Guide to Graz in Austria and accommodation

Read our guide to Graz

Graz, located in south eastern Austria, is an enchanting city mixing history, culture, inventiveness, and natural beauty. Graz, Austrias second-biggest city and the capital of the Styria region, provides a special experience that frequently goes unnoticed by conventional tourist itineraries. Graz shows Austria's great history and progressive attitude with its exquisitely preserved medieval old town, lively student life, and amazing architecture.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site historical centre is one of the most amazing attractions in the city. Narrow lanes, Renaissance courtyards, and pastel-colored facades that mirror centuries of architectural influence from Gothic and Baroque to Art Nouveau define the old town as a maze. Framed by exquisite structures and the formidable Graz City Hall, the Hauptplatz—the main square—lies at the center of this historical district. Towering above the city, the renowned Schlossberg is a tree-covered slope capped with the Uhrturm (Clock Tower), providing panoramic views of Graz and the Mur River.

Dynamic cultural scene in Graz is also well-known. Being the European Capital of Culture in 2003, it was also designated a UNESCO City of Design. Its numerous galleries, museums, and public art exhibitions reveal these tributes. Friendly Alien, as locals refer to it, the Kunsthaus Graz is a contemporary art museum whose blob-like form strikes starkly against the traditional architecture around. Simultaneously, the Murinsel, a man-made floating island on the Mur River, serves as a café and amphitheatre representing the city's inventive taste.

Central to Graz's identity is education. The city vibrates with youthful energy and academic activity thanks six colleges and a sizable student population. Established in 1585, the University of Graz is among the oldest in Central Europe and counts among its alumni the renowned physicist Erwin Schrdinger. This scholarly presence promotes a vibrant caf culture, an eclectic music scene, and a progressive perspective that keeps the city always growing.

Graz provides food enthusiasts much to savour. Called the "green heart of Austria," Graz produces excellent food, especially pumpkin seed oil, a local specialty, from its rich soil. Hearty meals including Backhendl (fried chicken), Kferbohnensalat (bean salad), and locally produced wines from the neighboring South Styrian Wine Road define traditional Styrian food. Daily festivals of regional tastes, farmers markets like the Kaiser-Josef-Platz are.

Graz is also a portal to natural beauty. Exploration, trekking, and bicycling are encouraged by the nearby hills, vineyards, and woodlands. Graz provides a rich and satisfying experience connecting past and future whether you are admiring baroque palaces, sipping riverbank coffee, or going to a contemporary art exhibition.

Graz is essentially a place where modern creativity coexists with old-world charm and tradition meets innovation. Graz is a hidden treasure waiting to be found by those looking for a less traveled route across Austria.