Davos, Switzerland Travel Guide: Where Global Powers Play

Welcome to Davos, Switzerland — the highest city in Europe and possibly the only place on the planet where snowboarders and world leaders share the same coffee. This alpine destination is famous for its snow-covered peaks, global summits, and a town center that feels like someone dropped a Swiss village into a James Bond movie. It also happens to be where my lineage is from, making it extra special. And it’s a joy to visit.

This Davos, Switzerland Travel Guide gives you all the details to plan your trip: where it is, what to do, when to go, what to wear, what to eat — plus a pros and cons list to help you decide if Davos is your dream destination or just a bucket list checkpoint.

WHERE ON EARTH IS DAVOS?

Davos is in eastern Switzerland, in the Canton of Graubünden, the country’s largest and most mountainous canton. It’s positioned in the southeastern corner of Switzerland, close to the borders of Austria and Liechtenstein — a high-alpine corridor that feels more like a hidden kingdom than a quick stop on a Swiss train line.

Zoom in, and Davos reveals itself in the Landwasser Valley, deep in the heart of the Alps. This isn’t a sleepy village perched on a hill — it’s the highest city in Europe at 1,560 meters (5,120 feet) and stretches along the valley in two distinct zones: Davos Dorf to the north and Davos Platz to the south. Together they form a long, lean mountain town with real infrastructure and an outdoorsy pulse.

Davos is completely surrounded by alpine wilderness, and that’s no exaggeration. The town is a gateway to hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails in the summer and world-class ski slopes in the winter. Chairlifts and gondolas depart right from town, whisking visitors into high-altitude adventures within minutes. Forests hug the outskirts, peaks tower above the skyline, and the landscape constantly reminds you that you’re standing in one of the most elevated places in Europe — physically and recreationally.

Despite all the wilderness, Davos runs like a small city. It has a full-service hospital, sleek modern conference spaces, boutique shops, local buses, and a train line — all blended into a landscape that feels like it should belong in a nature documentary.

WHY DAVOS IS FAMOUS (AND IT’S NOT JUST THE SNOW)

You’d think being the highest city in Europe would be enough to put Davos on the map, but no — Davos is a bit of an overachiever.

World Economic Forum: Let’s start with the big one. Every January, Davos becomes the epicenter of global attention thanks to the World Economic Forum (WEF) — where world leaders, CEOs, and celebrities descend in suits, snow boots, and security details to talk big ideas and sip overpriced lattes. It’s like a G20 summit got dropped into a ski resort.

Winter Sports Mecca: Outside of WEF week, Davos is all about snow. It’s a legendary destination for skiing, snowboarding, cross-country trails, and even night sledding if you’re into flying down icy hills in the dark. The town is linked to the Parsenn and Jakobshorn mountains, which basically translates to a lot of epic terrain.

Health and Wellness History: Davos is also known for being healthy for visitors. In the 19th century, it became a hotspot for tuberculosis treatment thanks to its dry, high-altitude air. Sanatoriums popped up everywhere, and Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain was literally inspired by his time here. These days, people come for spa hotels and clean air instead of medical cures, but the wellness vibe still lingers.

Scenic Setting with Real Swagger: What sets Davos apart is its mix of small-town charm, big-time reputation, and nonstop access to nature. It’s a place where you can go from watching ski jumpers launch into the sky to attending a global climate panel — all before lunch.

WHAT TO DO IN DAVOS (BESIDES BUMP INTO BILLIONAIRES)

• Skiing and Snowboarding
• Hiking and Biking
• Parsennbahn Railway
• Schatzalp
• Ice Skating and Hockey
• World Economic Forum (for the curious)
• Wellness and Spas

SHOPPING IN DAVOS: HIGH ALTITUDE, HIGH-END FINDS

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• Promenade
• Winter Gear Central
• Souvenirs with a Swiss Twist
• Davos Platz vs. Davos Dorf

LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN DAVOS: SWISS, BUT MAKE IT MULTILINGUAL

Davos might look like a picture-perfect postcard, but when it comes to language, there’s more going on than meets the eye. This alpine city is effortlessly multilingual, thanks to its Swiss roots and international crowd.

Primary Language: Swiss German, with the local dialect known as Walserdeutsch
Also Spoken: High German, English, and occasionally French, Italian, or Romansh

HOW COMMON IS ENGLISH IN DAVOS?

Very. Davos rolls out the welcome mat in multiple languages, and English is right up there with German when it comes to tourist-friendly communication.

WHEN TO VISIT DAVOS: FOUR SEASONS, FOUR DIFFERENT VIBES

Winter: Prime ski season, WEF buzz
Spring: Quieter, transitional, lower prices
Summer: Green trails, lake days, hiking heaven. It can get touristy but doesn’t feel crowded, even when 3,000 – 4,000 Hasidic jews head to Davos for their summer vacation spot around Tisha B’Av (around the first week of August). I visited at that time and, as an American, I was surprised by the sight until I learned they have been doing this since the 1200s! I can see why, too. The summers are beautiful.
Fall: Quiet, golden, cozy

WHAT’S COOKING IN DAVOS

Davos, like many cities in Switzerland, is an opportunity to try some of the country’s favorite meals, including:

• Fondue
• Raclette
• Rösti
• Capuns
• Salsiz
• Nusstorte
• Apfelstrudel (my favorite!)

EU, SCHENGEN, OR NEITHER? WHERE DAVOS FITS IN

Davos is in Switzerland, which is not in the EU, but in the Schengen Zone. There are no border checks for most travelers from nearby countries, and visa rules follow Schengen guidelines.

MONEY MATTERS: WHAT CURRENCY DO YOU NEED IN DAVOS?

Swiss Franc (CHF) only. Credit cards welcome. ATMs easy to find. Avoid airport exchange counters.

Check out the current conversions!

DAVOS: THE UPS, THE DOWNS OF THIS SKI TOWN

Pros:
World-class sports, beautiful summers, safe and clean, multilingual, globally relevant

Cons:
Expensive, not a traditional village, altitude can be tiring, crowded during WEF

WHAT TO WEAR IN DAVOS: FASHION MEETS FUNCTION

Winter: Thermals, waterproofs, après-ski layers
Spring: Layers, waterproof shoes
Summer: Hiking gear, sun protection, rain jacket
Fall: Fleece, boots, gloves

Need help? Then check out our travel clothing recommendations!

WHAT NOT TO WEAR IN DAVOS

No high heels in winter, no neon tourist gear, and no overly flashy accessories. Stick to understated, weather-appropriate, and cozy-chic.

WHAT TO BRING: GEAR UP FOR DAVOS WITHOUT OVERPACKING YOUR SANITY

Layers, walking boots, swimwear, adapters, sunglasses, meds, reusable water bottle.

IS DAVOS SAFE? YES — BUT KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR GOGGLES

Very safe, very clean. Low crime, excellent emergency services, and well-marked outdoor routes. Just don’t underestimate the mountains.

HOW TO FLY TO DAVOS (AKA: YOU CAN’T, BUT ALMOST)

Closest airports: Zurich (ZRH) is best. Also possible: Friedrichshafen (FDH) and Milan Malpensa (MXP). Flights from major global carriers. Then, it’s train time.

TAKING THE TRAIN TO DAVOS: IT’S NOT JUST TRANSPORT, IT’S A SHOW

UNESCO-worthy rail journey via Landquart and the Rhaetian Railway (RhB). Arrive in Davos Platz or Davos Dorf.

WHERE TO STAY IN DAVOS: FIND YOUR PLACE IN THE POWDER

Luxury Hotels

Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvédère: Historic and elegant with old-world charm — a favorite for WEF guests and lovers of chandeliers.
AlpenGold Hotel (formerly InterContinental Davos): A futuristic golden pinecone perched on a hillside, with panoramic views and an upscale spa.

Mid-Range Hotels

Hotel Grischa: Stylish and central with multiple in-house restaurants and direct access to the train and ski lifts.
Central Sporthotel Davos: Classic Swiss vibe with a pool and a location that keeps you close to both the slopes and the shopping.

Budget-Friendly Hotels

Spenglers Inn: Modern and affordable, part of the Spengler Hotel complex, offering style on a budget.
Youthpalace Davos: A laid-back hostel with postcard views and no-frills alpine basics — great for families or backpackers.

Airbnb in Davos
Yes — Airbnb is active and popular, with options ranging from rustic ski chalets to sleek apartments with balconies and snowy mountain views.

TRAVEL INSURANCE IN DAVOS: YES, YOU NEED IT

Medical care is excellent but pricey. Weather and winter sports increase risks. Travel insurance is a must — especially if you’re skiing.

SIMILAR DESTINATIONS TO CONSIDER

Klosters: Same ski area, more charm, fewer crowds
St. Moritz: Ultra-luxury and glam
Arosa: Family-friendly and laid-back
Grindelwald: Classic alpine scenery and hiking
Lenzerheide: Low-key, less touristy
Lech, Austria: Luxe, scenic, and stylish without the WEF buzz