Graz, Austria

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Graz, Austria

Region: Styria


Geographic Coordinates: 47.070800, 15.438600
Temperature Range: -20.0°C to 40.0°C (-4°F to 104°F)
Climate: Cold winters, mild summers, and moderate precipitation throughout the year.
Population: 289440
Language: German

Graz is the second-largest city in Austria, Located in the southeastern part of the country. The city has a rich history and culture, With its old town being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Graz is also known for its vibrant arts scene and excellent cuisine. One of the most notable landmarks in Graz is Schlossberg, A hill that overlooks the city center. Visitors can climb to the top of Schlossberg to enjoy panoramic views of Graz and explore its historic fortress ruins.

Another popular attraction is Eggenberg Palace, An 18th-century Baroque palace that features stunning gardens and an extensive art collection. Graz’s old town, Or Altstadt, Is a maze of narrow streets and alleys lined with colorful buildings dating back to medieval times. The Hauptplatz (main square) is at the heart of this area and features several impressive buildings such as the Rathaus (town hall) and Landhaus (provincial government building). The Domkirche St. Nikolaus (Cathedral of St. Nicholas) is also worth visiting for its beautiful Gothic architecture.

For those interested in art and culture, Graz has several museums worth exploring such as Kunsthaus Graz – Museum Joanneum which showcases contemporary art from around Europe; Universalmuseum Joanneum which houses collections on natural history, Archaeology, Fine arts; Neue Galerie which displays modern Austrian art from 19th century onwards; Styrian Armoury which displays over 32k pieces armor & weaponry from Renaissance era. Graz’s culinary scene offers something for everyone with traditional Austrian dishes like schnitzel or strudel alongside international cuisine options like sushi or currywurst.

Many restaurants offer outdoor seating during warmer months giving visitors opportunity to enjoy their meals while soaking up some sun. it’s worth mentioning that Graz hosts several festivals throughout the year including Styriarte music festival in July-August showcasing classical music performances by renowned artists from around the world; Diagonale film festival in March featuring Austrian and international films; Elevate festival in October showcasing electronic music, Art and political discourse. Graz is a beautiful city that offers visitors a mix of history, Culture, Art, Cuisine and entertainment.

With its charming old town and stunning landmarks like Schlossberg or Eggenberg Palace to explore along with variety of museums & festivals to attend – there’s no shortage of things to see or do while visiting this vibrant city.



Important Landmarks

  1. Schlossberg: A hill overlooking the city with a clock tower, a park, and stunning views.
  2. Graz Old Town: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with charming streets, historic buildings, and quaint cafes.
  3. Kunsthaus Graz: An iconic modern art museum with a unique biomorphic design.
  4. Eggenberg Palace: A baroque palace with beautiful gardens and collections of art and antiques.
  5. Murinsel: An artificial island in the middle of the Mur River that serves as an outdoor event space and cafe.
  6. Stadtpark (City Park): A large park in the heart of Graz with walking paths, fountains, and statues.
  7. Mariatrost Basilica: A pilgrimage church on a hilltop overlooking Graz with stunning Baroque architecture.
  8. Botanical Garden of Graz University: A beautiful garden filled with exotic plants from around the world.
  9. Landeszeughaus (Styrian Armoury): The largest armory in the world featuring weapons from different eras in history.
  10. Uhrturm (Clock Tower): The most famous landmark in Graz located on top of Schlossberg Hill.

Primary Industries

  1. Automotive: Several automotive companies such as Magna Steyr, AVL List GmbH, and Siemens VAI are headquartered in Graz.
  2. Technology: The city’s technology sector is thriving with companies like Infineon Technologies Austria AG, NXP Semiconductors Austria GmbH, and Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH leading the way.
  3. Tourism: Graz is a popular tourist destination due to its rich history, museums, parks, cultural events among other attractions.
  4. Education: With several universities including the University of Graz that attract students from all over the world.
  5. Healthcare: The city has numerous hospitals and medical centers including the renowned University Hospital Graz which offers top-notch healthcare services to patients.
  6. Manufacturing: There is a strong manufacturing sector in Graz producing everything from machinery to food products.
  7. Creative Industries: The city has a burgeoning creative industry with many artists, designers musicians contributing towards its cultural scene.
  8. Finance & Insurance: Several banks and insurance companies have their headquarters located within or near Graz such as Raiffeisen Bank International AG and UNIQA Versicherungen AG.

Noteable History

  1. The city was founded in the 12th century by Emperor Frederick I.
  2. Graz became an important cultural center during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, with many notable artists and architects contributing to its architecture.
  3. One of the most famous landmarks in Graz is the Schlossberg, a hilltop fortress that has played a significant role in the city’s history.
  4. The composer Johann Joseph Fux was born in Graz in 1660 and went on to become one of the most influential composers of his time.
  5. In 1809, during the Napoleonic Wars, French troops occupied Graz for several months before being driven out by Austrian forces.
  6. In 1868, Karl Franzens University was established in Graz, which remains one of Austria’s leading universities today.
  7. During World War II, Graz suffered extensive damage from Allied bombing raids but managed to rebuild its infrastructure after the war.
  8. Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in nearby Thal and spent much of his youth training at a gym in Graz before becoming a world-famous bodybuilder and actor.
  9. In recent years, Graz has become known for its innovative architecture and design scene as well as its vibrant culinary culture.
  10. The city also hosted several major international events such as EuroPride (2019), Styrian Grand Prix (2020), etc., which have brought global attention to it as a destination for tourism and business opportunities alike.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Schloss Eggenberg is a 17th-century palace that boasts beautiful Baroque architecture and houses impressive art collections.
  2. Kunsthaus Graz is a contemporary art museum designed by architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier.
  3. Graz Cathedral is a stunning Gothic church with intricate details and a rich history dating back to the 15th century.
  4. Landeszeughaus is one of the largest armories in the world, featuring over 32,000 weapons from various eras.
  5. Murinsel is an artificial island in the middle of the Mur River, designed by artist Vito Acconci as a unique public space for events and exhibitions.
  6. Styrian Armoury Museum houses another impressive collection of arms and armor from different periods in history.
  7. Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II., located within the Graz Cathedral complex, serves as the final resting place of Emperor Ferdinand II..
  8. Stadtpark, situated in the heart of Graz, features sculptures, fountains, and plenty of green space for picnics or relaxation.
  9. Uhrturm Clock Tower stands as one of Graz’s most iconic landmarks offering stunning views over the city from its observation deck.
  10. Botanical Garden Graz-University provides visitors with a peaceful oasis filled with exotic plants from around the world; making it perfect for nature lovers or anyone looking to escape city life for a while!


Sports Teams

  1. SK Sturm Graz – Founded in 1909, SK Sturm Graz is a professional football club that plays in the Austrian Bundesliga. The team has won three league titles and one Austrian Cup.
  2. UPC Vienna Capitals – The UPC Vienna Capitals are an ice hockey team that plays in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga. They have won four league titles and two Austrian Cups.
  3. UBSC Raiffeisen Graz – UBSC Raiffeisen Graz is a basketball team that competes in the Österreichische Basketball Bundesliga. They have won one league title and two Austrian Cups.
  4. UVC Holding Graz – UVC Holding Graz is a volleyball team that competes in the Austrian Volleyball League. They have won six league titles and four Austrian Cups.
  5. ATSE Graz – ATSE Graz is a multi-sport club that was founded in 1896. The club has teams for football, handball, athletics, gymnastics, swimming, table tennis, and more.
  6. GAK 1902 – Grazer Athletiksport Klub 1902 (GAK) was founded in 1902 as an athletics club but later expanded to include football and other sports. The football team has won four league titles and three Austrian Cups.
  7. HC Bruck – HC Bruck is a handball team based near Graz which competes at Handball Liga Austria (HLA). They’ve secured one HLA championship title so far.
  8. Tus Bad Gleichenberg – Tus Bad Gleichenberg is a multi-sport club from Bad Gleichenberg near Graz which was founded on July 29th of 1929. They compete mainly at amateur level with their senior men’s soccer section playing at Landesliga level representing fifth tier of Austrian soccer pyramid as of 2022.


Cultural Events

  1. Styriarte: A classical music festival held in Graz every summer.
  2. Elevate Festival: An annual festival focusing on political and social issues, featuring workshops, lectures, and concerts.
  3. Diagonale Film Festival: A film festival showcasing Austrian films and filmmakers.
  4. La Strada Street Theatre Festival: A street theatre festival with performances by international artists.
  5. Steirischer Herbst: An interdisciplinary arts festival featuring exhibitions, performances, and installations across the city.
  6. Long Night of Museums: An event where museums in Graz stay open late into the night for visitors to explore their collections.
  7. Christmas Market Graz: Held during the holiday season, this market features traditional food, drinks, and crafts from local artisans.
  8. Fête Blanche Graz: A summer event where attendees dress in white for a night of dancing and music at various locations throughout the city.
  9. Grazer Spring Festival (Grazer Frühling): A multi-genre arts festival featuring theater productions, dance performances, concerts, and more.
  10. Jazz Summer Graz (Jazzsommer): An annual jazz music festival held at various venues throughout the city during the summer months.

Cuisine

  • Styrian cuisine: This region is known for its pumpkin seed oil, pumpkin soup, and traditional dishes such as Tafelspitz (boiled beef) and Käferbohnen (giant beans).
  • Gasthaus zur Alten Press: This restaurant serves traditional Styrian dishes such as Schnitzel and Tafelspitz.
  • Aiola Upstairs: This rooftop restaurant offers stunning views of the city while serving modern Austrian cuisine.
  • Der Steirer: A popular spot for brunch, this restaurant serves traditional Styrian dishes with a modern twist.
  • Wirtshaus im Palais: Located in the historic palace of Graz, this restaurant offers a mix of Austrian and international cuisine.
  • Landhauskeller: Known for its rustic ambiance and traditional Austrian dishes such as Wiener Schnitzel and Goulash.
  • Genusshandwerkerei: A deli-style restaurant that specializes in organic, locally-sourced ingredients with a focus on sustainability.
  • Schlossbergrestaurant Grazer Burgl: Located at the top of Schlossberg hill, this restaurant offers panoramic views of the city while serving Austrian classics like Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake).

  • Parks and Recreation

    1. Schlossberg is a public park in the heart of Graz that offers breathtaking views of the city and a range of recreational activities such as hiking, biking, and picnicking.
    2. Stadtpark is a vast public park in Graz that has a playground, walking paths, and plenty of green space for relaxation and recreation.
    3. Augartenpark is an exquisite park with a pond, playgrounds, picnic areas, and walking trails.
    4. Murinsel is an artificial island on the Mur River that hosts outdoor concerts and events throughout the year.
    5. Eggenberg Palace Gardens are perfect for strolling or relaxing on sunny days with its beautiful surroundings.
    6. Botanical Garden Graz features over 8,000 plant species from around the world to explore in its botanical garden.
    7. Bike Tours Graz offers guided bike tours through Graz’s historic center as an active way to see the city’s sights while also getting some exercise.
    8. Outdoor Swimming Pools are available at several locations throughout Graz including Bad Eggenberg and Lendkai Freibad to enjoy during summer months under the sun.
    9. Ice Skating Rinks can be found across Graze including Eisstadion Liebenau which is open year-round for skating as well as hockey games during winter months making it ideal for sports enthusiasts.
    10. Hiking Trails are abundant in Graze with many options available such as Schöckl Mountain which offers spectacular views of Graze from its peak attracting nature lovers alike.

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