Davos is regarded as one of Europe's oldest mountain resorts. It was first populated in the 13th century and subsequently established itself as a health resort in 1860 and as a sports center in 1930. Owing to its remarkable architecture and facilities, Davos today is a lively business center that is popular all year round. The surroundings are of the medium-sized mountains of Graubunden, offering lush landscapes in summer and excellent snowfields in winter. Davos extends for almost 2.5 miles and is divided into Davos-Dorf and Davos-Platz. It is located on the floor of the mountain valley in which the Landwasser flows before plunging into the Zügen defile. The torrents rush into this basin from the southeast; the Flüelabach, the Dischmabach and the Sertigbach in particular, have made gaps which bring much sunshine to the resort between mountains which might screen it on that side. To the northeast, beyond Lake Davos, equipped for aquatic sports, the gentle, wooden slope towards Wolfgang offers easily access to the Prätigau towards Klosters.Davos offers many sporting and leisure activities as well as fine dining. Huge indoor and outdoor skating rinks, a sports center, two sled runs, 143 miles of skiing slopes in winter and 280 miles of picturesque lanes and mountain bike trails in summer. The skiing area and its 45 ski lifts constitute one of Switzerland's largest and most remarkable skiing resorts with snow coverage usually satisfactory between December and April.Thomas Mann, the great German writer and Nobel Prize winner in Literature in 1929, spent time in Davos in 1911 where his wife was in a sanatorium. His stay inspired him to write his novel The Magic Mountain, which was published in 1924.
Sights
Hohe Promenade - 1 hour on foot there and back. A perfectly planned road, level and sometimes under trees, kept clear of snow in winter. This walk can be reached from Davos-Platz by the road behind the Seehof Hotel (near Parsenn funicular station) or from Davos-Platz by a steep path which continues the lane to the Catholic Church.
Kirchner Museum - This museum represents the largest collection of works by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938) in the world. The German expressionist painter, a leading figure in his time, moved to Davos in 1917 and remained there until he died.
Jakobshorn - At 8,497 ft. it is offering a panorama view over the whole Davos and Klosters area as well as the Sertig Valley. Access by funiculars, then 5 minutes on foot up a steep incline. Allow at least 2 hours there and back to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.
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