- Graz was the first city in Austria to be declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site for its well-preserved city center.
- The city has maintained a sister-city relationship with the town of Thal, the birthplace of Arnold Schwarzenegger, which hosts a dedicated museum.
- Graz is often called the 'City of Design' due to its integration of modern architecture, such as the Kunsthaus, into its historic fabric.
- The city is home to one of the largest concentrations of students in Austria, supported by four major universities.
- The region surrounding Graz is famous for its 'Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil,' a protected regional specialty with a distinct nutty flavor.
About Graz
Graz serves as the capital of Styria and is distinguished by its UNESCO-listed Altstadt von Graz, which harmoniously blends medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles. The city is dominated by the Schlossberg, a forested hill accessible by a funicular or stairs that houses the iconic Uhrturm clock tower. Visitors can experience contemporary art at the Kunsthaus Graz or explore the massive historical collection housed within the Styrian Armory. The city also features the extensive, ornate grounds of Schloss Eggenberg, providing a glimpse into regional aristocratic history.
Highlights of Graz
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
This hilltop park offers panoramic views of the entire city and remnants of historical fortifications.
Historical places
The old town contains a dense concentration of preserved medieval and Renaissance buildings.
Historical places
This 13th-century clock tower remains the most recognizable landmark of the Graz skyline.
Historical places
The estate houses a preserved planetary room and extensive gardens reflecting 17th-century palace design.
Museums
Known as the Friendly Alien, this building is a masterpiece of blob architecture dedicated to contemporary art.
Museums
It holds the world's largest historic armory collection, featuring over 30,000 items from the 15th to 18th centuries.
Places of interest
This central square acts as the primary hub for local markets and major public events.
Places of interest
This facility documents the life and career of the famous actor and former governor of California.
Top things to do in Graz
The 269 highest-rated places in Graz, ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
Schlossberg is a forested public park located on a 473-meter hill rising directly above Graz's historic center. The hill...
2
Places of interest
Graz's Hauptplatz serves as the city's central square, functioning as a primary hub for commerce and public assembly sin...
3
Historical places
The Graz Uhrturm is a 13th-century clock tower situated atop the Schlossberg hill in central Graz. The current structure...
4
Zoos
Herberstein Zoo is a 40-hectare wildlife park integrated into the historical landscape of the Feistritz Valley in Styria...
5
Historical places
Riegersburg Castle is a 12th-century fortress constructed atop a dormant volcano rising 482 meters above sea level in St...
6
Historical places
Schloss Eggenberg is a 17th-century palace located in western Graz, serving as the most significant Baroque complex in t...
7
Museums
The Kunsthaus Graz is an amorphous, blue contemporary art museum designed by architects Colin Fournier and Sir Peter Coo...
8
Parks
Augarten is a prominent urban park located along the Mur river in Graz, characterized by its combination of green recrea...
9
Venues
Opera Graz is the second-largest opera house in Austria, housed in a Neo-Baroque structure inaugurated in 1899. Designed...
10
Places of interest
The Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum is located in the childhood home where the bodybuilder, actor, and former governor live...
11
Parks
Stadtpark Graz occupies the footprint of the former city fortification walls demolished in the mid-19th century. The par...
12
Museums
The Styrian Armory (Landeszeughaus) in Graz houses the world's largest historic collection of arms and armor in its orig...
13
Historical places
The Altstadt von Graz, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features a dense concentration of Renaissance and Baroque architect...
14
Museums
The Austrian Open Air Museum Stübing is one of the ten largest open-air museums in Europe, dedicated to the vernacular a...
15
Venues
Merkur Arena is the primary football stadium in Graz, serving as the home ground for SK Sturm Graz and Grazer AK. It fea...
16
Places of interest
The Lurgrotte is Austria's largest active karst cave system, featuring a vast network of subterranean chambers and galle...
17
Parks
The Botanical Garden of the University of Graz functions as both a scientific research facility and a public recreationa...
18
Temples
Basilika Mariatrost is a late Baroque pilgrimage church situated on the Purberg hill in the northeast of Graz. The twin-...
19
Natural attractions
Kesselfall is a narrow mountain gorge located in the Almenland region of Styria, carved by the Rötschbach stream. The tr...
20
Temples
Graz Cathedral, also known as the Domkirche, is a 15th-century Gothic structure commissioned by Emperor Frederick III in...
21
Places of interest
Lurgrotte Peggau is Austria's largest active water-bearing show cave, situated north of Graz. The cave system is formed...
22
Temples
The Herz-Jesu-Kirche is the third-tallest church in Austria, characterized by its prominent 109.6-meter neo-Gothic spire...
23
Temples
The Hundertwasserkirche in Bärnbach, originally a 17th-century parish church, was redesigned by Austrian artist Friedens...
24
Museums
The Neue Galerie Graz, part of the Universalmuseum Joanneum, is a center for Austrian art spanning the 19th century to t...
25
Museums
Schloss Herberstein is a historic Styrian castle owned by the same aristocratic family for over 700 years. The site comb...
26
Venues
The Schauspielhaus Graz, located at Hofgasse 11, serves as the primary municipal theatre and a cornerstone of the Styria...
27
Temples
The Islamisches Kulturzentrum Graz, located at Laubgasse 24, serves as a primary religious and social hub for the Muslim...
28
Places of interest
The Schöckl west summit is the primary peak of the Schöckl massif, situated in the Styrian Prealps at an elevation of 1,...
29
Natural attractions
The Deutschlandsberger Laßnitzklause is a narrow gorge carved by the Laßnitz river located in the Koralpe foothills of S...
30
Parks
Auwiesen is a protected landscape and recreational area located along the Mur River in the southern district of Graz, Li...
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Graz on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Graz
May to September, when the mild Alpine climate allows for full enjoyment of the outdoor parks and the hilltop views.
2-3 days to explore the historic core, the major museums, and the nearby Schloss Eggenberg.
The city center is highly walkable, while an efficient tram and bus network serves the surrounding areas.
Stay in the Innere Stadt (District 1) to be within walking distance of primary landmarks, or choose the Lend district for a more modern, cafe-focused atmosphere.
Mid-range; while luxury options exist, the city offers high value for dining and transport compared to Vienna or Salzburg.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 269 curated attractions in and around Graz, ranked by traveller ratings.
Schlossberg is the highest-rated place to visit in Graz right now.
The largest category is temples, with 81 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Vienna, Innsbruck, Ebbs.
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