Location
Benefitting from a position at the base of the mountain range at the point where the river Plessur flows into the Rhine, Chur is not only advantaged from the point of view of its topography, but also from the perspective of its climate. With only 843mm of rainfall recorded over the long-term mean, the city is a veritable dry haven in comparison with the surrounding areas. Due to its location in the bowl of the valley and the prevailing winds preventing the formation of a cold air mass, Chur also has very favorable temperatures. It is often the case that there is sunshine here when other places are fogbound.
Public transport connections
Chur can be reached from Zurich airport within 1.5 hours by train. From Chur station there are direct bus links via the PostAuto Schweiz service to all the outlying valleys, while the Rhaetian railway line provides stunningly scenic journeys to the various regions of the Grisons.
Schools
Chur’s municipal education system comprises all levels of statutory schooling, from kindergarten through to secondary school level I. The Gewerbliche Berufsschule Chur (Commercial Institute of Vocational Training) is the largest commercial training institute in the canton of the Grisons, specializing in commercial and industrial training and serving as information source in the field of vocational foundation courses.
Further institutes of education in the areas of health and social sciences, gastronomy and tourism, and technology and commerce, among others, make for a broad range of options.
Leisure activities
Chur has a countless array of possibilities, from the sports amenities at Obere Au, its attractive playgrounds, or simply in the verdant forests (more than half of the city is made up of woodland). The rack-line takes you straight up the mountain from the city center to the top of the Brambrüesch, Chur’s local landmark.
Summer
Hiking routes with panoramic views from the Brambrüesch, the alpine bike park, mountain biking or cycling tours, explorations of the city and plenty of other destinations in the neighboring regions.
Winter
Whether it be skiing or snow-boarding, snow-shoe tours or extended hikes, toboggan runs, cross-country or ski-touring excursions, the nearby Brambrüesch mountain provides all of these activities right on your doorstep.
Shopping
There are a variety of shopping outlets serving your day-to-day needs in every district. In the center of the city, as well as on its western perimeters, there are countless boutiques, bookshops, clothing and sports shops, in addition to bakeries and butchers. During the summer months, there is the added attraction of a weekly Saturday market in the old town, where farmers from the region sell their local specialties and produce.
Restaurants and hotels
The town of Chur has the highest density of bars and eateries in Switzerland. With over 80 restaurants, there is something to satisfy every palate – no matter how big or small your appetite - while the 13 hotels welcome holiday visitors as well as business travelers.
Sightseeing and places of interest
Various monuments: e.g. the Palace of the Bishops, the Town Hall, diverse Guild Halls
Town squares: Arcasplatz, Kornplatz, Theaterplatz and numerous others
Churches: e.g. the cathedral, Church of St. Luzi, Church of the Redeemer
Museums: natural science, local history, art
Prime locations
Lürlibad
Loëstrasse
Spitäler