Graz
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Graz

City guide · Styria · Austria

Verified Aug 14, 2026

Historic Centre – one of the best-preserved urban centres in Central Europe · Schlossberg hill and the Uhrturm, a leading tourist attraction and symbol of Graz

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About Graz

Graz is the capital of the Austrian state of Styria and the second-largest city in Austria, after Vienna. Its historic centre (Altstadt) is considered one of the best-preserved urban centres in Central Europe and, together with Eggenberg Palace (Schloss Eggenberg), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Graz is an important centre of higher education, with four universities and four other higher education institutions. The city is recognised as a City of Design within UNESCO's Creative Cities Network and was designated a City of Culinary Delights in 2008. The Schlossberg hill, with its clock tower (Uhrturm), is a leading tourist attraction and a symbol of the city.

Who this destination fits

Culture and history travellers interested in well-preserved historic centres and UNESCO World Heritage SitesFood travellers seeking a recognised City of Culinary DelightsDesign and architecture enthusiasts drawn to a UNESCO City of DesignStudents and academics considering a city with a large higher-education sectorTravellers looking for a less crowded alternative to Vienna with a strong regional identity

Highlights worth planning around

Historic Centre (Altstadt) – one of the best-preserved urban centres in Central Europe (TIMELESS, EDITORIAL_CONTEXT, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graz)
Schlossberg hill and the Uhrturm (clock tower), a leading tourist attraction and symbol of Graz (TIMELESS, EDITORIAL_CONTEXT, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graz)
Schloss Eggenberg (Eggenberg Palace) on the western edge of the city, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site (TIMELESS, EDITORIAL_CONTEXT, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graz)
The provincial armory, the world's largest historical collection of late medieval and Renaissance weaponry, preserved since 1551 (TIMELESS, EDITORIAL_CONTEXT, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graz)

Strong fit

  • Well-preserved historic centre (Altstadt) considered one of the best-preserved urban centres in Central Europe (TIMELESS, EDITORIAL_CONTEXT, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graz)
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site status for the historic centre and Schloss Eggenberg (TIMELESS, EDITORIAL_CONTEXT, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graz)
  • Recognised as a City of Design within UNESCO's Creative Cities Network (TIMELESS, EDITORIAL_CONTEXT, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graz)
  • Designated a City of Culinary Delights in 2008 (HISTORICAL, EDITORIAL_CONTEXT, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graz)
  • Important centre of higher education with four universities and four other higher education institutions (CURRENT_STATE, EDITORIAL_CONTEXT, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graz)
  • The Schlossberg clock tower (Uhrturm) is a leading tourist attraction and symbol of the city (TIMELESS, EDITORIAL_CONTEXT, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graz)

Tradeoffs

  • As the second-largest city in Austria, it may still feel less internationally prominent than Vienna, with fewer globally famous landmarks (EDITORIAL_CONTEXT, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graz)
  • The historic centre's popularity as a UNESCO site can draw significant visitor numbers during peak seasons (EDITORIAL_CONTEXT, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graz)

Experiences