Graz, Austria: travel guide
Red-roofed old town, Schlossberg clock tower and a modern Kunsthaus
Austria's second city and a UNESCO City of Design, with a red-roofed old town, the Schlossberg clock tower and modern Kunsthaus.
About Graz
Graz is the capital of Styria, a university city of red roofs, courtyards and café terraces on the Mur river. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the contrast between historic streets and contemporary architecture gives the city its edge.
The Schlossberg hill rises right from the centre, topped by the clock tower and reached by funicular or on foot. Down below, the Landeszeughaus holds a vast historic armoury, the curved Kunsthaus Graz offers modern art, and Eggenberg Palace sits on the western side. Local pumpkin seed oil is a Styrian speciality.
Graz suits food lovers, architecture fans and relaxed city breaks. Spring to early autumn is best, when the terraces are open.
- Country
- Austria
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Vienna
- Nearest airport
- GRZ
Last updated
Top places to visit in Graz
Schlossberg & Clock Tower
hill fortress · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Wooded hill above the old town crowned by the 16th-century Uhrturm clock tower, reached by funicular, lift or stairs.
Kunsthaus Graz
art museum · about 1.5 h · entry €11 (≈ ₹1,170)
Biomorphic blue "Friendly Alien" contemporary art museum on the Mur's west bank.
Murinsel
landmark · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Floating steel island-bridge with a café and amphitheatre set in the middle of the river Mur.
Eggenberg Palace
palace · about 2 h · entry €18 (≈ ₹1,870)
UNESCO-listed Baroque palace laid out on cosmological principles, set in a deer-grazed park.
Hauptplatz
square · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Triangular main square with the Renaissance town hall and Archduke Johann fountain.
Styrian Armoury (Landeszeughaus)
history museum · about 1.3 h · entry €11 (≈ ₹1,170)
The world's largest surviving historic armoury, with some 32,000 pieces of weaponry and armour.
Schlossberg Slide & Cave Railway
attraction · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A 64 m spiral slide and a fairy-tale grotto railway tunnelled into the Schlossberg.
Graz Cathedral (Dom)
cathedral · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
Late-Gothic imperial cathedral with a faded 15th-century Divine Plagues fresco.
Mausoleum of Ferdinand II
mausoleum · about 0.5 h · entry €11 (≈ ₹1,120)
Ornate Mannerist-Baroque imperial mausoleum beside the cathedral.
Things to do
- Schlossberg & Old Town Walking Tour Tour · 2 h · from EUR 16 per person
- Graz Culinary Market Tour Food · 2.5 h · from EUR 45 per person
- Eggenberg Palace & Gardens Tour Tour · 2 h · from EUR 20 per person
- Graz Design & Architecture Walk Tour · 2 h · from EUR 18 per person
- Schlossberg Slide & Cave Railway Adventure · 0.8 h · from EUR 8 per person
Day trips and tours
- Graz Old Town & Eggenberg 5 h · from EUR 59
Where to stay in Graz
- Innere Stadt about EUR 150 per night
Graz's UNESCO old town, walkable to the Schlossberg and squares.
- Lend about EUR 130 per night
Trendy west-bank district by the Kunsthaus with bars and design hotels.
Hotels
- Hotel zum Dom 4-star · EUR 120 to EUR 220 per night
- Schlossberghotel 4-star · EUR 150 to EUR 270 per night
- Hotel Daniel Graz 4-star · EUR 110 to EUR 210 per night
- Hotel Wiesler 4-star · EUR 140 to EUR 260 per night
- A&O Graz Hauptbahnhof 2-star · EUR 22 to EUR 80 per night
Where to eat
- Landhauskeller Austrian, Styrian · about EUR 30 per person
- Der Steirer Styrian, Modern European · about EUR 26 per person
- Aiola Upstairs Austrian, International · about EUR 24 per person
- Ginko Vegetarian, Asian · about EUR 16 per person
- Frankowitsch Austrian, Deli · about EUR 14 per person
- Eckstein Austrian, Modern European · about EUR 34 per person
Getting to Graz
Airport: Graz (GRZ)
Getting around
- Bus
- Tram
- Walking
More in Austria
Frequently asked questions about Graz
- What are the main places to visit in Graz?
- Places covered in our Graz guide include Schlossberg & Clock Tower, Kunsthaus Graz, Murinsel, Eggenberg Palace, Hauptplatz.
- Where should I stay in Graz?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Graz: Innere Stadt, Lend.
- How do I get around Graz?
- Ways to get around Graz covered in our guide: City bus, Tram, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Graz?
- The nearest airport to Graz has the code GRZ.