St. Moritz

St. Moritz sits at 1,822 metres in the Upper Engadin valley. High mountains protect the floor from moist air, producing dry snow and over 300 days of annual sunshine. The town splits into upper Dorf, where five-star hotels and luxury shops line the slope, and lower Bad, where mineral baths sit near the lake. You move between valley hubs using local red buses and Rhaetian Railway trains.

Engadin cuisine blends Swiss mountain hearty staples with Italian border influences. Local kitchens focus on air-dried beef, buckwheat pastas, and alpine cheeses. Pastry shops along Via Maistra still produce caramelised walnut pies using historic century-old formulas.

• Local pastry

  Buy authentic Engadiner Nusstorte at Hanselmann bakery on Via Maistra in central Dorf.

• Regional dishes

  Capuns, Swiss chard rolls wrapped around dough and mountain bacon, feature on traditional menus.

• Terrace drinks

  Order a local Calanda beer or herbal Braulio liqueur at ski mountain terraces before sunset.

St. Moritz began as a summer pilgrimage site due to iron-rich mineral springs. In autumn 1864, hotelier Johannes Badrutt made a wager with four British summer guests. He promised them free winter accommodation if they found the sun pleasant, successfully creating Alpine winter tourism.

1. 1537

   Mineral springs documented

   Paracelsus visits St. Moritz mineral springs, cementing its status as a summer healing resort.

2. 1864

   The winter bet

   Johannes Badrutt bets four British summer guests they will enjoy winter. Winter tourism is born.

3. 1885

   Cresta Run created

   British winter guests create the first natural ice toboggan run between Dorf and Celerina.

4. 1928

   II Olympic Winter Games

   St. Moritz hosts the first independent Winter Olympics, cementing its international reputation.

5. 1948

   V Olympic Winter Games

   St. Moritz hosts its second Winter Olympics, branded as the Games of Renewal after WWII.

Choose your area based on your main activity. Dorf puts you near shopping, night venues, and the Corviglia funicular. Bad gives flat access to thermal baths and Nordic trails. Nearby Celerina and Champfèr offer quieter stays connected by short bus rides.

• Luxury seekersSt. Moritz Dorf — Immediate access to grand hotels, luxury retail, and the main Corviglia funicular.
• Cross-country skiersSt. Moritz Bad — Flat access to valley cross-country tracks and thermal wellness facilities.
• FamiliesCelerina — Sunniest valley position with direct gondola access and quieter evenings.
• Food loversChampfèr — Proximity to high-end dining spots away from busy central streets.

You do not need a car in St. Moritz. Red Engadin buses connect all valley villages running every 15 to 30 minutes. Rhaetian Railway trains provide fast transit along the main valley floor toward Celerina and Pontresina.

• Red Rhaetian Railway trains connect St. Moritz to Tirano across the Bernina Pass.

• Local buses run frequently between Dorf, Bad, Celerina, and Silvaplana until midnight.

• Taxis are exceptionally expensive. Use the local public transit pass included with hotel stays.

St. Moritz is one of Switzerland's most expensive destinations. High operating costs in an isolated valley elevate prices across accommodation, dining, and mountain transport. Planning around multi-day lift passes and transit inclusions reduces overall daily expense.

• Mid-range dinner for two: CHF 120–180

  A standard two-course meal with local wine costs around CHF 75 per person.

• Day lift pass: CHF 45–85

  Dynamic pricing applies. Booking weeks in advance online yields lower rates.

• Single bus ride: CHF 3.60–5.20

  Fares depend on zones, but overnight hotel guests get free valley transit.

• Coffee at Hanselmann: CHF 6.50

  Espresso or cafe creme at historic village tearooms reflects resort prices.

• High altitude

  St. Moritz sits at 1,822 metres. Hydrate well on day one to adjust to the mountain air.

• 300+ days of sun

  The valley gets exceptional sunshine. Sunscreen and eye protection are essential year-round.

• Romansh language

  St. Moritz is in a Romansh-speaking canton, but German, Italian, and English are widely spoken.

• Card acceptance

  Cards are accepted everywhere, from luxury boutiques to high-mountain huts.

• Club culture

  Venues like the Cresta Club or Dracula Club require member invitations for entry.