Essentials
- City
- Davos, Graubünden, Switzerland
- Population
- 11,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber widespread, average 100-200 Mbps (Swisscom/Sunrise)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 CHF ≈ 1.13 USD, 1 USD ≈ 0.88 CHF
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, high-quality Alpine spring water
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type J (compatible with Type C plugs)
- SIM Card
- Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt (Physical SIM or eSIM available)
- Banking for Expats
- UBS, Credit Suisse, Neon (Digital), Revolut
- Accommodation
- High-end hotels, seasonal apartment rentals via local agencies like Davos Davos
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and TWINT accepted everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, Davos.ch Official Rental Portal
- Budget Accommodation
- Davos Youth Hostel (Stay at approx. 65 CHF/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Davos Platz (Shopping/Nightlife) or Davos Dorf (Ski access)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Davos Dorf (Quieter, better long-term apartment availability)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Mountain Hub (Davos Platz) - Approx. 40 CHF per day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Kaffee Klatsch Davos Platz - High-speed Wi-Fi and ample seating
- Networking Events
- World Economic Forum (January), Davos Digital Forum (Annual event)
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Davos Community, Davos Locals and Expats Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Gotschna Taxi (Uber is not reliable in Davos)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Davos Bike Academy - Approx. 50-80 CHF/day for E-bikes
- Best Beach Nearby
- Strandbad Davos (Lake Davos) - High altitude beach, open summer
- Top Regional Airline
- Swiss International Air Lines (via Zurich Airport)
- Top International Airline
- Lufthansa, Emirates, Delta (via Zurich Airport)
- Highway Access
- A13 Highway via Landquart (Route 28 connects to Davos)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Davos Platz Railway Station (RhB Railway)
- Public Transport Passes
- Davos Klosters Premium Card (Free local transport for guests)
- Regional Travel
- Rhätische Bahn (RhB) trains to St. Moritz and Chur
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Spital Davos (Davos Hospital), Promenade 4
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Davos Yoga Center, Eau-là-là Wellness & Spa
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitnesscenter Davos at the Sports Centre - Approx. 25 CHF/entry
- Laundry Services
- Wäscherei Davos AG, Talstrasse 21
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- JustEat.ch (Limited selection), UberEats (Not available)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Capuns (Chard-wrapped dumplings) at Gasthaus Islen
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Restaurant Schneider's (Good seasonal plant-based options)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Confiserie Schneider - Try the Bündner Nusstorte
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Denner (Budget), Migros, and Coop (Mid-range)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Galaxus.ch, Amazon.de (with customs), Digitec
- Grocery Delivery
- Coop.ch, Migros Online
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Davos Platz - Bolgenschanze (Apres-ski and DJ sets)
- Local Brewery
- Monstein Brewery (BierVision Monstein) - Highest brewery in Europe
- Wine Bars
- Veltlinerstübli at Hotel Grischa
- Street Food Stalls
- Bolgen Plaza (Seasonal burgers/snacks)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pizzeria Padrino (Italian), Golden Dragon (Chinese)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Kirchner Museum Davos (Expressionist Art)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Winter Sports Museum Davos
- Historical Sites
- Schatzalp (Historic Art Nouveau sanatorium location)
- Religious Sites
- Marienkirche (St. Mary's Church) Davos Platz
- Annual Events
- Spengler Cup Davos (Hockey - December), WEF (January)
- Cultural Districts
- Davos Frauenkirch (Traditional village vibe)
- Theater Venues
- Kulturplatz Davos (Concerts, theater, movies)
- Local Markets
- Davos Weekly Market (Seasonal, Friday mornings)
- Music Scene
- Davos Festival (Classical music - August)
- Street Art
- Kirchner-inspired murals near the Kirchner Museum
- Cooking Classes
- Hotel Grischa Specialized Workshops
- Art Galleries
- Galerie am Promenade
- Historic Buildings
- Rathaus Davos (Town Hall)
- Local Heritage
- Graubünden Ibex (Cultural symbol of the canton)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Sertig Valley - Glacial valley with waterfalls
- National Parks Nearby
- Swiss National Park (Zernez) - 40 mins by train/car
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Hohe Promenade (Easy walking path with city views)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Jakobshorn Summit (Accessible by cable car)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Dischma Valley
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Lake Davos (Davosersee) BBQ areas
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Die Post (Swiss Post), Davos Platz Branch
- Tech Repair Services
- EP:Davos - Promenade 69
- Table Tennis Spots
- Sporthalle Davos (Indoor facilities)
- Language Classes
- Davos Language School (German for foreigners)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Public Library Davos (Gemeindebibliothek)
- Community Centers
- Kulturplatz Davos
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly private hotel gaming rooms
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Davos - Promenade 63
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 12,000 CHF per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 480,000 CHF)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 9,500 CHF per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 380,000 CHF)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 11,500 CHF per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 690,000 CHF)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 9,000 CHF per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 540,000 CHF)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 11,000 CHF per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 880,000 CHF)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 8,500 CHF per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 680,000 CHF)
- Corporate Tax
- Approx. 14.5% (Canton Graubünden combined rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 35% (Refundable for residents under tax treaties)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for Swiss residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Approx. 25-30% (Combined Federal, Cantonal, Municipal)
- VAT
- 8.1% Standard Rate
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Switzerland does not have specific CFC rules like the EU
- Property Tax
- Yes, Wealth Tax (approx. 0.1-0.2%) and Real Estate Tax in some municipalities
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2% (Handänderungssteuer in Graubünden)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No formal 'nomad' tax; Lump-sum taxation available for wealthy non-workers