Things to Do in Pontresina with Kids: Our Stay at Boutique Hotel Engadinerhof

Those of you who’ve been following me for a while know that I often go on trips with our youngest. But they’re usually just day hikes. The last time we went on a “girls’ getaway” together was a few years ago, but that was in the winter. We’ve actually never had a summer girls’ weekend together. Then an offer came to collaborate with the Engadinerhof in Pontresina, and we were finally able to set off just the two of us—mom and daughter. Plus, we were heading to the eastern part of Switzerland, to the Engadin, where I’d never been in over twelve years of living in Switzerland. That made me all the more excited to finally get to know this corner of the country, to see what there is to see and experience here. A different landscape, different architecture, a different atmosphere. A completely different world from “our” Emmental. And after a weekend in Pontresina, I now understand why so many people return here regularly. And thanks to this article, you’ll get to know it, too.

Note: This article was created in collaboration with the Hotel Engadinerhof; all opinions are my own.

Pontresina: The Quieter Sister of the Famous St. Moritz

Pontresina is located in the Engadin mountain valley in Graubünden, Switzerland’s largest canton. It’s about a 3-hour trip by train or car from Zurich. While most visitors head to St. Moritz, Pontresina has retained a much more authentic character. Unlike its more famous neighbor, it never sought to become a luxurious, fashionable resort.

Pontresina used to be an important stop on trade routes leading through the Bernina and Maloja passes. Locals often traded or worked abroad as pastry chefs, hoteliers, or merchants. Upon their return, they invested the money they had earned in their homes, which explains their unexpectedly grand appearance.

As you stroll through this village, which has a population of about a thousand, you’ll come across typical Engadine houses with massive stone walls, small, deeply recessed windows, and sgraffito—ornaments and inscriptions scratched into the facades.

Boutique Hotel Engadinerhof – the ideal base for your stay in Pontresina

During our weekend in Pontresina, we stayed at the Boutique Hotel Engadinerhof. The hotel is located right on the main street, Via Maistra, so most restaurants, shops, and public transportation stops are literally just a few steps from the door. It opened back in 1905 and, following a change in ownership in 2024, underwent a thoughtful renovation. The new owners, Nina and Pascal, have preserved the building’s historic character while gradually modernizing the rooms and common areas.

As a result, the hotel now offers a pleasant blend of traditional Engadin charm and modern boutique style. From the moment you arrive, it’s clear that the new owners pride themselves on a personal touch. Their goal is to create a place where guests of all generations will feel at home—from families with children to couples to seniors—and that’s exactly the kind of friendly and informal atmosphere we experienced during our stay.

A Bonus That Pays Off

When staying for two or more nights, guests receive a card for free use of public transportation in the region and the cable cars. In an area where a standard round-trip cable car ticket often costs several dozen francs and various passes—such as the Juniorkarte—cannot be used, this benefit can significantly reduce the overall cost of the stay.

What can you do with kids in Pontresina?

If you followed my stories on Instagram or Facebook during our stay, you surely noticed that we managed to do as much over the weekend as others do in a week! But the weather was beautiful, and it was the longest days of the year, so it would have been a shame not to take advantage of it. So what can you do in Pontresina with kids (and, of course, without them)?

1. Discover playgrounds with views of 3,000-meter peaks

If your kids think mountain hikes are boring, try taking them to the playground at Muottas Muragl or the Alp Languard. Both offer not only plenty of play equipment but also stunning views of the surrounding peaks of the Engadin. And here’s a little preview: I’ll soon be posting an article on my blog about the most beautiful playgrounds in Switzerland.

2. Set out on the Muottas Muragl Panoramaweg hike

It’s no coincidence that the playgrounds mentioned above are located at the start and end of the panoramic trail between Muottas Muragl and Alp Languard. For kids, they’re a great incentive to complete the approximately six-kilometer hike. The trail is one of the most beautiful family hikes in the area, and a detailed description will be posted on the blog soon.

3. Talking About Climate Change at the Morteratsch Glacier

The topic of climate change doesn’t have to be just a school lecture. On a trip to the Morteratsch Glacier, you can discuss it with your children right out in the field. Along the trail, you’ll find informational stops, and there’s an illustrated booklet for kids that explains in a playful way how the glacier has changed over the past few decades. Older kids will understand the bigger picture, while younger ones will walk away with an interesting story. And once again, I’m preparing a separate article about this hike.

4. Take a walk along the Steinbock-Promenade

The Steinbock-Promenade on the eastern edge of Pontresina is a short themed trail featuring a quiz for kids. The main characters are the Alpine ibex—animals that are practically a symbol of the canton of Graubünden. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot one of them in the wild.

5. Take a ride on the famous Rhaetian Railway

Did I mention that public transportation is included in the price of your hotel stay? It would be a shame not to take advantage of it. Pontresina is located right on the Rhaetian Railway route, part of which—the Bernina Railway—is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You don’t necessarily have to book a seat on the Bernina Express; you can also take a “regular” regional train, which runs on the same tracks.

6. Collect Grand Tour of Switzerland Frames

Looking for an activity that will entertain both kids and parents? Set out on a hunt for the iconic red Grand Tour of Switzerland frames. You’ll find several of them around Pontresina, and each offers a slightly different view of the Engadin’s notable natural landmarks.

7. Take a trip to nearby St. Moritz

St. Moritz is just a few minutes away from Pontresina by train or bus and is definitely worth a visit. In addition to luxury boutiques and famous hotels, you’ll also find a pleasant lakefront promenade and the famous Leaning Tower. Due to unstable ground, the tower leans at an angle of approximately 5.5 degrees—actually slightly more than the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.

8. Just enjoy the hotel and go offline for a while

Not every day has to be packed with outings. Sometimes it’s enough to simply slow down and relax in peace after a day out. At the Engadinerhof Hotel, we appreciated not only the comfortable room (with a big screen right across from the bed!), but also the common areas. There, you can play foosball, pool, Mikado, board games, or try your hand at the traditional Swiss card game Jass.

What Did We Save for Next Time?

It might seem like we managed to do a lot during our weekend in Pontresina. The weather was simply on our side, and it would have been a shame not to take advantage of it. But even so, as we were leaving, I had the feeling that we were far from having discovered everything this corner of the Upper Engadine has to offer. So what did we save for next time?

A short hike to the Bernina Waterfall

An easy loop trail suitable even for families with young children, leading you to an impressive mountain waterfall.

A walk to Val Roseg and a horse-drawn carriage ride

Val Roseg is said to be one of the most beautiful valleys in the entire Engadin. And if the kids don’t feel like walking, you can travel through the valley in a romantic horse-drawn carriage (board at the train station in Pontresina).

Cable Car Ride to Diavolezza

Panoramic views of the glaciers and the surrounding three-thousand-meter peaks are among the best the region has to offer. Did you know that Sass Queder, at an elevation of 3,065 meters, is the highest barbecue spot in Europe?

Pontresina Rope Park

The perfect activity for older kids who need a little adrenaline and some exercise among the trees.

Alpine Museum

For days when the weather isn’t suitable for mountain hikes, or when you want to learn more about life in the Engadin. The museum is open Monday through Saturday in the afternoons.

Bellavita Local Swimming Pool

Swimming pools, wellness, and water fun for all ages. A great way to spend a relaxing afternoon.

Scooters in Celerina

Just a few minutes by train from Pontresina, you can take the chairlift up to Marguns and, from there, set off on an approximately 6-kilometer downhill ride on scooters.

Summary

We took home lots of wonderful memories from Pontresina, as well as a list of places we want to return to. What would you add to it? Share your tips in the comments.