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Home » 43 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Adorable Graz, Austria

43 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Adorable Graz, Austria

By Lia Garcia | Updated on: May 7, 2025

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Deep within the lush, fertile region of Styria, Austria you’ll find Graz, Styria’s largest city and foodie capital. Built on either side of a quiet river crisscrossed with bridges, Graz feels both historic and modern all at once. You’ll find the modern side sipping cocktails in an uber-cool bar built as a floating island in the middle of the river, while simultaneously gazing up at the ancient clocktower overlooking the town from the city center. You’ll explore quiet cobblestone alleys and classic European architecture around the corner from a modern art museum that looks a bit like a giant, metallic alien.

Graz is a city of contrasts set against the backdrop of the agricultural center of Austria, filled with history, art, culture, friendly locals, and incredible food. And it’s thoroughly under-discovered and under-appreciated by most travelers!

A view of Graz from above, through the trees.
Climbing up the stairs to Schlossberg clock tower rewards you with stunning views of Graz from above!

When I was invited to speak at the Propel Conference in Graz, Austria, I was like “where?” … and then immediately accepted, because 1) Austria means schnitzel and 2) I jump at any opportunity to be on a stage with a microphone, because this means I am the center of at least a few people’s attention and let’s face it, I didn’t start a blog because I DON’T love attention.

Jeremy and I visited Austria last year over the Christmas holidays and I was fully charmed by musical, historical Vienna and adorable little Hallstatt, which is like a toy Christmas village meets that Tyra banks movie where she’s a life-size barbie doll.

Fast forward several months and I found myself staring down a platter full of fried meat while two Austrians in lederhosen yodeled and five travel bloggers began a round of German drinking chants.

A giant platter of schnitzel and meats and a tiny beer in Graz, Austria.
Welcome to Austria, here is a ginormous platter of meat and a teeny tiny mug of beer (the perfect size for lightweights like me)!
Travel bloggers drinking giant beers in traditional outfits in Graz, Austria.
Meanwhile… Penelope from The Flyaway Girl, Patrick from German Backpacker, and Christina from Happy to Wander show the rest of us how it’s done, complete with German drinking chants and enormous foamy beers. Y’all, Austria is LIT!

I did not realize Austria was this lit, y’all.

Everything about my trip to Graz trip surprised me, and not just because I didn’t actually have time to do any preparation or research before I packed my bags and left (in my defense, the entire trip was fully and expertly planned by the wonderful Visit Graz tourism board).

The view from Schlossberg in Graz, Austria.
Feeling victorious and enjoying a sweeping city view after conquering the stairs to Schlossberg!

Like, I did not know that Graz is a foodie city, where fresh produce is grown within a few hundred miles and everything is automatically local and organic without anyone having to specify it on their menu.

I did not know that Graz is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its stunning and perfectly preserved Old Town – AND a UNESCO City of Design full of stunning modern architecture and art mixed beautifully in with its charmingly old surroundings.

Walking through Old Town in Graz. Right: a cute courtyard inside the Kastner & Öhler department store (home of one of the best rooftop views in town).
Graz is such a refreshing contrast of old-world and new-world cool. Left: a cafe in Old Town. Right: a cute courtyard inside the Kastner & Öhler department store (home of one of the best rooftop views in town).

I did not know that Graz is Arnold Schwartzenneger’s hometown. And yes, he comes to visit frequently. And yes, there is a museum all about him. Read all about it on Happy to Wander‘s hilarious recap.

Graz was a city full of delightful surprises, and the warm spring week that I spent exploring its many nooks and crannies shaped up to be one of my favorite European trips ever. Like, ever. And I’ve been to a LOT of Christmas Markets, y’all!

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Everyone riding bikes in Old Town Graz, Austria.
The best way to get around in Graz? By bike! There are bike paths throughout Old Town. The city is also super walkable and has excellent public transit, so don’t even think about renting a car.

I returned from Graz with roughly a zillion photos, and found myself overwhelmed by the task of paring down my experiences into my usual 10-15 photos.

So I … er, procrastined for about 3 months… and then got to work. And I ended up with so many stunning, colorful, vibrant photos of beautiful Graz that I decided to throw them all into one post. And a video, too. For good measure.

Speaking of that video: If you want to see more videos of our trips, please follow our brand new baby YouTube channel. We currently have 1 subscriber: me!

The lobby decor inside of the Lendhotel in Graz.
The Lendhotel in Graz, Austria is a quirky boutique hotel filled with art and beautifully designed. The hotel’s owner is also a part-owner of the Redbull Formula One racing team!

Graz Travel Tips & FAQ’s

Let’s start with a few of the important things to know about visiting Graz! Here are all the specifics you’ll need if you’re planning a trip to Graz.

  • When to Visit Graz: The best time of the year to visit Graz is in July and August. Which is super weird and rare – that’s usually high season! But because Graz isn’t a major tourist destination like every other city in Europe you’ve ever heard of, it’s quiet and not crowded at all. So next time you’re booking a summer getaway to Vienna or Salzburg, hop a train to Graz instead to escape the crowds! The other best time to visit is during the Christmas Market season, in early December. Graz has 14 different themed (!!!) Christmas markets, all within walking distance. Might we suggest adding Graz to your next Christmas trip along with Vienna & Hallstatt?
  • How far is Graz from Vienna? The train from Graz to Vienna takes about 2.5 hours through lush, beautiful scenery. I recommend booking a direct train with Omio.
  • Where to stay in Graz? I split my week in Graz between two hotels, the glamorous and luxurious Grand Hôtel Wiesler in Old Town, which is. where Arnold Schwarzenneger stays whenever he visits home; and the quirky boutique Lendhotel, located about 10 minutes’ walk away from Old Town in the artsy Lend district and therefore much more budget-friendly. I recommend either!
  • Do I need a car? You absolutely do not need a car within Graz! The entire city is walkable and bikeable, and there are excellent trams running throughout the city – and stops within the Old Town are free. That said, if you want to take a trip to the countryside or visit other parts of Styria, you might want to get a car. But if you’re staying in town, you’re good without it.
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Two delicious cakes in Graz, Austria.
One of my favorite foodie things about Graz is that EVERY meal includes dessert. Cake is served at breakfast, mid-morning, lunch, mid-afternoon, and dinner. I don’t know how other people define heaven, but that fits what I’m looking for out of paradise to a T. Photo credit: Graz Tourismus_Werner Krug

What & Where to Eat in Graz

Graz is Austria’s foodie city, and there is a ton of deliciousness here to tantalize your taste buds. Yes, BEYOND schnitzel. (But the schnitzel is amazing too. In Graz, it’s served with tart cranberry sauce!)

Graz – and the region it’s located in, Styria – has two foodie claims to fame.

There’s white asparagus, which is… exactly what it sounds like. It’s thicc and creamy white, and any more descriptions of it would just end up sounding sexual. Graz managed to make asparagus sexy, you guys.

Colorful hotel breakfast at Lendhotel in Graz, Austria.
Breakfast is the BEST meal of the day in Austria! Seriously, Austrian breakfasts cannot be beat. They are decadent and enormous and will keep you full all day. And there’s usually cake! This was our hotel breakfast at Lendhotel.

The other famous Graz food is pumpkin seed oil! The oil has a light, nutty taste that’s delightful in salads or sprinkled on top of vanilla ice cream – yes, that’s a thing. If you’re shopping for a bottle to bring back home, look for the green and white emblem on the bottle that denotes high quality.

There are a few must-visit places to eat during your trip to Graz. These are my favorites:

A tantalizing selection of open faced sandwiches from Frankowitsch Delicatessan, a famous Graz eatery.
A tantalizing selection of open-faced sandwiches from Frankowitsch Delicatessan, a famous Graz eatery.
  • Frankowitsch Delicatessan: These open-faces sandwiches are a Graz specialty! Think like, fancy Californian avocado toast meets Danish Smørrebrød meets Austria. You’ll have your pick of a wide selection, which is incredibly overwhelming because everyone else in line will already know exactly what they want. So, after much trial and tribulation, here are my 3 faves: roast beef with (fresh!) horseradish, salmon with horseradish, and curry. Yum!
Chocolate truffles & locally designed chocolate bars at Linzbichler, a tiny, adorable local chocolate shop in Graz, Austria.
Chocolate truffles & locally designed chocolate bars at Linzbichler, a tiny, adorable local chocolate shop in Graz, Austria. Only in a design city like Graz does packaging ever look THIS cool.
  • Linzbichler: This teeny-tiny, adorable little chocolate shop has been creating and selling innovative, locally sourced chocolate creations for over 50 years! Inside its cheerful yellow exterior, you’ll find over 200 chocolate bars – including the rad Graz-designed vegan bars pictured above – and delicious, unusual chocolate truffles. My favorite was a dark chocolate hazelnut liquor truffle with orange marzipan, wrapped in bright green foil.
  • Gasthaus Stainzerbauer: Located in what used to be an old horse stable, this historic restaurant – which some say is around 500 years old – serves up traditional Austrian food, all locally sourced from Styria, of course. I’d love to give you some exotic food suggestions to try, but I went with Wiener Schnitzel because a) I’m predictable and b) I freaking love schnitzel. And y’all, was perfect! If by some miracle you make it through your trip without eating schnitzel at every opportunity, this is the one place to definitely try it.
Castle Courtyard and Fountain at the Aiola Im Schloss in Graz Austria
The beautiful Aiola Im Schloss is a literal castle – and also a really freakin’ good restaurant!

10 Things Nobody Tells You About Graz, Austria

I spent a full week exploring Graz. After 3 days of studying, discussing, practical application, and literally talking myself hoarse (I woke up on day 4 with a wicked cough and could barely speak – watch my Graz Instagram Story highlight if you want to know what I sound like when I’m dying), the participants of the Propel Conference hit the scenic streets of Graz for the rest of the week.

For the first few days of our trip, while we dutifully studied and discussed indoors, Graz was vibrant and warm. The minute we were sent out to explore, a cold front moved in and it started pouring. Go figure.

Girl walking through the streets of the Graz City Center.
Exploring Graz in the sun (left) and the rain (right). Still gorgeous in any weather!

But even in the rain and cold (I mean … California cold. It was like 60), Graz’s charm sparkled.

Because Graz isn’t one of Austria’s tourism hotspots, a group of roaming travel bloggers lugging around armfuls of camera and video equipment attracted a fair amount of attention from excited and friendly locals, all of whom were eager to hear about how we were enjoying their hometown!

We befriended several locals, including one friendly young gentleman out for a casual ride on his unicycle. What up, Graz?

As we explored the city, I found myself getting to know a quirkier side of Graz. The more random trivia I collected, the more I filled up the “adorable Graz things” section of my ever-present travel notebook. Here are my favorite selections.

The clocktower and view from Schlossberg in Graz, Austria.
Climb up the stairs past stunning views to check out this gorgeous old clocktower up close – just don’t try to use it to tell the time!
  • One of the best things to do in Graz is climbing the stairs to Schlossberg … and taking the giant underground slide back down!

Perched on a giant hill in the center of town, a giant, old clocktower keeps watch over Graz. This hill is called Schlossberg, and it dates back to the 10th century when some brave soul climbed up it and was like “oh dip, this view is hella tight though.”

The giant clocktower is one of the most recognizable icons of Graz. Every so often (on a schedule I couldn’t figure out for the life of me, nor could I read the actual clock face itself) it begins to chime with bellowing importance, letting you know that IT IS A TIME.

Sometimes it chimes for what seems like hours, sometimes it doesn’t chime at all at a time you’d fully expect it to be chiming. Full disclosure: I have no idea how Austrian clocktowers work.

Other than the adorably bewildering clocktower, the best part of Schlossberg is a winding set of steps leading up its face all the way to the very top. It’s a gorgeous walk, and the scenery on the way up is absolutely worth the climb!

Plus, you can take the shortcut back down again. ON THE WORLD’S TALLEST UNDERGROUND SLIDE. How freaking rad is that?!?!

By the way: if climbing stairs isn’t your jam, there is an elevator you can take to the top.

View of Schlossberg in Graz, Austria
See all those stairs on the left behind the fountain? Climb them for stunning views all the way up, or take the elevator to the top! Also: there’s an underground slide inside that hill. SO COOL.
  • If you make the effort to purchase a proper pair of lederhosen, you should NEVER wash them.

Never. It’s not like jeans where you’re only supposed to wash them rarely. It’s like … you’re not supposed to wash it at all. The shabbier your lederhosen, the more Austrian street cred (mountain cred?) you have.

  • Real lederhosen comes with a knife.

It’s not for Austrian street cred, though. It’s for like, snacks. Like slicing cheese and sausage. On mountain hikes.

A typical Austrian thing to do, apparently, is to pop on your lederhosen, toodle up the nearest Alp, perch on a rock for a little cheese and sausage snack, and yodel over to the next mountaintop to let them know if you’ve run out of crackers or saw a really cool bird or whatever.

You guys. I LOVE Austria.

Learning how to yodel in Graz, Austria.
Actual footage from our yodeling lesson in Graz, Austria. Look how excited I am about yodeling!! To hear these expert yodelers, turn the volume up on my Graz video and enjoy. Photo credit: Graz Tourismus_Werner Krug
  • The feminine companion to lederhosen is the Dirndl.

Dirndl styles vary by region so that if you’re an expert, you can tell where someone is from by the color of their skirts and such. There are different dirndls for different occasions, so like, you have your everyday dirndl and your fancy dirndl and your “thirst trap” dirndl.

Sadly, Dirndls do NOT come with knives, to which I side-eye hard and say #destroythepatriarchy.

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  • Yodeling is a form of communication.

Yodelling isn’t singing: it’s actually mountain yelling. It’s a musical language that doesn’t require words – meaning is sent through the music itself, using changes in pitch, rhythm, and intonation.

It reminded me a bit of Joiking, which I heard for the first time in the Norwegian Arctic earlier this year while doing a homestay with a family of indigenous Sami reindeer herders. Y’all, I think I actually just turned into Nigel Thornberry while typing that sentence. Smashing!

To hear a little bit of authentic yodeling, turn your volume up and watch our Graz video all the way to the end!

The Modern Art Museum (Kunsthaus) in Graz.
The Modern Art Museum (Kunsthaus) in Graz is also known as The Friendly Alien.
  • The Graz Art Museum is nicknamed “The Friendly Alien.”

This is because it looks a bit like a big, blobby alien. The museum itself is fantastic, because Graz is an art and design city, and luckily, it’s quite easy to find.

You can spot the museum all the way from the top of the clocktower. You’ll often run into it blobbing its way around street corners. It’s the perfect landmark to find your way around Graz: you can always get walking directions to, from, or near the Friendly Alien.

Mariahilferplatz in Graz, Austria.
Mariahilferplatz, a charming plaza in Old Town Graz, on a not-Sunday. If you were here on Sunday, this same plaza – and the rest of the city – would be completely and utterly empty.
  • Graz is a ghost town on Sundays.

It turns out that Graz is a very religious city, which I should have picked up on from the religious iconography decorating its street corners and building edifices. But I was shook by how empty the streets of Graz were on a Sunday.

I mean, EVERYONE was gone, like I’d woken up in an episode of The Twilight Zone. The charming cafes, which all week long had been full of stylish Austrians sipping coffee on outdoor patios, had all shuttered. Be forewarned: buy some groceries to tide you over if you’ll be in Graz on a Sunday!

Colorful flowers at the farmers market in Graz, Austria.
There are 14 farmer’s markets in Graz bursting with fresh produce and flowers, all produced nearby in Styria. In Austria, buying fresh flowers isn’t’ a special occasion thing, it’s just a normal, daily thing. #lifegoals!
  • There are 14 farmers markets in Graz.

Graz is smack dab in the middle of Styria, which is FULL of farmers growing delicious Austrian specialties like pumpkins and white asparagus and schnitzel. So it should come as no surprise – although I was like, very surprised – that there are FOURTEEN farmers markets in the little city of Graz, two of which are open EVERY DAY (Kaiser-Josef Market and Lendplatz).

Er, every day except Sunday, that is (see previous point).

Walking through the farmer’s markets is a treat, not only because I’m a sucker for fresh flowers and cheerful baskets of tomatoes, but because it’s truly a slice of everyday life in Graz.

People here actually do all of their grocery shopping at farmer’s markets. They buy flowers every day with their meat and vegetables and I want to be just like them. I want a bike with a little basket on it and I want to ride my bike to the local farmer’s market and fill my little basket up with flowers and fresh farmer’s market schnitzel and then ride home and pour pumpkin oil on an ice cream cone.

I’m moving to Austria, everyone.

Please note: you cannot actually buy fresh, cold-pressed, organic schnitzel at the farmer’s market. Just in case someone shows up to Graz and is like “excuse me, Practical Wanderlust said I could get a glass of fresh-squeezed schnitzel here?” You cannot. I’m sorry.

View on top of the Kastner & Öhler department store overlooking the old town in Graz Austria.
One of the best views on town, from the rooftop of the Kastner & Öhler department store in Graz’s Old Town.
  • The best view in Graz is on top of a department store.

Kastner & Öhler is a giant department store in the center of Graz’s Old Town. The historic store, first opened in 1873 by the same family who runs it today, grew from a tiny shop to an entire city block of converted homes, which gives the department store a unique, maze-like feel inside as you emerge from glittering store displays to a courtyard and back again.

But the best part of the store is the rooftop, complete with a stunning view over the city center and the Clock Tower perched atop Schlossberg. Sit a while and enjoy drinks and food from the cafe (it’s quite good!) or just take your next Instagram photo on the overlook.

Design details in Graz, Austria.
Design details in Lend and my favorite cheeky signs! Graz is a UNESCO City of Design, and the Lend neighborhood is full of innovative and urban design.
  • Be sure to venture out of the city center to explore the Lend neighborhood.

Once the red light district, today, Lend is a multicultural neighborhood full of international restaurants and stores, budget-friendly hotels, and design details to thrill even the least knowledgable art aficionado.

We stayed in the Lendhotel, an art/design hotel owned by, fun fact, a Formula One racecar driver who partially owns the Redbull team. While I sadly couldn’t find a Redbull vending machine, the hotel is covered head to toe with unique art installations, like walls that appear to be ordinary walls only to suddenly break into geometric panels and flip over to display a work of art hidden on the other side. If you blinked, you’d miss it, turn around, and start to question your own sanity.

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We also became mildly convinced that the sweet girl at the front desk, who was literally there from the time we woke up until the time we returned late at night and never seemed to show signs of tiredness, was part of the art somehow – a clever AI robot, perhaps?

On our last morning, though, we were seeing double: were there two robots running the front desk!?!

… No.

It turns out they were just identical twins who worked back-to-back shifts in identical outfits (possibly to f**k with easily impressed tourists like us). But in a place like Graz and a hotel like that, you never know, you know?

Sustainable shopping in Graz at the Chic Ethic Fair Trade Shop and a package free shop for groceries.
Graz is full of ethical shops selling sustainable clothing (left) and package-free, zero-waste groceries (right)!
  • Graz has a bunch of ethical & sustainable shops.

Coming from California, it takes a lot of kombucha and bamboo toothbrushes to impress me, but y’all, Graz has California BEAT!

Not only do they have the cutest little zero waste store FULL of the reusable, compostable essentials I’ve spent years hunting down, but there’s an entire section of town full of with back to back sustainable clothing & accessories stores!

There’s Zerum, a lifestyle store full of eco-friendly and sustainable clothing all made from bio-friendly fabrics like Tencel (compostable eucalyptus pulp). You can pick up a glass water bottle or a wooden clock and never need anything made from plastic again. And much like all the food in Graz, everything is locally made in Austria.

In addition to the eco-friendly shops, there are ethical shops, too. Offline Retail sells secondhand and handmade goods and innovative design items all handmade by folks participating in the Offline drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. The store proceeds go towards supporting the program and providing work opportunities for those battling addictions. Also, the store & everything in it is cute AF.

Dinner and drinks at the Aiola Im Schloss in Graz.
Eating & drinking my heart out at the Aiola Im Schloss in Graz. Jeremy missed out, but don’t feel too bad – he got to take his kids to Disneyland for Grad Nite, so we’re even.

Why Was I in Graz, Again?

I was invited to visit Graz as a speaker at the first-ever Propel Conference for travel bloggers!

Although Jeremy couldn’t join me on this trip because May is smack dab in the middle of the craziest part of the school year (and “craving schnitzel” is not a good reason for a high school teacher to abandon their students for a week, I guess), I was in fantastic company.

The Propel Conference consisted of a small and carefully selected group of talented travel bloggers, plus an incredible panel of knowledgeable, talented speakers and veteran industry leaders (…. and me!).

I made fast friends with bloggers I’ve long admired from afar, and even finally had a chance to hang out with my awesome Slaying Social business partner, Christina!

Hanging out with & learning from other travel-loving, content creating business owners is my favorite part of going to travel blogging conferences.

I’ve been making an effort to go to at least 1 or 2 a year, despite my natural inclination to hole up at home and devolve into an antisocial, socially awkward troglodyte, which I’m particularly at danger of doing now that I work by myself, for myself, with nobody but myself and spend hours and hours alone each day. On the bright side: the more time I spend alone, the more energy reserves I have for social interaction, so it balances out.

Casually walking through the City Center of Graz in my bright yellow pants.
Just working on my casual hair fluff while Christina from Happy to Wander snapped photos like blogger papparazzi. (She took this one!)

We spent 3 days learning, discussing, and practicing advanced travel blogging techniques. We got into the really sexy stuff, like Search Engine Optimization and Long-Term Brand Partnerships and Advanced Monetization Techniques – that last one was my talk.

Oh, by the way~ if you’re wondering how the heck travel blogs make money, I’ve got a whole guide to travel blog monetization on my travel blogging resource site, Slaying Social.

Annnnd if you’re low-key nosy and wondering how MUCH I make off my travel blog, I posted a bunch of my income reports last year. Let’s just say they’re a little out of date now 😉

Lia Garcia in Graz, Austria.
Oh, did I say humble and modest? Sorry, what I meant was “incredibly proud of myself but didn’t want to sound like a d*ck about it.”

Oh, who am I kidding – modesty isn’t my strong suit. In fact, my strong suit is unabashed, unashamed, unconditional self-love. So f**k it.

Y’all, I am earning multiple 6-figures worth of income from my little baby 3-year old travel blog. And yes, I have to pinch myself just typing that!

Wild, huh? How did I get all the way here from like, this crappy thing I posted 3 years ago while sitting behind a desk at a corporate office, scared to death!?

Girl overlooking view of the Lend District Schlossberg in Graz.
I took several opportunities in Graz to take a step back, take a deep breath, admire the beautiful view, and feel really good about myself. Like, y’all. Just look at my hair. LOOK AT IT. I did that! Kudos, me. (BTW: #curlygirlmethod.)

My trip to Graz was an opportunity for me to step back and marvel at myself a lite bit.

To celebrate myself among newfound friends (with lots of beer) and give back to the amazing travel blogging community that I’ve joined over the last few years. It felt amazing to have the opportunity to share the knowledge I’ve accumulated on this crazy journey!

Lia Garcia consulting travel bloggers at the Propel Conference in Graz, Austria.
All of the speakers at the Propel Conference were available for brief 1-on-1 consulting sessions! Here I am gesturing wildly and probably speaking at an uncomfortably loud volume, as usual. Photo credit: Graz Tourismus_Werner Krug

Propel was my second ever speaking opportunity – I also spoke at TBEX, the largest travel blogging conference, last year. And I’ll be speaking at the Mediavine Conference in Austin, Texas in November of this year.

Hopefully, there will be a lot more to come, because it turns out that I LOVE public speaking!

Anyone have a stage I can hop on? Maybe like a karaoke machine and a folding table in someone’s backyard? Anything? I’ll take it!

And hey, fellow travel bloggers: if you see me at a conference, please come say hello!

Murinsel, a floating bar in the river in Graz, Austria.
Ever gotten a drink in the middle of a river? In Graz, you can! This amazing floating bar & cafe is called Murinsel, aka Island in the Mur. It’s a hyper-modern design right in the center of historic Old Town!

More Graz Resources & Travel Guides

Considering a trip to Graz now that you’ve seen how utterly stunning it is? Or just craving schnitzel? There are bunch of fantastic blog posts published by the participants in the Propel Travel Conference! Here are some of my favorite resources that will help you plan a trip to Graz.

  • 2 Day Graz Itinerary by Hues of Delahaye
  • Alternative/Quirky Things to Do in Graz by Happy to Wander
  • 13+ Best Cafes in Graz (a local’s guide) by Nomad Epicureans
  • The Sustainable Tourism Guide to Graz, Austria by The Mindful Mermaid
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25 Hours Hotel Review, The Best Boutique Hotel in Vienna

Ready to pack your bags and take off on a trip to Graz? Had you ever heard of Graz before? Did our photos make you want to visit? Drop us a comment below!

Psst: Planning a visit to Austria? Check out some of our other posts to help you plan your trip!

  • 47 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Charming Vorarlberg, Austria
  • 10 Cozy Things to do in Vienna, Austria in the Winter
  • 21 Photos Proving that Hallstatt, Austria is a Winter Fairytale
  • The Ultimate Winter Guide to Prague, Czech Republic
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Graz, Austria is one of the best places to visit in Austria! A short train ride from Vienna, Graz is a foodie destination, a UNESCO world heritage site, and a UNESCO city of design. This photo travel guide will make you want to book a trip to one of Europe's most undiscovered cities!
 
Graz, Austria is one of the best places to visit in Austria! A short train ride from Vienna, Graz is a foodie destination, a UNESCO world heritage site, and a UNESCO city of design. This photo travel guide will make you want to book a trip to explore one of Europe's most undiscovered cities!

Disclaimer: We were invited to visit Graz by the Propel Conference, and our entire trip was organized & hosted by Visit Graz. We are deeply grateful to them, as well as the many local businesses who helped support us during our visit! As always, all opinions, bad jokes, implications that schnitzel is Austria’s only food, and inaccurate depictions of yodellers are 100% my own and entirely not their fault.

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Our Top Travel Tips & Resources

Here are our favorite travel tips & resources for saving money and planning travel logistics! For more tips, check out our travel tips resource page or our guide to planning a trip.
  • Booking Flights: To score flight deals, search on Google Flights or Kayak. Money-saving tips: fly mid-week or on the weekend; fly carry-on only on a budget airline; and take red-eyes or early morning flights.
  • Accommodations: We usually stay in budget-friendly vacation rentals, boutique hotels or private rooms in hostels. We use Booking.com to book hotels (we love their flexible cancellation policy) and Hostelworld to book hostels (low deposit, easy change/cancellation, and excellent reviews). For vacation rentals, we prefer to book using VRBO because they've got lower fees and better support than Airbnb, and we're not fans of Airbnb's unethical track record. You can also book vacation rentals on Expedia and Hotels.com. We also use TrustedHousesitters as both hosts (for our home and our fur-child) and travelers!
  • Travel Insurance: We always, always, ALWAYS buy travel insurance for international trips, and we STRONGLY suggest it - visit our Travel Insurance Guide to find out why. We recommend either World Nomads or SafetyWing for international travel insurance. SafetyWing is one of the few policies that covers Covid-19, and they have excellent monthly policies that are perfect for Digital Nomads and long term travelers!
  • Travel Credit Card: We book all of our trips on our favorite travel credit card. Not only do we earn cash back that we can spend on more travel, but the card offers fantastic travel perks like travel insurance, trip delay and cancellation coverage, lost baggage reimbursement, and rental car coverage, which helps protect us on our travels. Learn more here.
  • Vaccines & Meds: We use the travel guides on the CDC website to research recommended medications and vaccines for international trips. We always recommend getting every vaccine recommended by the CDC! You can get them at your primary care doctor's office or a walk-in pharmacy.
  • Tours: We love booking guided tours, especially food tours and walking tours, to get a local's perspective and a history lesson while sight-seeing! We book our tours using Viator and GetYourGuide.
  • Transportation: We use Rome2Rio to figure out how to get from place to place, and book local transportation online using Bookaway wherever we can. When we book a rental car, we use DiscoverCars to compare rental companies and find the best deal.
  • Luggage Storage: Whenever we're checking out early or taking advantage of a long layover, we use LuggageHero to safely store our luggage while we're running around. Use the code PRACTICALW for 2 hours of free luggage storage on us.
  • VPN Service: A VPN keeps your digital information (like website login details, bank info, etc) safe, even when you're connected to an unsecured network while traveling. Plus, it lets you use Netflix & other streaming sites abroad! We use NordVPN. Use the code WANDERLUSTPROMO when you sign up!
  • What to Pack: Here are the travel essentials that we bring on every trip. We also have packing lists for hot weather, cold weather, and many more. Take a look at all of our packing guides!

Austria Cities in Europe City Trips Photo Essay

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rich says

    March 26, 2022 at 3:10 am

    My dear grandmother is from Graz and I visited each throughout my childhood. Many happy memories which your article awakened

    The city and region has so much to offer and the fact that it’s not packed with tourists is a plus!

    Reply
  2. Jacob Laby says

    March 11, 2021 at 6:30 am

    very useful

    Reply
  3. Cecilie says

    March 3, 2021 at 4:56 am

    What a great article! We’re currently dreaming of going to Graz again – we’ve been there before and we love, love love it! Here’s to hoping for a better 2021 with loads of travel plans and new experiences!

    – Cecilie

    Reply
  4. Iva says

    May 9, 2020 at 1:22 pm

    Beautiful pictures of beautiful Graz.

    Reply

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In 2016 we quit our jobs, put our stuff in storage, and took off on a (disastrous) year-long honeymoon. Today, we share down-to-earth travel tips from our many (mis)adventures on our blog and podcast!

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