and Snowboarding
Skiing and Snowboarding are two of the ultimate things to do in St. Moritz and the Engadin. There are 88 well-prepared slopes in this winter sports are. The four main ski/snowboard areas are Corvatsch, Diavolezza/Lagalp, Corviglia/Piz Nair and Zuoz. There are, however, smaller ski regions in this area waiting to be discovered by you. Because of its modern artificial snowmaking facilities and the high altitude, Engadin St. Moritz is snow-sure. Make sure to book your accommodation early enough, as the St Moritz ski resort is very popular.
Hit the slopes – Picture from Pixabay
Winter Hikes (Snow Shoe Hikes)
No matter whether you hike from Maloja to St. Moritz along the frozen lakes or you enjoy a winter hiking trail with a panoramic view on Muottas Muragl, we’re sure you will love all the magical vistas of this Winter Wonderland. There are also specific snowshoe trails to be found and if you would rather go on a guided tour, you can find different tour organisers on this page.
Bob Ride
Since Cool Runnings the whole world probably knows what a bob run is. In case you ever wanted to know how it feels to be in such a vessel and speeding with 130km/h (80mph) down the course, then you have the perfect occasion in the oldest bobsleigh run of the world in St.Moritz. You can book a ride here.
Toboggan Runs
This one is a classic Swiss winter activity. A bit slower but still loads of fun and a lot cheaper than a bob ride are Toboggan-runs. There are several of them scattered in the whole region. Some of them are more gentle while others get the adrenalin pumping. One thing is sure, tobogganing is always great fun for the whole family and one of the top activities during the St Moritz winter. You can rent toboggans in many different places, like for example in the Intersport Rent Network.
Fun for the whole family: Toboggan – Picture from Pixabay
Curling
This highly underrated winter sport is actually more fun than it might look on TV. In the Engadin, ice is guaranteed. This makes it a perfect place to lay your hands on this winter activity for the first time in your life. You can have some training sessions in almost all of the bigger ice rinks in the Engadin Valley.
Ice Skating
St. Moritz and every other town in the Engadin has an own ice rink. Some of them have even floodlight until late in the evening. Special noteworthy is the natural ice way Madulain, where you can skate on the frozen Inn River. You can rent skates in most sports shops and sometimes even directly at the ice rinks. Make sure to put this great activity on your St Moritz things to do list.
Snowkiting
When Lake Silvaplana freezes in winter, it gets a playground for many winter sports fans. A newer thing to do in St. Moritz and the Engadin in winter is to snowkite. It’s basically like normal kitesurfing but on skis or snowboards. A insiders tip for snowkiters is also the frozen Lago Bianco on the Bernina Pass.
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiers will love the beautiful vistas they can enjoy while gliding along frozen lakes through the snow. St. Moritz and the Engadin offer over 230 km of cross-country ski trails for all levels and styles.
Fun for the whole family: Cross Country Skiing – Photo by NO NAME from Pexels
Drive a CrossBuggie
Go drifting in two seated CrossBugggies and experience the Swiss Alps like never before! Working completely with e-engines, those snow buggies have no emissions or high noise levels. This is a globally unique and innovative experience in Pontresina/Montebello you shouldn’t miss. Find out more on their webpage http://www.buggypark.ch.
Horse-drawn sleigh rides
If you’re looking for a rather leisurely day out then this is the perfect winter activity in St. Moritz and the Engadin for you. There are not many things more romantic than enjoying a romantic ride in a horse-drawn sleigh while taking in the beautiful vistas of the winter wonderland around you. The top tip for romantics is a ride in the Roseg Valley. Check out this link to find out more: http://www.engadin-kutschen.ch.
Tennis and Squash
For everyone who’s not the biggest fan of snow and the cold, but still is searching for what to do in St Moritz in winter, here is something for you. St. Moritz has an indoor Tennis court with 4 courts with Bross Slide surface, 2 outdoor clay courts and 2 indoor clay courts. You can get more information from http://www.tennis-stmoritz.ch/.
Things to do in St Moritz and the Engadin: Museums and Exhibitions
Segantini Museum
The Italian painter Giovanni Segantini was one of the most famous artists of Europe in the late 19th century. He is regarded as a precursor of modernism. The Segantini Museum in St. Moritz is dedicated to his work and showcases the world’s most extensive collection of his art. The building was modelled after the pavilion Segantini planned for his Engadin Panorama at the Paris World Exhibition in 1900. Find out more on http://www.segantini-museum.ch. No matter if you want to see the exhibition inside or just the awesomely constructed building from the outside, the Segantini museum is one of the top attractions of any St Moritz sightseeing.
The Segantini Museum
Berry Museum
The Berry Museum in St. Moritz is dedicated to the painter and spa physician Peter Robert Berry (1864-1942). You can find there an extensive and beautiful collection of his oil paintings, inspired by the natural beauty of the Upper Engadine and St. Moritz. Check out http://www.berrymuseum.com/ if you want to know more.
Nietzsche Haus
In the years 1881 to 1888, Friedrich Nietzsche spent his summers in the sleepy lakeside village of Sils-Maria. There he wrote texts concerning the travails of modern man, including “Thus Spake Zarathustra”. Today the house serves as a library and a museum, containing a collection of memorabilia, photos and letters.
Engadiner Museum
If you want to know how it was to live in the Engadin hundreds of years before, then you can’t miss a visit to this museum in St.Moritz. This unique place showcases historical rooms and an electronic companion guide recounts stories and anecdotes along the way. Find out more on the official webpage.
The Engadiner Museum
Mili Weber Stiftung
The painter Mili Weber created in her house a real work of art. For 60 years she lived in this fairytale house full of paintings, which today is maintained by a foundation and run as a museum. In addition to painting and making works in the large dollhouse, Weber also made music and began to compose. On the top floor, next to the bear room, a two-manual house organ with pedal fills a whole room.
Museum Alpin
The Museum Alpin in Pontresina is the perfect place to learn something about the beginning of mountaineering in the Engadine. You will find there amongst others minerals, pictures, prepared animals and mountaineering and hunting gear. Click here if you want to find out more.
Leaning Tower of St Moritz
You don’t have to travel to Pisa to see a leaning tower, St. Moritz got its own and he is situated right next to the Kulm Hotel. The tower was part of the St. Mauritius Church which was built in the 12th century. Because of landslides and general defects, the 33 m high tower leans now and is the only thing left of the church.
The Leaning Tower of St Moritz
Maloja Glacier Garden and Turm Belvedere Maloja
Maloja is home to one of the largest collections of glacier mills in Europe. Between the Belvedere Tower, which once was built for the Belgian Count Camille de Renesse, and the village of Maloja, you can discover a total of 36 glacier mills of various sizes. Those several meters deep, circular holes in the rock were formed during the retreat of the Inn Glacier after the last ice age. By the way, the Belvedere Tower is open to the public from mid-June to mid-October and serves as a place for exhibitions and as an observation tower.
Things to do in St Moritz and the Engadin: Leisure and Recreation
Spa St Moritz and Indoor Pools
With all the activities in St. Moritz and the Engadin, it’s also very important not to forget to lean back and relax every now and then. Nothing is better for this task than a visit to one of the magnificent spas in St. Moritz and its surroundings. Many hotels like the Badrutt’s Palace, the Kempinski or the Kulm open the doors of their Spas to external visitors. There is also a fantastic public pool, spa and sports centre Ovaverva which sports, for example, a 25 m long indoor pool and offers many different kinds of massages.
The Ovaverva in St Moritz
Bernina Express St Moritz
One of the best things to do from St. Moritz is to take a ride in the “Little Red Train” and enjoying the breathtaking views on your way. The Bernina Express was built more than 100 years ago and climbs up to a hight of 2235 meters above sea level. The route is so scenic and noteworthy that it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. You can book your ticket from St. Moritz to Tirano and back again in a panoramic train compartment right here.
The Bernina Express
Glacier Express St Moritz
The other world-famous Swiss train, the Glacier Express, offers maybe one of the most scenic train rides in the whole world! The unforgettable ride takes you all the way from St. Moritz to the beautiful winter destination Zermatt over snowy mountain passes, dreamlike valleys and over spectacular bridges. If you want to know more about it, read the post about the Glacier Express Experience.
Taking in the views: The Glacier Express
Casino St Moritz
It’s almost a universal law that where there is a lot of money, there is a Casino and in St. Moritz you can find the highest of them in Switzerland. It is located in the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains and entrance is free. You need to be at least 18 years old to enter. Find out more on their official website.
Helicopter Ride
You always wanted to see St. Moritz and the Engadin from a bird’s eye view? Then this is the ultimate Engadin experience for you! A helicopter will bring you closer to the peaks of the Swiss Alps where you can see the beautiful landscapes in all their glory. There are two companies that offer helicopter flights: Helibernina AG and Swiss Helicopter AG.
St Moritz Outdoor Adventure Game
You can find a Room Escape games in almost every bigger city in Europe these days, but St Moritz offers a different take on this entertaining activity. You are not trapped in a room but have to solve a puzzle in and around St. Moritz. This way you’ll discover the pretty mountain village on a completely new way. It’s the perfect activity for a family or a small group. Book it directly here.
Can you solve the puzzles? – Photo from Pixabay
Whiskey in the Hotel Waldhaus am See St Moritz
This is one for all the whiskey lovers out there. The Waldhaus am See sports a bar with the world’s largest collection of different whiskeys. The chances that they have your favourite bottle is therefore very high. Do you want an added bonus? The Waldhaus am See is situated directly at the Lake of St. Moritz and offers the perfect view over mountains, lake and the town.
Shopping in St Moritz
St. Moritz, the town of the rich and pretty. Of course, you’ll find a lot of occasions for shopping here. The shopping street Via Serlas does not only boast the highest density of top brands, but it’s also Europe’s highest shopping avenue. Furthermore, guests from abroad have the opportunity to reclaim the VAT in cash on any purchases of SFR 300 or more they make on site in St Moritz.
Heilbad St Moritz
If you want more than just relaxation, then we can recommend you the Medical Therapy Centre (MTZ) in St. Moritz. There an experienced team of doctors and therapists create an individual and holistic wellness program for your health benefit. The invigorating climate, the alpine moor mud and the highest carbonated mineral springs in Switzerland also add to perfect treatment you receive at the MTZ.
The Heilbad in St Moritz
Accommodation St Moritz
If you want to find the best hotels in St Moritz Switzerland, then check out the handy hotel guide we created for you.
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How to get to St Moritz
By train
St. Moritz is perfectly accessible by train. It’s probably also the most relaxing and scenic way of getting to St. Moritz as you will glide through the beautiful mountain landscapes while you’re able to lean back and enjoy the great views. Swiss trains are also very comfortable and reliable. A train ride from Zurich main station to St. Moritz takes about 3 hours. You can get further train information and tickets on www.sbb.ch or www.rhb.ch.
By car
The mountain roads in Switzerland are in perfect conditions and invite for a scenic ride. It will take you about 3 hours if you come via Zurich or Milan and about 4 hours if you come from Munich. If you don’t want to drive over the mountain pass, you can also take the car train in Klosters/Selfranga (check www.veraina.ch for more info). Make sure you have winter tires or snow chains when there is snow on the pass. You can find the current road conditions in the canton of Grisons on www.strassen.gr.ch.
By plane
If you want to get to St. Moritz in style, there is only one way: by plane! Airport St Moritz can be reached with private planes, chartered flights to St Moritz or air taxi. To find out more, you can visit the official webpage of the Engadin Airport.
Closing Words
St.Moritz and the Engadin are like a second home for me. I spend many unforgettable summer and winter in this beautiful part of Switzerland. It is also one of my absolute favourite winter destinations in Switzerland. If you want to read more about the wonderful country I call home, then check out our other Switzerland posts and get inspired to visit this great country. If you plan to visit Switzerland in winter, then have a look at our packing list for winter holidays in the mountains, so you can make sure not to forget anything at home.
We love St Moritz and the Engadin, and we’re sure so will you.
