Graubünden

The main gateway to Graubünden is the Zurich → Chur route. Chur, the cantonal capital and the oldest city in Switzerland, serves as a natural starting point for family trips. From here, roads lead into valleys, mountain passes, and smaller villages scattered across the canton.

Do You Need a Car in Graubünden?
Yes. Traveling with a car is significantly more convenient than without one. Many valleys, gorges, viewpoints, and historic sites are not located near train stations. For families with children, the ability to stop freely, adjust plans on the go, and avoid rigid schedules makes a noticeable difference.

Scenic routes such as San Bernardino Pass, Julierpass, and Lukmanierpass are an integral part of the experience. These drives are beautiful but require realistic planning: winding roads, slower driving speeds, and strong seasonality. Some mountain passes close during winter months.

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Summer is the most comfortable season for family travel in Graubünden. Valleys are green, gorges are open, hiking paths are accessible, and lakes and picnic areas are easy to enjoy without long preparation. This is the period when the region feels most flexible for families moving at their own pace.

Autumn brings dramatic light and golden landscapes, especially in the Engadin area. Visitor numbers drop, creating a calmer atmosphere, though daylight hours become shorter. Winter is best suited for families focused on alpine resorts such as Davos, Arosa, and Lenzerheide, where skiing and winter infrastructure define the experience.

Spring can be atmospheric but limited. Higher areas often remain closed, and weather conditions change quickly. It is important to understand that sun in one valley and fog in another on the same day is normal in Graubünden. This contrast is part of the region’s character and should be factored into daily planning.

Since 2015, our website has specialized in individual planning of unique routes, taking into account personal preferences and desires.

Each of you will receive a unique PDF file from us, which contains everything you need: travel routes, car rentals, hotels, the best tourist attractions, attractions for kids and everything you need for a perfect vacation.

During the trip, we are available for you by phone via WhatsApp.

Our personal service provides information from A to Z, taking into account many small details that can become a decisive factor on the way from a wasted trip to an unforgettable vacation.

Our service will make your trip comfortable, save a lot of time on planning and preparation, and most importantly – will allow you to become freer and fully enjoy the pleasure of the trip.

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Well-known resorts such as Davos, Arosa, Lenzerheide, and Klosters combine cable cars, lakes, gentle walking paths, and seasonal activities suitable for families. These destinations work well for travelers who want infrastructure and nature in equal measure, without committing to demanding hikes.

In Davos, the Parsennbahn (Parsenn Cable Car) leads to one of the region’s most recognizable panoramic areas, offering wide views and accessible terrain. In St. Moritz, a walk around St. Moritz See (Lake St. Moritz) is flat, scenic, and suitable for strollers, making it an easy option for a relaxed half day.

Gorges and Valleys
The Ruinaulta / Rheinschlucht (Rhine Gorge), often called the “Swiss Grand Canyon,” reaches depths of up to 400 meters. Scenic drives and accessible viewpoints allow families to experience its scale without committing to long or demanding hikes.

The Viamala-Schlucht (Viamala Gorge) is narrower and more intense, with bridges and stairways carved into the rock. The route includes 321 steps, making it unsuitable for strollers.

Entrance: CHF 8 adults, CHF 5 children (ages 6-16).

Lakes and Mountain Passes
Silvaplanersee and Silsersee are ideal for picnics, cycling, and breezy summer afternoons. Their open shores and wide views make them easy, low-stress stops for families.

Lai da Zervreila stands out for its expansive reservoir landscape and relative quiet, offering space and scenery without heavy visitor traffic.

Mountain roads such as San Bernardino Pass, Julierpass, and Lukmanierpass turn driving itself into part of the experience. Frequent photo stops and changing scenery keep the journey engaging for both adults and children.

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Graubünden can best be described as active calm. There is little noise, minimal crowd pressure, and very little forced entertainment. Life here is shaped by Romanesque culture, traditional Walser wooden houses, honesty-based farm shops, and a slower rhythm that defines daily movement through the region.

This is not a destination built around constant stimulation. Instead, it rewards families who appreciate space, natural silence, and days that unfold without rigid schedules. The landscape sets the pace, and travel naturally becomes more intentional.

Limitations to Know in Advance
Distances in Graubünden can be deceptive. A drive of 40 km may take an hour or more, especially on mountain roads. Weather conditions shift quickly between valleys and passes, sometimes within the same afternoon. Not every site is stroller-friendly, and services such as cafés or restrooms may be limited outside towns.

Understanding these constraints in advance makes planning easier and prevents unnecessary stress during the trip.

• I plan short distances with full days. In Graubünden, 40-50 km can take over an hour, so focusing on one main area per day works better for families than trying to cover everything.
• For Brambrüesch (Brambrüeschbahn), I arrive early in the morning or after 16:00. On sunny weekends, cyclists create queues, while later hours are calmer and better for photos.
• At Viamala Gorge (Viamala-Schlucht), I avoid the full descent. The upper route already delivers dramatic views without the 321 steps, saving energy for children.
• I limit cultural stops to one short visit. Zillis (St. Martin’s Church) is enough to add context without stacking multiple historic sites.
• I always carry layers, even in summer. I’ve experienced sun in the valley and fog on a mountain pass within the same afternoon.
• I treat driving as part of the experience. On routes like Lukmanierpass, stopping every 20-30 minutes keeps children engaged and the day relaxed.
• I often choose picnics over searching for restaurants. Services can be limited, and lakes such as Silsersee and Silvaplanersee are ideal for flexible breaks.
• At Rhine Gorge (Ruinaulta), I focus on viewpoints accessible by car. Not every highlight needs a hike to be rewarding.

I visited Graubünden in August 2023, and it immediately felt different from more familiar Swiss regions. This is a place that encourages slower travel. Distances are deceptive, roads are winding, and plans naturally shift because the scenery invites spontaneous stops. With children, this flexibility became an advantage rather than a challenge.

What stood out most was the balance between easy access and genuine alpine scale. Locations such as Chur and Brambrüesch allow families to reach mountain landscapes without exhausting drives, while Viamala Gorge and Rhine Gorge provide a sense of depth and drama even on the shortest routes. A single cultural stop, like Zillis, was enough to enrich the journey without overwhelming the children.

Graubünden is not effortless. Weather changes quickly, services can be sparse, and rigid schedules do not work well here. Layers, realistic daily plans, and flexibility are essential. For families seeking space, nature, and an authentic alpine rhythm rather than constant attractions, Graubünden delivers a deeply rewarding experience. A well-designed itinerary makes all the difference in turning this region into a meaningful family journey.

An incredible top-down view of a deep blue mountain lake hidden in the forest, surrounded by autumn trees in warm golden tones.