3 Days in Graz: The Perfect Itinerary for a First Visit

Three days is the right amount of time for Graz. It's enough to see the UNESCO-listed Old Town, climb the Schlossberg, visit Schloss Eggenberg and still have a full day for Styrian wine country or a tour with a local. This itinerary keeps walking distances short, puts the busiest sights in the quiet morning hours and leaves your evenings free for good food.

Only have two days? Follow Day 1 and Day 2 and pick one idea from Day 3. Have just one day? See our 24-hour Graz itinerary.

Day 1: Old Town and the Schlossberg

Morning (9:00 to 12:30). Start at the Hauptplatz, the main square, with the Town Hall and the Archduke Johann fountain. Walk down Herrengasse to the Landhaus and step into its Renaissance arcade courtyard, one of the finest in Central Europe. Next door, the Landeszeughaus (Armoury) holds around 32,000 historic weapons and suits of armour, the largest collection of its kind in the world. Continue to the Glockenspielplatz, where figures in traditional dress dance from the window at 11:00, 15:00 and 18:00.

Lunch. Eat in the Old Town lanes around Mehlplatz, or grab a Käferbohnen salad with pumpkin seed oil, a Styrian classic.

Afternoon (13:30 to 17:30). Visit the Cathedral and the Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II, then see the double spiral staircase in the Burg (castle) from 1499. Climb the Schlossberg on the stairs from Schlossbergplatz, or ride the funicular or the lift inside the rock. At the top: the Clock Tower (Uhrturm), the Bell Tower and the best view over the red roofs. Take the underground slide back down if you're feeling brave.

Evening. Dinner in the Old Town, then a walk through the lit lanes. For a guided evening, book a walking tour with a local.

Day 2: Markets, Eggenberg Palace and Modern Graz

Morning (8:30 to 10:30). Go where locals shop: the farmers' market at Kaiser-Josef-Platz (Monday to Saturday mornings) or Lendplatz on the west bank. Try fresh bread, Styrian apples, pumpkin seed oil and Käferbohnen.

Late morning (11:00 to 14:00). Take tram 1 to Schloss Eggenberg, Styria's most important Baroque palace and part of the Graz UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its state rooms are open for guided visits in season (check dates before you go); the palace park with its peacocks is open all year.

Afternoon (14:30 to 18:00). Back on the west bank, see the Kunsthaus Graz (the "Friendly Alien") and cross the Murinsel, the steel island in the Mur river. Explore Lend and Gries, the creative districts with design shops, cafés and street art. If you love architecture, follow our architecture walk.

Evening. A Styrian dinner with a view, then drinks in the Bermudadreieck or Lend. See our Graz nightlife guide.

Day 3: Wine Country, the Open-Air Museum or Graz with a Local

• •South Styrian Wine Road: rolling vineyards about 45 minutes south of Graz, often called the "Styrian Tuscany". Visit a Buschenschank (wine tavern) for a Brettljause cold platter and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Welschriesling. Best from April to October, with Sturm (young wine) in September and October.
• •Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing: around 100 historic farmhouses from all over Austria in a quiet valley, about 25 minutes by train from Graz. Ideal for families.
• •Stay in the city with a local guide: spend the day on themed tours that go beyond the main sights, such as a food tour with Styrian specialities, a courtyards and hidden corners walk or an outdoor trip to the Schöckl, Graz's home mountain. See all experiences.

Choose one of these options, and end your trip with dinner at a traditional Gasthaus. Order a Backhendl (fried chicken) or Steirisches Wurzelfleisch.

2-Day Version

Day 1: Old Town and Schlossberg as above. Day 2: market in the morning, Kunsthaus and Murinsel at noon, Eggenberg in the afternoon. Skip Day 3, or replace it with a half-day tour with a local guide.

Where to Stay

• •Old Town (Innere Stadt): walk everywhere, quiet at night in the side streets.
• •Lend and Gries: cheaper, creative, close to the Kunsthaus and the best cafés.
• •Near the main station: convenient for day trips and early trains to Vienna.

Practical Tips

• •Many museums close on Mondays, and shops and markets close on Sundays. Plan Eggenberg and the Armoury for Tuesday to Saturday.
• •The state rooms of Eggenberg and the Armoury have seasonal opening times; check before you go.
• •The Graz Card covers public transport and many museums, and is worth it if you visit two or more sights a day.
• •Best time to visit: May, June, September and early October, with harvest season, Sturm and outdoor dining.
• •Advent (late November to December) brings Christmas markets to almost every square.

Frequently Asked Questions