The Best Beginner’s Guide to Graz in Austria 2024
The Best Beginner’s Guide to Graz in Austria 2023
We made the decision to plan a quick two-day trip to Graz and Linz, two stunning Austrian cities, in October 2021. We can assure you that the lengthy journey to Graz, Austria, was well worth it. You’ll be treated to some beautiful mountains and landscapes. We will now provide you a suggestion whether you are renting a car or driving your own vehicle: if you are the type of person who loves to budget for your travels, you will need to pay for the tunnel entry when driving to Graz in addition to the 9.50 euros you will need to pay for the vignette. When we visited Graz, we paid 10 euros, and when we
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Informations
The state capital of Styria, Austria, is Graz, which is also the country’s second-biggest city after Vienna. With four colleges and four universities, Graz is regarded as a college and university city. Altstadt, its historic center, is among Central Europe’s best-preserved city centers. The city’s historic center was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Graz was named a City of Culinary Delights in 2008 and the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2003.
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.
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Things to do
You must think of Graz as a round city and go in a circle to view all of the tourist sites if you want to see them all.
Schloßberg
Schloßberg, a large dolomite rock that forms the center of Graz’s medieval old town, is where we began our visit. It rises 123 meters over Graz’s main square and is situated right on the banks of the Mur. Additionally, you can use the Schlossbergbahn to go to Schlossberg if you don’t have a personal vehicle. In about one and a half minutes, tourists can reach the Schlossberg, the nearby mountain in Graz, via the Schlossbergbahn. Great views of Graz and its ancient town and a little excitement are always provided by the incredibly steep route. This magnificent train, which has been in operation for more than a century, transports you to the Schlossberg for a panoramic view and numerous extravagant festivals.
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Graz clock tower
The clock tower in Graz is 28 meters high. Positioned atop the Schloßberg, this iconic structure in Graz features dials that span more than five meters in circumference with gold-plated hands.A dog of stone is standing guard a short distance down the street at the Clock Tower. A dog’s barking is said to have prevented the Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus from kidnapping the emperor’s daughter Kunigunde in 1481 when his marriage proposal was turned down.
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After parking the car, we proceeded to the Main Square. We passed by this stunning church on the route.
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The primary square is located in Graz’s first inner city neighborhood. While traveling to the square, we stopped to shoot the following photos on the streets:
Main Square - Oldtown
The main square is located in Graz’s Inner City, the city’s first district. It is the starting point for Sporgasse, Herrengasse, Schmiedgasse, Murgasse, and Sackstrasse. Under Unesco protection, Graz’s Old Town is a World Cultural Heritage site. Historic structures in excellent condition and winding streets brimming with eateries and bars.Graz was a significant economic hub during the Middle Ages, hosting weekly markets and fairs. The market square was inhabited only by citizens, primarily traders. Structurally, the houses in the west of the plaza are reminiscent of the Middle Ages, with their staggered fronts divided by tiny lanes. Under wooden arbors, the merchants sold their wares. The two Luegg homes still have arcades, and the house on the corner facing Sporgasse stands out due to its stunning late 17th-century stucco front.
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We left the square and went to the bridge that crosses the Mur River after seeing everything.
Murinsel
The Murinsel, also known as the island in the Mur according to the project, is an artificial island in the form of a floating platform that was designed in 1999, constructed in 2002, and inaugurated in January 2003 in the middle of the Mur in Graz. It was placed next to the Schlossberg as part of the city’s efforts to become a modern landmark during its year as the Capital of Culture. The project managers wanted to incorporate public art and architecture with the city center’s water experience.
Kunsthaus Graz
Not only could we see the city from a different vantage point, but we could also see the Murinse and the Kaisersburg. Constructed during the 2003 Capital of Culture Year, the KUNSTHAUS GRAZ has been a newly recognized architectural landmark in the city of Salzburg ever since. A PART OF THE UNIVERSALMUSEUM JOANNEUM, THE BUILDING’S EXHIBITION PROGRAM INCLUDES CONTEMPORARY ART FROM THE LAST FIVE DECADES.
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State Armory
Constructed between 1642 and 1647, the Landesarsenal in Graz served as Styria’s major armaments storage. The arms and accoutrements kept there were used to furnish the military frontier established in the sixteenth century to protect what are now Croatia and Hungary from the Ottoman Empire, as well as to outfit the Styrian provincial army. The Landesarsenal, which has 32,000 exhibits of various kinds and is mostly kept in original form, is the world’s largest armory. Now a component of the Universalmuseum Joanneum, the mansion welcomes thousands of visitors each year who are interested in historical weapons from all over the globe.
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Herz Jesu Kirche
We were eager to tour the Herz-Jesu-Kirche Graz after taking in all that the city had to offer. Thus, we returned to the vehicle and drove there. This Roman Catholic church in St. Leonhard’s Graz neighborhood was constructed using neo-Gothic brick architecture. Constructed between 1881 and 1887, this structure boasts the third-highest church tower in Austria and is among the most significant examples of historicist architecture in Styria.
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Eggenberg Palace
And Eggenberg Palace was the final objective we had to reach. The most important Baroque palace complex in the Austrian province of Styria is called Eggenberg Palace. Among Austria’s most priceless cultural assets is Schloss Eggenberg.The 24 state chambers form an almost pristine work of interior art, in which the Baroque and Rococo furnishings combine to produce a rare ensemble of extraordinary worth. With over 500 ceiling paintings and the quality and scope of the authentic, conserved interiors, Eggenberg offers a singular experience.
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Even though Graz was a really lovely city, we made an effort to explore as much as we could quickly because we were running out of time and needed to drive many hours to our accommodation in Linz. However, since we enjoy taking in all that a nation has to offer, we took an hour’s detour from our planned route to Linz to visit the Green Lake-Grüner See. We had no regrets at all about it! We shall always remember those beautiful sceneries that we saw. Although the lake isn’t as full of water as it was in the older photos, the surrounding mountains and trees are still stunning. Lake Grüner See is located in
Green Lake
Tragöß, a settlement in the municipality Tragöß-Sankt Katharein in Styria, Austria, is home to the lake known as Grüner See (Green Lake). The three mountains that make up the Hochschwab Mountains—Pribitz, Meßnerin, and Trenchtling (Hochturm)—and the surrounding forests encircle the lake.Since the water is emerald-green, the term “Green Lake” was born. The pristine, clear water, which is between 6 and 7 °C, is derived from snowfall from the karst mountains.The lake, which is only 1-2 meters deep in the winter, is surrounded by a county park.
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Book your perfect vacation!
Vacations: We are happy that we have the opportunity to work with the most famous companies in the world, we always order our vacations from these companies and we have never been disappointed: Check 24, Trivago, Trafalgar, TravelUp, Insight Vacations, Explorer Fernreisen.
Where to stay
Hotels, bed & breakfasts, and guesthouses, regardless of location—in the center of town, close to a lake, or amid natural surroundings. We were able to identify the top companies providing the best hotels: Booking.com, Trip.com, TravelUp, esky, Hoteltopia, Millennium Hotels and Explorer Fernreisen.
Where to eat
Traditional dishes to try in Austria
Wiener Schnitzel, classic Tiroler Speck bacon, and Knödel: a flavorful dumpling made from boiled beef or veal and vegetables Wiener Wurstel, or Sausages from Vienna
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Traditional dishes like zelzelrostbraten are offered in the majority of German and Austrian eateries in Vienna and Bavaria, respectively. Wiener saftgulasch is an Austrian stew made with diced lean beef and a rich, savory gravy. It’s considered the country’s response to goulash prepared in the Hungarian way. One simple dish that is representative of traditional Burgenland cuisine is Kürbis suppe, or pumpkin soup.
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Faschierte laibchen, or ground meat patty, is a common Austrian specialty that is created with a mixture of ground meat (usually a mix of both beef and ground pork), eggs, soaked bread in milk, fried onions, fried garlic, spices, and seasonings. A typical meal from Tirol, an Austrian region well-known for its hiking and skiing routes, is called Tiroler gröstl. Like most Alpine cuisines, gröstl is made primarily of fried potatoes, onions, and bacon and is simple yet flavorful. The meal is typically served with a fried egg on top. Käsekrainer, a kind of sausage stuffed with tiny pieces of cheese, is a classic gourmet treat from Austria. Typically, pork or a combination of pork, beef, and other spices are used to prepare it.
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Desserts: Apple strudel, plum jam turnovers (Pwidltascherl), and Sachertorte. The delicate pastries are fashioned with a unique potato dough and filled with a mixture of plum jam, rum, or plum schnapps. Quark cheese, sometimes known as topfen, is the primary component in topfentorte, an Austrian-style cheesecake. Gluing together two pieces of shortbread cookies that have already baked and sandwiching redcurrant jam in between, Linzer Augen are a miniature version of the Linzer torte. Yeast dumplings, or germknödel, are a well-known dish in Austria.
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Restaurants
Peppino am Hofkeller, Osteria dei Sensi, Trattoria Veneziana, La Botte, Trattoria Siena, and La Tavernetta are some of the Italian eateries in Graz. Graz’s steakhouses include Le Burger Graz, El Gaucho, Clocktower Graz, BBQ 1952 – Bistro-restaurant, and Steak Boutique.
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Memori, Vina Restaurant, Mekong, Yamamoto, Pad Thai Graz, oh! are some of the Asian eateries in Graz.Matcha.
Saving Tips
You may save a tonne of money by making your hotel and travel reservations in advance. Discover the greatest deals by using our hotel search engine. Many hotels let you pay when you arrive, and most let you cancel up to one day prior to your scheduled arrival.Buying Austrian train tickets in advance can help you save money if you’re only visiting the big cities and don’t need a car. Many of the city’s museums are open for free during these hours.
If you have some extra cash, you can even attempt Big Bus or Hop-on, Hop-off tours. You just need to select the ideal alternative from the many that we are offering!
Book your tours!
Tours: If you do not go by car and need to know more information about the tours, and things to see, we recommend these 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, Get Your Guide, Tiqets, City Sightseeing, Sesame, Sightseeing Pass, Contiki, Riviera Travel, CityPass: the best activities in town!
Shopping
In one of Graz’s contemporary retail centers, those who enjoy finding the stores wrapped are in good hands. It’s conveniently located near public transportation and offers childcare, foreign cuisine, and a plethora of shopping options. The shopping center offers free parking for those arriving by car.
The stores in the heart of Graz are typically open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, however occasionally they stay open until 12 p.m. A handful of stores close for lunch. Typically, grocery stores open earlier than 8 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
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Public transportation is centralized at Jakominiplatz, which is bustling both during the day and at night. You can find high-quality workmanship, contemporary service providers, cozy eateries, furniture and lighting design, antiques and graphics, and modern service providers between Jakoministraße and Klosterwiesgasse.
The university district is where young people live, work, and shop (between Leonhardstrasse and Heinrichstrasse). The numerous students that surround Karl-Franzens-Universität brighten up the area and let coffee shops and vegetarian bars to spring up out of the earth.
Regardless of the weather, Graz’s shopping centers provide their patrons with all the amenities of contemporary adventure centers in a condensed package. Services include shopping, events, international cuisine, and child care, to name a few. Free parking and easy access via public transportation are standard. This adds to the enjoyment of shopping.
Getting Around
Austria boasts a sophisticated public transportation network. Buses and trams are available within cities; the metro is only available in Vienna, the capital.Bus and train connections throughout Austria are excellent. On the other hand, Austrian highways make for an enjoyable road trip if you’d rather drive. But the primary mode of transportation across the nation is the train. The national rail operator in Austria, ÖBB, is in charge of rail transportation. The company runs a large number of domestic and international routes. Other routes inside the nation are provided by Westbahn, a different firm, many of which travel to smaller towns.
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Graz Airport: From the airport, take a public bus to Jakominiplatz or the main train station in Graz. Right outside the passenger terminal, next to the departure area, is where Bus 630/631 stops. Trains The S5 train line runs frequently between the Graz Airport and the Hauptbahnhof.
Book your transport!
Rent a car!
Here you can find the best offers to rent the right car for you, as well as parking right in the airport: esky, Explorer, Centauro and intui.travel.
Getting Here
The two airlines that travel to Austria most frequently from the US are Austrian Airlines and United Airlines. Austria is highly connected on a national and international level because to its three main airports, which are located in Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. Vienna International is a major hub for several European destinations because of its advantageous location in the heart of Europe. There are information desks in terminals 1 and 3’s departure halls as well as terminal 3’s arrivals hall. You may access flight information online as well. By train, the airport can be reached from Vienna’s city center in less than 30 minutes.
Innsbruck Airport is a bustling transportation hub that services the region’s well-known ski resorts throughout the winter. The largest regional airport in Austria, Salzburg Airport, is conveniently located close to Salzburg’s city center and has good access to public transportation. It is also easily accessible via its own motorway exit. It is the ideal place to begin your journey to the nearby summer and winter vacation destinations.
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The biggest airports in Austria are those in Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. Airports in Other Countries Nearby: Flying into Munich, Germany, or Zurich, Switzerland, from western Austrian regions like Tirol, Salzburg, and Vorarlberg, are excellent options. Slovakia’s Bratislava Airport is located 50 kilometers (or 30 miles) east of Vienna in eastern Austria.
south Austria – Airport in Slovenia, Ljubljana. Airlines Visiting Austria The largest airline in Austria, Austrian Airlines serves about 130 destinations across a global route network. Air France, Ryanair, Swiss, EasyJet, EasyJet, EasyJet, EasyJet, Aer Lingus, Austria, and TUI Airways.
Book tour Flights!
If you have not found your desired flight, or you simply want more flight options to find the best and cheapest, we will help you with the best flight plans, where you will definitely find what you are looking for. With just one click you will find the cheapest flights to a wonderful destination!
Great post
Thank you very much!