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St. Moritz
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St. Moritz combines alpine lakes, Olympic heritage, world-class skiing, Engadin architecture, art museums and refined mountain culture in Switzerland.

Mountain Resort with Deep Roots

St. Moritz stands at around 1,800 metres in Switzerland’s Upper Engadin, where a chain of clear lakes lies beneath broad, snow-dusted peaks. The resort’s polished reputation grew from its mineral springs and its early adoption of winter sports, yet its identity is older than modern tourism. The village church of St. Mauritius and the historic spa district recall a settlement shaped by alpine trade, pastoral life and healing waters long before international visitors arrived.
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Village, Lake and High Valley

The town is divided between St. Moritz Dorf, climbing above Lake St. Moritz, and the quieter lakeside area of St. Moritz Bad. Narrow lanes, grand hotels and discreet boutiques contrast with open mountain scenery, while the lake provides a changing foreground for walks, sailing and cross-country trails. Nearby, the Engadiner Museum explores regional domestic culture, and the Segantini Museum presents the luminous alpine paintings of Giovanni Segantini, who spent his final years in the Engadin.

Sporting Heritage and Contemporary Culture

St. Moritz has hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1928 and 1948, and its sporting landscape remains unusually visible: ski runs descend towards the town, the historic Olympia Bob Run operates in winter, and the surrounding mountains support hiking, cycling and climbing in warmer months. The resort’s international profile brings sophisticated dining, galleries and seasonal events, but the wider Engadin remains close at hand, reached by the Rhaetian Railway and mountain lifts. St. Moritz is therefore both a glamorous address and a practical gateway to a high-alpine cultural landscape.

When is the best time to visit St. Moritz?

Best: July–September · 16–20°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January046
February041
March346
April758
May1296
June17130
July (best)20140
August (best)20120
September (best)16100
October1080
November660
December251

Getting to and around St. Moritz

How to get there

Most visitors arrive by rail, with St. Moritz station served by the Rhaetian Railway from Chur via the Albula line and from the south via the Bernina route towards Tirano. These journeys are scenic but involve mountain railway timings and, depending on the route, long travel times; Swiss Federal Railways connections usually link with the Rhätische Bahn at regional interchange points. The nearest airport with regular commercial services is Zurich Airport, followed by a rail journey through the Swiss network. Engadin Airport is at Samedan, close to St. Moritz, and primarily handles private, charter and limited regional aviation rather than a broad scheduled network. Road access is possible via alpine passes, whose availability can be seasonal.

Transportation

St. Moritz is compact enough for many central journeys on foot, although the town is steep in places and the districts around the lake are spread along the valley floor. Local buses connect St. Moritz Dorf, St. Moritz Bad, the railway station, neighbouring villages and mountain-lift bases; tickets and routes should be checked locally because services vary by season. Taxis are available, while driving gives flexibility for exploring the Engadin but requires attention to winter conditions, mountain roads and limited parking. The Rhaetian Railway is useful for regional excursions, and cable cars and funiculars provide access to surrounding ski and hiking areas rather than serving as ordinary urban transport.

Best attractions in St. Moritz

St. Moritz’s attractions combine alpine scenery with an unusually concentrated cultural and sporting heritage. The Segantini Museum, designed in a distinctive circular form, displays major works by Giovanni Segantini and explains his connection with the Engadin landscape. The Engadiner Museum recreates traditional regional interiors and domestic life, offering a more intimate view of local culture. Around Lake St. Moritz, walking paths provide changing views of the peaks, while St. Moritz Bad leads towards the spa tradition and open lakeside spaces. The Olympia Bob Run and nearby winter-sport facilities reveal how the resort became an international centre for competition, while the funicular and mountain lifts open routes towards Corviglia and Muottas Muragl in the wider Engadin. The village’s galleries, grand hotels and historic lanes add an architectural dimension to sightseeing, and the Rhaetian Railway provides a scenic way to explore the valley beyond the town.

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Best landmarks in St. Moritz

The Leaning Tower is St. Moritz’s most recognisable historic structure, a remnant of the medieval Church of St. Mauritius and a visible reminder of the settlement’s older religious foundations. The present St. Mauritius church stands nearby and continues the connection between the resort and its medieval past. The Segantini Museum is both an art institution and an architectural landmark, built in a distinctive domed form to house works by Giovanni Segantini. Chesa Futura, designed by Norman Foster, introduces a modern expression of alpine living through its elevated, organic structure, while the grand hotels around St. Moritz Dorf represent the nineteenth-century development of the spa resort. The Olympia Bob Run, stretching towards Celerina, is a working sporting landmark whose ice track and history are closely linked with the Winter Olympic identity of St. Moritz.

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Best restaurants in St. Moritz

Dining in St. Moritz reflects both the food traditions of Graubünden and the resort’s international clientele. Engadine nut tart, a rich pastry filled with caramelised walnuts, is the region’s best-known sweet, while barley soup, dried-meat specialities and dishes using alpine herbs express the landscape’s pastoral history. Local menus may also include capuns, chard leaves wrapped around a savoury filling, alongside broader Swiss classics such as rösti and cheese dishes. St. Moritz Dorf contains polished dining rooms, hotel restaurants, cafés and delicatessens, while mountain restaurants and huts provide food with access to ski and hiking terrain. The area around St. Moritz Bad and the neighbouring Engadin villages adds more relaxed, regional settings. Menus vary considerably from traditional Graubünden cooking to Italian, French and contemporary international cuisine, reflecting the valley’s proximity to Italy and its long history of cross-Alpine travel.

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Best bars in St. Moritz

Evenings in St. Moritz range from refined hotel lounges and cocktail bars to informal après-ski venues, with the liveliest periods generally coinciding with the winter season and major events. St. Moritz Dorf offers several close-set options for drinks, conversation and people-watching, while bars near ski facilities and hotels often develop an après-ski atmosphere in the late afternoon. The resort also has a tradition of elegant social spaces associated with its grand hotels, where dress and tone may be more formal than in casual mountain bars. Nightclubs and DJ-led events appear seasonally rather than forming a large permanent club district, and cultural evenings may include concerts, literary events or performances in local venues. Outside peak periods, nightlife becomes quieter, with restaurants, hotel bars and early evening walks around the lake often taking precedence over late-night entertainment.

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Best nightclubs in St. Moritz

Evenings in St. Moritz range from refined hotel lounges and cocktail bars to informal après-ski venues, with the liveliest periods generally coinciding with the winter season and major events. St. Moritz Dorf offers several close-set options for drinks, conversation and people-watching, while bars near ski facilities and hotels often develop an après-ski atmosphere in the late afternoon. The resort also has a tradition of elegant social spaces associated with its grand hotels, where dress and tone may be more formal than in casual mountain bars. Nightclubs and DJ-led events appear seasonally rather than forming a large permanent club district, and cultural evenings may include concerts, literary events or performances in local venues. Outside peak periods, nightlife becomes quieter, with restaurants, hotel bars and early evening walks around the lake often taking precedence over late-night entertainment.

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Best shops in St. Moritz

Shopping in St. Moritz is concentrated principally around Via Serlas and the streets of St. Moritz Dorf, where international luxury boutiques stand alongside Swiss watch, jewellery and lifestyle retailers. The character is polished and resort-oriented, but visitors can also find galleries, specialist food shops and stores carrying practical alpine clothing and equipment. Regional products make more distinctive souvenirs: Engadine nut tart, local cheeses, dried meats and carefully packaged mountain foods travel well, while handmade woodwork, textiles and small craft items reflect the wider Graubünden tradition. Shops and galleries in the village’s older streets offer a contrast to the formal retail frontage of Via Serlas, and seasonal markets or events may add local producers to the usual luxury mix. Opening patterns can vary during quieter periods, so shopping is best combined with a walk through the historic village rather than treated as a separate indoor activity.

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St. Moritz essentials

Currency and Payment
Switzerland uses the Swiss franc, abbreviated CHF. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, larger restaurants, shops, museums and transport offices, although smaller mountain huts, seasonal stalls and some independent businesses may prefer cash or have a minimum card amount. ATMs are available in St. Moritz, but withdrawing Swiss francs remains sensible for small purchases and rural excursions. Euros may occasionally be accepted in tourist-facing businesses, but change is normally given in Swiss francs and the exchange rate may be less favourable. Inform your bank of Swiss transactions where necessary and check whether your card provider adds foreign-exchange fees.
Safety
St. Moritz is generally orderly, but visitors should use normal precautions with valuables in busy streets, railway areas, ski facilities and crowded seasonal events. Alpine conditions are the more significant practical concern: snow, ice, altitude, bright sun and rapidly changing weather can make short walks hazardous, while hiking and skiing require appropriate equipment and awareness of marked routes. Follow local mountain warnings, respect piste and trail closures, and avoid setting out unprepared. Drink water and allow time to acclimatise if arriving from low altitude. Cars need suitable winter equipment when conditions require it, and pedestrians should take care on steep or icy pavements.
Emergency Situations
In Switzerland, dial 112 for the general emergency service, 117 for police, 118 for the fire service and 144 for an ambulance. Give the precise location, especially on a mountain path, ski slope or lakeside trail, and describe visible landmarks or a route number if known. Mountain rescue may be coordinated through emergency services, while ski areas and accommodation providers can assist with local procedures. For non-urgent medical needs, ask your hotel, host or local tourist office about the nearest doctor or pharmacy. International visitors should carry travel-insurance details and disclose relevant medical information when seeking treatment.
Do's and Don'ts
Keep to marked pistes and hiking routes, observe mountain signs and respect private land, livestock and protected landscapes. In restaurants and hotels, service is commonly included, though rounding up or leaving a modest additional amount is appreciated for good service rather than obligatory. Speak quietly in shared transport and keep luggage clear of aisles. Modest, practical clothing is appropriate in ordinary public spaces, while religious buildings and formal venues call for respectful dress. Do not assume that every alpine path is easy because it is close to town, and avoid entering ski areas, tracks or frozen water without following local safety guidance.
Local Tips
The best orientation comes from linking the railway station, St. Moritz Dorf, St. Moritz Bad and the lakeside paths rather than treating the resort as a single flat centre. The Engadiner Museum offers useful context for local houses, tools and customs, while the Segantini Museum gives context to the valley’s artistic reputation. For broader scenery, regional trains and buses reach villages such as Pontresina and Samedan, but these are separate communities rather than St. Moritz districts. In summer, start walks early for clearer mountain views; in winter, allow extra time between accommodation, lift stations and activities because snow and seasonal traffic can slow short journeys.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloGrüezi[groo-ay-tsee]
GoodbyeAdieu[ah-dyoo]
YesJa[yah]
NoNein[nine]
Please/You're welcomeBitte[bih-tuh]
Thank youDanke[dahn-kuh]
Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung[ent-shool-dee-goong]
How are you?Wie geht es dir?[vee gayt es deer]
Fine. And you?Gut. Und du?[goot oond doo]
Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?[shpre-khen zee eng-leesh]
I don't understandIch verstehe nicht[ikh fer-shtay-uh nikht]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch möchte die Speisekarte sehen, bitte[ikh merkh-tuh dee shpy-suh-kahr-tuh zay-en, bih-tuh]
I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch[ikh ess-uh kine flysh]
Cheers!Prost![prohst]
I would like to pay, pleaseIch möchte bezahlen, bitte[ikh merkh-tuh buz-ah-len, bih-tuh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hilfe![hil-fuh]
Go away!Gehen Sie weg![gay-en zee vehg]
Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei![roo-fen zee dee poh-lee-tsay]
Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt![roo-fen zee iyn-en ahrts]
I'm lostIch habe mich verirrt[ikh hah-buh meekh fer-eert]
I'm illIch bin krank[ikh been krahngk]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ich möchte kaufen...[ikh merkh-tuh kow-fen]
I'm just lookingIch schaue nur[ikh shou-uh noor]
How much is it?Wie viel kostet es?[vee feel koss-tet es]
That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer[dahs ist tsoo toy-er]
Can you lower the price?Können Sie den Preis senken?[ker-nen zee den prees zeng-ken]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Wie spät ist es?[vee shpeht ist es]
It's one o'clockEs ist ein Uhr[es ist iyn oor]
Half past (10)Halb (10)[halb (10)]
MorningMorgen[mor-gen]
AfternoonNachmittag[nahk-mit-tahk]
EveningAbend[ah-bent]
YesterdayGestern[ges-tern]
TodayHeute[hoy-teh]
TomorrowMorgen[mor-gen]
1Eins[eyns]
2Zwei[tsvay]
3Drei[dray]
4Vier[feer]
5Fünf[foonf]
6Sechs[zeks]
7Sieben[zee-ben]
8Acht[ahkt]
9Neun[noyn]
10Zehn[tsayn]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/der...?[vo ist iyn/dehr]
What's the address?Was ist die Adresse?[vahs ist dee ah-drehs]
Can you show me (on the map)?Können Sie mir zeigen (auf der Karte)?[ker-nen zee meer tsay-gen (owf dehr kahr-teh)]
When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?[vahn kohmt dehr nehk-stuh (boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Eine Fahrkarte (nach ....)[ey-nuh fahr-kahr-teh (nahkh ....)]

History of St. Moritz

Early Settlement and Mineral Springs

The Upper Engadin has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with archaeological evidence recording early settlement and activity around the valley’s lakes and passes. St. Moritz developed beside mineral springs whose iron-rich waters became central to its identity. The springs were known in the medieval period, and a written reference to the church of St. Mauritius dates from 1139. For centuries, the community remained a small alpine settlement supported by pastoralism, agriculture, local trade and transalpine movement rather than by international tourism. Its position within the wider Romansh-speaking Engadin connected it to a distinctive regional culture shaped by high-altitude farming, seasonal migration and exchange across the Alps.

From Spa Village to International Resort

St. Moritz’s transformation began in the nineteenth century, when its mineral waters attracted visitors beyond the Engadin. The development of hotels and improved travel connections changed the settlement from a local spa village into a fashionable resort. The opening of the railway to St. Moritz in 1903, linked with the wider Rhaetian Railway network, made the high valley more accessible from northern Switzerland and Italy. Grand hotels, promenades and leisure facilities expanded around the older village, while St. Moritz Bad retained the character of the spa and lakeside quarter. This period established the international image that continues to shape the town’s architecture and economy.

The Birth of Alpine Winter Tourism

Winter tourism gained momentum in the late nineteenth century after hotelkeepers promoted St. Moritz as a cold-season destination rather than solely a summer spa. Visitors began skating, curling, tobogganing and skiing on the frozen lakes and surrounding slopes. The town became associated with organised sporting innovation, including the development of the Cresta Run in neighbouring Celerina and the Olympia Bob Run between St. Moritz and Celerina. These activities helped define a new form of alpine travel in which sport, hospitality and spectacle were closely linked. The resulting winter economy encouraged further hotel building and strengthened St. Moritz’s position within the emerging European resort culture.

Olympic St. Moritz

St. Moritz hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1928 and again in 1948, becoming the first town to stage the Winter Games twice. The mountain setting provided natural venues for skiing, skating and other events, although the mild Engadin climate also presented practical challenges, including the need to adapt schedules and prepare snow and ice carefully. The Olympic associations reinforced the resort’s international sporting reputation and left a lasting imprint on its public identity. The 1948 Games were particularly significant as the first Winter Olympics held after the Second World War. Today, sporting sites, commemorative references and the surviving Olympic landscape connect the modern resort with this formative chapter.

Modern Engadin Identity

After the Second World War, St. Moritz developed further as a year-round destination, combining winter skiing with summer walking, cycling, sailing and cultural tourism. International visitors and second-home owners contributed to a more cosmopolitan economy, while the surrounding Engadin communities maintained strong regional traditions expressed through architecture, food and the Romansh cultural landscape. Museums such as the Engadiner Museum and the Segantini Museum broadened the town’s cultural profile beyond sport and luxury hospitality. Contemporary St. Moritz still reflects these overlapping histories: medieval religious foundations, nineteenth-century spa development, twentieth-century Olympic ambition and a modern relationship with the high-alpine environment.

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Explore famous landmarks like the Engadine Museum and the Segantini Museum, or indulge in the luxury of the Badrutt's Palace Hotel. Savor exquisite meals at renowned restaurants such as the Chesa Veglia or the Kulm Country Club.

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