Ten literary stops featuring quotes from Thomas Mann’s “The Magic Mountain” line the Thomas Mann Trail from the Waldhotel Davos to Schatzalp. There are also museums, architectural history and winter sports: Davos Platz offers several distinct highlights to consider when planning a trip.
Putting Davos Platz and Davos in context
Davos Platz is one of Davos’s two neighbouring population centres and lies at 1,560 metres above sea level. The geographical description extends beyond the individual town: Davos lies on the Landwasser in the Rhaetian Alps, between the Plessur and Albula ranges. To reach Davos by train, travel with the Swiss Federal Railways to Landquart, then continue with the Rhaetian Railway.
The connection from Davos Platz to Schatzalp is straightforward: the Schatzalp funicular gets you there in four minutes. This makes it possible to choose between visiting the town and taking an excursion to Schatzalp as separate parts of a trip, without prescribing a particular itinerary.
Art, winter sports history and architecture
The Davos Winter Sports Museum at Promenade 43 explores how and when the first skis, bobsleighs and ice skates came to Davos. The town’s particular passion for ice hockey is also among its topics. Anyone interested in the development of winter sports can find a different perspective here than in today’s activities on Schatzalp.
The Kirchner Museum Davos at Promenade 82 houses the world’s largest collection of works by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. The museum building was designed and built by Zurich architects Annette Gigon and Mike Guyer. St. Johann focuses on older architectural history: the church dates back to the 13th century, its large tower was built in 1481 and stands 71.20 metres high. The old church had wall paintings; it was remodelled in 1909. Antonio Augusto Giacometti designed four choir windows in 1928 on the theme of “Paradise”.
A smaller work of art in the town’s public landscape is the Knabenbrunnen in Platzgarten, also known as Postplatz. The ornamental fountain depicts boys at play and was created by Wilhelm Schwerzmann in 1928. Together with the church’s history and the Kirchner Museum, it illustrates the variety of cultural highlights in Davos.
Schatzalp: heyday and literary trail
The Alpinum Schatzalp Botanical Garden offers a distinct seasonal highlight: more than 3,500 plant species and varieties bloom there from June to September. The Thomas Mann Trail, by contrast, is accessible year-round. It leads from the Waldhotel Davos to Schatzalp, with ten stops featuring quotes from “The Magic Mountain”. If you can choose when to travel, you can decide between the stated flowering season and a literary trail that is open year-round.
Winter sports on Schatzalp also have their own character: skiing in the Schatzalp-Strela ski area takes place on natural snow, without artificial snowmaking. The 2.8-kilometre toboggan run winds through the Schatzalp Magic Forest in 18 bends down to Davos Platz. It is also suitable for children and beginners.
Ice activities and the journey to Filisur
“Eistraum Davos” offers ice skating, curling, hockey and speed skating on a 4,500-square-metre ice rink. It is Switzerland’s largest mobile artificial ice rink. Ice gliders are available free of charge on request for wheelchair users; check current availability before your visit.
Another option is to travel on the Rhaetian Railway’s historic train on the Davos–Filisur route. In 2026, it runs daily from 14 May to 25 October. The journey takes just under 40 minutes and passes through the Zügen Gorge and over the Wiesner Viaduct. The route runs through the heart of the famous Albula line, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If travelling in another season, check the relevant operating dates.
Discover more destinations: Davos, Conters Im Prättigau, Küblis, Jenaz, Klosters Serneus, Arosa, Pragg-Jenaz, Furna
See the overarching travel overview: Prättigau-Davos.
