Essential Graz Travel Guide: What to See & Do

Graz is a city of contrasts. Its compact urban landscape combines a remarkably preserved medieval center with elegant Renaissance courtyards, Baroque landmarks, and bold contemporary architecture. As Austria’s second-largest city and the capital of Styria, Graz offers a relaxed alternative to the country’s more famous destinations.

Graz’s History and Heritage

The city’s story began around Schlossberg, the hill crowned by its famous Clock Tower. The name Graz is linked to the Slavic word gradec, meaning “small castle,” a reference to the fortress that once guarded important trade routes between the Alps and the Balkans.

Graz later became a residence of Styrian and Habsburg rulers, encouraging political influence, artistic ambition, and scholarship. Johannes Kepler also lived and worked in the city, developing astronomical ideas that changed the understanding of planetary motion.

What to See in Graz Old Town

Graz’s UNESCO-listed Old Town is at the heart of the city’s appeal. Hauptplatz, with its Town Hall and fountain, leads into Herrengasse, a lively central street lined with ornate façades, cafés, shops, and passing trams.

Nearby, several landmarks reveal Graz’s layered architectural heritage:

• The Painted House
• The cathedral
• The imperial mausoleum
• Hidden courtyards

Together, these sights showcase the city’s medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque character.

Schloss Eggenberg and Schlossberg

Schloss Eggenberg adds a magnificent Baroque dimension to Graz. Meanwhile, Schlossberg offers wide views over the city’s terracotta rooftops and the surrounding Styrian landscape.

The hill and its Clock Tower are closely connected to Graz’s origins, making Schlossberg an important part of both the city’s history and its identity.

Graz’s Contemporary Culture and Local Atmosphere

For travelers wondering what to see in Graz, the answer lies as much in the city’s atmosphere as in its individual monuments. A strong student population, creative cultural scene, excellent cafés, and Styrian food and wine give the historic setting a lively, contemporary character.

The best places to visit in Graz are easy to connect on foot, making the city well suited to an unhurried exploration.

Why Visit Graz?

Graz is worth discovering for its balance. It is deeply historical, culturally energetic, and refreshingly approachable—a city where medieval streets, imperial heritage, Baroque architecture, and modern urban life come together in a compact setting.