The best walks and hikes around Chur

Also recommended in winter

A small wooden building to enhance your photos from the viewpoint overlooking the city of Chur. It's just a 7-8 minute walk from the town center.

It's a 7 minute walk from the town centre, although it's a little uphill, but it's worth it to admire the whole city from above.

The first building was constructed after 1272, following the consecration of the cathedral. Its current appearance dates back to the Baroque redesign of 1732/33 under Bishop Joseph von Rost, a Tyrolean native (serving as Bishop of Chur as Benedikt von Rost from 1728 to 1754), who incorporated architectural ideas from his homeland into the building. The cookbook "Ein schön Kochbuch 1559" (A Beautiful Cookbook 1559) was created in the Episcopal Palace between 1559 and around 1610. It is considered the oldest cookbook in Switzerland. In 2020, the Cathedral Treasury Museum, featuring the cathedral treasury and the death pictures dated 1543, will open in the Episcopal Palace. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisch%C3%B6fliches_Schloss_(Chur)

The current cathedral building was constructed between 1150 and 1272 as a late Romanesque pillar basilica. The decision to build this structure dates back to the time of Bishop Adalgott (1151–1160). According to the current state of research, construction began from the east and extended over several stages, with the previous building gradually giving way to the new one. After approximately 120 years of construction, the completed cathedral was consecrated on June 19, 1272. In 1828/1829, following the Hof fire of May 13, 1811, the cathedral received its current tower with a curved dome, which was rebuilt on the foundations of the previous tower, built around 1500. Like a fortified church, the cathedral, with the Episcopal Palace and the Canons' Courtyards, forms an ecclesiastical precinct on a rocky terrace above the old town of Chur. Archaeological excavations at this site have uncovered traces of a late Roman fort dating back to the 4th century. It is believed that the Romans used the unique location of the rocky outcrop as a seat for the leadership of the province of Raetia. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathedrale_St._Mari%C3%A4_Himmelfahrt_(Chur)

The current cathedral building was constructed between 1150 and 1272 as a late Romanesque pillar basilica. The decision to build this structure dates back to the time of Bishop Adalgott (1151–1160). According to current research, construction began from the east and extended over several stages, with the previous building gradually giving way to the new one. After approximately 120 years of construction, the completed cathedral was consecrated on June 19, 1272. In 1828/1829, following the Hof fire of May 13, 1811, the cathedral received its current tower with a curved dome, which was rebuilt on the foundations of the previous tower, built around 1500. Like a fortified church, the cathedral, with the Episcopal Palace and the Canons' Courts, forms an ecclesiastical precinct on a rocky terrace above the old town of Chur. Archaeological excavations at this site have uncovered traces of a late Roman fort dating back to the 4th century. It is believed that the Romans used the unique location of the rocky outcrop as a seat for the leadership of the province of Raetia. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathedrale_St._Mari%C3%A4_Himmelfahrt_(Chur)

The baroque patrician house that houses the museum was built in 1675 by Paul von Buol-Strassberg. The Imperial Baron belonged to the ruling class of the Free State of the Three Leagues. The museum's founding at the end of the 19th century was linked to the increasing exodus of valuable cultural assets. The lawyer, historian, and politician Peter Conradin von Planta established a foundation for a "Grisons Museum of Science and Art." Andreas Rudolf von Planta was also a founding member. The museum opened on June 8, 1872, on the ground floor of the Buol House. Initially, it comprised a library, a natural history collection, and an antiquities collection. The antiquities collection is currently discontinued. It, along with all other museum pieces no longer relevant for exhibitions, is stored in the cultural property protection room in Haldenstein. The collection on Graubünden's history comprises almost 100,000 objects, approximately one-tenth of which are on display in the Buol House. The "Object of the Month" is intended to provide insight into the Rhaetian Museum's collection. A selected item from the collection will be presented in the foyer of the Rhaetian Museum. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A4tisches_Museum

Arcas Square is arguably the most beautiful square in Chur. Surrounded by historic rows of houses and lined with several cafés and restaurants, it exudes a distinctly Mediterranean ambiance. For events, Arcas Square often becomes a picturesque stage in the old town. Naturally, it also features a fountain where you can refresh yourself. The fountain at Arcas Square is made of gneiss stone from Andeer. It depicts the local legend of the Scalära spirits. Source: https://www.chur.graubuenden.ch/de/uebersicht-ausflugsziele/arcas