AT
Graz
Austria’s second city: red rooftops, a clock tower on a hill and bold modern architecture
Austria’s second city: red rooftops, a clock tower on a hill and bold modern architecture
The Uhrturm, the city’s symbol, stands on the wooded Schlossberg hill. Its large hand shows the hours and the small hand the minutes. Climb the steps or take the funicular or lift.
Photo: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0
The main square, with the town hall and the Archduke Johann fountain, is surrounded by old merchants’ houses.
Photo: Olaf Kosinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0 AT
A floating steel-and-glass platform in the River Mur, designed by Vito Acconci for 2003, with a café and a small amphitheatre. Across the river is the Kunsthaus, a blue, bubble-shaped art museum.
Photo: Palickap, CC BY-SA 4.0
The old town’s lanes hide arcaded Renaissance courtyards, such as the Landhaus courtyard, and the double spiral staircase in the Burg.
Photo: Cactus26, CC BY-SA 3.0
Styria is known for pumpkin seed oil, used on salads and even ice cream, as well as Backhendl (fried chicken), Brettljause (a cold platter) and local wines.
The Kaiser-Josef-Platz farmers’ market and the Lend district are good for food.
Graz Airport (GRZ) is about 15 minutes from the centre by train. Trains from Vienna take about 2.5 hours.
Trams cover the city well; the old town is walkable. Austria is in the Schengen area. Non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System on arrival, and visa-exempt travellers will need an ETIAS travel authorisation once it launches, expected from late 2026. Drivers need a motorway vignette (digital or sticker), sold by ASFINAG and at petrol stations. Check current rules before you travel.
Austria uses the euro. Prices are similar to Germany; museums and concerts are moderately priced, and city cards can save money on transport and entries. Graz is generally cheaper than Vienna and Salzburg.
Prices are approximate.
Old town, hill and river.
Walk from the Hauptplatz through the courtyards to the Burg, then climb the Schlossberg to the Clock Tower.
Visit the Kunsthaus and Murinsel, then take the tram to Schloss Eggenberg.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Austria is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
The South Styrian Wine Road is about an hour away.
Buy it from farmers’ markets.
Graz has an ice nativity scene in the Landhaus courtyard.
A tram day ticket covers most of the city.
Quick answers for planning time in Graz.
The hour hand was originally the only hand and was made large to be seen from afar; the minute hand was added later, smaller.
Yes, the historic centre and Schloss Eggenberg.
A contemporary art museum opened in 2003, known for its blue, bubble-like shape.
About 2.5 hours.
April to October.
German is spoken; English is widely understood in tourist areas.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Austria travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.