Why You Should Visit Graz, Austria

While Vienna gets most of the attention, Graz offers something rare: authentic Austrian culture without the crowds, cutting-edge design alongside medieval streets, and a culinary scene that rivals any European capital.

UNESCO World Heritage

Graz's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved historic centres in Central Europe, with Schloss Eggenberg as its second listed site.

UNESCO City of Design

Modern architecture like the Kunsthaus and Murinsel proves Graz isn't stuck in the past.

Culinary Capital

From Michelin-starred restaurants to traditional Buschenschanks (wine taverns), Graz's food scene is world-class.

Vibrant Student Life

With 60,000 students, Graz has an energetic, youthful atmosphere with lively bars, cafes, and cultural events.

Instagram-Worthy

Terracotta rooftops, colorful courtyards, and futuristic landmarks make Graz a photographer's dream.

Authentic & Affordable

Less touristy than Vienna, Graz offers better value and more genuine local interactions.

What Makes Graz Different from Vienna?

•More intimate: You can walk the entire old town in 30 minutes
•Less crowded: No long lines at attractions or overrun tourist spots
•More affordable: Better value for accommodation, food, and experiences
•More authentic: Locals still outnumber tourists in cafes and restaurants
•Better design scene: Graz embraces contemporary architecture more boldly

A City You Can Walk

Almost everything a visitor wants to see lies within fifteen minutes on foot of Hauptplatz, the main square. In a single morning you can stand in a Renaissance courtyard, look at 32,000 pieces of historic arms and armour in the Landeszeughaus, hear the Glockenspiel play and climb the Schlossberg to the clock tower. The hill rises straight out of the old town, with paths, a funicular and a lift inside the rock, and from the top the whole city is laid out below you.

Across the river, the Kunsthaus and the Murinsel, both built when Graz was European Capital of Culture in 2003, show the other side of the city, and tram 1 takes you in a quarter of an hour to Schloss Eggenberg, a Baroque palace with painted state rooms and peacocks in the park.

Food, Wine and the Countryside

Graz calls itself Austria's Capital of Culinary Delights, and the reason is on its doorstep. Styria grows apples, pumpkins, beans and wine, and its farmers sell every morning from Monday to Saturday at the markets on Kaiser-Josef-Platz and Lendplatz. The dark green pumpkin seed oil you will find on salads, soups and even ice cream comes only from this region.

The South Styrian wine road is under an hour away, with steep vineyards and wine taverns pouring Sauvignon Blanc. Closer still are the Schöckl, the city's own mountain, and the open-air museum at Stübing, so a few days in Graz can easily include a day in the hills.

When to Come and How Long to Stay

May, June, September and early October bring warm days, outdoor tables and, in autumn, the wine harvest. Summer is hot and full of open-air festivals, and from late November the Advent markets fill the squares of the old town. Two or three days suit a first visit: one for the old town and the Schlossberg, one for Eggenberg, the markets and the west bank, and one for the countryside.

Getting here is simple. Trains from Vienna take about two and a half hours and run every hour, the new Koralm railway has brought Klagenfurt within three quarters of an hour, and Graz has its own airport with connections through the main European hubs.

The Graz Atmosphere

Graz feels like a secret that's just beginning to get out. The city moves at a relaxed pace—Austrians call it "Gemütlichkeit" (coziness). Locals linger over coffee for hours, students bike through baroque squares, and everyone seems to know their neighborhood baker by name.

The city's Italian influence (it's just a few hours from the border) shows in the lifestyle: outdoor dining culture, piazzas filled with conversation, and a laid-back approach to time that feels Mediterranean rather than Germanic.

You won't find Graz on many "Top 10 Europe" lists, and that's precisely the point. This is a city for travelers who want to discover rather than check boxes.

Why You Should Visit Graz