Graz Travel Guide: Top Things to Do in Austria’s Cultural Capital

Welcome to Graz, Austria’s second-largest city and arguably its most charming hidden gem. Located in the country’s sunny south, Graz offers the perfect blend of medieval charm, imperial grandeur, cutting-edge design, and a thriving culinary scene. As your guide, let me walk you through everything this stylish city has to offer—from its iconic Old Town to hilltop castles, vibrant university life, and scenic countryside nearby.
 

Whether you’re here for a weekend city break or as part of an extended Austrian adventure, Graz is the kind of place that will surprise and stay with you.

📍 Where Is Graz?

Location: Styria (Steiermark), southeastern Austria

Population: ~300,000 people

Nearby Cities: Vienna (~2 hours), Salzburg (~3 hours), Maribor (Slovenia – 1 hour)

🚆 How to Get to Graz

✈️ By Air:

Graz Airport (GRZ): ~20 minutes from city center

Direct flights from Vienna, Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam

🚄 By Train:

Direct trains from Vienna (2.5 hours), Salzburg (4 hours), and Klagenfurt

Graz Hauptbahnhof (main station) is modern and centrally located

🚗 By Car:

Well connected via the A2 and A9 motorways

Scenic drives from the Styrian Wine Road or the Alps

🧭 Quick Overview: Why Visit Graz?

UNESCO-listed Old Town with Renaissance and Baroque architecture

Landmark Schlossberg hill with panoramic views and a famous clock tower

Home to Austria’s second-oldest university, giving the city a youthful vibe

Blend of history and modernity, seen in its futuristic art museum and medieval streets

Delicious food culture: Styrian pumpkin seed oil, wines, and farm-to-table restaurants

🏙️ Top Attractions in Graz

1. Schlossberg & Clock Tower (Uhrturm)

The most iconic viewpoint in Graz

Reachable via stairs, funicular, or glass elevator

Offers panoramic views over red-tiled roofs and historic spires

Don’t miss the Bastion Garden and Glockenturm (Bell Tower) nearby

2. Graz Old Town (Altstadt)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Wander narrow cobbled streets, elegant courtyards, and palatial buildings

Highlights include Hauptplatz (main square), Sporgasse, and Herrengasse

3. Graz Cathedral (Dom) & Mausoleum

Gothic cathedral built under Emperor Frederick III

Adjacent to the Mausoleum of Ferdinand II, with a striking turquoise dome

4. Kunsthaus Graz (Graz Art Museum)

Known as the “Friendly Alien” for its biomorphic design

Contemporary art museum showcasing rotating exhibits

At night, the LED façade lights up with interactive displays

5. Murinsel (Island in the Mur)

A floating steel-and-glass platform shaped like a seashell

Houses a café, performance space, and amphitheater

Built for Graz’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2003

6. Eggenberg Palace (Schloss Eggenberg)

A baroque palace on the outskirts of Graz

UNESCO-listed, with lavish staterooms and mythological frescoes

Surrounding park is ideal for picnics and peacocks roam freely

🧑‍🎓 Graz’s Youthful Side

With six universities and over 60,000 students, Graz has a dynamic energy and forward-thinking vibe.

Street Culture & Cafés:

Hip cafés like Tribeka, Duck’s Coffee Shop, and Operncafé

Lendplatz and the Lend district: Creative, artsy, and packed with indie boutiques

Nightlife scene includes jazz clubs, rooftop bars, and student pubs

🥨 What to Eat in Graz

Local Specialties:

Kürbiskernöl (Pumpkin Seed Oil): Drizzled on salads, soup, and even ice cream

Backhendl: Styrian-style fried chicken

Kasnocken: Cheesy pasta similar to mac and cheese

Styria Wine: Try a glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Schilcher rosé

Top Restaurants:

Steirereck am Pogusch (Michelin-level Styrian cuisine)

Der Steirer: Modern regional food and great wine

Aiola Upstairs: On Schlossberg with city views

Frankowitsch: Legendary for open-faced sandwiches and champagne

🎨 Museums & Cultural Spots

1. Styrian Armoury (Landeszeughaus)

The world’s largest historic weapons collection

Over 32,000 items from the 15th to 18th centuries

A must-visit for history lovers

2. Joanneumsviertel Museums

Modern museum complex including:

Natural History Museum

Neue Galerie Graz

Museum of History

Great for families, art lovers, and science fans alike

3. Opera House & Schauspielhaus

Catch an opera, ballet, or play

Stunning neoclassical architecture and varied programming year-round

🌿 Outdoor Spaces

Stadtpark: The city’s green lung, great for walks and people-watching

Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten): Glass domes with exotic flora

Hilmteich & Leechwald: Tranquil walking paths and forested areas just outside the center

🛍️ Shopping in Graz

Herrengasse: Main shopping street with high-end stores and historic arcades

Kaiser-Josef Market: Daily farmers’ market with fresh Styrian products

Lendplatz Market: Trendy, younger vibe with local street food

Murpark & Citypark: Malls with international and Austrian brands

🏨 Where to Stay in Graz

Luxury:

Grand Hôtel Wiesler – Hip luxury with vintage flair

Hotel Das Weitzer – Sophisticated design by the river

Aiola Living – Boutique with modern interior and location near Hauptplatz

Mid-Range:

Hotel Gollner – Family-run comfort near Jakominiplatz

Hotel Mariahilf – Affordable and central, opposite the Kunsthaus

Budget:

A&O Graz Hauptbahnhof – Hostel-style but clean and efficient

JUFA Hotel Graz – Family-friendly and good for groups

📅 Best Time to Visit Graz

🎉 Annual Events & Festivals

La Strada Festival (July–August): Street art, circus acts, and theatre

Styriarte Festival (Summer): Classical music with modern twists

Graz Advent (December): Magical Christmas markets across the city

Elevate Festival (February): Electronic music and political discourse

🌄 Great Day Trips from Graz

1. South Styrian Wine Road

Rolling vineyards, wine taverns (Buschenschanken), and romantic views

Ideal for biking or wine-tasting tours

2. Riegersburg Castle

Dramatic clifftop fortress with a witches’ museum

Nearby Zotter Chocolate Factory for tastings and fun tours

3. Bärenschützklamm Gorge

Wooden walkways and waterfalls – great for a summer hike

4. Thermal Spas (Bad Blumau, Loipersdorf)

Hot springs, saunas, and spa hotels in eastern Styria

📸 Best Instagram Spots in Graz

View from Uhrturm at golden hour

Reflections in the Murinsel bridge

Artistic façade of Kunsthaus Graz at night

Pastel streets of the Old Town

Sunset on the South Styrian vineyards

🧳 Graz in 3 Days – Itinerary Suggestion

Day 1 – Old Town & Schlossberg

Walk through Hauptplatz and Herrengasse

Explore the Cathedral and Mausoleum

Funicular to Schlossberg and dinner at Aiola Upstairs

Day 2 – Museums & Modern Graz

Kunsthaus Graz and Murinsel

Joanneumsviertel museums

Dinner and wine tasting in Lend

Day 3 – Palaces & Countryside

Visit Eggenberg Palace

Afternoon trip to South Styrian Wine Road

Sunset drinks and back to the city for a relaxed dinner

🌍 Why Visit Graz?

Graz is more than just Austria’s second city—it’s a living museum, university town, culinary haven, and creative hotspot all rolled into one. With fewer tourists than Vienna and Salzburg, it offers authentic encounters with Styrian hospitality and a deeper understanding of Austria’s rich heritage.

If you’re seeking history with a heartbeat, culture without the crowds, and alpine charm with an artistic twist, then Graz is your perfect destination.