ESCAPE YOUR WORLD | Best Things To Do In Poschiavo, Switzerland!

Switzerland’s Poschiavo is one place you should visit. There is a hint of Mediterranean charm mixed with gorgeous high alpine scenery. It is located in one of the four Italian-speaking valleys in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland.

Poschiavo’s affinity with Italy is evident. A lot of the place’s characteristics are strongly influenced by Italy, including the food, the language, the architecture, and more. However, it is in Graubünden, Switzerland instead of Valtellina, Italy.

If you are thinking of visiting Poschiavo, Switzerland, here we list some of the 9 best things to do!

1. Hike Near Bernina Pass

Poschiavo is located just 15 kilometers south of the Bernina Pass (Passo del Bernina). This pass connects Engadine to the Valtellina. The Bernina Pass can be reached by train or on foot from Poschiavo.

As a result of the Bernina Railway’s opening in 1908/1910, the Poschiavo Valley was gradually liberated from its seclusion. As such, tourism became an increasingly significant economic branch of the valley.

2. Experience Alp Grüm And Palü Glacier

It’s more than just a train stop in Switzerland; Alp Grum is a place of beauty. This place offers spectacular views from every angle.  Alp Grüm should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Views of the Palü Glacier, the Lagh da Palü lake, and the Bernina mountains surrounding Alp Grüm are spectacular from the Alp Grüm train station. You can also see the 3,453-meter-high Piz Varuna and the 3,111-meter-high Piz Canton.

3. Enjoy The Views From Runchet da Sotsassa

It is a pleasure to discover Poschiavo from a panoramic viewpoint. If you make the 91-meter climb to Runchett da Sotsassa, you will enjoy majestic views not only of Poschiavo village but also of the surrounding mountains. 

The trail to Runchet da Sotsassa is located on the terraced slopes of a valley that was used for growing vegetables. Due to it no longer being used for growing produce, it has been transformed into a forest. There is also a short wooden bridge and two wooden benches along the trail. 

It is a 1.5-kilometer hike that can be completed in about half an hour. Despite its short length, the trail is a mountain hiking trail (T3).  The best time to go up is in the summer when the ground is dry.

4. Cruise or Stroll Around Lago di Poschiavo

Enjoy a stroll along Lago di Poschiavo in the direction of Miralago. It is an easy circular walk around the lake, lasting approximately 7.3 kilometers. You can complete it in about two hours.

5. Learn About Poschiavo’s History at Casa Tomé

Over 650 years of local history are on display at Casa Tomé in Poschiavo. You will be able to see life in the valley through the centuries. 

The original house structure dates back to 1357. Two additional rooms were added in 1450. Finally, a horse stall was integrated in 1750.

6. Visit Poschiavo’s Premier Residence – Palazzo de Bassus-Mengotti

On the other side of the river is the large and beautiful Palazzo de Bassus-Mengotti. It used to be the residence of Poschiavo’s most powerful family. 

Nowadays, it is a local museum. You will learn about local history, culture, art, and the society of Val Poschiav. Furthermore, you will also see Etruscan ceramics from Italy and votive artifacts from India. 

7. Admire The Spanish Quarter (Quartiere Spagnolo)

On the former southern outskirts of Poschiavo, Canton of Graubünden, which is sometimes called the Spanish Quarter, there are palazzi. These are stately villas built in the second half of the 19th century.

Located on the north side of Via di Palazz, the Palazzi are a row of five three- to four-story gabled houses stretching for about 120 meters. The neoclassical houses all have colorful facades facing south and have gardens on the other side of the street. In 1856, Tomaso Lardelli, together with the Venetian architect Giovanni Sottovia, who happened to be present at the time, planned and built the first house with a uniform appearance.

Particularly in the 19th century, many people from Poschiavo had to emigrate for economic reasons. Their work as confectioners took them all over Europe, Russia, Australia, North and South America. Many of them prospered in Madrid, Barcelona, and Porto in Spain and Portugal. Frequently, they operated under the name Suisse.

After ten or twenty years, many of these confectioners came back to Poschiavo to live there. Many wealthy Poschiavo residents had magnificent villas built on the southern outskirts of the village to display their wealth at home.

8. Explore Art at Casa Console Poschiavo

In spite of its small size, Casa Console is a beautiful nineteenth-century building that was owned by a pastry chef from Poschiavo.​​

Currently, it is an art museum, with works by Spitzweg, Koller, Lenbach, Calame, and Segantini on display.