Engadin region, especially St. Moritz, is one of the original jet-set destinations, and you will feel the luxurious charm throughout the village.
It is home to two different panoramic trains in Switzerland, the Bernina and Glacier Express.
There are so many things to do and see in the Engadin region.
In this article, I will suggest to you the ten best things to do in the Engadin Region.
Table of Contents
Engadin’s Villages
The best thing to do in the Engadin region is to discover the beautiful villages around.
The canton of Graubunden and the Engadin region in Switzerland are truly special for their unique architectural style and picturesque villages adorned with Sgraffito and elegant mural paintings.
If you are around St. Moritz, it’s definitely worth venturing out to nearby villages to soak in that authentic Engadin charm.
While St. Moritz has its appeal, some of the surrounding villages really shine with that distinct flair.
Zuoz
One of them is Zuoz, just a 20-minute train ride from St. Moritz.
The main square is a delight with its fountain and beautiful paintings adorning buildings like the Crusch Alva Hotel.
Bergun
Another one is Bergun, about 40 minutes away by train from St. Moritz.
Not only does it have a sledding slope, but the entire village is a treasure trove of traditional houses. Near Bergun, you’ll find Filisur, located right next to the famous Landwasser Viaduct.
It is also the starting point for a short walk to a viewing platform where you can watch the Glacier and Bernina Express trains cross the iconic Landwasser Viaduct.
Pontresina
Last but not least, I really love staying in the village of Pontresina. It is located 10 minutes away from St. Moritz by bus or train.
Pontresina is the hidden gem and alternative option to St. Moritz that Swiss people love.
The village has a much more laid-back atmosphere than St. Moritz while still preserving its elevated character.
On top of the beautiful Engadin architecture that you can find throughout the village, Pontresina offers amazing views of the nearby mountain.
Also, you’ll discover the Alpine Museum, which presents historical items around mountaineering, Bernina Express, and Alpine gems of all kinds.
St. Moritz Village
Nestled in the heart of the Engadin Valley, St. Moritz is a picturesque village surrounded by the Albula Alps on the shores of Lake St. Moritz.
St. Moritz is renowned for its rich history in winter sports. It has been a mainstay for enthusiasts since it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1928 and 1948.
From exhilarating ski slopes and snowboarding to thrilling ice skating and bobsledding, there is no shortage of excitement here.
But beyond the adrenaline rush, St. Moritz offers serene moments for those seeking tranquility among stunning natural landscapes.
Whether you’re indulging in fine cuisine, exploring charming boutiques, or simply soaking in the beauty of the mountains, St. Moritz promises an unforgettable experience for everyone who visits.
Luxury Shopping
While jet-setters from across the globe head to St. Moritz for its ideal location for winter sports, many flock to this village for another pastime – luxury shopping.
Almost every luxury fashion house, jewelry, and watch brand has a location here.
Some of them are:
- Hermes
- Bulgari
- Dolce & Gabbana
- Cartier
- Valentino
- Louis Vuitton
Collectors will be pleased that the boutiques here often have a unique array of merchandise, which is typically focused much more on ski and winter sports styles.
So, whether you’re in search of your next designer staple or you’re just looking to window browse, St. Moritz will have a store for you.
World-Class Events
We couldn’t speak about St. Moritz without the world-class events that take place there annually.
Whether it’s winter or summer, there’s always entertainment for you in the Engadin region. In the winter, my favorite event is White Turf, which takes place over three weekends in February.
Horse races on snow occur on the frozen lake of St. Moritz.
All kinds of different races take place, from traditional gallop races to trotting races and even the spectacular skijoring, which sees the jockeys on skis behind the horse.
This event gathers over 10,000 people in a festival-like atmosphere. Between races, there’s plenty to do, from live music to ice skating, and enjoying world-class foods.
Also, in the winter, unique events to consider checking out are the Snow Polo World Cup and the luxury car show on the lake.
In the summer, there are multiple music festivals and even luxury car shows.
All year around, you’re sure to find an exciting event unique to St. Moritz events that everyone will enjoy.
Olympia Bobrun
St. Moritz’s Olympia Bobrun is the same bobsleigh course that hosted the 1928 and 1948 Olympics.
The Olympia Bobrun is the only natural ice bobsleigh run in the world and is slightly different every year. It is created by hand and constitutes the world’s largest ice sculpture.
The 1700 m (5577.4 ft) long bob course from St. Moritz to Celerina hosts countless national and international competitions.
But even if you are not a bobsleigh athlete, you also have the possibility to experience this renowned slope as a passenger.
With top speeds of 135 km per hour, you can rise down the channel in a four-man bobsleigh on a pre-booked guest ride and be sure to have the experience of a lifetime.
Corviglia
From the heart of the village of St. Moritz, you can take the Corviglia funicular all the way to Corviglia at 2500 m (8202 ft).
From there, you’ll have amazing views of St. Moritz. There will also be lots of possibilities for skiing. If you would like to see the Downhill World Cup slopes, you can take the pits near the gondola to 3000 m (9842.5 ft).
From there, the views are stunning, and you’ll have slopes to go all the way down.
Luxury Hotel Walther
St. Moritz is synonymous with luxury hotels, and Hotel Walther is one of them.
A stay in the Engadin region is not complete without experiencing one of the luxury hotels. As an original location for jet setters, the number of luxury accommodations here is seemingly endless.
Hotel Walther is located near Pontresina. Click here for a Google pin
It is the epitome of luxury but with warmth and an approachable feeling. When you see the hotel, you’ll be impressed with its grand architecture and gorgeous lobby.
As a family-run hotel since its opening, you can feel the attention to detail and level of service in all of its offerings.
The rooms are cozy and inviting but retain the level of elegance and sophistication you would expect in a luxury accommodation.
The amenities here are top-notch, including a swimming pool, hot tub, and a full spa area. For the dining options, you won’t need to go far for an excellent meal.
You could start your mornings with a leisurely breakfast with an amazing spread in a beautiful location and end your evenings whether it’s just across the street in Gondolezza, a fondue and raclette restaurant housed inside a real gondola or at the fine dining grand restaurant and enjoy a five-course rotating tasting menu.
Sledding In Bergun
In Bergun, you can do one of the most epic sled runs in all of Switzerland.
The sledding slope from Preda to Bergun is one of the best in Switzerland and it’s my favorite.
Your journey starts at Preda, where you can rent your sled and then ride more than 6 km (3.7 miles) of gorgeous slopes throughout the valley.
Your route will even cross the Glacier and Bernina Express train lines, and you’ll have the opportunity to sled underneath some of the famous viaducts.
After the ride, you’ll return your sled to the picturesque village of Bergun.
Discover Muottas Muragl
Muottas Muragl is less than 10 minutes away from St. Moritz and Pontresina, either by train or bus.
The funicular of Muottas Muragl will take you up to 2500 m (8202 ft) in just a few minutes for an incredible panoramic view of the whole region.
This is one of my favorite views as you’ll see not only the majestic Alpine peaks but also the three perfectly aligned lakes from this viewpoint.
Muottas Muragl is also home to an epic 4.5 km (2.6 miles) long sledding run. You can rent your sled at the bottom funicular station when you arrive and take it up with the funicular.
The sled run offers amazing views of the region and is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. But make sure to keep an eye on the slope itself as it has very sharp turns.
This is definitely an intense and difficult slope not for beginners.
Ride On A Panoramic Train
The Glacier Express is a stunning 8-hour journey across the incredible Swiss Alps linking the famous villages of St. Moritz and Zermatt.
While the whole journey is beautiful, I particularly love the segment that is common with the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Chur, featuring the famous Landwasser Viaduct right after Filisur.
The ride along the meandering Rhine River after Chur and Oberalp Pass after Andermatt is also amazing.
The Bernina Express route goes from St. Moritz to Tirano or from Chur to Tirano via Pontresina. The train takes you on a unique journey through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges.
You will go through high mountains, seeing 4000 m (13123.3 ft) peaks all the way to Italy via beautiful destinations such as Poschiavo and Pontresina.
Remember, you will need a seat reservation in addition to having a valid train ticket.
