Graz

Urban Riverfront

Population: 293k

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: January–February

Famous For: Schlossberg fortress, Kunsthofpassage street art, Eggenberg Palace, Murinsel island, Historic old town, Austrian cuisine, Proximity to wine regions, Vibrant cultural scene

Train Access: Yes (ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways), regional and local trains)

Bus Access: Yes (Graz Linien (public bus system))

Graz, Austria's second-largest city, centers on the Altstadt (Old Town), where Renaissance and Baroque architecture lines the Hauptplatz and surrounding streets like Sackstrasse and Sporgasse. The Schlossberg, a 123-meter hill crowned by the Uhrturm (Clock Tower), dominates the skyline and offers panoramic views; visitors reach it via funicular railway or hiking paths through forested terrain. The Kunsthofpassage and Murinsel (an artificial island in the Mur River designed by New York artist Vito Acconci) represent Graz's contemporary art scene, while the Eggenberg Palace, a 17th-century Baroque residence on the city's outskirts, showcases period rooms and extensive gardens. The Mur River itself is lined with cafés and cultural venues, making the waterfront a focal point for both locals and visitors. Graz's compact size makes it walkable, with most major attractions within 20–30 minutes on foot from the Hauptplatz.

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Planning Your Trip to Graz

Weather: Graz experiences a temperate continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, with average temperatures ranging from around 0°C in January to 20°C in July.

Festivals: Steirischer Herbst (Styrian Autumn), Elevate Festival, Diagonale Festival, Graz Jazz Summer

Best Things for Kids to Do: Schlossberg Funicular Railway takes children up the hill to the Uhrturm and surrounding playgrounds with city views. Murinsel, the island in the Mur River, features a children's playground and shallow wading areas during summer months. Graz Zoo (Tiergarten Graz) on the city's outskirts houses native and exotic animals across naturalistic enclosures. Kunsthofpassage offers interactive street art and small galleries that engage older children interested in contemporary creativity.

Hidden Gem: The Kunsthofpassage, a narrow passageway connecting Elisabethstrasse and Griesgasse in the Altstadt, features vibrant street art, independent galleries, and small cafés that most guidebooks overlook. This pedestrian-only zone captures Graz's creative energy and provides an authentic glimpse into the city's contemporary art culture without the crowds of the main squares.

Accessibility: Graz's Altstadt features cobblestone streets and steep inclines that present challenges for wheelchair users, though the Hauptplatz itself is relatively flat and accessible. The Schlossberg Funicular Railway accommodates wheelchairs, providing accessible access to the hilltop. Public transport, including trams and buses, is equipped with ramps and designated wheelchair spaces. The Murinsel and Mur River promenade have accessible pathways in sections, though some areas remain uneven.

For the Runner: The Mur River path (Murufer) runs approximately 8 kilometers through the city center with flat, paved terrain ideal for casual running. Schlossberg offers steep trail running with forest paths and elevation gain of roughly 120 meters from base to summit. Augarten Park, in the Geidorf district, provides a 2-3 kilometer loop through landscaped grounds with moderate terrain.

Restaurants in Graz

Graz offers a diverse dining scene with excellent Austrian and Styrian cuisine, ranging from traditional Buschenschank wine taverns to modern fine dining establishments. The city has a strong food culture with emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients and regional specialties like Steirisches Kürbiskernöl (pumpkin seed oil). International cuisine options are also readily available throughout the city.

Where to Stay

Graz accommodations range from budget hostels and family-run pensions in the Altstadt to upscale four- and five-star properties near the Hauptplatz and along the Mur River. The Old Town and areas immediately surrounding Schlossberg offer the highest concentration of mid-range hotels and guesthouses, while luxury properties tend to cluster near the city center and riverfront.

Best Hotels: Hotel Erzherzog Johann, located on the Hauptplatz in the heart of the Altstadt, is a historic four-star property with views of the square and direct a

Dog-Friendly Hotels: Aiola Schlössl welcomes dogs and provides a rural setting on the Schlossberg with extensive grounds for walking. Das Weitzer allows dogs and offers proximity to the Mur River parks and walking paths along the waterfront.

Graz

Planning Your Trip to Graz

Restaurants in Graz

Where to Stay

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