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Graz Travel Guide.

A practical introduction to Graz, including why to visit, what to see, where to stay, Styrian food and how to plan a relaxed break in Austria’s laid-back second city.

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Country Austria
Currency Euro € / EUR
Language German
Airport Graz Airport (GRZ)
Local time

The Complete Graz Guide is Coming Soon

We're currently researching and creating our comprehensive Graz Guide.

It will include personally curated restaurants, cafés, neighbourhood guides, hidden gems, scenic walks, photography locations, practical travel tips and an interactive Google My Map designed to help you explore with confidence.

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Graz at a glance

Graz is Austria’s relaxed, hugely studenty second city, home to a beautifully preserved UNESCO-listed old town sitting alongside one of Europe’s boldest pieces of contemporary architecture. Add Styria’s proud reputation as Austria’s culinary capital, and Graz offers a low-key, authentic alternative to Vienna’s grander pace.

Austria · Styria
Perfect for Students, food lovers, architecture fans and relaxed city breaks
Recommended stay 2 days
Trip type City break • Student energy • Food • Architecture
Don't miss Schlossberg, the Kunsthaus, Hauptplatz and Styrian farmers’ markets

MapMagnet Picks

These are the Graz experiences we think most first-time visitors should prioritise. They give you a strong feel for the city without going into the deeper curated detail that will come later in the full MapMagnet Graz Guide.

Climb the Schlossberg

This wooded hill rising above the old town is topped by Graz’s iconic clock tower, and offers the best panoramic views over the city’s rooftops.

See the Kunsthaus

Nicknamed the Friendly Alien, this striking biomorphic contemporary art museum sits right beside Graz’s historic centre, one of the boldest architectural contrasts in Europe.

Browse Kaiser-Josef-Markt

This lively farmers’ market is the best introduction to Styria’s reputation as Austria’s culinary capital, with fresh produce, cheese and local specialities.

Why visit Graz?

Graz offers a genuinely different side of Austria to Vienna’s grand imperial pace. A huge student population, spread across several universities, keeps the city relaxed, affordable and lived-in, while its UNESCO-listed old town sits comfortably alongside strikingly modern architecture like the Kunsthaus. Layer on Styria’s serious food culture, and Graz makes a strong case as one of Austria’s most underrated city breaks.

Our take

We like Graz precisely because it does not try to compete with Vienna. It has its own quieter rhythm, built around university life, farmers’ markets and a genuine local food scene rather than headline imperial sights. Climb the Schlossberg in the late afternoon, then wander down through the old town as the markets pack up and cafés start to fill instead. That is Graz at its best.

What to See in Graz

Graz’s highlights combine a UNESCO-listed historic centre with one of Europe’s most distinctive pieces of contemporary architecture. These are the places we would recommend starting with on a first visit.

Schlossberg and the Clock Tower

This wooded hill above the old town is home to Graz’s beloved clock tower, one of the city’s enduring symbols, reachable by funicular, lift or a pleasant uphill walk.

Combine with: Old town, Kunsthaus, sunset views

Kunsthaus Graz

This biomorphic contemporary art museum, nicknamed the Friendly Alien, is a striking modern counterpoint to the historic centre and hosts changing contemporary art exhibitions.

Combine with: Mur riverside, old town, Murinsel

Hauptplatz and the Landhaus

Graz’s main square is framed by elegant historic buildings, including the Renaissance Landhaus, and forms the natural heart of the old town.

Combine with: Old town walking route, Kaiser-Josef-Markt, cafés

Graz Cathedral and Mausoleum

This Gothic cathedral sits beside the elaborate mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II, one of the finest Mannerist buildings in Central Europe.

Combine with: Old town, Burg gardens, a shorter visit

Eggenberg Palace

This UNESCO-listed baroque palace on the edge of the city is known for its planetary-themed architecture and beautiful gardens.

Combine with: A half-day visit, gardens, museum collections

What to Do in Graz

Graz’s relaxed, studenty character means much of the best of the city happens in its markets and streets rather than at ticketed attractions. These are the experiences we think every first-time visitor should consider.

Wander the Old Town

Graz’s UNESCO-listed historic centre is compact and easy to explore, with narrow lanes, inner courtyards and elegant facades rewarding slow, unplanned wandering.

Best for: First visit, local atmosphere, slower exploring

Browse Kaiser-Josef-Markt

This long-running farmers’ market is the best place to see Styria’s food culture up close, with fresh produce, cheese and pumpkin seed oil.

Best for: Food lovers, mornings, local culture

Visit the Eggenberg Palace Gardens

The palace grounds offer a peaceful escape from the city centre, with formal gardens and a small deer park to wander through.

Best for: A relaxed afternoon, families, quieter sightseeing

Cross to the Murinsel

This artificial island platform in the middle of the Mur River connects both riverbanks and offers a quirky spot for a coffee or a photo.

Best for: A quick stop, photography, riverside views

Explore the University Quarter

Graz’s student population is concentrated around Geidorf, where independent cafés and a youthful atmosphere give a different side of the city.

Best for: Local atmosphere, cafés, student energy

Where to Stay in Graz

Graz is compact enough that most central neighbourhoods keep you within easy walking distance of the old town. The right base mainly depends on whether you want to be right among the sights or somewhere with more local character.

Innere Stadt (Old Town)

Staying in the historic centre puts Hauptplatz, the Schlossberg and the Kunsthaus all within easy walking distance, making it the best base for a first visit.

Best for: First visit, sightseeing, walkability

Gries

A characterful, increasingly trendy neighbourhood across the river from the old town, close to the Kunsthaus and with a growing food scene.

Best for: A different perspective, dining, riverside walks

Lend

A creative, slightly edgier district on the western bank of the Mur, known for independent bars and a youthful atmosphere.

Best for: Nightlife, a local feel, creative energy

Geidorf

Graz’s university quarter offers a quieter, residential base with excellent cafés and easy access to the botanical gardens.

Best for: Student atmosphere, cafés, longer stays

Jakomini

A practical area near the main train station, useful for arriving with luggage or planning onward day trips.

Best for: Convenience, transport links, short stays

What to Eat in Graz

Graz sits at the heart of Styria, a region that proudly markets itself as Austria’s culinary capital. These are some of the dishes and specialities worth looking out for during your visit.

Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil

This dark, nutty oil is Styria’s signature culinary export, drizzled over salads and dishes throughout the region, and worth bringing home as a souvenir.

Where to try: Farmers’ markets and traditional restaurants across the city

Backhendl

Styrian-style fried chicken, breaded and fried until crisp, is a beloved regional comfort food found on traditional menus throughout Graz.

Where to try: Traditional Austrian restaurants and gasthäuser

Sterz

A traditional cornmeal dish similar to polenta, often served alongside meat dishes or with a savoury topping, reflecting Styria’s rural food heritage.

Where to try: Traditional Styrian restaurants

Styrian Wine

The vineyards south of Graz produce excellent white wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, worth sampling in the city’s wine bars.

Where to try: Wine bars and restaurants throughout the old town

Farmers’ Market Produce

Styria’s reputation as Austria’s culinary capital is best experienced by simply browsing the fresh cheese, bread and produce at Kaiser-Josef-Markt.

Where to try: Kaiser-Josef-Markt and other city markets

Best Day Trips from Graz

Graz sits at the heart of Styria, making it an excellent base for exploring vineyards, historic castles and one of Austria’s most famous horse studs. These are four day trips we would consider first if you have extra time.

The Styrian Wine Route

Rolling vineyard hills south of Graz produce some of Austria’s best white wines, with small wineries and scenic villages ideal for a relaxed day of tasting.

Trip style: Wine, countryside, relaxed touring

Piber Stud Farm

The birthplace of the famous Lipizzaner horses, this working stud farm offers tours and a chance to see the celebrated white horses up close.

Trip style: Horses, countryside, a half-day trip

Riegersburg Castle

One of Austria’s most dramatic castles, perched on a volcanic outcrop, with a museum and sweeping views over the Styrian countryside.

Trip style: Castle, dramatic scenery, a longer day trip

Mariazell

Austria’s most important pilgrimage town, set in the mountains north of Graz, with a striking basilica and scenic Alpine surroundings.

Trip style: Pilgrimage site, mountains, a full-day trip

Bad Blumau

A striking thermal spa resort designed by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, known for its colourful, organic architecture.

Trip style: Architecture, relaxation, a unique day out

Getting Around Graz

Graz’s old town is compact and walkable, with an efficient tram network covering the rest of the city and trains useful for day trips and onward travel.

Airport to city centre

Graz Airport is around 10 km from the centre, with a direct bus taking around 20–25 minutes, or a taxi for a faster journey.

Walking

The old town is compact and largely pedestrianised, with Hauptplatz, the Schlossberg and the Kunsthaus all within easy walking distance.

Trams

Graz’s tram network is efficient and covers the whole city, including the university quarter and outlying neighbourhoods.

Cycling

Graz is a genuinely bike-friendly city, with good cycle infrastructure making it a pleasant way to reach areas beyond the old town.

Train connections

Graz Hauptbahnhof has regular connections to Vienna, Salzburg and destinations across the wider Styria region.

Car for day trips

You do not need a car for Graz itself, but one is useful for exploring the Styrian Wine Route or reaching Riegersburg Castle at your own pace.

MapMagnet tip

Explore the old town on foot and use the trams to reach the university quarter or outer neighbourhoods. Save a car hire for day trips into the Styrian wine region or countryside.

Best Time to Visit Graz

Graz’s seasons each bring a slightly different character to the city, from lively summer markets to a quieter, cosier winter pace.

Spring

A pleasant time to visit, with mild temperatures and Kaiser-Josef-Markt returning to its liveliest as the growing season begins.

Summer

Warm and lively, with outdoor cafés, riverside walks and the best conditions for day trips into the Styrian countryside.

Autumn

One of the best times to visit, coinciding with the wine harvest and Styria’s pumpkin season, both central to local food culture.

Winter

Cold but cosy, with festive Christmas markets in Hauptplatz and a quieter, more local pace to the city.

MapMagnet tip

For the best balance of weather and local food culture, aim for September or October, when the wine harvest and market season are both in full swing.

Know Before You Go

A few practical Graz tips can make your trip smoother. These are the things we would want to know before arriving.

Card payments are widely accepted

Most restaurants, shops and attractions in Graz take cards, though it is worth carrying some cash for market stalls.

Shops close on Sundays

Most shops and many markets close on Sundays, so plan any shopping for Saturday or weekdays instead.

Pack for the Schlossberg climb

While a funicular and lift are available, walking up to the Schlossberg is steep in places, so wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk.

Try the pumpkin seed oil

This distinctive Styrian ingredient appears in salads and dishes across the city, and is worth actively seeking out rather than overlooking.

Watch for cyclists

Graz has a strong cycling culture, so pay attention to dedicated bike lanes when walking around the city centre.

MapMagnet tip

Time at least one meal or market visit around Styria’s food reputation rather than treating Graz as a pure sightseeing stop. The region’s culinary identity is as central to the city as its architecture.

Suggested Itineraries for Graz

If we were visiting Graz for the first time, this is how we would spend our time. These simple itineraries are designed to help you experience the city without over-planning every hour.

1 Day

Graz Highlights

A compact route focused on Graz’s old town and its contrast with contemporary architecture.

Morning Hauptplatz, the Landhaus and Kaiser-Josef-Markt
Lunch Backhendl or market produce in the old town
Afternoon Schlossberg and the clock tower
Evening Kunsthaus Graz and dinner along the Mur
Weekend

The balanced city break

A two-day plan mixing the historic centre, local food culture and Graz’s student side.

Day 1 Hauptplatz, the Schlossberg and Kunsthaus
Day 2 Eggenberg Palace and the university quarter
Evening Styrian wine tasting in the old town
4–5 Days

Graz and the Styrian Countryside

A slower trip with time for the city’s highlights plus day trips into the surrounding Styrian region.

Day 1 Hauptplatz, the Schlossberg and Kunsthaus
Day 2 Eggenberg Palace and Kaiser-Josef-Markt
Day 3 The Styrian Wine Route
Day 4 Riegersburg Castle and Piber Stud Farm
Day 5 Mariazell or Bad Blumau

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