St. Moritz, the Ultimate Summer Vacation
If you think St. Moritz is only a winter destination, think again. This alpine resort town in Switzerland is a summer paradise that offers stunning scenery, exciting activities, and luxurious hospitality. Even the famed writer and philosopher Friedrich Nietzche spent seven summers there. By the end of this blog post, we will convince you why it’s the ultimate summer vacation as we share things to do, see, and eat in St. Moritz in the summer.
Enjoy the shimmering lakes
Did you know that St. Moritz has over 20 lakes? The view combined with a variety of water-based activities for all ages and preferences makes them the main attraction in summer. You can sail, kayak, paddleboard, windsurf, kitesurf, swim or just sunbathe on the shore. Located next to the town centre, Lake St. Moritz is one of the most popular lakes. You can enjoy sailing and kitesurfing, as well as watch some of the regattas. You can also take a scenic cruise and admire the surrounding mountains and forests. Another lake worth visiting is Lake Silvaplana, which is famous for its legendary Maloja wind that creates ideal conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. This lake is also a great spot for fishing, as it is home to trout, char, pike, and perch. You can also take a leisurely carriage ride to Lake of Staz, which is in the middle of the Staz forest. It has a sandy beach, lounge chairs, grills, and a raft in the middle to swim to, along with a restaurant and takeaway food options. Lake Cavloccio is a mountain lake near the Maloja Pass lined with fir trees and a beach. Enjoy a grill with firepits or pick regional specialities at Cavloc restaurant or fresh goat cheese at Alp Cavloc.
Hiking in the Alps
Surrounded by majestic mountains, St. Moritz offers endless hiking opportunities for all levels of fitness and experience. You can see wildflowers, crystal-clear streams, and the panoramic vistas of the Engadin Valley. The Bernina Express Trail is one the most popular trails that follows the route of the famous train and passes by glaciers, lakes, and forests. The trail starts from Alp Grüm station and ends at Cavaglia station, covering about 9 km. The trail is easy to moderate and offers stunning views of the Bernina massif and the Palü glacier. Another hike that you can enjoy is the Panorama Trail from Muottas Muragl to Alp Languard. This trail starts from the top of Muottas Muragl mountain (2,456 metres) that can be reached by a funicular from Punt Muragl station. The trail then descends to Alp Languard (2,326 metres), covering about 6 km. The trail is easy to moderate and offers spectacular views of Lake St. Moritz and the surrounding peaks. The Swiss National Park of Val Trupchun, located near S-chanf, is a hiker’s dream in summer, where one can spot wild animals such as deer, ibex, and marmots. You can also take a cable car or a funicular to reach higher altitudes and enjoy the views from Muottas Muragl or Corviglia. Who knows, you might take the next step in a relationship over the Alps.
Golfing in the highest course in Europe
A hundred-year-old Kulm Park is one of the highest golf courses in Europe. Its contoured terrain, state-of-the-art design, and unspoilt landscape provide a challenging game for all levels of players. You can also take golfing lessons at the Kulm Golf Academy.
Take a flight of fancy over the valley and mountains
Paragliding in St. Mortiz is akin to flying in paradise, thanks to scenic valleys and snow-capped mountains. Starting at the summit of Muottas Muragl, it offers a bird’s eye view of the picturesque lakes, mountains, and forests. You can take these memories with you, as your guide will shoot photos and videos during your sky-high adventure.
Relish local cuisine and ice creams
St. Moritz is not only a paradise for nature lovers, but also for foodies. You can sample some of the local specialties, such as cheese fondue, raclette, capuns, pizzoccheri, and maluns, and treat your kids to some of the finest chocolate and pastries in the world. Some of the must-try delicacies Nut cakes like Engadiner nusstorte and Bündner nusstorte, Bündner birnbrot (a pear bread), and schokoladentorte, a chocolate cake made with layers of sponge cake soaked in kirsch and filled with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Sounds heavenly, isn’t it?
You can also visit the Morteratsch Alpine Cheese Dairy and learn how cheese is made from fresh milk and taste alp cheese (Alpkäse), mountain cheese (Bergkäse), and yogurt.
In summer, you can try the freshly made ice cream and sorbets made by pastry chef Stefan Gerber and his team at The Gelateria Palace, located in the heart of St. Moritz on Via Serlas. There are 30 toppings you can choose from!
Participate in the running festival
Whether you are a casual runner or a frequent marathoner, you will find an event at the St. Moritz Running Festival. You can take part in the Engadin Summer Run, a 25 km race along the lakes and through the forest, Run Pontresina, Crossing Engiadina, or the Free Fall Vertical, a 6.6 km race that gains over 1000 metre of elevation. There is also a Kids Race circuit and the Festival Village, where you can meet friends, eat, do yoga, and listen to live music.
Of galloping horses and polo champions
This year, you can attend St. Moritz Summer Polo Cup scheduled on July 21-23 at the San Gian Equestrian Meadow. Admission and catering (in the marquee near the playing field) are free. Pony rides are available for kids.
Visit the village market
The village market is held four times in the summer in the pedestrian zone of St. Moritz Dorf. You can find local food, drink, handmade crafts, and amidst live music.
Stay in a legendary hotel
St. Moritz is home to some of the most iconic and luxurious hotels in the world that offer impeccable service, elegant rooms and suites, world-class spas and wellness facilities, and exquisite dining options including Michelin star restaurants. Badrutt’s Palace that combines tradition and innovation has been welcoming celebrities, royals, and VIPs since 1896. Kulm Hotel with 165 years of rich history offers grand rooms and suites with panoramic views. You can also enjoy some of the exclusive events and parties that these hotels host during the summer season.
Learn about the cultural and historical heritage
You can visit some of the museums and galleries that showcase the art, history, and traditions of the region including the Segantini Museum, the Engadiner Museum, and the Berry Museum. You can also admire some of the architectural landmarks, such as the leaning tower of St. Moritz, the Chesa Futura, and the Olympic Stadium. The Segantini Museum displays the works of Giovanni Segantini, one of the most important painters of Alpine realism. Attend the Festival da Jazz, Origen Cultural Festival, and Salon Orchestra Engadin to feel the Alpine vibe.
How to reach
Fly into Samedan/Engadin Airport in a private jet or take a commercial flight to Zurich, about a 2.5-hour drive from St. Moritz.