🇨🇭 Davos — Family Travel Guide

Country: Switzerland
Last Updated: May 2026

Overview

Davos is a big, practical Alpine resort rather than a chocolate-box village: trains and buses run through a long valley, lifts climb both sides, and families can mix skiing, lake time, easy hikes, swimming pools, museums and mountain restaurants without needing a car. It lacks the tiny-car-free romance of Wengen or Mürren, but it is easier with mixed ages, bad weather and winter logistics.

The family appeal is breadth. One day can be Parsenn views and a gentle mountain walk, the next can be Lake Davos, the adventure park, Eau-là-là pool or a rainy Kirchner Museum hour. In winter, Davos-Klosters is serious ski territory, yet non-skiers still have sledging, ice skating, pools, train rides and snow play.

Why families love it:

• Big resort infrastructure with trains, buses, supermarkets and medical backup
• Several lift areas, so plans can flex around weather and ability
• Lake Davos, adventure park and swimming pool give summer variety
• Madrisa and Rinerhorn work especially well for younger mountain days
• Winter has skiing, sledging, ice skating and indoor backups
• Easy rail access from Zurich via Landquart

⏰ Best Time to Visit with Kids

Pro tip: Davos lives by lift calendars. Before booking shoulder-season dates, check Parsenn, Jakobshorn, Madrisa, Schatzalp and Rinerhorn operating windows; one closed lift is normal, three closed lifts changes the whole holiday.

🚗 Getting Around

Arrival by train
Fly to Zurich, then take the train via Landquart to Davos Dorf or Davos Platz. The journey is part of the experience and avoids mountain driving. Davos has two useful main stations: Dorf is better for Parsenn and Lake Davos; Platz is better for Jakobshorn, Schatzalp and the older centre.

Local buses and trains
Davos is stretched along the valley, so do not assume everything is walkable. Local buses connect the stations, lift bases, lake and major hotels. Many hotels include a guest card for local transport and some seasonal discounts.

With a car
A car can help for side valleys, luggage-heavy families and road-trip itineraries, but it is not required once you are based in town. Parking costs and snowy winter roads make the train a very sensible default.

Choosing a base
Stay near Davos Dorf for Parsenn/lake convenience, near Davos Platz for Jakobshorn/Schatzalp and a more central evening feel, or choose a hotel with strong shuttle/bus access if travelling with small children.

🚠 Mountain Days & Big Views

1. Parsennbahn & Weissfluhjoch ⭐

Parsenn is the classic Davos mountain: long views, big ski history and lift access that works for non-hikers as well as active families. In summer, ride up for ridge walks and panorama lunches; in winter, this is the major ski area linking towards Klosters.

• Age suitability: All ages for lifts/views; skiing/hiking depends on ability
• Time needed: Half to full day
• Location: Parsennbahn from Davos Dorf
• Honest note: In poor visibility, expensive high lifts lose much of their magic.
• Pro tip: Base a clear-weather day around Parsenn and keep the pool or museum for cloud.

2. Jakobshorn

Jakobshorn is the sportier side above Davos Platz, known for winter freestyle energy and summer walking/biking. Families with teens often prefer its buzz, while younger children still enjoy the cable-car ride and mountain lunch.

• Age suitability: Best for 6+; teens for biking/freestyle vibe
• Time needed: Half day to full day
• Location: Jakobshornbahn by Davos Platz station
• Pro tip: If your family splits between skiers and non-skiers, use Jakobshorn as a half-day rather than forcing everyone into a long alpine itinerary.

3. Madrisa Land

Madrisa, above nearby Klosters, is one of the most child-forward mountain areas in the region, with play spaces, themed trails and easier family pacing. It is worth the short train/bus hop from Davos for younger children.

• Age suitability: Toddlers to around 10 especially
• Time needed: Half to full day
• Location: Klosters Dorf / Madrisa gondola
• Honest note: It is not in Davos town itself, so allow transport time.
• Pro tip: Make this your gentle mountain day after a bigger Parsenn or Jakobshorn outing.

4. Schatzalp & Alpine Garden

The Schatzalp funicular is a lovely low-effort outing from Davos Platz: ride up to the historic hotel terrace, wander alpine gardens in season and enjoy calmer views without committing to a big lift network.

• Age suitability: All ages
• Time needed: 2–4 hours
• Location: Funicular from Davos Platz
• Pro tip: Excellent arrival-day or cloudy-bright-slot option when high peaks may not be worth the cost.

🌊 Summer Lakes, Parks & Active Days

5. Lake Davos

Lake Davos is the valley’s easiest summer reset: swimming areas, walking paths, watersports and picnic spots with mountain views. It is not a Mediterranean beach day, but on warm afternoons it is exactly what children need after lift-and-hike mornings.

• Age suitability: All ages; supervise closely as water is cold
• Time needed: 1–4 hours
• Location: North of Davos Dorf
• Pro tip: Pair a morning at Parsenn with an afternoon lake loop or swim if the weather is warm.

6. Adventure Park Davos Färich

The adventure park near the lake gives climbing courses, rope elements and an active forest break from sightseeing. It is particularly useful for school-age kids and teens who need something more physical than another viewpoint.

• Age suitability: Usually best for 6+ depending on course/height rules
• Time needed: 2–3 hours
• Honest note: Check age, height and booking requirements before promising it.
• Pro tip: Combine with Lake Davos rather than crossing the valley twice.

7. Sertig Valley

Sertig is the classic side-valley escape: meadows, waterfalls, old chalets and a calmer alpine mood than the resort centre. It is lovely for a lunch outing, short walk or scenic bus/car trip.

• Age suitability: All ages; walks vary by route
• Time needed: Half day
• Pro tip: Bring layers even in summer; side valleys can feel cooler than Davos town.

8. Rinerhorn

Rinerhorn is a useful family mountain south of Davos, with summer walking and winter sledging/skiing that can feel less intense than the headline areas. It is a good option when you want space and simpler logistics.

• Age suitability: All ages depending on activity
• Time needed: Half to full day
• Pro tip: In winter, check sledging operations and night-sledging dates if older kids want something memorable.

❄️ Winter With Kids

9. Ski School & Beginner Areas

Davos-Klosters has serious terrain, but families should pick ski-school meeting points carefully. Staying near the right lift for your lesson location matters more than saving a little on accommodation.

• Best for: Families planning proper ski days
• Honest note: The resort is large; beginners should not be dragged into advanced-area logistics too early.
• Pro tip: Book lessons and rentals before peak holiday weeks, then choose lodging around the school meeting point.

10. Sledging, Snow Play & Ice Skating

Non-ski days are not filler here. Depending on snow and season, families can use sledging routes, ice facilities, snowy walks, Schatzalp/Rinerhorn outings and simple playground-style snow time.

• Age suitability: All ages with appropriate gear
• Pro tip: Waterproof mittens and spare socks matter more than another smart outfit.

🏊 Rainy-Day & Low-Energy Backups

11. Eau-là-là Wellness and Adventure Pool

Eau-là-là is the easiest bad-weather family win: pools, wellness facilities and a warm reset when mountains are foggy or children are tired. It is not a substitute for the Alps, but it saves days.

• Age suitability: All ages
• Time needed: 2–4 hours
• Pro tip: Keep swimwear accessible on travel day rather than buried in luggage.

12. Kirchner Museum Davos

The Kirchner Museum is not a children’s museum, but it gives culture, colour and a compact indoor stop for families who want something beyond sport. It works best with older children or as a short parent-led rainy hour.

• Age suitability: Best for 8+ or art-curious families
• Time needed: 45–90 minutes
• Honest note: Do not oversell it as hands-on entertainment for toddlers.

13. Vaillant Arena & Hockey Atmosphere

Davos is a hockey town, and catching HC Davos or simply seeing the arena area adds a different flavour to a winter trip. For sporty children, a match can be more memorable than another restaurant dinner.

• Age suitability: Best for 5+
• Pro tip: Ear protection can help younger kids if attending a lively game.

🍽️ Food Experiences

Davos food is Swiss-resort practical: hotel restaurants, mountain huts, pizzerias, cafés and a few polished parent-friendly meals. With children, the smartest strategy is to mix one or two atmospheric Swiss dinners with easy pasta/pizza, bakery snacks and mountain lunches.

Good family patterns:

• Mountain lunch: Use Parsenn, Jakobshorn, Schatzalp, Madrisa or Rinerhorn restaurants as part of the activity rather than returning to town hungry.
• Picky-eater reset: Keep pizza/pasta options in reserve for late arrivals and post-ski exhaustion.
• Swiss comfort food: Rösti, soups, schnitzel-style plates, fondue/raclette and bakery snacks are usually the safest local-ish wins.
• Book in peak weeks: Winter holidays and conference periods can make even casual restaurants busy.

See the mapped restaurant layer for practical family picks including Schneider’s, Kaffee Klatsch, Ex-Bar, Scala, Bolgen Plaza, mountain restaurants and central hotel dining.

🌊 Day Trips

14. Klosters

Klosters is close enough to treat as part of the same trip: calmer village energy, Madrisa for younger kids and extra rail/bus variety. It is especially useful if Davos feels too spread out or busy.

Landwasser Viaduct & Filisur

Train-loving families can turn the Rhaetian Railway into a day out, riding scenic lines towards Filisur and the famous Landwasser Viaduct viewpoint. It is a slower, more logistical excursion, but very Swiss and memorable.

Chur

Chur, Switzerland’s oldest city, makes a useful lower-altitude town day if weather is grim in Davos. It offers old-town lanes, cafés and easier strolling.

💡 Practical Tips for Families

• Do not underestimate the valley length. Davos is not a compact village; choose your station/lift base deliberately.
• Check lift calendars twice. Summer and winter are strong; shoulder seasons can be surprisingly closed.
• Use the guest card. Hotel guest cards can reduce local transport friction and sometimes discount activities.
• Bring real layers. Even in August, mountain wind and sudden rain can turn a day quickly.
• Reserve during ski weeks. Restaurants, ski school and rentals should be booked ahead in peak winter.
• Plan one flexible indoor backup per day. Eau-là-là, cafés, Kirchner Museum and train rides keep weather from ruining the trip.

📋 Quick Reference: Activities at a Glance

✈️ Getting to Davos

Best airport: Zurich (ZRH). From Zurich Airport, take trains via Zurich HB and Landquart to Davos Dorf or Davos Platz. Journey time is usually around 2.5–3 hours depending on connections.

From Malta: Fly Malta–Zurich directly/seasonally or via European hubs, then continue by train. For families, the rail route is usually easier than renting a car and driving mountain roads after a flight.

Onward routing: Davos pairs well with Zurich, Chur, St Moritz/Engadin, Arosa-Lenzerheide or a broader Swiss rail itinerary.