Pontresina holidays

The Laret market, which takes place every other Thursday throughout the height of summer, is a great place to meet the locals and browse various Engadine crafts and food specialities. Dazzling jewellery or hand-painted toys, sweet waffles or raclette-filled bread – discover these and much more as you take a mooch around.

The ‘Pontresina 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, but if you’re wanting to make a day of it, nearby St Moritz should be your main port of call. You’ll find big names in Italian fashion here, and if it’s jewellery or a watch you’re after, you’ll be in the right spot.

As a fairly small place, Pontresina is well suited for those who enjoy chilled-out evenings. Close the day out at the Crast-Ota sun terrace, a ridge above the town with loungers, free blankets and delightful views across to the Roseg valley – 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 tonnes going on here in terms of nightlife, but the spots that do open late are all close to one another. The swanky wine bar Gianottis is a sophisticated call for an evening vino, or go to Sportbar if you want to grab a grappa or sip a cocktail with some music – it’s open til’ midnight.

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 suave fine-dining spots and places with international menus. Rest assured, there’s a nibble to satisfy all taste buds. Plus. there's some quirky options around, like Restaurant Gondolezza, where you can wine and dine in an ex-cable car.

Inside the famous Grand Hotel Kronenhof, the Kronenstübli is a pinewood parlour with an intimate, sophisticated feel to it. As the name suggests, it’s top of the pecking order when it comes to Pontresina’s gourmet scene, and you should dress smart/casual if you’re thinking of trying it out. Exquisite-looking plates serve up the likes of venison, lobster and monkfish.

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

A largely vegetarian selection of dishes using healthy, locally-sourced ingredients is what’s on the menu here. With themes of nature all around, ‘Giodi’ comes from ‘giodimaint’, meaning ‘pleasure’ or ‘enjoyment’ – and that’s what the feel-good grub here is sure to bring.

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.

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 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.