Graz in 1 day: what to see and do in this World Heritage Site in Austria

If you have already traveled to Austria, you already know that it is a wonderful country from a tourist point of view.

Cities as spectacular as Vienna o Salzburg, and the Alpine landscapes, are enough attractions to want to deepen your knowledge of this central European country.

Well, it actually contains many places that are worth knowing, such as the city of Graz that we just visited, which you can perfectly visit in one day, although due to its numerous attractions, we recommend spending the night there and thus extending the visit.

Why Graz is a World Heritage Site

And as a first argument for travel to Graz, I'll tell you what's on the list of places Heritage of the UNESCO.

The specific objectives of the Graz historic center It was incorporated in 1999 because it is the largest in a German-speaking city whose architecture from different periods is better preserved, with medieval, renaissance, baroque, and neoclassical buildings.

Later, the Eggenberg Palace, built in 1655, a building that is in a perfect state of conservation and shows architecture with Italian Renaissance and Baroque influences.

What is Graz like and where is it?

At the outset you should know that Graz is east of Austria, about 200 km south of Vienna, and just 50 km from the border with Slovenia.

This is the second city in Austria in population, with 300.000 inhabitants, although with a big difference compared to the capital Vienna, which has two million, and is the capital of the state of Styria.

Recently, a key moment in the life of Graz was the declaration in 2003 by the European Parliament of the title as European Cultural City, which was a great boost for it.

Curiosities of the history of Graz

From a historical point of view, the 16th and 17th centuries were the most powerful for the city.

Graz It has its antecedents in Roman times when it became an important administrative and commercial center of the region during the 2nd century.

Since the end of the 12th century, Graz It became the residence of the rulers of the Duchy of Styria, and starting in 1397 it began to have great prosperity with the government of the Habsburg.

During the time of Renacimiento and the baroque was when Graz reached its greatest plenitude, with the sumptuous buildings that are now preserved in its historic center.

In the 19th century it became an industrial city and during the two world wars of the 20th century, it suffered considerable damage from bombing, although it was later completely rebuilt.

In addition to the historical buildings that it preserves, it currently maintains a great cultural activity with various events, and also stands out for its contemporary architecture, having been recognized as City of Design awarded by the UNESCO.

The best things to see and do in Graz in 1 or 2 days (our experience)

Facing your trip, with the experience of our recent visit, below we are going to highlight the essential sites that you must see and visit during your stay in this austrian city.

Herrengasse, what to see and do in the historic center of Graz

The first thing you should do during your visit is walk through the historic center whose main axis is Herrengasse street, where trams and bicycles are the protagonists along with pedestrians.

Your heart is Hauptplatz square, where the building of the Graz City Hall.

On this street you can see numerous beautifully decorated buildings with colorful facades.

Walking through the surrounding streets you can find some of the most interesting corners that we are going to highlight now.

For example, the historical royal bakery Edegger-Tax from 1569, with a striking and colorful façade, where the emperor bought bread when he lived in Graz.

Another curious corner is the Linzbichler Kerzen Chocolate Shop, an ideal place to buy a souvenir for those who love chocolate.

Landeszeughaus, Graz Weapons Museum

In the same Herrengasse street, where is the tourist office, you can visit one of the most interesting and surprising corners of Graz.

This is the Styrian Armory Museum, the largest historic armory in the world, a true weapons warehouse that is preserved in the original building.

Its origins date back to the 32.000th century and during your visit to the four floors you will be able to see an amazing exhibition of up to XNUMX objects, from large pieces of armor to all types of weapons.

Here you have complete information on the Graz Weapons Museum for your visit.

St. Giles Cathedral in Graz

La cathedral of San Gil It is the church used by the first emperor who arrived in Graz, Frederick III, and actually acquired the title of cathedral only a few decades ago, when the bishop decided to settle in the city.

From its interior, its splendid baroque decoration will catch your attention.

Graz Mausoleum

Next to the cathedral is one of the most notable corners of the city, the Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II.

This small building florentine style It forms a beautiful architectural complex together with the cathedral and the church of Santa Catalina.

The Double Spiral Staircase (Doppel Wendeltreppe)

In front you can access this curious corner, which is the most outstanding thing that remains of the old Graz castle.

The building has changed its architectural style over the centuries, and is currently an institutional building.

But from the patio you can access this curious corner that will surprise you when you see it. two opposite stairs As you go up, they merge and separate as you reach each floor.

Climb Schlossberg Hill

When you walk through the historic center you can see that the city is located at the foot of a hill.

And indeed climb the Schlossberg hill It is a must, which you can do in elevator or by funicular, in addition to, of course, walking, for which 260 steps await you.

Historically, at the top of the hill there would be a large castle, which Napoleon He tried to conquer, but couldn't.

After a long siege of two years, the Austrians decided to surrender to the French, but previously they completely demolished this impregnable castle.

When you climb the hill, you will see that currently there is a large, heavily wooded park, and only two towers remain of the old fortification.

Clock Tower (Uhrturm) in Schlossberg

One of these towers is known as the Clock Tower, which has become one of the iconic images of Graz.

In this beautiful tower you should pay attention to the clock hands that are interchanged, so the hours count more than the minutes.

At the foot of the tower you have its beautiful and flowery garden, and this entire area is a great viewpoint to see the best and most spectacular panoramic views of historic center of Graz.

Effenberg Castle, World Heritage Site in Graz

We have already mentioned that in addition to the historic center, the eggenberg castle It is also included in the list of World Heritage.

To visit it, if you are not going by car, you can take the tram from the city center and then walk for about 20 minutes.

You will enter a wooded area at the foot of a hill where you will not have the feeling of being in an urban area.

In this residential palace and representation Built in 1655 on a previous medieval castle.

To visit the castle, the best option is tour in English during which you will tour all the rooms on the second floor.

Here you can enjoy all the paintings that are preserved on walls and ceilings, which show the life and customs of the emperors at that time.

The excellent state of conservation of these paintings is what has led to the castle being protected by UNESCO.

This is explained because in 1789 the second floor was closed and stopped being used, since the family dynasty became extinct, and the palace passed into the hands of another dynasty that had more majestic palaces to reside in.

During your walk you will also be able to see 18th century furniture, as well as a room with a large bed that supposedly belonged to the Empress, but was never used.

This room was shown to visitors to give them the feeling that they were being treated as very important people.

On the first floor you can see Temporary exhibitions such as those of medieval art or Renaissance paintings that coincided during our visit.

Glockenspiel, Graz Carrilón

Another curious corner that you can see during your visit is the Grazer Glockenspiel, chime which is located in the square of the same name, specifically on Glockenspielplatz.

You can see it working three times a day, at 11 a.m., 15 p.m. and 18 p.m.

Kunsthaus, avant-garde museum in the European City of Culture

On the banks of Mur River find building Kunsthaus Graz, an architectural project that won the competition held to celebrate the European Cultural City in 2003.

The origin of the building Art house It is in a joint project of Austria, Italy and Slovenia from 1987, but after a referendum held in 1998, the city rejected the implementation of this architectural project.

After being declared Graz , the European Cultural Capital, the project was able to move forward by raising the necessary financing.

El Kunsthaus It was built in two years, and its daring floating bubble design is presented under the motto of a friendly alien.

It is attached to a building from 1848 that once had an innovative design.

It has three floors dedicated to temporary exhibitions of contemporary art installations, and on the ground floor you have an always very busy cafe, a souvenir shop and a library.

The Murinsel, island in the Mur River

Another characteristic corner of Graz is the Mur Island, a modern steel construction that was commissioned in 2003 on the occasion of the aforementioned declaration of capital of culture.

It is a corner in the middle of the Mur River to have a coffee, read a book or watch an event in its small amphitheater.

Lend, trendy neighborhood in Graz

In the same area of ​​the aforementioned Art house you can walk around Lend, the actual trendy neighborhood in Graz.

Along a long pedestrian street you can find various corners, such as the Minoriten Konvent monastery with its baroque church.

In addition to samples of urban art, you will also see stores with social function, like where they sell day-old bread, used clothing or products made by marginalized people.

curious place is The Hungry Heart, a food place takeaways, but whose owner is a prestigious chef who has followed the trend of other New York chefs of establishing themselves in modest premises.

Therefore, despite its very modest appearance, it is a recommended place to eat.

On the other hand, Graz It is a city that has promoted sustainability and a good example is Lendplatz market where they are sold every day proximity products.

There you can buy vegetables, fruits, including strawberries, meat, jams, breads, cheeses and certain special food products, such as cider juice, pumpkin oil, with prices lower than those in supermarkets.

Map: how to get to Graz from Vienna

We have already commented that Graz It is located about 200 kilometers south of Vienna, and a very good way to visit it is Go by train, a tour that will take you about two and a half hours and for a price of about 20 euros.

More Photos of Graz

Here you have more photos of the Austrian city of Graz, Heritage for the architecture of its historic center and its Effenberg Castle.