Graz - Old Town & Sights

At 474 metres, Graz's Schlossberg is one of the city's absolute centrepieces. This landmark is located on the River Mur and towers around 123 metres above Graz's main square. The clock tower - the symbol of the city of Graz - is also located directly on the Schlossberg.

Graz's Schlossberg is a historic hill in the centre of the city that offers a rich history and breathtaking views. At the top of the Schlossberg you will find the impressive clock tower, which dominates the cityscape, as well as the imposing casemates, the former defences. Today, the casemates are used as an open-air theatre on the Schlossberg. This historic site invites visitors to explore the past as they stroll through the corridors of the casemates or enjoy an unrivalled view of Graz from the viewing platforms.

The Graz Clock Tower is an iconic landmark of the city of Graz. This impressive tower was built in the 13th century and rises majestically on the Schlossberg, a hill in the centre of the city. The city's landmark, which can be seen from afar, is around 28 metres high and is located around 425 metres above sea level. The tower still has a total of three bells: the hour and fire bells and the arm sinner's bell, which was rung at executions in earlier times.

The clock tower is famous for its unusual clock, in which the hour and minute hands are reversed - a rarity in the art of clockmaking. This unique detail has given the tower its name. The clock tower also offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Graz and the surrounding countryside. Visitors can climb the steep stairs and explore the history of the tower in a small museum. The Graz Clock Tower is a symbol of the city and a must-see for every visitor.

The Schlossbergbahn in Graz is a historic funicular railway that has been transporting visitors up the Schlossberg in Graz for over 120 years. The railway not only offers a comfortable way to tackle the steep ascent to the Schlossberg, but also a breathtaking view of the city of Graz and its surroundings. The charming, nostalgic carriages run regularly from the bottom station to the top station, allowing passengers to reach the Schlossberg plateau, where they can explore historical sights such as the clock tower and the casemates.

The Schlossbergbahn is not just a means of transport, but also a piece of Graz's history and a popular tourist destination. The popular Schlossbergbahn in Graz was redesigned in 2004. The two carriages were fitted with glass roofs, giving passengers a breathtaking panoramic view of the historic city centre during the journey.

Not only tourists, but also locals find the flair and ambience of the old town particularly appealing. Especially on warm summer evenings, you feel like you are in a Mediterranean city. Strolling through the historic part of the city is an excellent way to discover the city's culinary delights. Here you will find everything from simple but traditional sausage stands to modern gourmet restaurants. And in winter, Graz's old town is best known for its Advent and Christmas markets.

The historic city centre reflects a centuries-old connection between artistic and architectural movements that originated in the German and Mediterranean regions and even in the Balkans. The appearance of the city with its many sights and Eggenberg Palace clearly shows their mutual historical and cultural development and is an exceptional example of the harmonious integration of the architectural styles of successive eras.

Simply stroll through the streets, be open to discoveries, seek out small design shops, visit unusual and unique cafés and use a sculpture park as a photo stage - all this and much more is possible in the cultural city of Graz.

If you want to get an overview of the city of Graz and get your bearings, the best place to do this is from Graz's favourite vantage point: the Schlossberg. On a tour with a city guide, you can not only see the facades of the beautiful houses or the roofs of the old town from above, but also discover the hidden courtyards. 260 steps or the Schlossberg railway lead from the old town directly up to Graz's popular viewing hill. The clock tower, which is the city's landmark, watches over the beautiful and idyllic city from there.

Graz Cathedral, one of the city's most important buildings in terms of art and cultural history and one of the most famous sights in Graz, is enthroned between Bürgergasse and Burggasse. This impressive Gothic building was erected in the 15th century and is characterised by its imposing architecture and rich history. Inside the cathedral you will find beautiful Gothic and Baroque works of art as well as valuable altars and frescoes. The impressive organ and the magnificent pulpit are further highlights that you should see during your cultural holiday in Graz. Graz Cathedral serves as an important cultural and religious site and attracts visitors from all over the world. Together with the neighbouring mausoleum, the theatre and the castle, the late Gothic sacred building forms the "Graz city crown" at the foot of the Schlossberg.

The Grazer Hauptplatz is one of the most impressive attractions in the Styrian capital and serves as the vibrant heart of Graz. Surrounded by magnificent historic facades, the square is dominated by the imposing Graz City Hall, a true architectural highlight of the old town. Another landmark is the artistic fountain monument, symbolizing the four major rivers of Styria. Centrally located, the Hauptplatz connects the charming narrow alleys of the old town with the modern city center. Throughout the year, it becomes the stage for numerous events, such as the Christmas Market, the Graz Jazz Summer Festival, and the popular farmers' market offering regional delicacies. Whether as a cultural hub or a tourist attraction, the Hauptplatz fascinates with its history, atmosphere, and urban charm.

The one kilometre long central axis of the old town, Herrengasse, stretches from Jakominiplatz to the main square. This is where young and old meet to shop and stroll, and travellers will find a central point of contact here in the form of the Graz Tourist Information Office.
Admire the magnificent arcades in the courtyard of the Landhaus, the neighbouring Landeszeughaus, the painted house and the baroque parish church. The most striking features here are Graz Town Hall, built at the end of the 19th century, and the fountain monument in the centre of the square.

The Provincial Armoury is considered to be the largest preserved historical armoury in the world. With around 32,000 objects, it bears witness to a time of conflict and is a sensitive legacy and museum of the history of Styria. The collection of the Landeszeughaus includes armour and weapons from the 15th to the 18th century and is therefore an incomparable monument to a bygone era.

Affectionately known as the "friendly alien" because of its striking architecture, the Kunsthaus Graz on the left bank of the River Mur stands out from the sea of red roofs in the historic city centre. The Graz Kunsthaus was given this special nickname because of its alien-looking façade. The Kunsthaus houses an impressive collection of contemporary artworks and regularly presents captivating exhibitions of national and international artists. It is a place of creative innovation and cultural encounters and attracts art lovers and the curious in equal measure. The Kunsthaus Graz is a must for anyone who wants to explore the world of modern art.

You can't miss it, the Graz Murinsel floating in the middle of the river, which has become a popular attraction since its installation in the Capital of Culture year 2003. Accessible from both banks via footbridges, it houses a café and a shop selling regional products and also functions as a venue for a wide variety of cultural events. At night, the colourful lighting makes the Murinsel an eye-catcher and one of the most popular sights in Graz.

Together with the historic centre of Graz, Eggenberg Palace is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Eggenberg Palace, also known as the "Versailles of Styria", is an impressive baroque palace in Graz. This magnificent property on the outskirts of Graz was built in the 17th century for the Count of Eggenberg and is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. The palace is surrounded by an extensive park adorned with magnificent gardens, water features and sculptures. The interior of Schloss Eggenberg is just as impressive as the exterior. The Giants' Hall, also known as the Planets' Room, is a highlight, depicting the seven ancient planets. The Picture Gallery houses an impressive collection of artworks. One of the outstanding features of the palace is its impressive Planetary Garden. Together with the impressive Old Gallery, the Archaeological Museum and the Coin Cabinet, the site also houses the most valuable objects in Austrian cultural history.

The famous Landhaushof in Graz was built by Domenico dell' Aglio and is a historic and still culturally significant location. Built in the 16th century, the building originally served as the provincial administration and today houses the Landeszeughaus, an impressive museum with one of the largest collections of weapons in Europe. The country house courtyard itself is an impressive example of Renaissance architecture and is surrounded by an inner courtyard with a beautiful arcade. It has a total of 3 floors and the fountain arbour provides a wonderful backdrop for various concerts, film screenings and recitals. In this respect, the country house is internationally renowned.

The Graz Glockenspiel was created at the beginning of the 19th century as a gift from the former spirits manufacturer Gottfried Simon Maurer. It is located directly in the centre of Graz, at Glockenspielplatz number 4, and attracts visitors from all over the world. The carillon consists of 24 bells and two figures, a girl and a boy, who bring the carillon to life on the hour. The wooden pair of traditional costumes rotates three times a day to different melodies, at 11.00 am, 3.00 pm and 6.00 pm. Different songs and compositions are played each time, so it pays to visit Graz city centre and the Glockenspiel at different times of the year.

The Mausoleum in Graz, also known as the "Habsburg Mausoleum", is a magnificent resting place for members of the Habsburg dynasty, which once ruled the Austrian Empire. The Graz Mausoleum houses the tomb of Emperor Ferdinand II and has been one of the most important buildings in Austria ever since. The mausoleum was built between 1614 and 1638 according to the designs of Giovanni de Pomis. The dome of the mausoleum, which is decorated with ornate frescoes, is particularly impressive. The mausoleum is not only a place of historical significance, but also an impressive example of Baroque art and architecture. Together with Graz Cathedral and the castle, the mausoleum forms the so-called "city crown" in Graz.

The old town forms the centre of Graz. It stands to reason that (almost) all roads lead there. The tram lines run through Herrengasse from the main square to Jakominiplatz and vice versa. Jakominiplatz is the public transport hub, so to speak. In addition to public transport, Graz's old town is also a wonderful place to explore on foot or by bike. Almost all of Graz's main cycle paths run through or past the city centre. There are also numerous car parks and parking spaces near the old town. From the Parkhotel Graz, it is only a 10-minute walk to Jakominiplatz or the city centre.

The city centre can be reached from four directions, roughly speaking:

• Jakominiplatz (South)
• Murkai (North)
• Lendplatz (West)
• Stadtpark (East)

Science as an adventure. There is a laboratory for contemporary history located in the House of Science at the Karl-Franzens-University of Graz. There, you can find exciting and modern audiovisual presentations of scientific achievements. Austria’s only audiovisual museum shows multi-media expositions about the history of the 20^th century.

The oldest and second largest museum in Austria harbors more than 4.5 million objects in 500 rooms in over 10 locations. Enjoy extraordinary museums unified in the Association of the Universalmuseum Joanneum:

• Natural History Museum
• Art House
• Arsenal
• Museum at the Palais
• New Gallery
• Museum of Popular Art
• Austrian Park of Sculptures 
• Open Air Museum Stübing
• Hunting Museum in Stainz
• Castle Eggenberg
  • Stately rooms and gardens
  • Museum of Archeology
  • Old Gallery
  • Cabinet of coins
•  and much more …

Take the opportunity and get a 24-hour or 48-hour ticket to have free access to all of these exhibitions. The perfect all-in-one offer for unlimited cultural enjoyment of the museums of Graz.

At the GrazMuseum you can follow the traces of the past of Graz. Here, the chronological development of the city is documented and shows the past from today’s point of view using the formal resources of today. The GrazMuseum is known as meeting point for all those who are interested in the urban development of the city of Graz, for its political, economic and social history and for those interested in art and culture related to Graz.

Here, children will find an almost unlimited multitude of experiences. First of all, the expositions at the Children Museum FRida & freD at the Augarten, are designed for children.
‘Hands on – minds on’ means  story telling for children from 3 years old up to 12 years old, to make  interesting experiments and objects tangible. Children are allowed to touch, to whisper and snuggle, to listen and laugh, to try out and turn on, off, around. Complex matters are presented in a way for children to understand.

On the scene of a crime. Not exactly but nonetheless: at the Criminal Museum, guests get in touch with the exciting and scary perspectives of numerous criminal cases and the mentalities of offenders and victims. At the end of the 19^th century, Hans Gross founded this collection of criminal cases and corpora delicti as a source for teaching material for lawyers and policemen. The methods for solving crimes that the ‘father of modern criminology’ has developed, are known and used worldwide.

The MuWa – Museum of Perception in Graz is an extraordinary attraction that uniquely combines art and sensory experiences. Located in the idyllic Augarten, this exceptional museum invites visitors to explore the boundaries of their own perception. The exhibitions and installations play with light, shadow, sound, and optical illusions, challenging guests to question familiar perspectives. Changing exhibitions of contemporary art further enrich the fascinating concept. Especially for families and the curious, the MuWa offers an interactive experience that focuses not only on seeing but also on feeling and immersing oneself in the moment. With its blend of art, science, and experiential exploration, the Museum of Perception is a hidden gem that sharpens the senses and opens new horizons.