title: “Davos 3-Day Itinerary: How to Spend 72 Hours in 2026”
slug: “davos-3-day-itinerary”
meta_description: “3 days in Davos, Switzerland? Our tested itinerary covers the best sights, local food, transport tips + where to stay. Updated 2026.”
category: itineraries-swiss
author: Anna Berger
date: 2026-04-24
affiliate_disclosure: “This post contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.”

Davos 3-Day Itinerary: How to Spend 72 Hours in 2026

TL;DR

• Total budget: CHF 480–950 per person for 3 days mid-range, excluding flights
• Best months: December–April for skiing (Davos-Klosters has 320 km of pistes); July–September for Alpine lakes, hiking the Jakobshorn to Pischa panoramas, warmest Davos lake swimming; avoid mid-January (WEF closes most hotels to outside guests)
• Must-do: Ride the Parsenn funicular at sunrise for the Piz Linard view, swim or paddle Lake Davos in summer, hike or ski the Jakobshorn, eat Pizokel at a Klosters Stube
• Skip: Trying to visit during the World Economic Forum (mid-January, city locked down); the Kirchner Museum on a tight schedule unless you’re an art visitor
• Getting around: Davos Klosters Premium Card included with many hotel stays — covers all ski lifts (winter) or cable cars + lakes + museums (summer). Free local buses in all seasons

Davos is the Swiss town with the strangest public-image split. Half the world thinks of it as the World Economic Forum — a private-jet conference that locks down the entire town for a week in January. The other half knows it as Switzerland’s highest-elevation major resort (1,560m), with 320 km of ski pistes shared with Klosters, one of the three largest Swiss ski regions. Under all of that, Davos is a working Graubunden town — Rhaeto-Romance is still spoken in the surrounding valleys, Thomas Mann wrote “The Magic Mountain” here at the old Schatzalp sanatorium, and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (the German Expressionist) painted his best work at Frauenkirch above the town.

I’ve spent winters on the Parsenn and summers on the Jakobshorn since 2019, and this is the 3-day Davos itinerary I send people. Not the conference bubble — the real town where you ski (or hike) the panoramic mountains, drink at the Chesa Grischuna in Klosters, and understand why Arthur Conan Doyle (who learned to ski here in 1894) wrote that Davos “has air more suitable for the lungs than any place I have ever known.”

Check flights to Zurich on Trip.com — ZRH is 2h20 to Davos by direct train through the Albula Pass region.

How to Get to Davos

Davos has two main stations: Davos Platz (south, central to the town) and Davos Dorf (north, near some Parsenn lift stations). The Rhaetian Railway (RhB) runs direct from Zurich via Landquart, 2h20 total from Zurich Airport (CHF 78). SBB trains go to Landquart; change to RhB there.

The Glacier Express route passes near Davos (at Filisur station, 30 min away by RhB regional connection). The Bernina Express also connects via St. Moritz. So Davos can be folded into a scenic rail itinerary between Zurich and St. Moritz.

International visitors typically fly Zurich. From Munich: 4h30 via Lindau + Zurich. Compare flights via Aviasales.

For broader rail context, see our scenic trains guide.

Where to Stay in Davos: 3 Neighborhoods Worth Knowing

Davos Platz (south, town center) — Hotel Seehof (4-star, CHF 320–500), Hotel Europe (3-star, CHF 200–340), Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvedere (5-star, CHF 550+). Walk-to-everything central, most restaurants and shops.

Davos Dorf (north, near Parsenn) — Hotel Intercontinental Davos (the curved-gold 5-star, CHF 600+), plus mid-range 3- and 4-stars at CHF 180–340. Direct lift access for Parsenn skiers.

Klosters (15 min by train) — the quieter, more traditional village that shares the ski area. Chesa Grischuna (boutique 4-star, CHF 280–420), plus family-owned chalets CHF 150–260/night. Best for a more authentic Graubunden stay.

[Source: Booking.com Davos, Davos Klosters Tourism]

Compare Davos hotel prices on Booking.com — most bookings include free cancellation.

Day 1: Parsenn, Lake Davos, and the Promenade

Morning (8:00 – 13:00)

Start at the Parsenn-Bahn funicular station in Davos Dorf. The 1931 funicular climbs to Weissfluhjoch at 2,663m in 30 minutes (CHF 56 return in summer, included in ski pass in winter). Weissfluhjoch is the gateway to the Parsenn — Switzerland’s largest continuous ski area and one of the best summer-hiking zones in Graubunden.

At the summit: panoramic trails, the Weissfluhgipfel secondary cable car (extra CHF 22) to 2,844m — Davos’s highest accessible peak with 360-degree views. The summit restaurant (Panorama) has CHF 28–42 lunches with an Alpine-chic interior. [Source: Davos Klosters]

Summer hikes from Weissfluhjoch:
– Panorama Trail Weissfluh–Parsennmeder (1.5h easy) with continuous views
– Weissfluh summit loop (1h moderate) for the top panorama
– Descent to Klosters via Gotschnagrat (3h moderate) — one of the best long downhill hikes in the region

Winter: the Parsenn side has 70 km of its own pistes, from gentle blues to the famous 12 km Parsenn-Kublis run (1,500m vertical drop, ranked one of the world’s longest in-resort descents).

Afternoon (13:00 – 17:30)

Lunch: Hohe Promenade (Meierhofplatz, Davos Dorf) — a traditional Davoser Stube with mains CHF 28–42, Graubunden specialties, in a 19th-century timbered house.

After lunch, walk the Davos Promenade — the 4 km path from Davos Platz to Davos Dorf along the Landwasser river. The promenade covers most of Davos on one straight walk, passing shops, the Kongress Center (where WEF happens), Hotel Belvedere, and the lakefront.

Continue to Lake Davos (Davosersee) — 2.5 km long, 60m deep, surrounded by forested hills. The lake has a free Strandbad lido (June–early September, wooden deck, grass lawn, cafe), water temperature 18–22°C in July–August. Rent a pedal boat (CHF 18/hour) or a paddleboard (CHF 25/hour) at Mistair at the lake. Plus there’s a free walking loop around the lake (5 km, 1.5h). [Source: Davos Klosters Summer]

[Source: Davos Klosters]

Evening (19:00 – 22:30)

Dinner: Chesa Grischuna (Bahnhofstrasse 12, Klosters — 15 min by train) — the regional institution since 1938, the original founding Wiedersehen family restaurant. Graubunden specialties CHF 38–58, warm wooden interior with old skis and posters. Book 3–5 days ahead. Historically frequented by British royals and hollywood stars (Audrey Hepburn, Deborah Kerr).

In Davos: Hotel Grischa restaurant “Dia Sya” (Talstrasse 3) — contemporary Graubunden, mains CHF 38–58. Or cheaper: Gasthaus Landhaus (Promenade 122) for CHF 28–38 Swiss classics.

Walk the promenade after dinner. Davos Platz and Dorf are connected by a lit pathway at night; it’s 45 minutes end to end but the mountain silhouettes and the lake mirror-flat in winter make the walk a proper Alpine evening.

Day 2: Jakobshorn, Klosters, and the Kirchner Museum

Morning (8:30 – 13:00)

Jakobshorn cable car from Davos Platz. The 2,590m summit is Davos’s south-facing sunny peak, with a different character than Parsenn — more open, ridge hiking, views south toward the Engadine and Italy. CHF 48 return summer, covered by ski pass winter.

At the top: multiple panoramic trails, the Summit Bar with Instagrammed views, the Kurhaus restaurant at mid-station for CHF 32–48 lunches, and in summer the Skilling zip-line (CHF 45, over 500m).

Summer hiking from Jakobshorn:
– Jakobshorn Panoramaweg (1h easy, ridge-walking with sign boards)
– Descent to Brama (2h moderate, finishing at a cable car)
– Sertig Valley (3h moderate to advanced, descending into one of the most beautiful valleys in Graubunden)

Winter: Jakobshorn has 52 km of its own pistes, 90% south-facing and great for late-morning skiing. Known as “Jakobshorn Freestyle” for its snow park and free-ride terrain.

Afternoon (13:00 – 18:00)

Lunch at Hohe Promenade Klosters — bus or train to Klosters (15 min), eat at Hotel Silvretta restaurant (CHF 28–42, traditional) or Hohe Promenade Klosters (CHF 32–48, modern).

Spend the afternoon in Klosters. The village (pop. 3,900) is substantially smaller and more traditional than Davos — narrow main street with 16th–18th century buildings, wooden balconies, one church, a small museum. Walk the Klosters Promenade along the Landquart river (1 km), visit Nutli Huschi (the preserved traditional farmhouse-museum, CHF 8), and have aperitivo at Chesa Grischuna bar.

Return to Davos by train, visit the Kirchner Museum (Promenade 82) — CHF 15 entry. The German Expressionist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner painted his most important late works in Frauenkirch (above Davos) between 1917 and his suicide in 1938, and this museum holds the largest single collection of his work. Allow 1.5 hours. The building (1992 Gigon & Guyer architecture) is itself notable. [Source: Kirchner Museum]

For broader mountain context, see our mountains and hiking guide.

Evening (19:00 – 22:30)

Dinner: Gasthof Landhaus (Promenade 122) — CHF 28–38 Graubunden mains in a 1895 building, proper neighborhood atmosphere. Or splurge at Steakhouse & Bar “Larix” at Intercontinental (CHF 55–98), where CEOs eat during WEF.

In Klosters (if you want to stay evening there): Restaurant Walserhof at Hotel Walserhof (CHF 45–78, traditional Graubunden fine dining).

After dinner: Ex Bar in Davos Platz for craft cocktails, or Pouquet Cafe at the Steigenberger for classic Alpine grand-hotel drinks.

Day 3: Schatzalp, Davos Lake Loop, and Pischa

Morning (8:30 – 13:00)

Schatzalp funicular (Davos Platz station, 5 min walk from Platz center). The 1899 funicular climbs 300m in 4 minutes to Schatzalp at 1,861m — the former tuberculosis sanatorium where Thomas Mann set “The Magic Mountain” (1924). The sanatorium building is now a hotel but retains its original Belle Epoque interior. CHF 22 return.

At Schatzalp:
– Alpinum Schatzalp — a 5,000m² Alpine botanical garden with 3,500 Alpine plant species, admission free, June–October
– Heimatmuseum (summer only) — the historical museum of Davos as a health resort
– Panoramic trail to Strela Pass (1.5h moderate) — a ridge hike to 2,353m with views of the Prattigau valley
– Winter toboggan run (2.8 km fun run, sled rental CHF 10)

Alternative morning: Pischa cable car (via bus from Davos Dorf) — the quieter, family-focused third mountain of Davos. Summer hiking at the summit with pastures full of cows, Alpine lakes, and the Aela summit (2,445m). Winter: a gentle ski area perfect for beginners.

Afternoon (13:00 – 17:30)

Lunch at Schatzalp restaurant (CHF 28–42, Belle Epoque dining room with lake views) or back in Davos at La Bergerie (Talstrasse 4) for a French-Swiss lunch CHF 22–34.

Afternoon options:

• Lake Davos loop walk (5 km easy, 1.5h flat around the lake)
• Cross-country skiing in winter — 75 km of groomed tracks, CHF 8 day pass for tracks
• Thermal baths at Mineralquelle Tarasp (55 min by RhB toward the Engadine, CHF 32 entry) — historic mineral spa opened 1864
• Museum Landschaft Davos (Promenade 90) — the regional history museum, CHF 12
• Go-karts on the frozen lake (winter) — at the Davos Eissportzentrum, CHF 25 for 15 minutes (2-seater Mini Formula cars)

For cost context, see our budget Switzerland guide.

Evening (19:00 – 22:00)

Last dinner: Restaurant Postli (Talstrasse 3, Davos Platz) — classic Graubunden dining room since 1873, mains CHF 38–58, regional wine list (Malans vineyards just 40 km north). Or at Cafe Weber (Promenade 66) for a lighter dinner of Capuns CHF 24, Pizokel CHF 28.

Walk the promenade one final time. The Parsenn funicular station lit at night, the lake silver in winter moonlight or dark in summer, and the Piz Linard (3,411m, the highest peak visible from Davos town) silhouetted south. This is the Davos you came for — far from the WEF bubble.

Davos 3-Day Budget Breakdown

Here’s what three days in Davos actually costs per person in 2026, mid-range choices:

Budget uses hostels or Klosters budget stays, self-catering from Coop, one mountain day. Mid-range includes 3-star Davos hotel, all three mountains (Parsenn, Jakobshorn, Pischa), Kirchner Museum, Chesa Grischuna dinner. Splurge adds 4-star with spa, 3-day ski pass, a Schatzalp stay (CHF 250+/night), fine dining.

The Davos Klosters Premium Card (free with many hotel stays — always ask) covers all cable cars and ski lifts in summer, all local buses year-round, free museum entries, the lake and sports facilities. In winter it’s replaced by the ski pass (CHF 85/day or ~CHF 255/3-day). [Source: Davos Klosters Card]

Getting Around Davos Without a Car

The Davos Promenade connects Platz and Dorf end to end (4 km, 45 min walk, or 10 min bus). Local buses are free.

• Local bus 1: Platz ↔ Dorf every 10 min
• Local bus 2: to Stillberg and Frauenkirch (for the Kirchner trail)
• Rhaetian Railway: Davos to Klosters (15 min), to Filisur (30 min, connects to Albula line), to Landquart (50 min)
• Parsenn funicular, Jakobshorn cable car, Schatzalp funicular: urban mountain lifts

Download Davos Klosters app for live lift info, trail maps, and ticket integration. SBB Mobile app for through-tickets to Zurich and beyond.

When to Visit Davos in 2026

December–early March: Peak ski. Hotels book up October–November for peak weeks. Spengler Cup (end-December ice hockey) and Snow Polo (late January) are major events. Prices doubled from shoulder weeks.

Mid-January: World Economic Forum (WEF). The 4-day conference closes most hotels to outside guests, shuts down parts of the town, and brings private-security checkpoints. Avoid booking these 4–5 days unless you have a WEF ticket. [Source: WEF]

Mid-March–April: Late ski with longer daylight. Parsenn stays open longest, spring snow conditions.

May–mid-June: Shoulder. Most lifts closed, quiet town, low prices (CHF 130–220 for 3-stars).

Late June–September: Summer peak. Lake opens first week of July, all hiking trails open (1,000+ km in the Davos-Klosters area), 22–26°C daytime at the lake, mountains at peak visibility. Hotel prices 30–40% below winter.

Mid-September–October: Shoulder autumn. Larch forests turn gold, weather often clearer than summer (dry cold air). Best value month for hiking-focused travelers.

November: Low season, limited operations. Not ideal.

Plan your Davos trip on Trip.com — flights, hotels, and ski packages with most cancellable.

FAQ: Davos 3-Day Itinerary

Is 3 days enough for Davos?

Three days covers the three main mountains (Parsenn, Jakobshorn, Pischa) plus the Kirchner Museum and the lake. Ski trips typically run 5–7 days. Summer hikers can easily spend a week exploring different valleys (Sertig, Dischma, Monstein). For an intro visit, 3 days is the minimum — 2 days would miss one of the major mountains.

How much does a trip to Davos cost in 2026?

A mid-range 3-day trip costs roughly CHF 1,070–1,680 per person — 3-star hotel, restaurants, all three mountain cable cars plus Schatzalp, Kirchner Museum, one fine-dining dinner. Budget travelers in hostels doing one mountain can do it for CHF 390–610. Hotel prices average CHF 200–340/night for 3-stars, cheaper than Zermatt or St. Moritz. [Source: Budget Your Trip Davos]

Can you swim in Lake Davos?

Yes — Lake Davos is the highest major swimmable lake in Switzerland at 1,558m, and has a proper lido (Strandbad Davosersee) with a free grass lawn, wooden deck, swimming area with lifeguards, and a kiosk. Open mid-June through early September. Water temperature 18–22°C in July–August, colder earlier/later (July third week is typically warmest). Also popular: paddleboarding (SUP rental CHF 25/hour), pedal boats, and kayaks.

What food is Davos known for?

Graubunden specialties: Capuns (Swiss chard rolls with dried meat and pasta dough), Pizokel (spaetzle-like pasta), Maluns (pan-fried potato-flour crumbs with Alpkase), Bundnerfleisch (air-dried beef), Nusstorte (walnut tart), Trienter Wurst (local sausage), and Landjager (hard sausage). The local wine is from the Bundner Herrschaft — the Pinot Noir region 50 km north of Davos, producing some of Switzerland’s best reds.

Is Davos more or less expensive than St. Moritz?

Davos is 15–25% cheaper than St. Moritz for hotels — CHF 200–340 for 3-stars vs. CHF 280–420 in St. Moritz. Ski passes are identical (Davos-Klosters full region vs. Engadin region are comparable). Restaurants slightly cheaper in Davos. Fewer Bentleys in the parking lots. Klosters (the sister village) is 10–20% cheaper than Davos.

What’s the best way to get from Zurich Airport to Davos?

The SBB Intercity from Zurich Airport to Landquart (1h), change to the RhB to Davos Platz (50 min). Total 2h20, fare CHF 78, included in the Swiss Travel Pass. The Landquart–Davos leg winds through the Prattigau valley — scenic but not a dedicated scenic train like the Glacier or Bernina Express. For luggage, use SBB luggage-forwarding service from the airport to send bags ahead to Davos for CHF 12 per bag.

Is Davos worth visiting in winter beyond skiing?

Yes — even without skiing, Davos in winter offers ice skating at the Olympic-sized rink (the town’s 1928 Olympic heritage), 75 km of cross-country tracks (2008 Cross-Country World Cup circuit), the Spengler Cup ice hockey tournament (December 26–31 annually, world’s oldest major club hockey tournament), Davos Snow Polo (late January), go-karts on the frozen lake (CHF 25 for 15 min), and the frozen Lake Davos itself (3km long ice ring). Plus Kirchner Museum and Schatzalp remain open year-round.

Anna Berger writes about Switzerland from the inside for switzerlandvibe.com — the real version, not the Davos-Forum one. More Graubunden, Alps, and Swiss rail content throughout 2026.