Chur offers two distinct highlights: an almost entirely traffic-free Old Town with historic sights, and the Brambrüesch plateau, which you can reach directly from the city by cable car. When choosing what to explore, you can decide whether to focus mainly on the museums and the city’s history or also include hiking trails and scenic views.
Chur’s Old Town and history
Chur’s Old Town is one of the best-preserved in Switzerland. Red signs point to sights, squares and alleyways; you can explore the district on foot or as part of a guided Old Town tour. The Obertor is one of the surviving tower structures of the medieval city fortifications. Above the Old Town stands the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary: built between 1150 and 1272, this approximately 800-year-old building is one of Switzerland’s important cultural monuments.
There are striking details inside, too: the Late Gothic high altar by Jakob Russ dates from 1492. The central round-arched window is thought to be the largest medieval window in Graubünden. Another early testament to the city’s history is St. Stephen’s Church, built in the 5th century and used as the burial church of the bishops of Chur. You can explore its remains independently; access is through the secretariat of the Graubünden Cantonal School. Check the current access rules and opening hours in advance.
Remains of a Roman road station can be found in Chur’s Welschdörfli district. Archaeological excavations and finds from this period are open to the public at the Ackermann site on Seilerbahnweg. Check the practical visiting arrangements before your visit. For an active way to explore, the Urban Golf course winds through hidden alleyways and charming squares over nine creative holes; booking conditions may change.
Museums and exhibitions
The Rätisches Museum presents the history of Graubünden from its earliest beginnings to the present day in a permanent exhibition spread across four floors. In the archaeological exhibition, you can see traces of settlement at Chur-Marsöl dating from around 11,000 to 9,500 BC. The Bündner Kunstmuseum is a five-minute walk from the railway station and the postbus station. All museum rooms are wheelchair-accessible and can be reached by lift.
The entire BĂĽndner Naturmuseum is wheelchair-accessible; if you have specific access requirements, it is best to check before your visit. The earth sciences exhibition shows how rocks, climate, water, glaciers and erosion continually reshape the Alps. Fossils millions of years old and dinosaur tracks also illustrate that GraubĂĽnden was once a tropical shallow sea.
The Cathedral Treasury Museum displays the cathedral treasury and the Images of Death in the south wing of the Bishop’s Palace. The latter are open to the public; check the current visiting arrangements before your trip. Exhibitions featuring works from the Würth Collection change regularly at Forum Würth Chur. The site also has a permanent outdoor sculpture park. Its offerings are open to everyone and include public guided tours, workshops and other events. As the programme changes, it is worth checking the dates for each event.
If you are exploring Chur with children, the children’s city map includes tips and observation activities that lead to the city’s three major Graubünden museums. This offers a different focus from a visit centred on architecture or archaeological traces.
Hiking and cycling
On BrambrĂĽesch, you will find a plateau with hiking trails and panoramic views over the Rhine Valley. The Brambiweg is a signposted walking trail for families. Hiking options also include the DreibĂĽndenstein circular tour. The DreibĂĽndenstein circular hike passes through diverse alpine flora and reaches FurggabĂĽel, where you can enjoy impressive panoramic views in every direction.
For a cycling trip, the Chur Rhine Route offers a circular ride that starts in Chur. It crosses the FĂĽrstenwald, a popular local recreation area with views of the city and the Calanda. Chur railway station is also a possible starting point; check the route and station information before setting off. The two options are quite different: BrambrĂĽesch focuses on hiking trails and alpine flora, while the Rhine Route combines a loop through the FĂĽrstenwald with views of the city and mountains.
Discover more destinations: Castiel, LitzirĂĽti, Molinis, Churwalden, Langwies, Peist, Praden, Malix.
Go to the main travel overview: Plessur.
