Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Klosters
Visiting Klosters means trading Alpine glamour for something quieter: a traditional village of timber chalets in eastern Switzerland, with serious skiing in winter, green trails in summer and a long reputation for discretion. It suits travelers who want the mountains without the spectacle, and who are happy to let a valley set the pace.
Before you plan, one honest note. We don't currently list homes in Klosters itself. Our Swiss chalets are in other parts of the Alps, including Zermatt, Gstaad and Verbier, and we're glad to help you weigh them as alternatives to a Klosters stay.
Where Is Klosters?
Klosters sits in the Prättigau valley in the canton of Graubünden, in the east of Switzerland. It's a German-speaking village, and its neighbor to the south is Davos, a larger and busier town.
The village has two parts. Klosters Platz is the main center, with the railway station and the lift up toward the Gotschna, while Klosters Dorf, a little farther along the valley, is the base for the Madrisa ski area. To the east rise the peaks of the Silvretta range.
That setting gives Klosters its character. Dark timber chalets, sloping roofs and wooded hillsides keep the village on a human scale, and it has never felt the need to reinvent itself as a purpose-built resort.
What Makes Klosters Different
Klosters is known for being understated. For decades it has drawn visitors who come precisely because the village leaves them to themselves, and that culture of privacy is still its defining trait.
A Village, Not a Scene
Compared with some of Switzerland's higher-profile mountain towns, Klosters keeps a low social profile. Evenings tend to revolve around long dinners rather than nightclubs. You'll find hearty Graubünden cooking, from cheese dishes to cured meats and local specialties such as capuns, alongside more refined Alpine dining.
Skiing With Range
The village connects to two ski areas:
Gotschna and Parsenn, reached by cable car from Klosters Platz, link into the large Parsenn area shared with Davos, with long runs and wide-open terrain.
Madrisa, reached from Klosters Dorf, is smaller and gentler, and popular with families.
Cross-country trails follow the valley floor for those who prefer a slower rhythm on snow.
Ski touring and off-piste routes also draw experienced skiers, though we'd always suggest going with a qualified local guide.
Summer in the Prättigau
When the snow melts, Klosters turns into walking and cycling country. Trails climb through meadows and forest toward high Alpine huts, and mountain biking is popular on the lower slopes. Summer is a quieter, softer side of the village, and many guests find it just as rewarding as winter.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Klosters?
It depends on what you want from the mountains. Winter is the ski season and the village's busiest time, with holiday weeks around Christmas, New Year and late-winter school breaks in especially high demand. Summer brings hiking, biking and long days outside.
Spring and autumn are the in-between seasons. They're quiet and can be beautiful, but some lifts, restaurants and services close between the main seasons, so it's worth checking what will be open before you commit to dates.
Mountain weather changes quickly in any season. Layers, good footwear and flexible plans for high-altitude days will serve you well.
How Do You Get to Klosters?
Zurich is the usual international gateway for eastern Switzerland. From there, you can drive or take the train, and the Rhaetian Railway runs through Klosters on its way between Landquart and Davos. The rail journey through the valley is a pleasure in itself.
Klosters is also the start of the Vereina tunnel, which carries cars by train under the mountains to the Lower Engadine. That makes it a practical base for combining a Klosters stay with time in other parts of Graubünden.
Once you're in the village, distances are short, and the railway connects Klosters Platz, Klosters Dorf and Davos.
Where to Stay: Our Chalets Elsewhere in the Swiss Alps
Klosters has its own chalets and apartments, but none currently sit in our collection. For guests who want a private chalet in Switzerland with service, wellness spaces and room for the whole family, we recommend homes in other Alpine villages. They're not near Klosters, so think of them as alternatives to it rather than bases for visiting it.
In Zermatt, Chalet Grace sits just above the Petit Village area, with views of the Matterhorn and the town below. The lounge centers on a stone fireplace, and there's a cinema, a games room with billiards and a glass-fronted wellness area with a sauna, a massage treatment room, a yoga and Pilates studio and an outdoor hot tub. Its listed services include a daily housekeeper and a private chef for dinner six nights a week.
For a village-centered stay in the Bernese Oberland, Chalet Colombe lies a short drive from the center of Gstaad. According to its listing, the ski slopes are about 150 meters away. Inside, an indoor pool, a hammam, a steam room, a private cinema and a fitness area make it an easy house to come back to after a day outdoors, and the kitchen opens onto a terrace with a barbecue.
Larger groups who want a livelier ski village often look at The Lodge in Verbier, set high in the Alps with every bedroom looking out over the valley. It has an indoor heated pool, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, a spa, a gym and an entertainment room, and it can be booked exclusively for groups year-round.
Each is a luxury holiday villa in its own right, and you'll find more on our Switzerland page, along with our guides to Zermatt and Verbier.
Planning Tips Before You Go
A few practical points will make a trip to Klosters smoother:
Decide between winter and summer first. The village feels very different in each season.
Book holiday weeks early. Christmas, New Year and late-winter school breaks fill quickly across the Swiss Alps.
Plan on Swiss francs. Switzerland isn't in the euro zone, though cards are widely accepted.
Use the trains. Rail connections through the Prättigau are frequent and scenic.
Hire a guide for anything off-piste. Avalanche conditions change daily.
As a villa rental agency founded in 1979, we personally inspect every home before it joins our collection and check it again before each stay. That applies to every chalet we recommend in Switzerland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Klosters good for families?
Yes. The Madrisa area above Klosters Dorf is popular with families, and the village's calm pace suits children well. In summer, gentle valley walks make it easy to get outdoors together.
Is Klosters the same as Davos?
No. Klosters and Davos are separate places in the same part of Graubünden, and they share the Parsenn ski area. Klosters is a smaller, quieter village, while Davos is a larger town.
Do you have villas in Klosters?
Not at the moment. Our Swiss collection includes chalets in Zermatt, Gstaad and Verbier, such as Chalet Grace and Chalet Colombe, which suit guests looking for a similar Alpine stay elsewhere in Switzerland.
What language is spoken in Klosters?
German is the main language in Klosters. English is widely understood in places that welcome international visitors.
Is Klosters Right for You?
If you value privacy, tradition and real mountains over glamour, visiting Klosters is a rewarding choice. It's a village that doesn't try to impress, which is exactly why so many travelers return to it.
When you're ready to plan your Alpine stay, our Klosters destination page covers the village itself, and our team is here to help you find the right chalet in Switzerland among the luxury homes for rent in our Swiss collection.
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