What To Do In Graz In One Day, Austria
Nestled in the heart of Austria, Graz is a beautiful city rich in culture, history, and architecture. It’s a great destination for travellers who want to experience the best of Austria’s charm and beauty, even if they only have limited time to spare.
If you plan to visit Graz in one day, you can still see and do a lot of things there.
From exploring its charming old town to indulging in local cuisine, plenty of activities will make your visit memorable. So, if you’re up for a day trip to Graz, keep reading for tips and ideas to make the most of your visit!
I took a day trip to Graz from Zagreb during summertime; Graz is only 2h30 from Zagreb and vice versa. But it is also a great day trip to take from Vienna if you’re already in Austria from Slovenia, it’s quite a short bus ride away from all those places!
If you’re interested, I also have a guide on the best things to do in Zagreb!
Here is all you need to know to plan your day trip and know what to see in Graz in one day!
Things To Know To Visit Graz In One Day
Here are all the best tips and things you need to know before visiting Graz in one day!
- Language: The official language of Austria is German, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas, including Graz. Learning a few basic German phrases before you go is always a good idea, but that’s a rule of thumb for any place you travel to! It’s important to say “please” (bitte) and “thank you” (danke) when interacting with locals. Those are easy words to remember!
- Transportation: Graz has a well-developed public transportation system, including buses and trams. You can purchase tickets at kiosks or on board the buses. I found the city to be effortless; besides the bus ride to join the city centre, we did everything on foot!
- Currency: The currency in Austria is the Euro. Bank cards are accepted everywhere, but having a bit of cash on you is always good. I had to get cash when I bought a bus ticket at a kiosk when I was saying to my bf a minute before we didn’t need it.
How to get to Graz
Vienna To Graz Day Trip
Graz is easily accessible from Vienna. The best way to travel from Vienna to Graz is to take the bus, the journey lasts around 2h20, and you can score tickets for as cheap as 15€.
You can also take the train to go to Graz, the length of the journey is 2h36, but it is usually more expensive than the bus.
You can also fly to Graz Aiport, southern Austria’s primary international airport. I recommend you check out the best flight deals on Skyscanner.
What To Do In Graz In One Day, Austria
Here is a list of the top things to do and see in Graz in one day! These activities are good additions to your Graz day trip itinerary.
Most of the main attractions in Graz are located in the city centre, which makes it a good day trip idea!
Explore the Old Town
Graz’s old town, also known as Altstadt, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Graz in one day. The old town is a maze of narrow streets and alleys lined with beautiful historic buildings, quaint shops, and charming cafes.
Some of the top attractions in Graz’s Old Town include the cathedral, Schlossberg Hill and Clock Tower, Styrian Armoury, The Hauptplatz and more; I will get more in-depth about each attraction we did in Graz during our day trip.
Note: Eggenberg Palace is also a grand palace outside the Old Town with beautiful gardens, art collections, and a historic brewery.
Graz Main Square
The Hauptplatz (Main Square) is the city’s largest and most historic square. It is the heart of Old Town and a bustling plaza. The square’s architecture mixes Renaissance and Baroque-style buildings, and historic buildings, shops, and cafes surround it.
The square’s centrepiece is the Town Hall, a beautiful building with a clock tower and a baroque-style facade. Another notable building is the Landhaus, a historic building that houses the regional parliament of Styria and features a stunning double spiral staircase. You can also find the Archduke Johann fountain at the plaza.
The square also hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including Christmas markets, outdoor concerts, cultural celebrations and Pride, which happened when we visited.
The Main Square is a great starting point for exploring Graz’s Old Town and a popular destination for tourists and locals.
Climb Schlossberg Hill & Admire the Graz (Uhrturm) Clock Tower
Visitors can take the Schlossbergbahn funicular to reach the tower or climb the 260 steps to the top. The climb can be challenging, especially in the summer, as it is super hot, but the views from the top and on the way there are well worth the effort, as you can see above.
The clock tower, also known as the Uhrturm, is a historic and iconic landmark in the city. It’s a beautiful tower with a clock that chimes every hour. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the city. it’s a popular tourist destination and a symbol of Graz’s rich history and culture.
Schlossberg Park
Schlossberg Park is a beautiful green oasis in the heart of the city, and it offers stunning views of the city’s historic Old Town, the river Mur, and the surrounding mountains.
Once in the park, you can explore its walking trails, take in the panoramic views, and relax in its many picnic areas. Schlossberg Park is also home to several historical landmarks, including the bell tower, the Turkish well, and the Castle Hill fortress. Whether you’re a nature lover or a history buff, Schlossberg Park is a must-visit destination in Graz that will make your visit memorable.
Go Down One of the fastest Slide in Europe
The slide in Graz, also known as the Murinsel Slide, is a unique attraction located in the Murinsel, an artificial island in the middle of the Mur River. The slide is a fun way to experience the island and provides visitors with a thrilling ride down a 50-meter-long stainless steel chute that twists and turns its way to the river below.
I loved the slide; going down the hill was a fun experience. I actually went much faster than I would have expected it to. It’s fun and saves time to go down the hill to keep exploring!
You can check more info about Graz’s Slide here.
Stadpark
After we took the slide down from Schlossberg Hill and took a small break and some more photos of the city, it was time to take a leisurely walk down to Stadtpark and explore the park’s beautiful scenery, sculptures, and wildlife (we mostly saw ducks but, I love ducks, so it was amazing)
Stadtpark is a larger, more traditional city park with walking paths, ponds, and sculptures.
Visit the Graz Cathedral
The Graz Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of St. Giles, is a beautiful baroque-style church in the heart of the city’s historic Old Town. It was built in the 15th century and has undergone several renovations and expansions.
The cathedral’s interior is adorned with ornate decorations, including frescoes, paintings, and sculptures. It also features a stunning main altar, an impressive pipe organ, and beautiful stained-glass windows.
You can also find the Mausoleum of Kaiser Ferdinand II.
The cathedral is open to visitors for free and is a popular attraction for tourists and locals. Visitors can take guided tours of the cathedral, attend daily mass or other religious services, and admire the impressive architecture and artwork on display.
The cathedral is also located near other popular tourist destinations in Graz, making it a convenient stop on any sightseeing itinerary.
Double Spiral Staircase
The double spiral staircase in Graz is a fascinating architectural feature located in the courtyard of the Landhaus, a historic building that houses the regional parliament of Styria.
The staircase was built in the 17th century and is made of stone with wrought-iron railings. It consists of two spiral staircases that wind around a central pillar in opposite directions, creating a stunning visual effect.
The staircases never meet, but they come close enough to create the illusion of a continuous, flowing curve.
The double spiral staircase is one of Graz’s most unique and impressive architectural features, and it’s a must-see attraction for anyone interested in history, art, or architecture. It’s a popular spot for taking photos, and visitors can admire the staircase’s intricate details and impressive design up close and climb up and down the stairs.
Conlusion on Graz in One Day
I had a great day in Graz, and if I ever have the opportunity, I would love to return for a second visit.
These are just a few of the many things you can do in Graz if you have only one day to spare. There’s so much to see and experience in this beautiful city, and you’re sure to have a memorable visit no matter what you choose to do.
Side note: if you’re looking for a cute coffee shop to get a drink and a snack during the day, you should check out Tribeka Coffee Shop.
And that’s a wrap on my Graz in one day post; I hope you enjoyed it and will have fun visiting Graz!
Also, follow me on Instagram to check out my travel adventures around Europe and more lifestyle content @cpt_lyne!
Here are more travel posts that could interest you to visit more of Europe!
- Day Trip To Plitvice National Park in Croatia
- How To Spend 28 Hours in Vienna in Winter, Austria
- Plan One Day At Europa Park, Germany
- Visit Budapest in 2 Days, Hungary
- Geneva 2-Day Itinerary, Switzerland
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What To Do In Graz In One Day, Austria
✈ Best Travel Ressources To Plan Your Next Trip
✈ How To Find Flights?
– Skyscanner; it is a good comparator for finding the cheapest flights.
– Google Flights is also a good help when comparing flights.
✈ Where To Book Accommodations?
– Booking.com: plenty of options and ways to get discounts the more you book.
✈ Best Sites To Book Activities
– GetYourGuide when I can’t get a ticket directly on the website or if it’s easier to go through them.
– Klook if you need to book more than just activities and would like to get everything from the same website or different day trips—(i.e. transport cards, car rental, hotel…).
✈ Other helpful travel resources
– Radical Storage: If you need a place to keep your luggage for an extended period when you travel, I recommend using them.
– TheTrainline: If you love to travel by train like me, then TheTrainline needs to be your go-to website for train travel in Europe.
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Disclaimer: This resources box contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you book anything through my links at no additional cost. These links help me support the blog and generate more content. Happy travels!
I find the transport system in Europe simply the best. It is too convenient.
Absolutely in love with this post on Graz. Austria is one of my fav European countries to visit – thanks to the movie Sound of Music…. 😉 I loved the beautiful architecture you have profiled through this post. And great tips for what to see and how to get around. Bookmarking it!!!