7 Best Sights in Graubünden, Switzerland

Graubünden's art museum has a striking, ultramodern extension where newer works and rotating exhibitions are shown; the majestic neoclassical Villa Planta building, erected in 1875 as a private residence, houses the core of the museum's collection. It includes works by well-known artists who lived or worked in the canton, including Angelika Kauffmann; Ferdinand Hodler; Giovanni Segantini; Ernst Kirchner; H. R. Giger; and Giovanni, Augusto, and Alberto Giacometti.

This museum has the world's largest collection of works by the German artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, whose off-kilter lines and unnerving compositions inspired the expressionist movement. He traveled to Davos in 1917 for health reasons and stayed until his suicide in 1938.

At Punt Muragl, off the train line and highway between St. Moritz and Pontresina, you'll find the funicular to reach Muottas Muragl, at 8,058 feet. Up here, in the winter, walkers can take the Philosophers' Path, which is dotted with quotations from famous minds as well as more modern observations about life. Following the three circular paths takes about two to three hours. From Muottas Muragl, you can also embark on a 2½-hour-long traverse to Alp Languard, where you can take a chairlift down to Pontresina. The Segantini Hut (approximately halfway along) offers possibly the most spectacular (and photographed) views of the Upper Engadine and its series of five terraced, serenely azure lakes. Expect moderate difficulty, since parts are rocky and steep; hiking boots are a must. Instead of the funicular, an alternative way back down to the valley is the 4.2-km (2.6-mile) sled run. This, together with a large playground, makes Muottas a good excursion for children.

Established in 1914, the Parc Naziunal Svizzer covers 173 square km (67 square miles), including the Macun lakes near Lavin. Although small compared with a U.S. or Canadian national park, it has none of the developments that typically hint of "accessibility" and "attraction": no campgrounds, no picnic sites, no residents, and few rangers. The park is home to large herds of ibex (the heraldic animal on the Graubünden flag), chamois (a distant relative of the goat), red and roe deer, and marmots. Don't forget binoculars; without them you might not see much fauna—the animals give a wide berth to the 80 km (50 miles) of marked paths. Before heading into the park, stop by the three-story National Park Centre in Zernez, where you can view the permanent exhibition, stock up on maps, and enjoy the natural-history exhibit. Guided walks in German are available (see the website for details); reserve one to two days in advance to join a group, or book a private guided walk in English. Trails start out from parking lots off the park's only highway (visitors are encouraged to take buses back to their starting point)—a series of wild, rough, and often steep paths. Visitors are restricted to the trails except at designated resting places. Download the Swiss National Park digital hiking app, which has park maps and other info, to ensure you don't get lost.

The Castle Salenegg in Maienfeld presides regally over the oldest vineyards in the region—and some of the oldest in Europe. The privately owned castle and wine cellar, now a study in contrasts, have been inseparable since 1068. An intricately painted portal leads through the pristine, cyprus-lined grounds to the stone-clad, arched wine “Torkel” (old winepress). Despite the winery's history, there’s nothing old-fashioned about the products—all wines are made from Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir) or Chardonnay—or the environmentally friendly ideas. Though registration is required for cellar tours, English-speaking wine tastings are available on a drop-in basis.

The village is dominated by the magnificently picturesque stronghold Schloss Tarasp, perched 500 feet above. This grand castle lords over the valley with an impressive main tower. The oldest sections date from the 11th century, when the castle was built by the leading family of Tarasp. Tarasp became part of Austria in 1464; the imperial eagle still can be seen on the castle walls. In the early 1800s Napoléon gave Tarasp to Canton Graubünden, newly part of the Swiss federation. In 2016, the castle was bought by Swiss artist Not Vital, who added contemporary art inside. You must join a 60-minute tour (German-language) to see the interiors, which range from the Romanesque chapel to the opulent 19th-century reception rooms; the schedule varies, but there is usually one tour a week in winter and daily tours in summer. You can also join a 90-minute art tour to see a selection of modern artworks collected by Not Vital along with temporary exhibitions; see the website for times. The bus from Vulpera departs roughly every hour, or it's a 1½-hour walk from Scuol, following a well-marked path that goes over the Punt'Ota (high bridge).

This narrow but dramatic gorge was carved thousands of years ago by glacial ice. Shortly after the start of the gorge, climb down 359 steps to view the river, rock formations, and a mid-18th-century bridge. You can reach the gorge by heading south from Chun toward the San Bernardino pass on the A13, then turn off at Thusis and follow the sign for the Viamala. This "bad road" was used by Romans and traders over centuries. It runs about 6 km (3½ miles) alongside the gorge.