The Independent Guide to Klosters, Switzerland
Klosters is one of Switzerland’s best-known Alpine villages, combining traditional Graubünden character with access to one of the country’s major mountain regions. It works equally well as a winter ski destination and a summer base for walking, mountain biking, family activities and exploring the Prättigau valley.
Klosters.com is an independent English-language guide to the village and surrounding area. Our aim is simple: to help you decide where to stay, when to visit, what to do and how to get here, using practical information that we check against current local and official sources.
Planning a holiday in Klosters
Klosters is smaller and more village-like than neighbouring Davos, but the two destinations share many of the same mountains, transport connections and activities. That makes Klosters particularly attractive if you want a quieter Alpine base while retaining access to a much larger holiday region.
Choosing the right part of Klosters matters too. Klosters Platz is convenient for the village centre, railway station and Gotschna cable car, while Klosters Dorf puts you close to the Madrisa valley station and its family-focused mountain. We will shortly be publishing a detailed comparison to help visitors decide which suits them best.
Skiing and winter holidays in Klosters
Klosters provides access to the extensive Davos Klosters winter-sports region. The destination has six ski areas with around 300 kilometres of pistes, ranging from major linked terrain to smaller family-friendly mountains.
From Klosters, Gotschna provides direct access towards the Parsenn ski area, while Madrisa, above Klosters Dorf, has a particularly strong family focus. Madrisa currently has 23 kilometres of pistes, children’s practice areas and, when snow conditions allow, a 7.7-kilometre toboggan run towards Saas.
There is much more to winter here than downhill skiing. Klosters and the wider Davos Klosters region offer cross-country skiing, winter walking, snowshoeing, ice skating, curling and tobogganing. Arena Klosters has two artificial ice rinks, while the wider destination maintains almost 160 kilometres of winter walking routes.
Summer in Klosters
Klosters deserves to be regarded as a summer destination in its own right, with the mountains and side valleys around the village opening up to walking, cycling, trail running and family activities.
The mountains and side valleys around the village provide walking, trail running and cycling, while the wider Davos Klosters region has an exceptionally extensive 700-kilometre mountain-bike trail network.
For families, Madrisa becomes a mountain adventure area in summer, with water play, slides, swings, a marble run, animal encounters and other activities. Klosters itself also has a heated outdoor lido with swimming and diving pools, a water slide, children’s facilities, climbing wall and beach volleyball.
Guests staying in local hotels, holiday apartments and other qualifying accommodation receive the Davos Klosters Premium Card, which includes free local public transport within defined zones, reduced mountain-railway fares in summer and other visitor benefits.
Klosters with children
Klosters is particularly well suited to families who want an Alpine holiday without needing entertainment to revolve entirely around skiing.
Madrisa is the clearest example: its winter facilities include children’s snow areas and practice lifts, while its summer adventure park has accessible play facilities and activities designed for younger visitors. In the village you’ll also find the Klosters lido, ice rink and family walking opportunities such as the Dwarf Trail.
Where to stay in Klosters
Accommodation ranges from traditional hotels and apartments to larger resort hotels and mountain accommodation.
The important question is not simply which hotel is best, but which part of Klosters works for your trip. Skiers wanting convenient Gotschna access may have different priorities from families planning several days on Madrisa, while summer visitors may care more about village facilities, railway access and walking routes.
Our accommodation guides will compare those choices rather than simply presenting a directory of hotels.
Getting to Klosters
Klosters has railway stations at Klosters Platz and Klosters Dorf, with connections into Switzerland’s excellent rail network.
For many international visitors, Zürich Airport is the most useful gateway. Look at our detailed guide covering train connections, driving, transfers, journey times and the practical differences between arriving in Klosters Platz and Klosters Dorf.
Discover Klosters
Whether you are planning a ski week, a summer walking holiday, a family break or simply deciding between Klosters and Davos, Klosters.com is being built to answer the practical questions that matter before and during your visit.
Start with our guides to where to stay, summer in Klosters, things to do, skiing and eating & dining.