The Best Beginner’s Guide to Graz in Austria 2023
The Best Beginner’s Guide to Graz in Austria 2023
In October 2021 we decided to organize a small 2-day vacation in 2 beautiful cities in Austria: Graz and Linz. Although the road to Graz in Austria was quite long, we can tell you that it is 100% worth it. You will enjoy some breathtaking scenery and mountains. Now we will give you a tip if you will travel with your personal car, or if you rent a car: if you are a person who likes to plan his budget for a trip, apart from 9.50 euros you will have to pay for the vignette, you will also have to pay for the access to the tunnel, when you drive to Graz. We paid 10 euros when we went to Graz and 6 euros when we returned.(No ideea why we paid less when we returned).
Table of Contents
Austria Map
Informations
Graz is the capital city of the Austrian state of Styria and second-largest city in Austria after Vienna. Graz is known as a college and university city, with four colleges and four universities. Its historic center (Altstadt) is one of the best-preserved city centers in Central Europe
In 1999, the city’s historic center was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Graz was designated the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2003 and became a City of Culinary Delights in 2008.
Quick Tips
Temperature: July and August are the peak months for summer vacation in Austria. The months from December to March are ideal for winter vacation.
Language: The official language is German.
Currency: Euro
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=12 EUR, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=50 EUR
You can find more information about the visa here.
Things to do
To visit all the attractions of the city, you have to consider Graz as a round city, and you go around in a circle to see the tourist attractions.
Schloßberg
We started our visit with Schloßberg, that is a massive rock made of dolomite rock and forms the core of the historic old town of Graz. It is located directly on the banks of the Mur and rises 123 m over the main square in Graz. Also, if you do not have a personal car you can reach Schlossberg with the Schlossbergbahn.
Graz clock tower
The Graz clock tower is a 28 meter high clock tower. It stands on the Schloßberg and, with its dials over 5 meters in diameter and gold-plated hands, is the landmark of Graz.
Then we parked the car, and went to the Main Square. On the road we saw this beautiful Church.
The main square is a square in the first inner city district of Graz. These are some pictures we have taken on the streets while we are heading to the square:
Main Square - Oldtown
The main square is a square in the first district of Graz, Inner City. Sporgasse, Herrengasse, Schmiedgasse, Murgasse and Sackstrasse branch off from it.
After visiting all this, we left the square, to the bridge that crosses the river Mur.
Murinsel
The Murinsel in Graz or, according to the project, the island in the Mur, is an artificial island as a floating platform that was planned from 1999, built in 2002 and opened in January 2003 in the Mur in the middle of Graz to be installed next to the Schlossberg as part of the Capital of Culture year to create a second and modern landmark of the city. The aim of the project operators was to combine architecture and art in public space with the experience of water in the city centre.
Kunsthaus Graz
From the bridge we could see the city from another point of view, but we could also see the Kunsthaus Graz and Murinsel.
The Kunsthaus Graz was built as part of the 2003 Capital of Culture year and has been a new architectural landmark of the city of Graz ever since. The building, whose exhibition program includes contemporary art from the last five decades, is part of the Universalmuseum Joanneum.
State Armory
The Landesarsenal in Graz was built between 1642 and 1647 and was once the central arms depot in Styria. The weapons and accessories stored there were used to equip the Styrian provincial contingent and to supply the military border set up in the 16th century to defend against the Ottoman Empire in what are now Croatia and Hungary. With its 32,000 exhibits of all kinds, the Landesarsenal is the largest armory in the world, which is largely preserved in its original condition. Today the house is part of the Universalmuseum Joanneum and attracts thousands of tourists and lovers of historical weapons from all over the world every year
Herz Jesu Kirche
After enjoying all the wonders of the city, we wanted to see the Herz-Jesu-Kirche Graz. So we got back in the car and headed there. This is a Roman Catholic church built in the neo-Gothic brick style in the Graz district of St. Leonhard. The building, built between 1881 and 1887, has the third highest church tower in Austria and is one of the most important buildings of historicism in Styria.
Eggenberg Palace
And the last goal on our list, which we couldn’t miss, was Eggenberg Palace Eggenberg Palace is the most significant Baroque palace complex in the Austrian province of Styria. Schloss Eggenberg ranks among the most valuable cultural treasures of Austria.
Although the city of Graz was very beautiful, we tried to see as many as possible in a short time, because time was running out, and we had to get to our hotel in Linz and we had to drive for a few hours. But still, because we like to see all that is beautiful in a country, we deviated from our road to Linz, an hour, to go see the Green Lake-Grüner See. And we didn’t regret it at all! It was great to see those landscapes, which we will never forget. To be honest, the lake is no longer as full of water, as seen in the old pictures, but the surrounding mountains and forests are beautiful.
Grüner See is a lake in Styria, Austria in a village named Tragöß. The lake is surrounded by the Hochschwab Mountains and forests. The name “Green Lake” originated because of its emerald-green water:
Green Lake
Where to stay
A good night’s sleep is particularly important when you are travelling. Graz offers its guests a host of luxurious, charming and also out-of-the-ordinary accommodation.
Whether in the heart of the city, near the lake or surrounded by nature – Graz’s hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses guarantee a relaxing and invigorating stay.
We managed to find the best three companies that offer hotels, holiday homes and transportation. These are: Booking.com,Trip.com and Vrbo. We have already tested these companies and we warmly recommend them. As a result this will just bring you good deals for your next vacation.
Top hotels we recommend in Graz: Aiola Living Graz ,NH Graz City ,Grand Hôtel Wiesler .
Where to eat
Traditional dishes to try in Austria
Wiener Schnitzel, Tiroler Speck-traditional bacon, Knödel: Flavorful Dumpling
Tafelspitz (Beef or Veal Boiled in Broth With Vegetables)
Wiener Wurstel (Viennese Sausages)
Zwiebelrostbraten is a traditional dish that’s served in most German and Austrian restaurants in Bavaria and Vienna, respectively.
Regarded as the Austrian answer to Hungarian-style goulash, Wiener saftgulasch is a hearty stew that consists of diced lean beef drenched in a thick, flavorful gravy.
Kürbis suppe or pumpkin soup is a simple dish typical of the traditional Burgenland cuisine.
A typical specialty of Austrian cuisine, faschierte laibchen ( ground meat patty), is made with a combination of ground meat (typically a mixture of ground beef and ground pork), milk-soaked bread, eggs, fried onions, fried garlic, spices, and seasonings.
Tiroler gröstl is a traditional dish from Tirol, an Austrian region famous for its skiing and hiking courses. Like most Alpine dishes, gröstl is simple, yet rich, consisting of fried potatoes, onions, and bacon. Traditionally, the dish is served with a fried egg on top.
Käsekrainer is a quintessential Austrian gourmet delicacy, a type of sausage filled with small chunks of cheese. It is usually prepared with pork or a mixture of pork, beef, and a variety of spices
Desserts: The Sachertorte , apple strudel, Powidltascherl (Plum Jam Turnovers)-The delicate pastries, made with a distinctive potato dough, are filled with a combination of plum jam, rum or plum schnapps
Topfentorte is an Austrian-style cheesecake made with topfen or quark cheese as the main ingredient.
Linzer Augen, also known as a mini version of the Linzer torte, are made by gluing together two pieces of already baked shortbread cookies with redcurrant jam sandwiched in between.
Germknödel is a famous Austrian steamed yeast dumpling.
Restaurants
Italian restaurants in Graz : Peppino im Hofkeller, Osteria dei Sensi, Trattoria Veneziana, La Botte,Trattoria Siena, La Tavernetta
Steakhouses in Graz : BBQ 1952 – Bistro-restaurant, El Gaucho, Steak Boutique, Clocktower Graz, Le Burger Graz
Asian restaurants in Graz: Memori, Vina Restaurant, Mekong, Yamamoto, Pad Thai Graz, oh!Matcha.
Saving Tips
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Booking your flights and your hotel in advance can save you a lot of money. Use our hotel search engine to find the best offers. Most hotels allow you to cancel up to a day before your arrival, and many let you pay when you get there. If you’re just visiting the major cities and don’t require a car, you might save money by purchasing Austrian train tickets in advance.
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Lots of the museums in the city have free opening hours.
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You can also try Hop-on, Hop-off tours or Big Bus tours and spare some money. As we are presenting a lot of good options you just have to pick the perfect one for you!
If you do not go by car and need to know more informations about the tours, things to see and do in Graz, we recommend this two companies that are offering tours for any kind of activity you want to do and where you can buy trips much cheaper than if you buy them when you arrive at your destination. It is always good to be able to save some money!
Viator and Get Your Guide : the best activities in town!
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Shopping
Anyone who likes to find the shops bundled is in good hands in one of the modern shopping centers in Graz. Easily accessible by public transport, you can enjoy countless shopping opportunities, international gastronomy and childcare. If you come by car, you can park for free in the shopping center.
The shops in Graz city center are generally open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., sometimes only until 12 p.m. A few shops close during the lunch break. Grocery stores often open before 8 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Jakominiplatz is a hub for public transport and there is a lot of activity here day and night. Between Jakoministraße and Klosterwiesgasse you will find antiques and graphics, furniture and lighting design, high-quality craftsmanship, modern service providers and inviting restaurants.
Young people learn, live and shop in the university district (between Leonhardstrasse and Heinrichstrasse). Around the Karl-Franzens-University, the many students enliven the district and allow coffee shops and veggie bars to sprout from the ground.
The shopping centers in Graz offer their customers all the comforts of modern adventure centers in a compact form, regardless of the weather. Shopping, events, international gastronomy, childcare are just a few of the services offered. Good accessibility by public transport and free parking is a matter of course. This makes shopping even more fun.
Getting Around
Austria has a well-developed public transport system. Within cities there are buses and tramways, only the capital Vienna has a metro. Austria is well-connected with trains and buses. However, if you prefer to drive, Austrian motorways are a pleasure to road trip through. That said, trains are the main way to get around the country.
In Austria, rail transport is run by the national rail company, ÖBB. The company operates many international and national routes. However, a second company – Westbahn – offers other routes within the country, many of which go to smaller towns.
Graz Airport- Take a public bus from Graz Airport to Graz main station or Jakominiplatz. The bus stop for Bus 630/631 is right outside the passenger terminal, right next to the departure area. Trains Train line S5 operates regularly between Graz main station (Hauptbahnhof) and Graz Airport.
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Getting Here
Austrian Airlines & United Airlines fly the most frequently from the United States to Austria. Austria’s three major airports in Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck ensure the country is well connected both national and international.
Thanks to its favorable location in the center of Europe, Vienna International is an important hub for a number of European destinations. Information desks are located in the departure halls of terminals 1 and 3 and in the arrivals hall of terminal 3. Flight information is also available online. The airport is not far from Vienna city center and can be reached in less than a half-hour by train.
Innsbruck Airport – a busy transport hub, particularly in the winter season when it serves popular ski resorts in this area.
Salzburg Airport – Austria’s largest regional airport is situated near the city center of Salzburg and can easily be reached thanks to excellent connections to the public transport system as well as its own motorway exit. It is the perfect starting point to continue your journey to the surrounding summer & winter holiday resorts.
Austria’s Largest Airports: Vienna Airport, Graz Airport, Linz Airport, Salzburg Airport, Innsbruck Airport.
Nearby Airports in Other Countries:
the western regions of Austria, such as Tirol, Salzburg, and Vorarlberg, flying into Zurich (Switzerland) or Munich (Germany) are great alternatives. eastern Austria- Bratislava Airport in Slovakia, which is only 50 km / 30 mi from Vienna.
southern Austria – Ljubljana Airport in Slovenia.
Airlines Flying To Austria Austrian Airlines- Is Austria’s Largest Carrier And Operates A Global Route Network Of Round 130 Destinations.
Austria’s, Aer Lingus, Eurowings, EasyJet, Jet2.Com, Lufthansa, Ryanair, Swiss, TUI Airways.
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Austrian Airlines is Austria’s largest carrier and operates a global route network of round 130 destinations. That route network is particularly dense in Central and Eastern Europe with 37 destinations. Thanks to its favourable geographical location at the heart of Europe, the company’s hub at Vienna International Airport is the ideal gateway between East and West. Austrian Airlines is part of the Lufthansa Group, Europe’s largest airline group, and a member of the Star Alliance, the first global alliance of international airlines.
The ÖBB runs several international train services. These run from Austria to cities all over Europe on either Eurocity or Nightjet trains. In some cases, you may need to connect to a train run by a local company in another country. In general, though, you can expect a similar level of service as on ÖBB’s Austrian trains. These trains offer a direct connection to countries such as: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary. There are also connections that allow you to reach Denmark, Croatia and Luxembourg easily.
Buses are an important part of the Austrian transport system. This is because they often operate night services and routes to small towns and complement the national train network. Many international bus services also operate through Austria. These connect with many other major European cities in Germany, France, Slovenia, Italy, and more. The most common international bus line is Eurolines. The main companies running international bus routes are Flixbus and Eurolines. Both run journeys to cities all over Europe, linking Austria to thousands of destinations across the continent. You can book your train or bus ticket if you click the widgets bellow:
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Great post
Thank you very much!