The destination guide
Graz
Graz is Austria’s second city with a UNESCO old town, a futuristic art museum floating on the Mur River, and none of Vienna’s tourist crowds.
Travel guides for Graz
More guides featuring Graz (5)
At a glance
- German
- Mur River city
- Styrian hills
- Clock Tower hill
- University town
- European History
- Culinary Capitals
- Architecture
- University Towns.
How Graz scores
Editorial scores on a 10-point scale, weighed against destinations of the same kind.
Travel safety snapshot
SafePlace indicators use their source 100-point scale; higher is more favourable. Planning context, not a live travel advisory — check official government guidance before you go.
When to go
Best months to visit: April, May, June, July, August, September, October and December.
- January: -4.5 to 4 degrees Celsius, 35.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 2 out of 5.
- February: -2.7 to 7.6 degrees Celsius, 37 millimetres of rain, best-time score 2 out of 5.
- March: -0.6 to 11.1 degrees Celsius, 43.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 3 out of 5.
- April: 3.6 to 15.4 degrees Celsius, 52.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- May: 8.2 to 18.6 degrees Celsius, 105 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- June: 13.5 to 24.5 degrees Celsius, 87.4 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- July: 14.8 to 25.7 degrees Celsius, 85.8 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
- August: 14.6 to 25.3 degrees Celsius, 97.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
- September: 10.4 to 20.4 degrees Celsius, 108.2 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- October: 5.6 to 15.5 degrees Celsius, 61.3 millimetres of rain, best-time score 5 out of 5.
- November: 0.5 to 8.2 degrees Celsius, 62.4 millimetres of rain, best-time score 3 out of 5.
- December: -3.4 to 4.2 degrees Celsius, 44.1 millimetres of rain, best-time score 4 out of 5.
Month-by-month conditions and packing advice
- January
- Cold, occasional rain January in Graz: cold winter weather makes this a more indoor-focused visit. Crowds: January in Graz is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings.
- February
- Cold, occasional rain February in Graz: cold winter weather makes this a more indoor-focused visit. Crowds: February in Graz is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings.
- March
- Cool to mild, occasional rain March in Graz: culture and dining remain strong while outdoor conditions are less steady. Crowds: March in Graz is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings.
- April
- Cool to mild, occasional rain April in Graz: old-town walks, Schlossberg views, wine-country side trips, and markets fit mild shoulder weather. Crowds: April in Graz is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
- May
- Cool to mild, some rain May in Graz: old-town walks, Schlossberg views, wine-country side trips, and markets fit mild shoulder weather. Crowds: May in Graz is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- June
- Mild to warm, some rain June in Graz: old-town walks, Schlossberg views, wine-country side trips, and markets fit mild shoulder weather. Crowds: June in Graz is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- July
- Mild to warm, some rain July in Graz: summer and festive winter visits are lively but can bring heat, crowds, or higher prices. Crowds: July in Graz is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- August
- Mild to warm, some rain August in Graz: summer and festive winter visits are lively but can bring heat, crowds, or higher prices. Crowds: August in Graz is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack light clothing, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- September
- Mild to warm, some rain September in Graz: old-town walks, Schlossberg views, wine-country side trips, and markets fit mild shoulder weather. Crowds: September in Graz is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Add a rain jacket or compact umbrella.
- October
- Cool to mild, occasional rain October in Graz: old-town walks, Schlossberg views, wine-country side trips, and markets fit mild shoulder weather. Crowds: October in Graz is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
- November
- Cold, occasional rain November in Graz: culture and dining remain strong while outdoor conditions are less steady. Crowds: November in Graz is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings.
- December
- Cold, occasional rain December in Graz: summer and festive winter visits are lively but can bring heat, crowds, or higher prices. Crowds: December in Graz is workable with normal seasonal planning; build in layers, weather checks, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Pack: Pack warm layers, a coat, and comfortable shoes for cold mornings and evenings.
- July
- August
- November
- January
- February
- March
Know before you go
About
Graz, the capital of Styria in southeastern Austria, is the country’s second-largest city, celebrated for one of the best-preserved historic old towns in Central Europe. Its Altstadt, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999 alongside Eggenberg Palace, weaves together Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture beneath the tree-covered Schlossberg, the hilltop crowned by the city’s emblematic clock tower, the Uhrturm. A university town of roughly 300,000 people, Graz was named European Capital of Culture in 2003 and a UNESCO City of Design in 2011, the year that gave rise to the futuristic blue Kunsthaus art museum and the floating Murinsel island on the River Mur. Visitors stroll the red-roofed lanes to landmarks such as the Landhaus courtyard and the historic armory, the Landeszeughaus, while the surrounding Styrian countryside, known as the green heart of Austria, supplies the pumpkin-seed oil and wine that define the region’s renowned cuisine.
Best time to visit
May to June, September to October
Season by season
Spring and Autumn offer pleasant weather and colorful foliage. Summer is warm and festive. Winter is cold but magical with traditional Christmas markets.
Crowds
Moderate
Getting there and around
Getting there
Train from Vienna (2.5h). Graz Airport (GRZ) has regional connections.
Getting around
Very walkable Old Town. Excellent tram and bus network.
Top experiences in Graz
Schlossberg and Clock Tower (Uhrturm)
Hilltop fortress with famous clock tower offering city views.
Kunsthaus Graz
Friendly Alien modern art museum.
Eggenberg Palace
Heart of the city with the Town Hall and market stalls.
Editor-curated picks carried over from our original guide. Where a full place guide exists, the card links to it.
Worth booking ahead in Graz
Hand-picked from the operators our guides already send readers to. Prices and availability are live on the partner site.
BrowseViator
Tours and tickets in Graz on Viator (opens Viator in a new tab)
Viator's full list of bookable tours and tickets in Graz.
BrowseGetYourGuide
Experiences in Graz on GetYourGuide (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)
Everything GetYourGuide sells in Graz, with the cancellation terms on each listing.
Where to stayBooking.com
Stays in Graz (opens Booking.com in a new tab)
Live rates and availability for Graz on Booking.com; filter by neighbourhood once you know where your days start.
We earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. It is how we keep the guides free and independent.
Where to stay
Schlossberghotel
Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Kai 30, 8010 Graz, Austria
Elegant city-center hotel with sprawling terraced gardens, views of the Schlossberg, and a range of rooms and suites combining historic charm with comfort.
Augarten Art Hotel
Burgring 4, 8010 Graz, Austria
Design hotel with spacious light-filled rooms, modern art, a rooftop terrace with stunning city views, and contemporary Austrian dining.
Lendhotel
Schönaugasse 53, 8010 Graz, Austria
Modern and stylish hotel in the trendy Lend district with minimalist rooms, a rooftop terrace overlooking the city, and a relaxed design-forward vibe.
Editor-curated stays carried over from our original guide. Where we have reviewed the hotel, the card links to the review.
Tips from the field
Highlights
- The panoramic views from the historic Clock Tower on the Schlossberg, and the striking contrast of the futuristic Kunsthaus against the UNESCO-listed Old Town.
Best activities
- Walking up the Schlossberg (or taking the funicular), exploring the Renaissance courtyards of the Landhaus, and tasting Styrian wines.
Local experiences
- Explore the bustling Kaiser Josef Farmers' Market and buy a bottle of the region's famous 'black gold'—Styrian pumpkin seed oil.
Practical tips
- The city center is compact and very walkable. There's also a free tram zone within the historic Old Town (Altstadtbim) linking major squares.
Photography tips
- Photograph the biomorphic, blue-bubble architecture of the Kunsthaus at twilight, or capture the red rooftops of the Old Town from the Schlossberg.
Timing
- 2 days is plenty to see the historic center, visit a few museums, and enjoy the culinary capital of Austria.
Keeping it authentic
- Graz feels very lived-in and authentic, driven by a large university student population rather than mass tourism.
Culture, customs and safety
Safety notes
Graz is a very safe Austrian city. Standard precautions against pickpockets apply in crowded tourist areas and at the main train station, but violent crime is very rare.
