Graz (German: [ɡʁaːts] ) is the capital of Styria and the second-largest city in Austria, after Vienna. As of 1 January 2024, Graz had a population of 339,810 (303,270 of whom had principal-residence status). In 2021, the population of the Graz larger urban zone (LUZ) stood at 665,390 based on principal-residence status.
Graz is known as a college and university city, with four colleges and four universities. Combined, the city is home to more than 60,000 students. Its historic centre (Altstadt) is one of the best-preserved city centres in Central Europe.In 1999, the city's historic centre was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites and in 2010 the designation was expanded to include Eggenberg Palace (German: Schloss Eggenberg) on the western edge of the city.
Graz was designated the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2003 and became a City of Culinary Delights in 2008.
*The historic old town. It has been designated a World Heritage site.
*Walk or climb up the Schloßberg and have a meal in the open-air at the top whilst admiring the views. The easiest way is to walk up the Sporgasse from the Hauptplatz to the "Karmeliterplatz" where you walk under an archway on the left where a road meanders up the gentler eastern side of the Schloßberg. From the west and north you have a choice of zig-zag paths or to climb the steps from "Schlossbergplatz". There is also a lift going up inside the mountain at Schlossbergplatz. You also might see some of the tame red squirrels (Eichkätzchen) at the top. Use the Schloßbergbahn, a cable car which you'll find at the Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Kai, to go up or down if you don't feel like walking. *Take the number 1 tram to the terminus at the bottom of the Plabutsch, a hill on the western edge of Graz, and hike up it. It's quite strenuous, and you really need walking boots and perhaps a map. *Take bus number 40 to the terminus and walk up (very steep) to the ruins of Gösting castle and enjoy the view over the city. *Swim. Normally after May, the water in the outdoor swimming pools very quickly warms-up enough to enjoy swimming: **Eggenberger Bad, Janzgasse 21 **Augartenbad, Schönaugürtel 1, right next to the river Mur and the Schönaubrücke bridge. **Bad Strassgang, Martinhofstraße 3. **Margarethenbad, Grillparzerstraße 10. **Ragnitzbad, Pesendorferweg 7. **Stukitzbad, Andritzer Reichsstraße 25a. *Boat or skate on the Hilmteich or Thalersee (just outside Graz), depending on the season. *A nice trip for a lovely day leads to the Austrian Sculpturepark. Remarkable pieces of art from numerous national and international artists in a pretty park. You can entrer for free, but you better bring something to drink and a Snack. Reachable by a free shuttlebus in summer to Schwarzlsee or with regionalbus 630 from Jakominiplatz. You can also go by bike, it's a nice ride passing by the Airport. : Grazer AK share Liebenauer Arena. They play in 2. Liga the second tier. *During summer months, in the centre between the Jakominiplatz and the Hauptplatz, along the Herrengasse, you'll come across musicians of all sorts. Perhaps a small quartet playing Mozart. Perhaps a barrel-organ.
Restaurants have cheap lunch deals ("Mittagsmenü") (12:00-15:00) or a dish of the day ("Tagesempfehlung") that are usually very good, fresh and have the best value.
The SPAR supermarket in the Hauptbahnhof is the only major one open on Sunday. There are various Turkish markets around town, but their selection is limited.
Due to its importance as a university city, Graz has a vibrant night life. Bars are concentrated around the old town as well as the Karl-Franzens-University to the west of the old town. The old town has a mixed audience while the bars around university are mostly attended by students. In the old town you'll also find a few Irish pubs. Whereas the most Irish of them is O'Carolan's right next to the main square (Hauptplatz) others include Flann O'Briens and Molly Malone's. The Office is a very laidback and unique new addition to the Irish/British pub scene in Graz. The Office features regular live music and jam sessions, as well as the odd bit of Karaoke, and darts (steel - you know, the real ones from England) every Sunday.
| address= | lat= | l | directi | ph+43 316 890838 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | cTrauttmansdorffgasse 3. Bus stop: Line 30 at Palais Trauttmansdorff. Open every day from 17:00 to 02:00 (or later) Where the ex-pats get together in Graz! An authentic style English pub, right in the center of Graz, cozy atmosphere and affordable prices. Premier League football - all the big matches live. English speaking staff. Pub Quiz every Tuesday, live music. Serves home made chili, curry, soup or toasted sandwiches. Free Internet and Darts! }}
*On the Kaiser-Josef-Platz, right opposite the Opernhaus, is a fruit and vegetable open-air market where small farmers from the countryside around Graz bring their produce for sale (or rather their wives do). Morning only. *The other main farmers market in Graz is located on the "Lendplatz". Morning only.
Be sure to buy a bottle of "Kernöl" (pumpkin seed oil) in g.g.A. quality. This oil is typical for Styria and has a very unique and wonderful taste. Ideally buy it at a (farmer) market (like Kaiser-Josef-Platz, Lendplatz,...). But you can also buy good quality oil at the normal supermarkets.
There are many possibilities to go shopping in Graz. Good places to shop are: *numerous lanes in the old town like "Schmiedgasse" or "Sporgasse". *in Kastner+Öhler Graz's big department store, right in the center, next to the main square. Doesn't offer cheap prices. There is an underground car-park right underneath. *Steirerhof, Jakominplatz 12. Named after the demolished hotel that used to occupy the site. *Mariahilferstraße Just stroll around from "Suedtirolerplatz" behind the Kunsthaus, have a coffee in the "Cafe Central" and advance to Mariahilferstraße with little designshops, 1970s retro furniture and custum made t-shirts and many more to discover *City Park shopping mall on south-western edge of central Graz. "Lazarettgürtel 55" Bigger shopping complexes found outside the city centre are:
, Flughafen Graz Thalerhof | url=https://www.flughafen-graz.at/en/home.html | email= | address= | lat=46.993056 | l15.439167 | directi | ph | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Graz Airport | image=Airport Graz2.jpg | wikidata=Q178162 | cIt is a relatively minor regional airport around 9 km south of the city centre. Scheduled flights operate to Graz from Amsterdam Schiphol, Berlin!--WHICH AIRPORT--, Birmingham, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt Airport, Istanbul!--WHICH AIRPORT?--, Munich Airport, Stuttgart, Vienna Schwechat and Zurich, connecting to intercontinental hubs of Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, KLM, Turkish Airlines and Etihad Airways, while in the summer there are charters to many holiday destinations around the Mediterranean. }}
From the airport you have several possibilities to reach the centre:
Other nearby airports are in Maribor, Klagenfurt, and a little farther away in Linz, Ljubljana, Zagreb and Vienna International Airport. Railjet express trains and FlixBusses connect Vienna Intl. Airport with Graz. Some run direct, others require a transfer at Wien Hbf station. Travel time around 3 hr.
The old town of Graz is easily explored on foot and is reachable with a 20 min walk from the main train station. Stop at the Tourist Information at the train station, or any hotel lobby that you come across to pick up a brochure on attractions in Graz. This brochure also contains a map with most of the sights marked, as well as recommended self-guided walking routes through the town.
For other needs, public transportation options exist:
The roots of Graz can be traced back to Roman times, when a small fort was built where the city centre is today; Slovenians later built a larger fortress in the same place. The name "Graz" is derived from the Slovenian word gradec, which means small castle. Graz was first mentioned with its German name in 1128 when the dukes of Babenberg turned the place into a commercial centre. During 15th century Graz became the capital of Inner Austria (referring to Styria, Carinthia and Carniola) under the Habsburgs.
Due to its importance as a strategic position, Graz was often assaulted by Ottoman Turks in the 16th century. The fortress located on the Schlossberg (the picture to the right shows the clock tower, which is located on top of the hill) never fell to the Turks (the only place in this region).
During World War II, Graz was part of Nazi Germany (along with the rest of Austria). At the end of the war, Graz was surrendered to Soviet troops largely intact; the historic old town was not seriously hit during Allied bombing raids on the city. In 2003 Graz was the Cultural Capital of Europe.
Some 40,000 of the city's population is made up of students, as Graz is home to no less than six universities (four "standard" universities and two dedicated solely to applied sciences), and is associated with names as illustrious as Johannes Kepler, Erwin Schrödinger and Nikola Tesla. The first university was founded in 1585 (Karl-Franzens-Universität).
Graz is also known for the Magna Steyr (formerly called Steyr-Daimler-Puch) automobile and truck manufacturing plant located there. It is also the birthplace (in nearby Thal) of actor and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Its UPC-Arena was renamed in Schwarzenegger's honor in 1997, but was renamed again in 2005, following controversy over the governor's support of California's death penalty.
The City of Graz, Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg, is a world heritage site.
