The villages compared
- Bever
- Quiet, village-like, on the railway; approx. 10 km to St. Moritz
- St. Moritz
- Glamorous, lively, tends to be pricier
- Pontresina
- Alpine, gateway to Val Roseg & Bernina
- Connections
- All linked by the Rhaetian Railway and bus
Spoilt for choice in the Upper Engadine
The Upper Engadine is small enough that the whole region is reachable from any village – and large enough that the villages differ clearly in character. The question is therefore not which village is the “best”, but which suits your type of holiday best. Once you understand that, the choice becomes relaxed. Here is the honest comparison.
St. Moritz – glamour and infrastructure
St. Moritz is the most famous resort in the Alps: glamorous hotels, designer boutiques, top-class dining and events such as White Turf on the frozen lake. Those who seek vibrant life, shopping and nightlife, and are prepared to pay more for it, are in the right place. St. Moritz offers the densest infrastructure in the region and direct access to the Corviglia ski area.
The price for it: higher costs in practically every area, more bustle and, in deep winter, crowded streets. Those seeking peace will only partly find it here.
Pontresina – sporty and alpine
Pontresina lies a little higher at the entrance to the Val Bernina, closer to the glaciers and the Diavolezza ski area. The village is quieter than St. Moritz, very much geared towards mountain sports and families, and surrounded by extensive larch and stone-pine forests. The location is ideal for anyone seeking hiking, mountaineering, cross-country skiing and an alpine atmosphere. Pontresina has an upmarket but more down-to-earth offering than St. Moritz and suits active families well.
Bever – quiet, central, authentic
Bever is the choice for guests who want to experience the Engadine but not stay in the bustle. The village, whose townscape is listed in the federal inventory of protected sites, is quiet and unspoilt, lies centrally on the railway and the cross-country trail, and is reachable from all the other villages within minutes. In terms of price, Bever is usually cheaper than St. Moritz, so the value for money of holiday apartments is correspondingly attractive. Those who are active by day and value peace in the evening are best served by Bever – the short distance to St. Moritz allows a trip into the bustle at any time.
The alternatives: Celerina, Samedan, Silvaplana and Sils
Alongside the three classics, other villages are worth a look. Celerina lies directly below Corviglia and beside the Staz forest, quiet yet close to the ski area. Samedan is the logistical centre with railway, hospital and airfield. Silvaplana and Sils at the upper end of the valley are paradises for water sports enthusiasts and hikers, a little further from St. Moritz. And the villages of Zuoz and S-chanf down the valley delight with especially well-preserved Engadine architecture. What they all share: thanks to the compact valley, the whole region is always within reach.
Prices and atmosphere compared
As a rule of thumb: the closer and more glamorous a village is to St. Moritz, the higher the prices. The quieter villages usually offer significantly more attractive conditions for accommodation, restaurants and daily life. In atmosphere, the spectrum ranges from glamorous bustle in St. Moritz through the sporty-alpine mood in Pontresina to village peace in Bever. Important to know: because the distances are short, choosing a quiet village excludes nothing – you stay more cheaply and more peacefully and are still quickly everywhere.
Who suits what?
If you seek glamour, shopping and nightlife, choose St. Moritz. If you love the high mountains, mountain sports and an alpine atmosphere, Pontresina is strong. If you want peace, authenticity and a central location at a fair price – ideal for families, couples and nature lovers – Bever is the clever choice. Holiday apartments in Bever
More inspiration in the Journal – or view the holiday apartments and check availability.
