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Guarda

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Landmark
—°6
Guarda (Switzerland)

Weather…

Guarda is situated on a sunny terrace high above the Inn River at 1,650 m elevation in the Lower Engadin. The village was awarded the Wakker Prize for its impeccably preserved townscape. Nearly all houses in the center follow traditional Engadin construction and are adorned with intricate sgraffito decorations scratched into the facades. Guarda is nationally famous as the home of 'Schellen-Ursli' (Uorsin), the protagonist of a beloved Swiss children's book; a dedicated theme trail tells this story amidst the pretty surroundings. The village is a good starting point for hikes into the Swiss National Park or the nearby Val Tuoi. The architecture of Guarda stands as a testament to the rural culture and prosperity of past centuries. Visitors should take time to enjoy the tranquility and admire the handcrafted details on doors and windows. The Romansh language remains firmly rooted in daily life here. Guarda is accessible via the Engadin road and the Guarda railway station (followed by a PostBus). The best time to visit is summer for family hikes or March for the 'Chalandamarz' winter-dismissal tradition.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-8-8-41610121173-2-7
Rain mm937090881461701671841221019093

📋 Practical info

🚪
Visiting
The entire village of Guarda is freely accessible. The painted houses can be viewed from outside.
🕒
Typical hours
The village is accessible at any time. The local museum typically has seasonal hours.
📷
Photography
Photographing the sgraffito façades is allowed and free. Please respect residents' privacy.
⏱️
Time needed
About 1-2 hours suffice for a walk through the village and seeing the main sights.
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Combine with
Combine Guarda with the Engadin Museum in Scuol or a hike in Val Torta.
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Getting there
Guarda is reachable by post bus from Scuol; the nearest train station is Scuol-Tarasp.
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Insider tip
Pay attention to the fine sgraffito details on the façades - each house has its own pattern.

Geography

Coordinates
46.77656, 10.15505

Facts

  • Winner of the Wakker Prize
  • Village at 1,650 m elevation
  • Traditional sgraffito house facades
  • Home of the 'Schellen-Ursli' story
  • Romansh-speaking community
  • Gateway to the National Park area
  • Located in the Lower Engadin
  • Chalandamarz tradition in March

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Piz BuinPiz Buin7 km · NWExplore →
ScuolScuol11 km · EExplore →
Swiss National ParkSwiss National Park12 km · SExplore →
SilvrettaSilvretta14 km · NExplore →
Piz S-charl WestPiz S-charl West15 km · EExplore →
Piz S-charl EastPiz S-charl East16 km · EExplore →
SamnaunSamnaun23 km · NEExplore →
KlostersKlosters23 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Guarda (6)

Baselgia Gonda🏺 historical

Historic 16th-century church in the Romansh village of Guarda, featuring late Gothic frescoes.

Schellen-Ursli-Museum🏛 museum

Museum celebrating the story of Schellen Ursli, a children's book set in Guarda, with original illustrations.

🕒 24/7

Val-Tuoi-Viadukt📍 landmark

A railway viaduct spanning the Val Tuoi.

Reformierte Kirche⛪ religious

Reformierte Kirche, the Reformed church in Guarda built in Engadine style.

Alte Mühle🏺 historical

The Alte Mühle consists of the ruins of an old mill in Guarda.

Kirche Sur En⛪ religious

Kirche Sur En in Guarda is a Romanesque church from 1220 in the Engadin region.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Who is 'Schellen-Ursli'?
A famous Swiss children's book character; the story is set in the village of Guarda.
What are Sgraffito?
They are artistic scratch-plaster decorations on the facades of typical Engadin houses.
Is the village of Guarda car-free?
The village center is largely car-free; there is a large parking lot at the entrance to the village.
Are there special hiking trails for children?
Yes, there is a Schellen-Ursli path that tells the boy's story interactively.
How do you get to Guarda?
By train to Guarda station, from where a PostBus takes you up to the village.
Guarda: where is it located?
Guarda is located in Switzerland.
Guarda: what is there to see?
Highlights include Baselgia Gonda, Schellen-Ursli-Museum, Val-Tuoi-Viadukt.
Guarda: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Guarda: why is it worth visiting?
Guarda is situated on a sunny terrace high above the Inn River at 1,650 m elevation in the Lower Engadin.
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