Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Graz
A walkable UNESCO Old Town, a clock-tower hill, modern art on the river and Styrian food and wine at your doorstep.
Best time to visit: Spring (April-June) and September-October are the best times: mild weather, open-air cafes and the Styrian wine and pumpkin season. The Aufsteirern folk festival took place on 19-20 September 2026 and is normally held in mid or late September; steirischer herbst 2026 runs 24 September to 18 October. The Krampus run is on Sunday 8 November 2026 (Karmeliterplatz/Freiheitsplatz, from 18:00). The Advent markets run 20 November to 24 December 2026, with the Ice Nativity open until 6 January 2027 and the Graz Winter World ice rink until 31 January 2027. Summers are warm; January and February are cold and quiet.
Getting your bearings: The compact Old Town (UNESCO) lies on the east bank of the Mur, around Hauptplatz, Herrengasse and the Schlossberg with its Clock Tower. The Kunsthaus and Murinsel sit on the river, and the west bank (Lend, Gries) has the galleries and cafes. Schloss Eggenberg is 4 km west by tram 1, and Mariatrost is on tram 1 in the east. Most of the centre is walkable; trams are quick for Eggenberg and the station.
Graz Christmas markets (Advent in Graz)
The main Christkindlmarkt on Hauptplatz runs 20 November to 24 December 2026 with a lit-up tree, light avenue, children's carousel and a projection show on the Town Hall. The Franziskanerviertel market, the oldest in the city, is a short walk away, and the Glockenspielplatz market is open until 24 December. Further markets stand on Freiheitsplatz, Kleine Neutorgasse and Mehlplatz, and the Ice Nativity (Eiskrippe) in the Landhaushof is free from 28 November to 6 January 2027. Everything is within walking distance of the Old Town trams (lines 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 to Hauptplatz); go on weekday afternoons for fewer crowds.
All the sights in Graz
History & Old Town
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Main Square and Town Hall (Hauptplatz & Rathaus) High priority
The central square of the UNESCO old town, framed by the historicist Town Hall and the Archduke Johann fountain.
Hauptplatz is the heart of the old town and the place most walks start from. The large Town Hall (Rathaus) from the late 19th century closes one side, and the Archduke Johann fountain stands in the middle. Weekly markets and, in December, the Advent events are held here. Tram lines 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 stop at Hauptplatz, so it is easy to reach from Hbf in a few minutes. Cafes with terraces line the square, and Herrengasse and the Landeszeughaus begin right here.
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Landhaus Courtyard and Herrengasse (Landhaushof & Herrengasse) High priority
A Renaissance arcaded courtyard on the main pedestrian shopping street of the old town.
The Landhaus is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance, with a three-storey arcaded courtyard and a bronze fountain; it was the seat of the Styrian estates. The courtyard hosts concerts, theatre and celebrations during the year and has an ice nativity scene in Advent. Reckon about 20 minutes for it. The Landhaus is on Herrengasse, the pedestrian street running from Hauptplatz, and the Landeszeughaus is right next door. On Herrengasse you can also see the old town's shops and cafes and the Painted House.
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Graz Cathedral (Grazer Dom) High priority
A late Gothic court church from the 15th century, beautifully restored in 2023.
Built between 1438 and 1462 for Emperor Frederick III, the cathedral combines Gothic and Baroque elements. Look for the 1457 crucifixion panel by Conrad Laib and the faded 1485 exterior fresco showing plagues as punishment. A big restoration finished in 2023 with new lighting and a rebuilt organ. Entry is free except during services. It stands right next to the Mausoleum and the Burg, about 10 minutes on foot from Hauptplatz through the old town.
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Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II (Mausoleum Kaiser Ferdinands II.) High priority
The largest mausoleum the Habsburgs ever built, with turquoise domes, next to the cathedral.
Commissioned by Emperor Ferdinand II in 1614 and completed in 1636, the complex joins the cross-shaped St Catherine's Church with an oval mausoleum, an important Mannerist work with stucco in the style of Fischer von Erlach. The turquoise domes are visible from the street even when closed. It is at Burggasse 3, next to the cathedral. Opening is seasonal: April to October, Tuesday to Sunday, and in winter by arrangement only. Plan around 30 minutes.
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Burg Double Spiral Staircase (Doppelwendeltreppe) High priority
A late Gothic twin spiral staircase in the castle courtyard, where two flights meet and part again.
The double spiral staircase in the courtyard of the Burg dates from the 15th century under Maximilian I and is one of Europe's finest. Two spirals wind around each other, meeting at each floor and then separating, which earned it the names 'reconciliation staircase' and 'kissing staircase'. The passages are narrow, so taller visitors should watch their heads. The courtyard is at Hofgasse 15, near the cathedral and mausoleum; the Burggarten is just beside it. Free entry, daily.
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Eggenberg Palace (Schloss Eggenberg) High priority
UNESCO-listed Baroque palace with guided state rooms, three museums and a large park with peacocks.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Eggenberg is Graz's grandest Baroque palace and part of the city's UNESCO World Heritage listing. The 24 state rooms can be seen only on a guided tour of about 50 minutes (daily at 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16 h, Tuesday to Sunday), while the Alte Galerie, the Archaeology Museum and the Coin Cabinet are visited on your own. The park is open daily from morning to evening and is free to wander on a separate cheap ticket; it is the easiest part to enjoy with children, with peacocks and lawns. From the centre take tram 1 (direction Eggenberg/UKH) to the stop Schloss Eggenberg, about 15 minutes from the Old Town, then walk a few minutes; booking ahead is recommended in busy periods.
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Mariatrost Basilica (Basilika Mariatrost) Nice to have
Twin-towered Baroque pilgrimage church on a hill above the Graz tram terminus, free to enter.
Mariatrost is a Baroque pilgrimage basilica from the early 18th century, with a curved facade, twin towers and richly painted interior with marble altars and a late-Gothic Madonna at the high altar. You reach it by climbing the Angelus staircase of 216 steps, which rewards you with views over the eastern edge of Graz. Take tram 1 to the terminus Mariatrost and walk up from there; the church is open daily 7:00-19:00. It combines well with a walk to the nearby Hilmteich pond.
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Rein Abbey (Stift Rein) High priority
Austria's oldest Cistercian abbey, founded in 1129, with a Baroque church, library and a free stone-age mining museum.
Rein, about 15 km north of Graz, is Austria's oldest Cistercian monastery, founded in 1129. The guided tour (daily at 10:30 and 13:30) leads through the Baroque abbey church, the library and the restored cross chapel and covers about 900 years of building history. The new Stein.Zeit.Museum in the complex shows finds from 6,500 years of flint mining and is free to enter. Reach Rein by regional train or bus towards Gratwein and then a short walk or local bus; plan a half day with lunch at the abbey tavern.
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Riegersburg Castle (Burg Riegersburg) High priority
Dramatic hilltop fortress on a volcanic rock in eastern Styria with museums, a lift and a bird-of-prey show.
Riegersburg crowns a steep volcanic rock above the hills of the Styrian Vulcanland and is one of the best-known castles in Austria. The cheapest ticket covers only the outdoor areas, the middle one adds the interior rooms and museums, and the top ticket includes the bird-of-prey show. Allow plenty of time for the climb or lift up and for the museums, and note that last admission to the rooms is one hour before closing. By public transport it is a long trip of around two hours from Graz (train to Feldbach and a bus); driving takes about 45-50 minutes.
Museums
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Graz Museum Schlossberg Nice to have
A modern museum in the old cannon house on the hill telling the story of the fortress, with a garden of mythical creatures.
This small museum on the hilltop opened in 2020 and won a Styrian architecture prize in 2021. It has a Cannon Hall with a panorama window over the city, a historical trail through the former cannon house, and the Schlossberg Story in a casemate with a model of the tunnel system. The Garden of Wonders with sculptures of mythical creatures is a hit with children and is free to enter for two hours before opening and after closing. It is on the upper plateau, so combine it with the Clock Tower and the funicular or lift. Plan about an hour.
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Styrian Armoury (Landeszeughaus) High priority
The world's largest preserved historical armoury, with around 32,000 suits of armour and weapons on four floors.
Built in 1642-47, the Landeszeughaus still looks as it did when it supplied Styria's army against the Ottomans. Four floors are packed with knights' armour, muskets, cannons and polearms, which is a good fit for children who like knights. Allow about 1.5 hours. From April to October it is open Tuesday to Sunday; from November to early January you mostly visit on guided tours (English at 12:30), so check dates. It is at Herrengasse 16, a few steps from Hauptplatz and right next to the Landhaus courtyard. Tram stop Hauptplatz/Congress.
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Kunsthaus Graz (Friendly Alien) High priority
A blue blob-shaped contemporary art museum nicknamed the Friendly Alien, an icon of modern Graz.
The Kunsthaus, opened in 2003, is the most striking building in Graz: a curved blue acrylic skin with nozzle-like skylights on the Mur's west bank. Inside you find international contemporary art exhibitions; next are Eva Schlegel (23 Oct 2026 - 29 Mar 2027) and Space Race (from 11 Dec 2026). The building is worth seeing even from outside, especially at night when the facade lights up. It is at Lendkai 1, a short walk over the Mur from Hauptplatz; trams 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 stop at Hauptplatz.
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Neue Galerie Graz (Joanneumsviertel) Nice to have
Art from the 19th century to today, including the Bruseum, in the Joanneum quarter.
The Neue Galerie holds Austrian and international art from classical modernism to the present, and includes the BRUSEUM, devoted to the Austrian artist Günter Brus. It is part of the Joanneum quarter, a courtyard complex south-east of Hauptplatz, so you can combine it with the Natural History Museum next door. Admission is by the Joanneum ticket; a 24-hour ticket lets you add other Joanneum museums. Expect about 1 to 1.5 hours.
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Natural History Museum (Naturkundemuseum) Nice to have
Styria's natural history museum in the Joanneum quarter.
The Naturkundemuseum presents the natural history of Styria. It sits in the Joanneum quarter, so it pairs with the Neue Galerie. The 24-hour Joanneum ticket allows you to add other museums on the same day. It is in the old town's south-east; walk about 10 minutes from Hauptplatz. Plan about an hour.
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Museum of History (Museum für Geschichte) Bonus
Joanneum's museum on the history of Styria, in Sackstraße.
Part of the Universalmuseum Joanneum, the Museum für Geschichte tells Styria's history in exhibitions. It is open Wednesday to Sunday, and a Joanneum 24-hour ticket covers other museums such as the Landeszeughaus on the same day. The museum is on Sackstraße, a few minutes' walk from Hauptplatz. Plan about an hour.
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Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing (Österreichisches Freilichtmuseum Stübing) High priority
Large open-air museum with historic farmhouses and buildings from all over Austria in a hilly park.
The open-air museum at Enzenbach near Stübing, about 15 km north of Graz, gathers historic farmhouses, mills and workshops from every Austrian region on a wide, hilly site; paths between them are long, so expect a lot of walking. Many buildings can be entered and there are animals, gardens and craft demonstrations on busy days, which makes it a good family day out. Entry is by 24-hour, 48-hour or 72-hour ticket, bought online or at the gate. Public transport is possible via regional train to Stübing and a walk; a car makes it easier.
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Graz Museum Sackstraße (Graz Museum Sackstraße) Nice to have
The city museum in a historic palace tells the story of Graz and its people, a few steps from the Schlossberg lift.
Graz Museum on Sackstraße is the city's own museum and presents the history of Graz through objects, photos and changing exhibitions. It is a good rainy-day stop that takes about an hour. The building is on the old Sackstraße, just a few minutes on foot from Hauptplatz and right by the Schlossbergplatz lift, so it combines easily with the hill. It is open daily, with last entry at 17:45. Kids and teens up to 18 enter free, and a combined ticket also covers the second Graz Museum site on the Schlossberg. No booking is needed.
Family & Play
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FRida & freD Children's Museum (Kindermuseum FRida & freD) High priority
An interactive children's museum with a mouse adventure for ages 3-7 and a maths and inventors' lab for older kids.
The Graz children's museum is a hands-on place with three exhibitions: The Inventor Mice (ages 3-7), The Inventive Geniuses and Maths Jungle (both from 8). It is a safe rainy-day bet but gets very full in bad weather and school holidays, so come at opening time. Theatre performances run Thursday to Sunday at 16:00. It is at Friedrichgasse 34, on the edge of the old town; take tram 5 or walk about 15 minutes from Hauptplatz. There are stroller racks at the ticket desk.
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Herberstein Zoo and Palace (Tierwelt Herberstein) High priority
Styria's state zoo with about 85 animal species, a petting zoo and a garden palace in the grounds.
Tierwelt Herberstein is Styria's state zoo, with around 85 species from five continents, a petting zoo and a palace garden on the grounds near Stubenberg am See. Most paths have been asphalted, so it works well with strollers, and the main entrance is barrier-free. It is open all year, but daily only from spring to early November; from 2 November 2026 only Thursday to Sunday and holidays. Without a car it is a long trip from Graz, so it is mainly worth it if you drive (free parking).
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Piber Lipizzaner Stud Farm (Lipizzanergestüt Piber) Nice to have
Home of the white Lipizzaner horses of the Spanish Riding School, with mares and foals, a baroque castle and guided tours.
At Piber, near Köflach, the Lipizzaner horses of the Spanish Riding School are bred; the foals are born dark and turn white with age. The roughly one-hour guided tour (at 9:45, 11:00, 13:30 and 14:45 daily until 2 November 2026) shows mares with foals, retired stars, exhibitions and historic carriages, and the ticket gives all-day access to the farm. The stables are closed to visitors between 12:00 and 13:00. A climbing park runs on weekends and holidays in the autumn. Go by regional train to Köflach and then a short bus or taxi ride, or by car; it combines with the Hundertwasser church in Bärnbach.
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Schlossberg Slide (Schlossbergrutsche) Nice to have
A 170-metre slide through the dark Schlossberg tunnel, one of the longest indoor slides in Europe.
The Schlossberg Slide drops you 64 metres down through the old tunnel inside the hill, over a route of about 170 metres, lying on a mat in the dark. Riders must be at least 130 cm tall, so it suits older kids and adults rather than small children. The slide is open every day of the year from 10:00 to 21:00. A single ride costs €6.50, and there is also a combined ticket with the 4D motion cinema at the same site. The entrance is at Schlossbergplatz by the lift, about 10 minutes on foot from Hauptplatz. Tickets can be bought online in advance to skip the queue.
Green & Nature
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Schlossberg Hill with Clock Tower (Schlossberg & Uhrturm) High priority
The 123-metre hill above the old town is Graz's symbol, with the Clock Tower, the Liesl bell tower, a park and the best views of the city.
Schlossberg is a green hill in the middle of Graz that once held a fortress; today it is a free public park. The landmarks are the Clock Tower (Uhrturm), whose oversized hour hand and 5-metre dials are known all over Austria, and the octagonal Liesl bell tower. You can ride up by funicular or the glass lift, or walk up the 260 steps of the Kriegssteig in about 15 minutes. The walk down through the park paths is easy with kids, and the top has playgrounds, cafes and viewpoints. From Hauptplatz it is about 10 minutes on foot to the lift at Schlossbergplatz or the funicular at Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Kai (trams 3 and 5, stop Schlossbergbahn). No booking needed.
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Schlossberg Funicular (Schlossbergbahn) High priority
A 130-year-old funicular with a glass roof that climbs the hill at a 60 percent gradient.
The Schlossbergbahn has been carrying passengers up the hill since 1894 and is the most fun way to reach the top. The glass-roofed cars run every 15 minutes and the ride takes about four minutes. The top station is at the entrance of the Kasematten tunnels, a short stroll from the Clock Tower. The valley station is at Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Kai 38, on tram lines 3 and 5 (stop Schlossbergbahn), about 10 minutes on foot from Hauptplatz. Normal Graz zone 101 tickets are valid, so a day pass covers it. Strollers fit, but check with staff at busy times.
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City Park (Stadtpark) Nice to have
A large green park at the edge of the old town, good for a break with kids.
The Stadtpark is the main green space next to the old town, a short walk from the cathedral and the Burg. It has shady paths and lawns and is a calm place to let children run after sightseeing. It is free and open at all times. From Hauptplatz it takes about 10 to 15 minutes on foot.
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Hilmteich Pond (Hilmteich) Bonus
Wooded recreation pond near Mariatrost with paths, boating, a climbing forest and a lakeside restaurant.
The Hilmteich is a small pond in the woods on the eastern edge of Graz, popular with locals for strolls, boating and picnics. There is a climbing forest, a lakeside restaurant at the historic Hilmteich-Schlössl and ice skating in winter. The grounds are open round the clock. It is a relaxed add-on after the Mariatrost basilica; go by tram 1 to Mariatrost and continue on foot, or use a local bus.
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Austrian Sculpture Park (Österreichischer Skulpturenpark) Nice to have
Free 7-hectare landscape park south of Graz with more than 80 contemporary sculptures.
This park was laid out by the Swiss landscape architect Dieter Kienast and shows over 80 works by Austrian and international artists across seven hectares of meadows and paths. It is free, open daily in the season and pleasant for a long, slow walk, with a lotus pond that blooms in early July. Guided tours and full-moon walks are offered on selected dates. The address is Thalerhofstraße 85 in Premstätten, about 10 km south of the centre; it is easiest by car or bike, and regional buses and trains from Graz also serve Premstätten.
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Lurgrotte Semriach Cave (Lurgrotte Semriach) Nice to have
Austria's largest stalactite cave with a guided tour past the Great Dome and a giant free-hanging stalactite.
The Lurgrotte at Semriach, about 25 km north of Graz, is Austria's largest dripstone cave. A guided tour of roughly an hour leads through the Great Dome and past the Giant, said to be the world's largest freely hanging stalactite; a light-and-sound show runs from April to October. Dress warmly, as caves stay cool all year. There are tours at 11:00, 14:00 and 15:30 daily in summer and only on weekends in winter, so check the day before. A car is the easiest way to get there.
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Kastner & Öhler Roof Terrace (Dachterrasse Freiblick) Nice to have
A free rooftop terrace on top of the department store with a 360-degree view over the old town rooftops and the Schlossberg.
On the top floor of the Kastner & Öhler department store on Sackstraße there is a roof terrace with a 360-degree view over the old town, the Clock Tower and the Schlossberg. The terrace belongs to the Freiblick day cafe, so you can have coffee or a light lunch while looking at the roofs of Graz. It is open Monday to Friday 09:30-18:30 and Saturday 09:30-18:00, and closed on Sundays and some holidays. On sunny weekends it fills up, so a table reservation is recommended. It is about 5 minutes on foot from Hauptplatz.
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Botanical Garden of the University of Graz (Botanischer Garten) Nice to have
A quiet university garden with open-air beds and greenhouses, from desert to rainforest plants.
The university botanical garden has open-air beds and greenhouses with plants from different climate zones, from desert to rainforest. It is a calm, shady place for a short walk with kids, and a good option on a cold or rainy day because of the greenhouses. It is open every day, 08:00-14:30 from 16 September to 14 May and 08:00-16:30 from 15 May to 15 September, but closed from 24 December to 6 January. Note the early closing time. It lies in the university district east of the old town, about 20 minutes on foot from Hauptplatz or a short tram ride. Dogs are not allowed.
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Mur Riverside Promenade (Murpromenade) Bonus
A relaxed riverside walk along the Mur, linking the Kunsthaus and Murinsel area with the old town.
The Mur river runs through the centre of Graz, and the paths along its banks make an easy, flat walk away from the traffic. The route passes the Murinsel and the Kunsthaus area and gives a different view of the old town and the Schlossberg. It is free, open at all times, and fine for strollers and bikes. Combine it with Hauptplatz, which is about 5 minutes on foot from the river bridge, or with a stop at the Murinsel. Take a snack for the kids and use the benches along the way.
Other
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Murinsel (Island in the Mur) High priority
A shell-shaped steel island in the river Mur by artist Vito Acconci, with a cafe and a children's playground.
The Murinsel is a floating platform, 50 metres long, that doubles as a pedestrian bridge between the two banks of the Mur. It was designed by the New York artist Vito Acconci and built in 2003. The closed dome holds a cafe and a small children's playground; the open part is an amphitheatre. It is free and always accessible, and especially pretty when it is lit by LEDs at night. It sits halfway between the Kunsthaus and Schlossberg, so it fits any walk between them. From Hauptplatz it is about 5 minutes on foot.
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Hundertwasser Church (Hundertwasserkirche St. Barbara, Bärnbach) Nice to have
A 1950s parish church transformed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser into a colourful artwork, with a mosaic fountain nearby.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
St. Barbara in Bärnbach was redesigned by Friedensreich Hundertwasser in 1987-88 with coloured tiles, golden onion-shaped elements and irregular lines, and is one of his few church projects. The Moses fountain with mosaic tiles stands in the nearby city park. The church is open daily from 7:30, and guided tours can be arranged with the parish (+43 3142 62581). From Graz take the S-Bahn S7 to Bärnbach station and then RegioBus 703 to Hauptplatz. It pairs naturally with the Lipizzaner stud at Piber, a few kilometres away.
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Glockenspiel (Glockenspiel am Glockenspielplatz) Bonus
A short daily carillon show with a dancing couple in Styrian costume, in a small square in the old town.
On Glockenspielplatz in the old town, a carillon plays three times a day while a pair of figures in traditional Styrian costume dances out of the facade. The show takes only a few minutes, so it is a nice small stop while walking between Hauptplatz and the cathedral. It is free and needs no booking. Check the time before you go, because the show plays only at fixed hours: 11:00, 15:00 and 18:00. The square is about 5 minutes on foot from Hauptplatz.
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Lendplatz Market (Lendplatz Markt) Bonus
A local farmers' market in the Lend district, open Monday to Saturday mornings.
Lendplatz Market is a neighbourhood farmers' market in the Lend district, across the Mur from the old town, where local producers sell fruit, vegetables, bread and Styrian specialities. It is open Monday to Saturday 06:00-13:00 and closed on Sundays and public holidays, so go in the morning. The atmosphere is quieter and more local than the bigger Kaiser-Josef Market. Combine it with a walk along the Mur and the Kunsthaus area. From Hauptplatz it is about 15 minutes on foot.
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