Samedan is a village and a political municipality in the Upper Engadine, in the Maloja Region of the Canton of Graubünden. Historic Engadine houses, the river landscape along the Inn and winter trails with mountain panoramas give the place its distinctive character.

Along the Inn and at the edge of the plateau

Samedan lies on the western edge of a plateau, where the Inn and the Flaz, which flows from Pontresina, meet. To the west rises Piz Ot, at 3,246 metres. The municipality also includes Val Roseg as an exclave.

Engadine houses in the historic village centre

In Samedan’s historic village centre, in Crappun, Crasta and Surtuor, well-preserved Engadine houses dating from the 16th and 17th centuries can be found. Bay windows and delicate sgraffito are distinctive details of the houses. Those who would like to get to know the village on a guided tour can join the seasonal village tour, which starts at the Tourist Information office.

Winter cold and trails with different focuses

In clear winter weather, Samedan can get very cold because of its location in the valley. Temperatures below −20 °C are then almost an everyday occurrence; this cold is explained by an inversion weather pattern. On 260 days a year, the temperature drops below 0 °C. Frost statistics extend into summer: July averages around five frost days.

The Winter Trail from Samedan to Alp Muntatsch is 6.43 kilometres long and offers a nature experience with panoramic views. Another winter walk follows the Inn river meadows back to the village centre. The Inn–Flaz–Flaz Vegl–Inn circuit is different: known as the Water Trail, it is 8.8 kilometres long and has information boards and digital information along the route. The route is suitable for pushchairs. Check local conditions before setting out. This way, the river and information along the route are one option, while the winter trail and panorama are another—different themes for planning your day, without conflating the routes.

Activities, mineral baths and weekly market

In winter, the Promulins Arena offers seasonal ice skating, curling, ice stock sport and ice hockey. The arena also has a FIFA-compliant artificial turf pitch. The Mineralbad Samedan spans five floors and offers bathing and steam rooms with mineral water from its own spring. The rooftop pool opens up views of the mountain world; in this way, the baths offer something distinct while also connecting with the landscape that shapes the winter trails.

The weekly market in Samedan takes place every week. It offers Engadine honey, bread and cheese, as well as agricultural produce and local souvenirs.

Transport routes and aviation

Rail and road routes from several directions converge in Samedan: from St. Moritz in the southwest, from Val Poschiavo via the Bernina Pass in the south, and from the Lower Engadine in the northeast. Engadin Airport in Samedan is the regional airport of the Engadine and serves as a base for helicopters, aircraft, gliding and flight training. Visitors can watch helicopters, jets, gliders, as well as snow-clearing and fire-fighting vehicles.

Discover more destinations: S-Chanf, Bondo Gr, Bregaglia, Silvaplana, Sils/Segl Baselgia, Celerina/Schlarigna, St. Moritz, Bever

For the overview of the wider region, see: Maloja.