Graz

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Cafe, Town View & Rooftops, Graz, Austria

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Overview

Austria’s second-largest city is its most relaxed and an instant heart-stealer, with abundant parkland, a sea of red rooftops and a narrow but fast-flowing river loudly gushing through its centre. A very beautiful bluff – connected to the centre by steps, a funicular and a glass lift – is the city's signature attribute. Architecturally, Graz hints at nearby Italy with its Renaissance courtyards and baroque palaces. That said, there's a youthful energy here too, with a handful of edgily modern buildings, a vibrant arts scene and upbeat, student-fuelled nightlife. This extends to both sides of the Mur, although the Lend district, across from the historic centre, skews young and edgy.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Graz, Austria - June 18, 2016: Kunsthaus Graz, an exhibition centre for contemporary art. The Kunsthaus with its futuristic design is also called the Friendly Alien by its architects Peter Cook and; Shutterstock ID 439401436; Your name (First / Last): Daniel Fahey; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Nice and Graz POIs

    Kunsthaus Graz

    Graz

    Designed by British architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier, this world-class contemporary-art space is known as the 'friendly alien' by locals. The…

  • Schloss Eggenberg

    Schloss Eggenberg

    Graz

    Graz' elegant palace was created for the Eggenberg dynasty in 1625 by Giovanni Pietro de Pomis (1565–1633) at the request of Johann Ulrich (1568–1634)…

  • Schlossberg

    Schlossberg

    Graz

    Rising to 473m, Schlossberg is the site of the original fortress where Graz was founded and is marked by the city's most visible icon – the Uhrturm. Its…

  • Landeszeughaus

    Landeszeughaus

    Graz

    If you have a passion for armour and weapons, you'll especially enjoy the Landeszeughaus, where more than 30,000 pieces of glistening weaponry are housed…

  • Neue Galerie Graz

    Neue Galerie Graz

    Graz

    The Neue Galerie is the crowning glory of the three museums inside the Joanneumsviertel complex. The collection of works on level 0 is the highlight,…

  • Bundesgestüt Piber

    Bundesgestüt Piber

    Graz

    West of Graz is the village of Piber, home to the world-famous Lipizzaner stallion stud farm. Originally the farm was based in Lipica (Slovenia), but was…

  • Schloss Eggenberg Museums

    Schloss Eggenberg Museums

    Graz

    Graz' Schloss Eggenberg and park grounds are home to an ensemble of excellent museums, including the Alte Galerie (Old Gallery), with its outstanding…

  • Mausoleum of Ferdinand II

    Mausoleum of Ferdinand II

    Graz

    The mannerist-baroque Mausoleum of Ferdinand II was designed by Italian architect Pietro de Pomis and begun in 1614; after Pomis’ death the mausoleum was…

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Best Things to Do

Experience the best of Graz. From iconic landmarks to local markets, find out what to see and do in this charming Austrian destination.

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Articles

Latest stories from Graz

Classic panorama view of the historic city of Graz with famous Grazer Uhrturm clock tower in beautiful evening light at sunset, Styria, Austria License Type: media Download Time: 2021-04-06T18:50:47.000Z User: BBuckner_lonelyplanet Is Editorial: No purchase_order:

Outdoors

The 14 best things to do in Graz, Austria

Mar 24, 2025 • 11 min read

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