Arrive at Hotel Franziskaner and drop your bags so you can head straight into the old town without dragging luggage around the cobbles. From the hotel, it’s an easy walk into Altstadt, and Rätisches Museum is the right first stop if you want to get your bearings fast. It’s compact, usually manageable in about an hour, and a good way to understand how Chur sits at the crossroads of Roman history and the Alps. Entry is typically around CHF 10–15, and it’s the kind of museum that feels rewarding even if you’re not a big museum person.
Afterward, wander toward the Altes Gebläse / Obertor area, where the medieval fabric of Chur feels most intact. The Obertor is one of the city’s signature old gates, and the surrounding lanes are perfect for an unhurried stroll: think narrow streets, painted facades, little courtyards, and the sort of corners you only really find by drifting. This is the best time of day to simply let the city unfold a bit, especially before evening dinner. Everything here is close together, so you can explore on foot without any transport at all.
For dinner, settle in at Bistro & Bar beim Bund in the center of the old town. It’s an easy, practical choice before an early Bernina Express departure tomorrow: relaxed, central, and usually in the CHF 25–40 range per person depending on what you order. If the weather is decent, aim to eat a little earlier so you can enjoy one more short walk afterward. Finish the evening with a peaceful visit to St. Martin Church, one of Chur’s most important landmarks, which makes for a calm, atmospheric end to the day. It’s typically best enjoyed from the outside as much as the inside, and the surrounding square is especially lovely after dark when the old town quiets down.
Start with an easy Hotel Franziskaner breakfast / check-out in Chur Old Town so you can keep the morning calm and unhurried. If breakfast is included, make the most of it; if not, it’s still worth a quick coffee and something light before you pack up. Check out, leave your bags with reception if needed, and take a last slow wander rather than rushing straight to the station. From here, the city is compact enough that you can move at an unhurried pace and still make everything on time.
Head out for a short Welschdörfli & Bahnhofstrasse stroll, which gives you one final feel for Chur’s lived-in center before the mountain scenery takes over. This is the practical, no-fuss part of town — easy walking, a few shops, and the kind of street life that makes Chur feel more like a real working city than a pure stopover. Then swing by Café Merz on Bahnhofstrasse for coffee and a pastry; it’s a good, reliable Swiss café stop, usually around CHF 10–20 per person depending on what you order. If you like having something for the train, this is a smart place to grab it.
From Café Merz, it’s a straightforward walk to Bahnhof Chur — plan on arriving early so you’re not juggling luggage or platform changes at the last minute. The station is efficient, but the Bernina Express is the kind of train you want to board with no stress: tickets checked, seats found, water bought, camera ready. Give yourself a comfortable buffer of at least 15–20 minutes before departure, especially if you’re storing bags or want a final platform photo.
Then settle in for the Bernina Express Scenic Ride, which is the whole point of the day: viaducts, alpine valleys, glacier views, and that slow climb toward the Bernina Pass as the landscape gets wilder by the minute. If you can, sit on the side recommended for the best views on your route and keep your camera handy for the Landwasser Viaduct section and the high-mountain stretches above the tree line. Food service onboard is limited, so having coffee and a pastry from Café Merz is a good idea. Once the train gets going, the day becomes all about the scenery — no need to overplan it, just enjoy the ride.