Travel to Graz

Travel to Graz

The second largest city in Austria after Vienna, Graz offers natural beauty and architectural grandeur and is now a very busy tourist destination. Located on the Mur River and surrounded by beautiful green hills, Graz is a perfect getaway for holidaymakers.

Transportation to Graz

Ryan Air, a low-cost airline servicing Europe, has daily flights from London Stansted to Graz Airport, located about 16kms south of the city centre. There is a railway station within walking distance of the airport. Austrian Airlines offer daily flights from Vienna to Thalefhof International Airport, which is 18kms from Graz. There are shuttle bus services provided between the airport and the city centre, operating six times a day. Alternatively, you can also take a taxi, which is more expensive.

If you travel by car, head south on autobahn A2; Graz can be reached within 2 hours. From Grazs train station, you can take regional trains to most of Styria. Direct trains run to most major cities nearby including Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Maribor in Slovenia, Zagreb in Croatia, Prague in the Czech Republic and Budapest in Hungary. Trains for Vienna leave every hour, with a travel time of 2 hours, 30 minutes.

What to see

Eggenburg Castle, dating from the 17th century, is a great place to visit. Boasting 364 beautiful windows that offer different views for each day of the year, the castle also offers stunning scenery of the majestic mountains and the city below. Graz is also home to many other architectural buildings including the 16th century Uhrturm, a clocktower which is a symbol of Graz and is located on the top of Schlossberg.Others include theLandhaus, a Renaissance government building; the Rathaus, the town hall; and the Landeszeughaus, the largest armoury in the world. For art lovers, head to the Kunsthaus, which is a large and impressive museum of modern art.

Day trips

Making a daytrip in and around Graz is also a good idea if you want to discover the many natural wonders. The largest city and the capital of Styria, a beautiful forested area in Austria, Graz offers many charming rolling hills, deep valleys and lush green forests. Many quaint little villages and friendly mountain trails can be found surrounding the city.

Museum-goers will be happy to know that there is an open-air museum, sterreichisches Freilichtmuseum, located 16kms north of Graz, in Stbing. Here you can see old farmhouses, farm buildings, a smokeroom (rauchstubenhaus) and a smokehouse (rauchhaus) which have been collected from all over Austria and reassembled in a historic setting. Steirische Weinstrasse, a winegrowing region south of Graz, also known as the Styrian Tuscany, is also worth visiting.

Activities and leisure

The finest restaurants and hotels in Austria are aplenty in Graz. Nightlife is easy-going and you can enjoy an array of nice little cafs and bars. If you have time, visit the Casino Graz, a favourite nightspot for both locals and travellers alike. Equipped with many slot machines, roulette wheels and blackjack tables, the casino is easily accessible, with its location in the historic part of town, at the corner of the Schmiedegasse.

If you make a trip out of the city, make sure to try authentic Austrian cuisine at its best in the local restaurants serving traditional dishes and Styrian specialties. Try verhackertes, a spread made from finely chopped bacon, enjoyed with the regional style of a very dry ros, Schilcher.

Safety issues

Pick-pocketing, theft and loss of personal belongings are common things to be aware of while travelling. Language barriers and unfamiliar routines can also cause problems. Taking out travel insurance for you and your family is strongly recommended.