I worked with Graz Tourismus during this stop. The opinions and the photographs are my own.
Graz was a stop on my Interrail route, between Ljubljana and Vienna. We only stayed 24 hours, and that was not enough.
What I remember most: a very peaceful and pleasant city.
Graz overview
How we got there: by train from Ljubljana, with our Interrail pass.
How long we stayed: 24 hours, with one night in an apartment in Lend.
How long I would stay: two to three days.
Where to stay in Graz
We stayed in an apartment in Lend, the neighbourhood across the river from the old town. It was very pleasant.
Best things to do in Graz
The Schlossberg
The hill in the middle of the city, with its clock tower. This is where I saw the red rooftops of Graz at sunset.
We took the funicular up.
Good to know: there are two ways up without walking. The Schlossbergbahn funicular, running since 1894 from Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Kai, climbs a 60 percent gradient in about a minute and a half, and it is part of the normal city transport network. The glass lift inside the hill, from Schlossbergplatz, takes 30 seconds and comes out by the clock tower. A combined ticket is around 4.90 euros, and both are free with the Graz Card.
Free anyway: the hill itself is a public park, open at all hours, and walking around the Uhrturm and the gardens costs nothing. The stairs from Schlossbergplatz are the third way up, if your legs are willing.
Good to know: the Schlossbergbahn funicular climbs the hill in a few minutes, with a 60 percent gradient and a glass roof. It runs every 15 minutes, from 9am to midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and until 2am on Friday and Saturday. All Graz public transport tickets for zone 1 are valid on it. You can also walk up, or take the Schlossberg lift.
The Kunsthaus
The contemporary art museum, nicknamed the "Friendly Alien" for its shape, on the river bank in Lend. I saw a beautiful exhibition about flowers there.
Good to know: in 2026, the museums of the Universalmuseum Joanneum, which includes the Kunsthaus, have a year-long theme called BLOOM, around blossoming in art, nature and culture. The Joanneum museums are closed on Mondays.
The old town
We walked through the old town. For photos, my favourite spot in Graz is simply the city in general.
Good to know: the Graz Card
The Graz Card works for 24, 48 or 72 hours, and costs €32, €42 or €47. It includes public transport in zone 101, the Schlossbergbahn funicular and the Schlossberg lift, free entry to the Kunsthaus and the other Joanneum museums, and a guided walk through the old town. If you already have a transport ticket, the cheaper Graz Card Light has the same museum benefits without public transport.
Where to eat in Graz
Café Restaurant Demiri
On Lendplatz, in Lend. A small Balkan restaurant known for its ćevapčići, the little grilled minced meat sausages served with flatbread, raw onion and ajvar. Lendplatz is the market square of the district, and the restaurant sits in the row of places around it, which is exactly the point: you eat where the neighbourhood eats, not where the tourists do.
Der Steirer
Belgiergasse 1, in Lend. We had dinner there, and I had a goulash.
Good to know: Der Steirer is known for Styrian cooking and its "Styrian tapas", small seasonal plates meant to be shared, alongside classics like goulash and backhendl, the Styrian fried chicken. The region's pumpkin seed oil turns up on almost everything, including, if you are curious, vanilla ice cream. It is also open on Sundays, which is rare in Austria and useful to know.
How many days in Graz?
Two to three days. Stay more than 24 hours: we did not have enough time.
Graz FAQ
Is Graz worth visiting?
Yes. It is a very peaceful and pleasant city.
How many days in Graz?
Two to three days.
How do you get up the Schlossberg?
By the Schlossbergbahn funicular, the Schlossberg lift, or on foot.
Is the Graz Card worth it?
If you plan to take the funicular, public transport and visit the Kunsthaus or other Joanneum museums, it covers all of them.
Where to eat ćevapčići in Graz?
At Café Restaurant Demiri, on Lendplatz.
Where to stay in Graz?
We stayed in an apartment in Lend, a pleasant neighbourhood close to the Kunsthaus.
Read next
More from Austria:
- Vienna travel guide: a city of grandeur, best seen on foot
- Villach and Lake Faak travel guide: a charming town and a turquoise lake to disconnect
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