Capital of Culture Graz
The Styrian capital represents history, is home to famous daughters and sons and is also a dynamic business centre and high-quality living space. Graz has been an insider’s tip for city breaks at least since the Capital of Culture year 2003. Art and culture lovers will get their money’s worth just as much as pleasure lovers, as Graz has also recently become the capital of pleasure!
Your day in Graz
Old town walk
Let yourself be enchanted and follow the guides on a walk through the enchanting alleyways of the city of Graz. Graz presents visitors with a colourful hodgepodge of different styles under one roof. An alien as an art centre, an artificial island in the River Mur and many “quirky” buildings. In Graz, the courage of modern architecture lives on, combined with world cultural heritage. Exciting contrasts, unconventional ideas and a highly interesting scene make Graz an extraordinary city.
Graz comfortable
Walk through the old town in combination with a bus tour
Do you like it cosy and comfortable? Start your tour of Graz with a bus tour and get to know the city’s treasures on the outskirts as well as the Art Centre and Mur Island. Then continue your voyage of discovery on foot to the classic sights of the historic city centre.
"Schlossberg all-round tour"
Discover our inviting capital city and capital of culture 2003. A convenient combination of city tour by bus and walking tour takes you high above the rooftops of the city. The centre of the tour is the Grazer Schlossberg. Take the traditional Schlossbergbahn railway up to the top, a walk on the plateau offers views in all directions and deep insights into the history of the fortress hill. Past the bell tower, the Stallbastei and the Türkenbrunnen fountain, you descend to the clock tower, Graz’s famous landmark. Above the red sea of roofs of Graz, you can let your gaze wander over the foothills of the city all the way to Slovenia. Descend the hill by lift or on foot, through the city crown with the cathedral, castle and mausoleum to the city park shaded by chestnut trees, where your bus will be waiting for you.
Further excursion tips in Graz
Museum Joanneum: Styrian Armoury
The Styrian Armoury was formerly used as an armoury and is now considered the largest preserved historical armoury in the world. The 32,000 or so artefacts bear witness to a time of conflict and date from the 15th to 17th centuries.
The Lurgrotte is the largest active water cave in Austria and is located between the towns of Semriach and Peggau. Exciting guided tours are offered from April to October and in the winter months from December to March.
Museum Joanneum: Eggenberg Castle
…with the “Alte Galerie” and the landscaped park with Rosenhügel. Unique architecture, magnificent rooms and romantic parks – Eggenberg Palace is a fascinating synthesis of the arts. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the Joanneum’s precious collections, which invite visitors to take an extraordinary journey through time.
The oldest Cistercian monastery in the world houses the tomb of the founder and first sovereign Margrave Leopold I. Guided tours are available daily and take you back to the beginnings of Styria’s history.
Museum Joanneum: Stübing Open-Air Museum
The Stübing Open-Air Museum is one of the largest and most impressive open-air museums in Europe. Around 100 original buildings offer a unique insight into the diverse rural architecture and culture of Austria and tell of the life and everyday life of the rural population of the past.
Museum Joanneum: Natural History Museum
Exciting facts about the evolution of life, the formation of our earth and much more. The new museum’s collection goes back over 200 years in our history.
Armoury
Rein Abbey
Lurgrotte
Stübing Open-Air Museum
Eggenberg Palace
