Samedan: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
As a stop on the Rhaetian Railway and with its small international airport, Samedan is the hub of the Upper Engadine. The municipality in the Swiss canton of Graubünden impresses in the village center with traditional houses featuring sgraffito. In the surrounding area, hiking trails to the panoramic mountain Muottas Muragl and glider flights over the region beckon.
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Samedan - Must-see attractions
Muottas Muragl
The views from Muottas Muragl have already inspired artists. With its lush green alpine meadows, a tranquil mountain lake, a bubbling stream, and a glacier, the mountain situated at 2,456 m offers everything associated with the Alps. Enjoy the beauty of the Engadine mountain world while hiking, sledding, or snowshoeing on marked snowshoe trails. The mountain railway takes you up to Muottas Muragl. Experience the Engadine mountains and villages from a bird's eye view while paragliding right next to the mountain station.
Bernina Pass
The Bernina Pass was already intensively used in prehistoric times. This is still the case today: the Bernina Railway runs over the Alpine pass. The glacier ski area on Munt Pers on the north side of the Bernina Pass can be reached by cable car from Diavolezza. Between the two valley locations Samedan and Poschiavo, there is a popular hiking and cycling route. The 38 km long route starts in Samedan and passes by the Stazerwald to Lago Bianco. Other stations on the route are Alp Grüm and Cavaglia.
St. Moritz
St. Moritz, located in the Engadin, is a popular travel destination in every season. In summer, Lake St. Moritz offers perfect conditions for sailing and stand-up paddling. Or how about a hike through the cool Stazerwald or a round of golf? St. Moritz is rightly considered the cradle of Swiss skiing. Guests have been coming here to ski since 1864. You can expect 350 kilometers of beautifully groomed slopes. Additionally, St. Moritz is home to one of the oldest natural ice bobsleigh tracks in the world.
Old Town of Samedan
Among the places of worship in Samedan, the Reformed Church built in 1682 with its 57 m high campanile stands out. Rich paintings and a magnificently carved wooden ceiling attract visitors to the neo-Romanesque Sacred Heart Church. The medieval patrician house Salis today houses a valuable Rhaeto-Romanic library. The massive residential tower La Tour from the 13th century rises prominently. The former noble residence and later prison now serves as a cultural center. The exhibitions about the region are worth seeing here. Relaxing wellness is offered by the Mineral Bath & Spa in the middle of the old town.
Mineral Springs Park
Located in the historic village center of Samedan, the mineral bath is distinguished by its unique architecture. Delicate mosaic tiles in various colors and atmospheric lighting create a special ambiance, making it easy for you to unwind from everyday life in the warm thermal water. The bathing and steam bath rooms are spread over five floors of the mineral bath. From the rooftop bath on the fifth floor, you can enjoy impressive views of the Engadin mountain world. Treat yourself to the Samedan bathing ritual, which includes an herbal steam bath, a hot bath, and a massaging bubble bath.
Segantini Museum
Giovanni Segantini, active in the late 19th century, is considered one of the most outstanding painters of high mountain landscapes in the style of realistic symbolism. In the museum, you embark on a journey through Segantini's work and private life. Segantini masterfully mastered the play with light for particularly naturalistic representation. Marvel at dozens of original artworks such as Noon in the Alps or Bündnerin at the Fountain. The museum is also worth seeing from the outside, architecturally reminiscent of a monument with a domed roof.
Samedan - Secret spots
Church of St. Peter in Samedan
Above the Engadine mountain village of Samedan stands the Church of San Peter, one of the oldest places of worship in the Upper Engadine. The sacred building was constructed in the 15th century in the late Gothic style, but the bell tower with a tent roof dates from the 18th century. You can obtain the keys to the church from the tourist information office against a deposit.
Stazer Lake
Although it is no secret to the locals, Lake Staz is a hidden gem for visitors. Located between St. Moritz, Pontresina, and Samedan, it offers a peaceful setting for relaxation, picnics, and swimming in the summer, away from the tourist hustle and bustle.
Alpine Museum in Pontresina
The Alpin Museum in Pontresina near Samedan is housed in the Chesa Delnon, a traditional house from the 18th century. The exhibition is primarily dedicated to the nature and culture of Graubünden. Visitors learn interesting facts about the history of the conquest of the Bernina Massif and the development of the SAC huts.
The Tour Samedan
The Tuor in Samedan is a historical monument from the 12th century that reflects the cultural and architectural heritage of the Engadin. Once part of the medieval fortifications to protect the Upper Engadin Valley, it now offers visitors insights into the regional history and culture, seamlessly integrated into today's Samedan.
Samedan - In 3 days
Day 1
Unpack your bags and start your vacation with a stroll through Samedan. Quaint alpine-style houses line the cobblestone streets in the village center. Around Plazzet Street, there are several shops, cafes, and restaurants. From here, it's just a few steps to Chesa Planta, a patrician house from the 16th century and one of the most beautiful buildings in Samedan. It houses a small museum of historical living culture and gives you an insight into the stately living rooms and everyday life of the 18th and 19th centuries. Be sure to take a look at the representative state room. If you want to go high up on the first day, take the funicular to Muottas Muragl. The 2,453 m mountain rises above Samedan and, with hiking opportunities of easy difficulty and its fantastic panoramic view over Samedan and the Engadin, is the perfect start for your hiking vacation.
Day 2
Use the second day for an active exploration of the Engadine mountain world. Summer pleasure hikes, winter snowshoe hikes, or action-packed mountain bike tours are on the program according to your mood and the season. A popular summer hike leads along La Senda. This 6.5 km long nature trail starts as a circular route directly in Samedan. The easily walkable path with moderate elevation changes provides information at numerous stations about the Engadine nature and its biodiversity. There are also magnificent views over Samedan on the path that runs high above the town. After a sporty day, enjoy a break at the Mineral Bath & Spa Samedan. Swim in the pools with highly sulfurous and regenerating mineral water that comes from a spring directly beneath the bath. The bath impresses with its special multi-story construction, where all bathing and steam rooms are designed with glazed mosaic tiles in mystical colors.
Day 3
On the third day of the winter holiday, fun on the slopes is on the agenda. In the vicinity of Samedan, the Corvatsch - Furtschellas ski area stretches around the Piz Corvatsch mountain near Silvaplana. It boasts 120 kilometers of slopes, mostly intermediate, for experienced winter sports enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Corviglia / St. Moritz ski area is located around the glamorous winter sports resort of St. Moritz, just a few kilometers away. With its 160 kilometers of slopes and a good mix of all difficulty levels, it is a snow-sure choice for both beginners and winter sports professionals. In the warm season, Silvaplana with its Silvaplana Lake is a relaxed excursion destination. Look forward to swimming fun and a picnic with a view of the water. Or try kitesurfing and windsurfing on the large lake or a tour with the stand-up paddleboard. Friedrich Nietzsche enjoyed spending time in the Engadin. On a walk along the eastern shore of Lake Silvaplana, you will discover Nietzsche's reflection stone in memory of the philosopher.