Graz
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At a glance
- Country
- Austria
- Region
- Styria
- Population
- 300,000
- Best time to go
- May to October
- Main airport
- Graz (GRZ)
- Coordinates
- 47.07°N, 15.44°E
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Overview
Graz is Austria's second city, a laid-back university town with a UNESCO-listed old centre of red roofs and Renaissance courtyards. A wooded hill rises right in the middle of town, crowned by its famous clock tower.
It mixes old and new with confidence, from baroque palaces to the blob-like Kunsthaus. The food is excellent too, thanks to the farms and vineyards of Styria all around.
Things to see
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Photo: Felix König, CC BY 3.0 Schlossberg and Clock Tower
Climb the steps, take the funicular or ride the glass lift up to the clock tower and its view over the rooftops.
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Photo: Marion Schneider & Christoph Aistleitner, CC BY-SA 2.5 Kunsthaus Graz
A contemporary art museum shaped like a giant blue bubble, nicknamed the Friendly Alien.
Tickets and tours -
Murinsel
A floating steel-and-glass island in the River Mur, with a café inside a shell-like dome.
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Photo: Herzi Pinki, CC BY-SA 3.0 at Schloss Eggenberg
A baroque palace on the western edge of town, with state rooms, museums and a park full of peacocks.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Vitold Muratov, CC BY-SA 4.0 Landhaus courtyard
An arcaded Renaissance courtyard in the old town, one of the finest in Austria.
Things to do
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Morning at a farmers' market
Stalls at Kaiser-Josef-Platz and Lendplatz sell Styrian cheese, bread, apples and pumpkin seed oil.
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Photo: Simon Legner (User:simon04), CC BY-SA 4.0 South Styrian Wine Road
Rolling hills of vineyards and wine taverns about an hour south, known for sauvignon blanc.
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Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Žiga assumed (based on , Public domain Taste pumpkin seed oil
The dark green local oil is drizzled on salads, soups and even vanilla ice cream.
Where to stay
Altstadt
The old town, ideal for walking to everything and lively in the evenings.
Hotels in AltstadtLend
Across the river, creative and slightly alternative, with good bars and cafés.
Hotels in LendGeidorf
The leafy university quarter, quieter and close to the city park.
Hotels in Geidorf
Getting around
The centre is compact and walkable, and trams cover the rest of the city.
Trains and buses link the airport with the centre in about 15 to 20 minutes.
When to go
Late spring to early autumn is warm and pleasant, and autumn is harvest and wine season. Winters are cold but Christmas markets brighten the old town.
Plan your trip to Graz
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.