Lake St. Moritz reflecting the peaks of the Engadin

Your escape · Graubünden, Switzerland

St. Moritz and the Engadin

High lakes, clear light and three great mountain passes.

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What makes it distinctive

Why this escape is yours

The Upper Engadin is a high valley of lakes and larch forests, famous for its light. It is reached over some of the Alps' finest mountain roads, or by the Rhaetian Railway, whose Albula and Bernina lines are UNESCO-listed.

Mountain air, lake walks and long spa afternoons.

Season: Many hotels close between seasons, roughly April to June and October to November. Some high passes close in winter. Best months: January, February, March, June, July, August, September.

The itinerary

3 days in St. Moritz and the Engadin

A practical, unhurried outline to adapt as you like. Check opening times and reservations before you go.

Over the Julier
Drive in over the Julier Pass to arrive in the afternoon light, with a lakeside walk before dinner.
The high lakes
Walk the lakes of Silvaplana and Sils in the morning, visit the Nietzsche-Haus in Sils Maria, then spend a long afternoon at the spa.
Over the Bernina
Drive the Bernina Pass toward Poschiavo for lunch, or take the Bernina line and let someone else do the driving.

Every element

How the escape comes together

Stay · hotel

Badrutt's Palace Hotel

St. Moritz

The landmark palace hotel above Lake St. Moritz, a base for winter sport and summer drives alike. It is seasonal, so check opening dates.

This recommendation is based on research, not a visit. Confirm current details, rates and seasonal opening with the property.

Check availability

See Badrutt's Palace Hotel on Agoda

Affiliate link: Prestagio may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Rates and availability are set by the provider; Prestagio does not take bookings. Learn more.

Arrive

Zurich (ZRH) or Milan Malpensa (MXP)

From Zurich, allow roughly three hours by road to St. Moritz. The Rhaetian Railway is a scenic alternative, and Engadin Airport at Samedan serves private aviation.

In winter, carry snow chains or winter equipment, and check which passes are open before you set out.

Journey details

Add a departure city in the Planner to see an approximate flying time.

Estimated from great-circle distance at an average of 800 km/h plus 30 minutes. It is not a schedule, and it does not account for winds, routings or connections. We do not show fares, tolls or fuel costs because they change constantly. Check them with airlines and operators.

Your second home on the road

Bentley Continental GT

All-wheel drive and a calm cabin for long climbs. A grand tourer for two, or a Range Rover when there are more of you and more luggage.

Four seats and a boot that takes a week's luggage for two.

Outstanding in summer and early autumn. In winter, drive only open passes on proper winter tyres and allow for conditions.

Prefer not to drive? Rhaetian Railway: If you would rather not drive the passes, the train is one of the most beautiful ways to arrive anywhere.

The second home on the road

Time

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

A Swiss icon in steel, sporty enough for a mountain road and refined enough for dinner at the palace.

Gérald Genta's octagonal steel design, finished with the care usually reserved for precious metals.

An editorial suggestion, not an advertisement. The watch you already love is always the right one.

Atmosphere

Stone pine and woodsmoke

stone pine
larch
woodsmoke
cold air

Stone pine, the Engadin's own tree, with a trace of woodsmoke from the evening fire.

For the room: Resin and a fireplace, with the clean edge of high-altitude air.

For the car: Pine and a hint of smoke for the high passes; avoid anything heavy in a heated cabin.

Read further

The stories behind this escape

Destinations2 min read

The Engadin by road

Three mountain passes, a high valley of lakes and one of the world's most beautiful railways. A driver's guide to St. Moritz and the Upper Engadin.

Cars2 min read

The second home on the road

The best grand tourers are less about speed than about how you feel after six hours at the wheel. On design, craftsmanship and the art of the long drive.

Choose the feeling
Set the boundaries
Reveal three escapes
Explore an escape
Save or share

A Prestagio escape