Day 1 in Graz

Welcome to Graz, the second largest city in Austria! You will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

Start your afternoon by strolling the the historic center, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with winding cobblestone streets, tall pastel-colored buildings, and charming squares. Stop in one of the trendy restaurants of the area and take in the hip vibe the historic area offers. Wander in a few of the charming art shops and design stores, Graz was awarded the European Capital of Culture, and in 2011 it was designated the UNESCO City of Design. From townhouses painted with old murals to romantic courtyards, open Baroque squares, you`ll find this area to be a living history walking tour.

Note: There is a historic center walking tour that is run by Graz Tourist Information, which starts at its location on Herrengasse 16. This is one way, to have an introduction to the history of the city while viewing the most revered facades, courtyards and romantic squares. Alternatively pick up a map from the Tourist Office and follow the marked route.

Next, make your way to the Schlossberg (literal meaning `Castle Mountain`), the giant mountain right in the middle of Graz, loved by locals and tourists alike. At the top of the hill is a 92 foot high clock tower, which is a landmark of Graz and a great place to see the entire city and surrounding mountains. The self-guided walking tour is a great way to see everything on the Schlossberg hill in a short amount of time.

There are a few different ways to reach the top of the hill. For a quick and easy way up, you can take the funicular, the Schlossbergbahn, or ride in the Schlossberglift, which is an elevator that goes right through the mountain. But if you want a bit of exercise and a beautiful view, climb the 260 steps of the Kriegssteig, which was built during WWI to connect the historic old town with the clock tower.

While at the top of the hill, make a pit stop at Aoila Upstairs, the restaurant is next to the clock tower and boasts incredible views, especially on a gorgeous day on the outside terrace. Enjoy a cup of coffee or glass of wine to rest your legs.

Make sure to visit the Town Hall in the main square in Graz where you`ll find several food and market stalls in the middle of it. The main building on its southern side is the spectacular Town Hall, built in 1893. An interesting thing to look for here are the three narrow houses on one side of the Town Hall that are still there from when it was built, because the owners refused to give the land to the government!

Don`t miss a visit to the Franciscan Church and Monastery, a stunning church with 14th century Gothic architecture mixed with modern works of art. If you go through the side door to the monastery (founded in 1239), the cloister is a tranquil and charming spot and worth seeing.

Finish your afternoon at the Mausoleum, built in the early 1600`s for Emperor Ferdinarnd II. He was buried in it in 1637, about 20 years after his wife was buried here. There are also tombs for his parents but only his mother`s remains are actually here. The Mausoleum appears to be part of the cathedral but it actually has its own entrance. You`ll probably note its striking facade, which was actually created by combining several designs.

As night falls, make your way to Sporgasse, one of our favourite streets of Graz and take in the ambiance at night. It`s considered one of the most romantic streets in the city. It`s here you`ll find the oldest parish church, the oldest courtyard in the city, some of the more exquisite building facades and the quirky with their own legends. Then make your way to one of the numerous restaurants in the historic center to complete your day. After dinner, take in the city at night before heading back to your hotel for a restful night sleep.

Day 2 in Graz

Start your day off at Café König, a small and a popular place for the old traditional coffee-house vibes. This café in particular dates back to 1918, and is decked out in dark wood, with coffee pastries and a warm, family business atmosphere.

Every morning but Sunday, you`ll find the Lendplatz Farmers Market. The market has taken place since 1945 where farmers from the area have been selling produce, meat, cheese, breads, pastries, flowers, and much more. The market is a perfect way to take in the local sights and sounds of the city. Also, it is an amazing place to pick up some pumpkin seed oil, something that the region is renowned for. Nicknamed `black gold`, pumpkin seed oil has a really nutty taste and it is very healthy for you too. Don`t be afraid of it because they pour it on everything in Graz so make sure you take a bottle of it home with you!

Next, make your way to Eggenberg Palace situated atop a hill just about a mile and half west of Graz`s city center. It is not in the Historic Center but it`s still part of the World Heritage Site and definitely a must see! The palace is a beautiful Baroque building from 1625 that has more behind the design than you realize at first. There are 365 rooms on each floor, 24 state rooms with 52 doors, 60 windows and 4 corner towers. All of these represent different measurements of time.

The building is now home to several museums that may be of interest. The state rooms are impressive and you can see them with a guided tour. You can also visit the large park that surrounds it, which represents the universe.

Finish your afternoon enjoying a drink on the roof of Graz`s most famous department store, Kastner and Ohler (K and O Rooftop) . Hidden away amongst several floors and designer lables, homeware and cosmetics, you`ll find Café Freiburg sitting on a huge roof terrace. When the weather in Graz is warm, this is the perfect spot for a late afternoon beer or a coffee.

Note: It`s free to go up to the rooftop, but the restaurant here does not encourage tourists disturbing its customers by coming to take photos. They have, however, kindly created a spot at the far end where you can go to get a good view.

Ater a busy day of sightseeing, catch a performance at the Opernhaus (Opera House). It is the year-round home of Graz`s opera company, something the locals are rightfully proud of. The faux-baroque theater was designed `in the style of Fischer von Erlach` at the end of the 19th century. Recent performances have included Lucia de Lammermoor, Cavelleria Rusticana, Tosca, Rigoletto, and even Broadway musicals. Tickets prices range depending on the event and your seat.

Day 3 in Graz

On your last day in Graz, start out at the Murinsel, a landmark of Graz that commemorates the city being granted the role of European Capital of Culture in 2003. Stop here to grab coffee and breakfast at the café. The Murinsel is a man-made island that was made entirely of steel and resembling a large upside-down seashell, it`s like a 154 foot-long floating island in the middle of the River Mur that`s tethered to its banks by the footbridges.

Take some time to discover the Kunthaus Graz, a ultra-modern art museum that was built in 2003 to mark the city`s choice as the European City of Culture. The museum focuses on works of contemporary art of the mid-20th Century. The gallery hosts temporary exhibitions that change during the year. English language guided tours and audio guides are available. You`ll also find a café inside to stop in for an afternoon snack.

For lunch, eat at Delikatessen Frankowitsch for the best sandwiches around, this place has become an institution in Graz. Delikatessen Frankowitsch is essentially three places in one - a wine bar with a great selection of cheese and meats, a bakery selling fresh pastries and bread, and a café selling the famous open sandwiches.

Spend the remaining part of your day learning about the history of Graz. The city was first documented in 1128, and in 1379 it became the seat of the Leopold line of the Habsburgs. Karl-Franzens-Universität, also called the University of Graz, is the city`s oldest university, founded in 1585 by Archduke Karl II. This is a really neat place to visit and the architecture is beautiful.

Alternatively, explore the world`s largest history armory at the Styrian Armory. Here, you`ll find over 32,000 objects including all different types of weapons and armor. Everything is lined up in perfect order, as if it were ready to be used in battle. This is super impressive to see, even if you aren`t into weapons.

One of the best free things to do in Graz is walk around the park taking in the views of the city below. Also, make sure you`re here for sunset, it is absolutely stunning!

Spend your last evening in Graz enjoying one of the many bars or restaurants in the city. Sometimes restaurants combine dancing and nighclub shows, so you may be able to spend an entire evening in one place. The cafes often times provide music as well.

The area around Farbergasse-Mehlplatz is the most popular place for people from all walks of life, and the city`s greatest cluster of bars and restaurants is here. Locals refer to it as their (Bermuda Triangle).

Additional Days in Graz

If you`re finding yourself with an extra day to spare, take a day trip to Austrian Open-Air Museum Stuebing. Considered one of Europe`s top open-air museums and Austria`s largest, this massive museum preserves 98 historical farm buildings from all the country`s regions, showing their construction and how people lived and worked in them throughout history. This immersion into six centuries of rural Austria also preserves folk skills, crafts, and traditions. The 76 original historical buildings were carefully dismantled in their original locations and reconstructed here, while the remaining are exact replicas of originals that could not be moved. Along with homes and barns, the collection included a dovecot, ropewalk, oil press, corn mill, blacksmith shop and forge, wine press, winemaker`s cottage, windmill, and several styles of mountain huts from various alpine regions. You can sample typical local foods at the Gasthaus Zum Göller.

Another nice daytrip is the Voitsberg and Lipizzaner Stud Farm. One of the prettiest areas in the Styrian region lies around Voitsberg. For beautiful views of the area, climb to the ruins of Castle Krems (Burgruine Krems), where you`ll also find exhibits of modern art and gardens. More romantic in their ruin and overgrown with forest are the stone walls of nearby Neuleonrod castle. Stop also to see the intricate paintings on the façade of the chapel in the village of Tregist, also near Voitsberg.

Your Last Day in Graz

Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.