Plan a winter trip to Graz. Explore neighborhoods, restaurants, places to stay and practical local advice from AVARA's full editorial guide.
Graz — TL;DR
Graz, Austria's second-largest city, has been around since Roman times, flourished as a commercial centre in the 12th century, and became the capital of Habsburg Austria in the 15th century.
Graz at a glance
What are the best things to do in Graz? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Graz trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Graz? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Graz — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby…
When is the best time to visit Graz? May to September offers pleasant weather for exploring the baroque old town and the futuristic Murinsel island.
Where should I stay in Graz for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Graz? Graz rewards visitors who mix walking with the local public transport network.
Graz overview
May to September offers pleasant weather for exploring the baroque old town and the futuristic Murinsel island.
Graz's historic centre, straddling the River Mur, is compact and walkable.
Euro (€)
German. English is widely spoken.
CET (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer)
Graz's dining scene continues blending old and new, with restaurants like Hummel serving Levantine mezze platters alongside historic institutions like Altsteirische Schmankerlstube, reflecting the city's growing reputation as a genuine culinary destination.
Where to eat, drink & do in Graz
Graz neighborhoods
Historic centre (Altstadt) A baroque old town with a thousand buildings of interest, dating back to 800 AD.
River Mur (Murinsel area) The riverside area home to the futuristic Murinsel floating island.
Kaiser-Josef-Platz market district Home to the city's oldest and largest daily farmers' market.
Practical info for Graz
Getting around in Graz? Graz's historic centre, straddling the River Mur, is compact and walkable.
When to go in Graz? May to September offers pleasant weather for exploring the baroque old town and the futuristic Murinsel island.
What's changing now in Graz? Graz's dining scene continues blending old and new, with restaurants like Hummel serving Levantine mezze platters alongside historic institutions like Altsteirische Schmankerlstube, reflecting the city's growing reputation as a genuine culi
Seek out Graz's six universities quarter in Graz? Graz is known as a place of learning with six universities, giving parts of the city a youthful, lesser-touristed energy.
Base yourself in Historic centre (Altstadt) in Graz? A baroque old town with a thousand buildings of interest, dating back to 800 AD. Known for baroque architecture, historic buildings.
Frequently asked questions about Graz
What are the best things to do in Graz? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Graz trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Graz tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Graz? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Graz — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Graz? May to September offers pleasant weather for exploring the baroque old town and the futuristic Murinsel island.
Where should I stay in Graz for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Graz? Graz rewards visitors who mix walking with the local public transport network. Rideshare and taxis fill the gaps for late-night moves or trips outside the centre.