Is Graz Worth Visiting? Absolutely! (Tips from a Local)

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Graz is Austria’s second-largest city, and after 13 years living here, I can say it’s one of the country’s hidden gems.

However, if you’re looking for a bustling metropolis or a mountain town straight out of The Sound of Music, you might be disappointed.

So, is Graz worth visiting? Absolutely, if you’re looking for something unique and unexpected. It has a youthful and authentic vibe, beautiful green spaces and interesting museums.

Table of Contents

Why I Love Graz

Authentic Austrian City

One of the best things about Graz is how authentic it feels compared to more tourist-heavy cities like Vienna or Salzburg. Despite being Austria’s second-largest city, Graz hasn’t yet been overrun by tourists, so it still has that genuine local charm.

For example, when a friend graduated, we all wore traditional Austrian dresses, called Dirndl, and it felt completely natural—not like a performance for tourists, but simply how people dress for special occasions.

Graz gives you the chance to experience Austria as the locals do.

The famous Uhrturm, a large clock tower on the Schlossberg hill in Graz, surrounded by lush gardens with colorful flowers in the foreground. — View of the Clock Tower from the Rose Garden

Beautiful City Center

The whole historic center of Graz is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you wander through its narrow, cobblestone streets, you’ll find historic buildings, picturesque squares, and beautiful courtyards at every turn.

The blend of Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic architecture gives the old town a unique charm that feels like stepping back in time.

A bustling outdoor market in Graz, Austria, with colorful striped canopies sheltering stalls filled with fresh produce, flowers, and handmade goods. Shoppers explore the vibrant selection of fruits, vegetables, and artisanal products. — Farmer’s market at Lendplatz

Local Markets

One of my favorite things about living in Graz was shopping at the local farmer’s markets in the mornings. These markets are full of fresh produce from nearby farmers, offering a true taste of the region.

Even if you’re not in the mood to buy groceries while on holiday, many of the markets have stalls selling drinks, so you can simply relax with a glass of something local and watch the market come to life.

Beyond the markets, Graz is also home to plenty of independent shops. I love all the unique local businesses here.

Young Atmosphere

Graz has a very youthful energy, thanks to its large student population. In 2023, the city had around 300,000 inhabitants, with 63,000 of them being students, making up about 20% of the population!

This influx of students keeps the city lively and full of things to do, with cool events happening year-round, from pop-up markets to live music and festivals.

This image shows a bright and sunny day in a park, with lush green grass and people lounging and enjoying the outdoors. In the foreground, vibrant red autumn leaves contrast with the clear blue sky, while further in the background, a river and footbridge can be seen, along with a few people walking or sitting by the water. The mood is peaceful and relaxed, capturing the essence of a pleasant day in the park. A watermark in the bottom-left corner reads "© Austrian Veganderlust." — My favourite park in Graz, Augarten

Amazing in Summer

Unlike many cities that get busier in summer, Graz actually quiets down as a large portion of the student population heads home for the holidays. This makes summer the perfect time to explore Graz and relax in the city’s beautiful parks.

My favorite park is Augarten, where I’ve spent many sunny days with a good book. It’s a popular picnic spot, with friends meeting to enjoy the summer. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even take a refreshing dip in the Mur River there.

The main city park, Stadtpark, features one of the coolest cafés in Graz, perfect for meeting friends for drinks that often last well into the evening.

An aerial view of Graz, Austria, featuring the futuristic blue bubble-like architecture of the Kunsthaus Graz amidst a sea of traditional red-roofed buildings. The hills in the background create a scenic backdrop. — Modern art museum *Kunsthaus*, nicknamed the friendly alien

A front view of Schloss Eggenberg, a grand baroque palace in Graz, Austria, featuring ornate architecture with red-tiled roofs, tall towers, and surrounded by lush greenery. This historic landmark is a popular destination for visitors. — Modern art museum *Kunsthaus*, nicknamed the friendly alien

Interesting and Affordable Museums

Graz is home to several fascinating museums. The most famous museum is the futuristic Kunsthaus, known for its unique architecture and modern art exhibits.

Then there’s Schloss Eggenberg, a stunning Baroque palace with beautifully preserved rooms and gardens.

If you’re a museum lover, the Joanneum 24-hour ticket is an amazing deal. For the same price as a single ticket to Schloss Eggenberg, you can visit as many Joanneum museums as you like within a 24-hour period.

This image shows a smiling woman holding two ice cream cones, one with red sorbet and the other with a creamy, chocolate-flavored ice cream. She is wearing sunglasses and standing on a street lined with buildings, with "Die Eisperle" branding on the cones, suggesting this is a local ice cream shop. The background includes a street crossing and some pedestrians. — The best ice cream in the world!

Best Ice Cream in the World

I know it sounds like an exaggeration, but I’ve honestly never had ice cream as good as the one at Eisperle in Graz. This local chain, with four locations across the city, serves up some of the freshest, most delicious ice cream I’ve ever tasted.

They offer different, very unique flavors almost every day. You can check their Instagram stories to see what’s on the menu for the day.

You can really taste how fresh and natural the ingredients are. In the summer, there’s often a long queue outside, but trust me, it’s worth the wait. And the best part? All their ice cream is vegan!

Starting Point to Explore Austrian’s Wine Region

Graz is also the perfect starting point for exploring Austria’s beautiful wine region and nearby thermal spas. The Styrian wine country offers rolling hills covered with vineyards, where you can sample some of Austria’s finest wines.

There’s also multiple natural hot springs to discover. My personal favorite is Bad Blumau, a stunning spa designed by the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, where you can relax in hot springs and saunas.

Tina with a backpack admires the panoramic view of Graz from the Schlossberg, with the iconic clock tower (Uhrturm) visible in the background, framed by clear skies and a sweeping cityscape. — Graz is an amazing city!

Why Graz Might Not Be a Good Fit for You

No Proper Mountains

While Graz has the Schlossberg hill right in the city center and the Schöckl mountain just outside the city, they’re a far cry from the towering peaks most people associate with Austria.

If you’re dreaming of a city right next to dramatic, snow-capped mountains, Graz might not be the best fit. For that classic Alpine experience, I’d recommend heading to Innsbruck, where the mountains are much closer and more picturesque.

Not a Big City

Although Graz is Austria’s second-largest city, it doesn’t feel like a big city at all. There are only about 300,000 inhabitants in Graz and it really has its small city charm.

So, if you’re looking for a big city vibe, Vienna is the only choice for you in Austria.

A woman sitting by a large window in Café Tribeka, Graz, enjoying a coffee and a sandwich. The sunlight creates a warm, cozy atmosphere inside the café. — There are so many cool places to have a coffee in Graz

Final Thoughts: Is Graz Worth Visiting?

Graz might not be for everyone, especially if you’re searching for towering mountains or a bustling metropolis. But for those who appreciate a laid-back, culturally rich city with hidden gems waiting to be discovered, Graz is absolutely worth a visit.

In Graz you get an authentic Austrian city with a vibrant student life, interesting museums, and peaceful summer vibes.

Curious to learn more about what you can do in Graz? Check out my guide to the best things to do in Graz for a closer look into everything this charming city has to offer!