Pontresina holidays

The Laret market takes place every other week and is a great place to meet the locals and browse various Engadine crafts and food specialities. Jewellery, hand-painted toys, sweet waffles or raclette-filled bread Ï it's all available as you mooch around.

The ÕPontresina shopping mile' on the Via Maistra is the place for picking up holiday gifts and handy things for your trip. So have your tote bag at the ready as you explore the range of sports shops, chocolatiers, jewellery stores, cheese shops, florists and galleries.

There's a selection of high-end boutiques in the town, and nearby St Moritz also has big names in Italian fashion.

As a fairly small place, Pontresina is well suited for chilled-out evenings. You can find sun terraces in bars above the town with delightful views across to the Roseg valley Ï the perfect place to watch the sunset. Or simply take a stroll around the town before heading to your hotel bar for a nightcap.

Pontresina is a pretty quiet place so there's not a huge among going on in terms of nightlife, but the spots that do open late are all close to one another and in the centre of town.

When it comes to finding a spot for a memorable meal, you're not short on options in Pontresina. From rustic wood-panelled restaurants serving up local cheesy delights, to fine-dining spots and places with international menus, you'll find nibbles to satisfy all taste buds.

A trip to Alp-Schaukäserei is a must when visiting Pontresina. It's a place to sample all manner of cheesy delights, but also to gain insight on traditional cheese production. You'll find al fresco dining set against a forested backdrop. Tie in a lunch here with the popular waterfall trail, which starts just over the river.

The 1 bus route connects Pontresina with nearby Samedan and runs every 30 minutes. Between the two towns is Punt Muragl, which is where you take the Muottas Muragl funicular railway from – so unless you walk your way there, you’ll likely want to hop on this bus. You can also take the bus to St Moritz and then go on to Surlej or Silvaplana for loads more lakes, lifts and hiking trails. And remember, your bus travel is free with your Engadin card, so keep it on you.

Take the chairlift to Alp Languard or the funicular railway up to Muottas Muragl to take in the imposing peaks, glaciers and views down to the lakes below – both free with your Engadin card. This also gives you access to the lifts in nearby St Moritz.

The railway station is on the famous Bernina line, a section of the Grand Tour of Switzerland operated by Rhaetian Railway. It’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is known for being one of the most beautiful railway routes in the world. It provides regular services to and from St. Moritz (less than 10 minutes away) all the way over the pass to Tirano in Lombardy, Italy (about a 2-hour journey).

Pontresina isn’t big, and while there are some small hills it’s generally a pretty easy place to walk around.

Make no mistake, this is one of the most popular hiking destinations in all of Switzerland. Whether you’re here for lung-pumping adventures up to the Morteratsch glacier or simply up for taking on the shorter nature trails closer to the village, this is a place to explore on foot. With 580km of walks to choose from, there’s a path waiting to be trodden for all fitness levels – so lace up those boots.

Learn about the 1,800-strong Ibex colony that make their home on the mountainside above Pontresina as you stroll along this trail – and in spring have your binoculars at the ready to spot them climbing across the rocks. It’s a family-friendly 1km hike suitable for prams and strollers of all ages, and starts from the historic Church of Santa Maria.

The Cascada da Bernina trail is a must for all nature lovers, which follows the Ova da Bernina stream as it plunges over rocky terrain for over 200m down into the valley. You’ll need to hop on the train to nearby Morteratsch, and from there you follow a trail up through wildlife-rich forest to a series of waterfall viewing platforms. Along the way, you’ll be treated to excellent views of the imposing Bernina massif mountain range.