As you’ll see from this list of awesome things to do in Graz, Austria, this city is a bit different from others you can visit here. It’s a bit quirkier, with some seriously freaky architecture, and overall just a super fun little town.
Seeing as how Graz is a bit too far from other major cities for a quality day trip, I recommend spending at least two days here so you can take your time. This post covers all the stuff you need to know to plan a summer visit to Graz.
Map of things to do in Graz
This map contains all the things to do in Graz I mention in this post (including restaurants, hotels, and logistical concerns). To save this map: Click on the star ⭑ next to the map’s title to save in your Google Maps. To use this map: When you get here, open Google Maps on your phone, click “Saved” at the bottom, then click “Maps.”
Tips for visiting Graz + mini travel guide
Here are the best resources and tools to help you plan your trip to Graz so you’re sure to have a great time:
Getting to Graz
Graz is pretty easy to get to from cities like Vienna and Salzburg and the trip takes about the same amount of time whether you drive or take the train. Personally, I drove here from Vienna and then continued on to Austria’s wine country afterwards.
Driving to Graz
Graz makes an excellent addition to any Austria road trip itinerary, and driving is always my personal preferred travel method. There are even some great hotels near the center that have private parking garages. The drive to Graz is:
I suggest renting a car here if you need one.
Taking the bus to Graz
If you want to take a bus to Graz, Flixbus offers several quick and affordable trips from Vienna. The trip is direct and takes just under 2.5 hours. See all Flixbus schedules and rates here.
Taking the train to Graz
Taking the train to Graz from cities like Vienna, Salzburg, and Ljubljana takes about the same amount of time as driving making this a reasonable option. Check out train schedules, routes, and rates here.
Getting around Graz
For just about everything you’ll want to see and do in Graz you can do on foot. This city is pretty compact and extremely walkable. But you will need your own car in order to visit just a couple of the sites I mention.
Get the Graz Card
If you have plans to visit a few of Graz’s museums, you’ll definitely want to consider picking up a Graz Card. This low-price sightseeing pass gets you free access into a full list of museums and includes free public transportation too. You can get them for 1, 2, or 3 days. See the details here.
Where to stay in Graz, Austria
Graz has tons of great hotels in and around the main center, but here are some quick recommendations:
See more available Graz hotels here.
Where to drink and eat in Graz
Graz has some great places to eat and drink, some with stunning views! All are easy to get to on foot (or funicular).
The best things to do in Graz
This list of what to do in Graz, Austria contains all the best things to see and do plus some of the most popular tours, must-do activities, and more.
1. Visit the Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum
I think my favorite thing I did during my time in Graz was visit the Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum. This small but fun museum is located in Arnold’s childhood home in the town of Thal (just a short drive outside Graz).
Some of the rooms have the house set up the way it was when he grew up here (in the late 1940s, ‘50s, and ‘60s). Others have his weightlifting equipment and awards. Some have movie memorabilia, and others are dedicated to his time as the Governor of California.
Out back there’s some primitive exercise equipment you can try out. Being able to show people I did chin-ups in Arnold’s backyard is my biggest flex. This museum is really so fun and quirky, and Arnold himself visits quite often. He was here just two days before I was so I barely missed him.
Arnold Museum need to know
This museum is located in a residential area of a mostly rural town (on a mountain basically). Ergo, parking is extremely limited. (We tried to visit here one day and had to come back the next because there wasn’t anywhere to park.) However, they do have a secondary area where you can park, but it’s a little walk up a windy road to get here, so just be aware.
2. Walk around the historic Altstadt (Old Town Graz)
Back in the city, take some time to simply stroll around the historic Old Town—a beautifully-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are tons of streets with delightful little shops, cafés, churches, and more.
Don’t miss the massive Rathaus (town hall), the Landhaus (historic seat of government), the Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II, the double spiral staircase, and more. (All included in the map at the top of this post.)
3. Or take a walking tour with a local guide
If wandering aimlessly isn’t your thing, you can always opt for a guided walking tour with a local expert. Check out this 60-minute Graz walking tour if you’d rather go this route.
4. Ride the funicular up to the Schlossberg
The Schlossberg is the mountain that stands high over Graz and where the city’s castle was once located. (Hence the name “Castle Mountain.”) At the top you’ll be able to have lunch at the restaurant or just beers at the beer garden, walk through some beautiful gardens, and get the absolute best views in Graz.
To get up here, you have two options:
Obviously, the funicular is the best option. You can buy a roundtrip ticket or just the trip up, since there are two more ways to get down instead that you might want to try. The ride is quick and the tickets are cheap. More information here.
5. Spot the F1 car on the mountainside
As you ride up in the funicular, keep your eyes peeled for the literal F1 car that’s suspended on the side of the mountain. (Below is the best picture I could get around the other people in the funicular with me, but you get the idea.)
Graz is a big F1 city given that it’s the home of Helmut Marko (an F1 bigwig) and the Red Bull Ring (F1 racetrack) is just an hour away. If you’re an F1 fan, you should definitely take one of the guided tours at the Red Bull Ring and stop by (or stay at) the Lendhotel here in Graz where you can see a collection of F1 helmets and other memorabilia.
6. Check out the Uhrturm (Clock Tower)
While you’re up here atop the Schlossberg, don’t miss the Uhrturm (clock tower) that looks more like a Dutch windmill than an Austrian clock tower. Maybe it’s all the tulips.
Though the original castle no longer stands here, the old clock tower still does. Originally built in 1265, it mainly served as a fire lookout. It’s 94 feet tall and has three bells from the 14th and 15th centuries. Fun fact: the hands on the clock are reversed—the small hand is the minutes and the big hand is the hour.
7. Slide down the world’s tallest underground slide
When you’re ready to head back down the mountain, you now have three options:
I personally opted for the steps because I wanted to see more views, but know that underneath the mountain is the world’s tallest underground slide (known as the Schlossbergrutsche).
The slide itself is 210 feet tall but you’ll slide 558 feet to the bottom. On your way down, it’s possible to reach a top speed of 16 mph. The official website says: “You never went down a hill this fast!” So, that’s something. Keep in mind this is underground and therefore quite dark.
8. Have a drink at the Murinsel
After you’ve just gone almost 600 feet down in the dark on your butt the fastest you ever have, maybe it’s time for a drink? Just across the street from the funicular station is the Mur River. And in the middle of that river is what looks like some kind of futuristic seashell. And that futuristic seashell is a bar called Murinsel—the Island in the Mur.
They offer beers, wines, coffees, and other specialties from the region as well as snacks. They have indoor and outdoor seating and a totally chill vibe. Should it be closed during your visit, you can still walk across it to the other side to check it out up close.
9. Peep Graz’s weird futuristic architecture
That weird futuristic architecture doesn’t end at the Murinsel though. Graz is actually famous for blending this kind of architecture with its more typical historical stuff. In fact, Graz is often referred to as the “capital of culture and design.”
You can find these kooky, artsy-type buildings all over the city. Keep your eyes open for:
10. Find the church window featuring Hitler & Mussolini
Bet you never thought you’d read a sentence like that, huh? Well, it’s true. Above the altar in the City Parish Church, you’ll be able to see some stained-glass windows that feature—I kid you not—Hitler and Mussolini. But, like, not in a bad way. Well, just let me explain.
The church’s original stained-glass windows were blown-out by bombings during World War II. To replace them after the war, the church commissioned artist Albert Birkle to create some new ones. The interesting thing here being that Albert Birkle had been blacklisted as a “degenerate artist” by the Nazis during the war.
So, he saw his opportunity. He created these new windows, depicting such usual church window scenes as Old Testament stories, the crucifixion, and more. But, as a little form of payback, he worked Hitler and Mussolini into them, specifically, amongst Jesus’s tormenters in the scene where Jesus is being beaten. Who’s laughing now, fascists?
You can find them in the far-left window, in the top right pane of the bottom section.
See my full guide to Austria’s most interesting World War II sites here.
11. Visit a museum
Graz has tons of great museums you can check out if, say, you have a rainy couple of days during your visit. In addition to the Arnold Museum, here’s a brief list of some of the most popular:
- Styrian Armory – A comprehensive and unique collection of historical armor
- Kunsthaus Graz – Because an art museum that looks this weird probably has some equally weird stuff inside too. There’s also the Neue Galerie Graz, the Alte Galerie, and the Bakerhouse Gallery for some more traditional stuff.
- Universalmuseum Joanneum – Self-described “oldest and second largest museum” in Austria covering all kinds of subjects related to the Styria area—paleontology, history, folk culture, and more.
- Graz Museum – Cultural history museum of the city of Graz
- Museum für Geschichte – Styria history museum
- Johann Puch Museum – A museum dedicated to the “moving” history of Graz, meaning 2,500 historical vehicles of all sorts
12. Explore Eggenberg Palace (Schloss Eggenberg)
But the most popular “museum” in Graz is Eggenberg Palace. Along with the historic city center, Eggenberg Palace is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important cultural sites in the country.
Much of the palace dates back to the Late Middle Ages though other parts were added in the 16th century. You can tour 24 opulent rooms of the castle, explore the park and gardens, visit its museums (and the Coin Collection), and more.
More info for your trip to Austria
Like this post? Have questions about what to do in Graz? Let me know in the comments below. Have fun in Austria!
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