Stand on the Hauptplatz and look up: the Uhrturm sits on its wooded hill above the red roofs, and the Mur runs just behind you. Graz is compact enough that you can cross from the river to the old town in minutes, then spend an afternoon climbing through courtyards and lanes that have been in use for centuries.
The city suits travellers who like their sightseeing on foot, with a mix of architecture, museums and food along the way. This guide covers the main sights and experiences in Graz, with practical notes on how to combine them.
Top things to do in Graz
1. The Schlossberg
The castle hill in the middle of the city, around which Graz grew up. You can walk up through the wooded paths for the views, or take the funicular (Schloßbergbahn) or the elevator (Schloßberglift) if you would rather save your legs. Climbing the 260 steps from Schloßbergplatz brings you up to the clock tower.
Walking gives you the wooded paths and some of the best views, and you may spot the tame red squirrels at the top. A 10-day or tourist tram and bus ticket covers the funicular ride.
2. Clock Tower (Uhrturm)
The clock tower on top of the Schloßberg is the symbol of Graz, and the natural end point of any climb up the hill. Come up in the late afternoon and the light on the old town below is at its best.
Combine it with the rest of the Schlossberg: walk up one way and take the funicular or lift down, or have a meal in the open air at the top while you take in the view.
3. Glockenspiel
The Glockenspiel on Glockenspielplatz comes to life with song and rotating dance figures every day at precisely 11:00, 15:00 and 18:00. It is a short stop, but worth timing your walk through the old town around one of those three moments.
It sits within easy walking distance of the Hauptplatz, so pair it with a wander through the courtyards and narrow streets of the centre.
4. Eggenberg Palace (Schloss Eggenberg)
Early Baroque architecture with lavish state rooms on the western edge of the city, reachable on tram 1 in the direction of Eggenberg/UKH. The guided tour is highly recommended: dramatic wall and ceiling paintings, elaborate ceramic stoves and inlaid wood floors.
Guided tours run Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00, and the castle is closed from 1 January until 23 March. There is a €2 fee for the park, which they likely will not charge if you say you intend to take the castle tour.
5. Armory Zeughaus
The provincial armory on Herrengasse holds a collection of arms and armour made for use rather than show, from large two-handed swords and maces to more modern pistols. English tours are available, so inquire early in the day to see what time one will be offered.
Without a guide it is row upon row of armour with no information on the items, so the tour is worth arranging. The building gets extremely warm in summer, especially on the upper floors, so weapons enthusiasts may wish to go early in the day. Pictures are not allowed, but postcards of the main pieces are sold in the gift shop.
6. Kunsthaus
Graz's newest exhibition place, right across the river from Hauptplatz at the Suedtirolerplatz. It is worth a visit even if you only look at its design from the outside; you will notice the blue bubble.
Reach it on tram 1, 4, 6 or 7 in the direction of Hauptbahnhof, and combine it with a walk across the Mur to the Murinsel.
7. Murinsel
The artificial island in the river Mur, designed by the New York artist Vito Acconci and built as a temporary project for the 2003 Cultural Capital of Europe celebrations. People liked it enough that it stayed. It contains a stage for performances and a coffeehouse.
It is an easy add-on to a walk between the old town and the Kunsthaus, and a good place to pause over a coffee.
8. Cathedral of Graz and the Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II
The Cathedral has an exceptional exterior fresco, the so-called Gottesplagenbild, the oldest surviving painting depicting Graz. Next to it stands the mannerist-Baroque Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II, with interior decor by the Styrian artist Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach; its elliptical dome is the oldest of its kind outside Italy.
Visit the two together, since they stand side by side, and take your time with the exterior fresco before going in.
9. Burg and its double spiral staircase
The Burg is a castle complex built between 1438 and 1453 by Emperor Frederick III, today inhabited by the government of Styria. Do not miss the double spiral staircase.
It sits in the old town, so it fits naturally into a walking route between the Hauptplatz and the cathedral.
10. Joanneum Museum of Styria
The Steiermärkische Landesmuseum Joanneum on Raubergasse is one of the city's main museums and a good indoor option when the weather turns. Entry is cheaper with a euro<26 card.
It is central enough to slot into a day of walking the old town, and pairs well with the Armory Zeughaus if you want a museum-heavy afternoon.
11. Opera at the Opera House
See an opera at the Opernhaus for an evening of music in the city. It is one of the straightforward ways to spend an evening in Graz after a day of sightseeing.
Check the programme and prices ahead of your visit so you can plan the rest of the day around the performance.
12. Summer music along the Herrengasse
During the summer months, in the centre between Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz, along the Herrengasse, you will come across musicians of all sorts: perhaps a small quartet playing Mozart, perhaps a barrel-organ.
This is free to enjoy as you walk, so time a stroll down the Herrengasse for the afternoon or early evening.
13. The AIMS Festival
Every summer the American Institute of Music Studies brings future opera and concert performers together, and locals and visitors enjoy opera and operetta concerts, song recitals and other musical programmes in concert halls, castles, courtyards, churches and other venues. The festival features operatic and symphonic works and culminates with the annual Meistersinger Vocal Competition presented with a full orchestra.
If your trip falls in summer, check the programme early and build an evening around one of the concerts.
14. Festivals through the year
Several music, art and street festivals take place in Graz every year. Lendwirbel is a large, free street festival in the district of Lend lasting several days in May, with live music, workshops, djing, art installations, performances and political discussions. La Strada is an international festival for street art, puppet theatre, new circus and community art during a whole week in August, with both paid and free programme points. Steirischer Herbst is an interdisciplinary festival for contemporary art during four weeks in September and October. Grieskram is a free street festival in the district of Gries lasting a day in October, with live bands, djing, street food and a flea market. Elevate is an interdisciplinary festival with a strong focus on cultural and socio-political topics in March.
Most of these have free elements, so you can drop in without committing a whole day. Check dates before you travel if a particular festival matters to you.
15. Swimming in the outdoor pools
Normally after May, the water in the outdoor swimming pools warms up quickly enough to enjoy. Options include Eggenberger Bad on Janzgasse, Augartenbad on Schönaugürtel right next to the river Mur and the Schönaubrücke bridge, Bad Strassgang on Martinhofstraße, Margarethenbad on Grillparzerstraße, Ragnitzbad on Pesendorferweg and Stukitzbad on Andritzer Reichsstraße.
Augartenbad is the easiest to combine with a walk along the Mur. In other seasons you can boat or skate on the Hilmteich or Thalersee, depending on the season.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start on the Hauptplatz and walk up the Sporgasse to the Karmeliterplatz, then take the archway on the left and follow the road up the gentler eastern side of the Schlossberg. Visit the Clock Tower (Uhrturm) at the top, then come down the 260 steps from Schloßbergplatz or take the funicular or lift. Time your descent so you reach the Glockenspiel on Glockenspielplatz for 11:00.
Afternoon: Walk the old town, taking in the Burg and its double spiral staircase, then the Cathedral of Graz and the Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II next to it. If you want a museum, choose the Armory Zeughaus on Herrengasse and inquire early about an English tour, or the Joanneum Museum of Styria on Raubergasse. Cross the river to the Kunsthaus at Suedtirolerplatz and continue to the Murinsel for a coffee.
Evening: In summer, walk the Herrengasse between Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz to hear the street musicians, then see an opera at the Opera House. If you are visiting in May, August, September, October or March, check whether Lendwirbel, La Strada, Steirischer Herbst, Grieskram or Elevate falls during your stay and spend the evening there instead.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to the top of the Schlossberg?
You can walk up through the wooded paths, take the funicular (Schloßbergbahn) or the elevator (Schloßberglift), or climb the 260 steps from Schloßbergplatz to the clock tower. A 10-day or tourist tram and bus ticket covers the funicular ride.
When can I see the Glockenspiel figures move?
The Glockenspiel on Glockenspielplatz comes to life with song and rotating dance figures every day at precisely 11:00, 15:00 and 18:00.
Is the Armory Zeughaus worth visiting without a guide?
Without a guide it is row upon row of armour with no information on any items in any language, so it is worth inquiring early in the day about an English tour. The building also gets extremely warm in summer, especially on the upper floors, so go early if you can.
When is Eggenberg Palace closed?
Eggenberg Castle is closed from 1 January until 23 March. At other times, guided tours run Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00.
Pick your dates around a festival or a summer evening at the Opera House, and start planning your walk through the old town.