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City Spotlight: Graz

A Travel Guide to the Capital of Delight

If you want to experience Austria with an edge sharper than a Sacher torte knife, set your sights on Graz. This Styrian stunner is the cool younger sibling who ditched classical music lessons for art school and never looked back.

Old Town, New Tricks

Graz's UNESCO-listed Old Town is like stepping into a fairy tale. But don't be fooled, this city has a futuristic twist that would make the Jetsons jealous.

Example: the Kunsthaus Graz, affectionately dubbed the "Friendly Alien." This blob-like modern art museum looks like it crash-landed in the middle of the historic center after a wild night out in the Milky Way.

Schlossberg - The Hill with a View (and a Lift)

For the best view of this architectural mash-up, head to the Schlossberg. Take the futuristic glass elevator for a quick ascent, or challenge yourself to the 260 steps if you're in the mood for a thigh-burning tango.

However you get there, the panoramic view of red-tiled roofs punctuated by modern marvels is totally worth it.

Gritty to Gastro

This once gritty Lendplatz neighborhood has been transformed into a haven for artisanal everything. Start your evening at the Lendplatz Market with a food trucks world tour, from Austrian staples to Asian fusion.

Then, hop between the area's eclectic mix of bars and cafes. My personal favorite? Brot & Spiele, a board game cafe where you can challenge locals to a match of Catan over craft beers.

Tapas, Markets, and Tradition

Graz isn't called Austria's Culinary Capital for nothing, darlings. Start your journey at the Kaiser-Josef-Markt, where locals have been haggling over farm-fresh produce since 1885. Pro tip: grab a "Käferbohnen" salad, a local delicacy made with scarlet runner beans.

For lunch, head to Der Steirer. Their "Styrian Tapas" menu is perfect for sampling local specialties like pumpkin seed oil (trust me, it's liquid gold) and Vulcano ham. Wash it all down with a glass of Schilcher, a rosé wine so uniquely Styrian it'll make your taste buds do a happy dance and possibly start yodeling.

Seasonal Splendor in Graz

Graz shines in every season, but autumn is pure magic. The city comes alive with food festivals celebrating everything from pumpkins to wine.

If you're here in December, don't miss the Christkindlmarkt. Warm up with a mug of or Glühwein or go wild with Feuerzangenbowle – a theatrical rum-soaked sugar cone set on fire and dripped into mulled wine. It's like a boozy science experiment that would make your high school chemistry teacher proud (or deeply concerned, depending on their views on pyrotechnics and day drinking).

Your New Austrian Crush

Graz is the city for travelers who think they've "done" Austria but are hungry for more – it's a place where you can savor world-class cuisine, geek out over cutting-edge design, and soak in centuries of history…all within a few cobblestoned steps.

So the next time someone suggests a trip to Austria, skip the obvious choices and set your sights on Graz. Just don't blame me when you find yourself googling "How to move to Austria" after your third glass of Schilcher. Prost!

Wander well,

Olivia Columba

Quick Look at Graz: What You Need To Know Before You Go

• 🗺️ Location: Austria, Styria region.

• 📍 Coordinates: 47.0707° N, 15.4395° E

• 🕰️ Time Zone: Central European Time (CET), UTC +1; Central European Summer Time (CEST), UTC +2 during daylight saving time.

• 📅 Founded: 1128 (First appearance of the name)

• 👥 Population: Approximately 303,000

• 🗣️ Language: German.

• 💱 Currency: Euro (€).

Did you know?

Johannes Kepler, the renowned astronomer who formulated the laws of planetary motion, taught mathematics in Graz from 1594 to 1600 before moving to Prague to work with Tycho Brahe.

Local Cuisine: What to Eat & Drink in Graz

• Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil

• Käferbohnen (Scarlet Runner Beans)

• Schilcher Wine

• Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel)

• Backhendl (Fried Chicken)

Best Backhendl in Graz

🍗 Zur Steirerstub'n: Known for its traditional Styrian Backhendl (fried chicken), served with a tangy potato salad topped with the region's signature pumpkin seed oil.

Best Bratwurst and Hot Dog in Graz

🌭 Oh My Dog: A popular gourmet bratwurst and hot dog spot known for signature creations like the "Holy Dog".

Best Bakery in Graz

🥐 Bäckerei Sorger: A beloved bakery known for its freshly baked breads, pastries, and traditional Styrian treats like Apfelstrudel.

Best Coffee Spots in Graz

☕ Café Freiblick: Located on top of the Kastner & Öhler department store, this spot offers not only great coffee but also a stunning rooftop view of the city.

☕ Beanery Specialty Coffee: A modern, minimalist café known for its expertly crafted third-wave coffee and single-origin beans.

Best Ice Cream in Graz

🍦 Eis-Greissler: Organic ice cream made with milk from their own dairy cows, featuring unique flavors like pumpkin seed oil or apple strudel.

Explore & Enjoy: What to do in Graz

Free Things to Do in Graz

🕰️ Schlossberg Hill: Enjoy panoramic views of Graz and visit the iconic Uhrturm (Clock Tower).

🪴 Graz Botanical Gardens: Stroll through these beautiful gardens filled with diverse plant species, a perfect spot for nature lovers.

Best Local Market in Graz

🥕 Kaiser-Josef-Platz hosts a popular farmers market where you can sample fresh local dishes and regional specialties.

Best Shopping Destination in Graz

🛍️ Herrengasse: The main shopping street in the Old Town, featuring a mix of international brands and local boutiques.

Best Independent Bookstore in Graz

📚 Buchhandlung Moser: A historic bookstore offering a wide selection of books, including regional literature, travel guides, and children's books.

Best Places for Live Music in Graz

🎵 Oper Graz (Graz Opera House) is a premier destination for classical music and opera performances.

🎵 Orpheum Graz is a popular venue for live music performances, hosting both local and international artists.

Sports in Graz

⚽ SK Sturm Graz – Catch a soccer match for some local football action at Merkur Arena.

Only in Graz

🛝 Schlossbergrutsche: The world's largest underground slide, offering a 175-meter thrill ride reaching speeds up to 25 km/h.

Weather and Climate in Graz

🌸 Spring (March-May): Mild and pleasant, with gradually warming temperatures.

 🌞 Summer (June-August): Warm and sunny, with occasional thunderstorms.

 🍂 Fall (September-November): Cool and crisp, with beautiful autumn colors.

❄️ Winter (December-February): Cold with some snowfall, though not as harsh as in the Alps.

🌡️ Coldest month (January): 32°F (0°C) Hottest month (July): 70°F (21°C)

☔ Annual precipitation: About 32 inches (815 mm)

🌦️ Notable weather patterns:

• Föhn winds can cause sudden temperature increases, especially in fall and winter.

• Summer thunderstorms are common, often bringing heavy but brief rainfall.

Origins & Influence: Connections to Graz

The Story Behind the Name Graz

Graz started life as a "gradec" - that's Slavic for "small fortress," not a trendy new cocktail. Making her debut in 1128, Graz was the love child of Slavic sass and Bavarian brawn.

But don't let the cute name fool you - this little "fortress" grew up to be the Habsburg's hottie, climbing the social ladder from market town to administrative powerhouse. So next time you're wandering those chic Graz streets, remember: you're walking on nearly a millennium of fabulously preserved history.

Graz in Pop Culture

• Fans of “The Terminator” can visit the Arnold Schwarzenegger

  Museum, located in his birthplace in the nearby village of Thal.

• The Cure filmed parts of their music video for "The Last Day of Summer" in various locations around Graz

• Austrian Crime Dramas – Several Austrian TV shows and films, such as Tatort and Schnell Ermittelt, occasionally feature Graz.

Famous Personalities from Graz

• Arnold Schwarzenegger: World-renowned actor, bodybuilder, and politician.

• Helmut Marko: Race car driver.

• Franz Ferdinand: Archduke whose assassination sparked World War I.

Sister City: Montclair, New Jersey, United States

Listen up, history buffs - Graz and Montclair, New Jersey have been doing the sister city tango since 1950, making them the OG international power couple of cultural exchange.