Summer in the Graz Region
The best tips for culture, culinary delights and refreshment
Graz reveals its Mediterranean side in summer. Between old town alleys, historic cobblestones, and lively squares, the Styrian capital unfolds its southern charm. In the Green Heart of Austria, Graz combines an urban zest for life with surprisingly abundant nature. Strolling through the city, sitting outside and enjoying a coffee or a glass of wine are here as natural as breathing. Sun, cultural diversity and animated places shape the warm season and create ideal conditions for a coolcation — a summer holiday with pleasant refreshment rather than intense heat. Historic buildings, shaded courtyards, parks, and cool indoor spaces provide refreshing retreats on hot days right in the heart of the city. The countryside enhances the urban offerings with nature, lakes, grottoes, gorges, and scenic highlands. Farmers’ markets, country inns in the green landscape, and creative kitchens unite city and countryside into a culinary whole. Enjoyment, joie de vivre, and relaxed moments characterize the summer season and make the Region Graz an ideal destination for a varied getaway.
Summer sightseeing
Discovering Graz
Every moment of the day gives Graz’s sights a different mood and new perspectives:
- In the morning: Baroque splendor and expansive garden landscapes dominate Eggenberg Palace, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- In the midday heat: The Universalmuseum Joanneum, with locations such as the Kunsthaus Graz and the Landeszeughaus, offers ideal retreats when it’s hot outside.
- Afternoons: As the sun sets, a visit to the Schlossberg with its iconic clock tower rewards visitors with atmospheric views over the red roofs of the old town. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old city weaves together historic buildings and lively squares with summery ease.
Sightseeing in Graz creates a harmonious trio of history, architecture, and urban vitality.
Summer of culture
In summer, Graz pulses to the rhythm of culture and transforms into a stage for music, art, and international encounters:
- The season opens with >Graz erzählt (May 21–25, 2026) makes stories audible and brings literature into public spaces.
- The Styriarte (June 26–July 26, 2026) enchants with classical depth and baroque elegance at remarkable venues.
- Streets, squares, and courtyards become open stages full of acrobatics and surprising moments during La Strada (July 31–August 8, 2026).
- AIMS (July 6–August 16, 2026) brings international voices and makes Graz in summer a meeting place for young musical talents from around the world.
- The Chamber Music Festival (July 29–September 6, 2026) sets a special accent, celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Together these events create a rhythm of sound, movement, and emotion — open, diverse, and unmistakably Graz.
Culinary delights in the air
Culinary delights between city and countryside
The Capital of delight Graz reveals in summer just how closely gastronomy and urban city life are intertwined. Between farmers’ markets, outdoor dining gardens, and creative kitchens, pleasure becomes a vibrant and living part of everyday life.
- Seasonal produce such as krauthäuptl (lettuce), strawberries, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs fill the colorful farmers’ markets.
- Tree-shaded dining areas inginvite guests on warm summer evenings to relax and savor.
- Country inns surrounding the city complement the culinary scene with genuine regional cuisine.
On warm days, Graz reveals a particularly sweet and varied side with a wide diversity of ice cream:
From classic flavors to creative vegan varieties at Eisperle, which has already been voted the best ice cream parlor in the country several times.
Michelin-starred and toque-awarded restaurants position Graz as an international culinary destination with high gastronomic standards and Vollmund events bring producers, chefs and connoisseurs together at one table.
Coolcation
Nature & refreshing escapes
When temperatures rise, our region shows why it is the ideal coolcation destination:
- Churches and monasteries in the city allow for quiet pauses between art, history and prayer.
- Even in the depths of Graz’s Schlossberg, visitors will find refreshing variety in the Schlossberg Slide, the The Flight Graz 4D experience cinema, and the Fairytale Ride.
- The city beach on the Mur provides a sense of summer lightness, with sand beneath your feet.
- In the Kesselfallklamm and the Rettenbachklamm, the murmur of water accompanies the path through shaded rock formations.
- In the Lurgrotte, constant coolness throughout the year provides a soothing retreat.
- Lakes such as Schwarzlsee, Tiebersee and Thalersee invite visitors to immerse themselves, switch off and breathe deeply.
- In addition, the numerous swimming pools ensure refreshing relief.
Excursions Around Graz
Where nature, history & inspiration meet
Around Graz, a wide variety of excursion destinations awaits, combining history, nature and remarkable personalities. All destinations are quick and easy to reach and ideal for spontaneous trips.
- Stift Rein impresses with Baroque architecture, centuries-old monastic tradition and a tranquil atmosphere.
- The Schoeckl is regarded as Graz’s local mountain and opens up expansive views as well as diverse hiking opportunities.
- At the Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing, history comes alive and traditional ways of life are vividly conveyed.
- The Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum offers fascinating insights into an extraordinary life path with international resonance.
Active Summer
Movement, nature & freedom
More than 35 hiking tours lead along marked paths through shaded forests, gentle hills and scenic viewpoints. The trails are accessible all year round and allow hiking in the Graz Region 365 days a year.
Whether a leisurely walk, an enjoyable half-day tour or a longer hike, nature and movement come together here naturally. Cyclists also find ideal conditions on 18 signposted gourmet cycling routes in and around Graz. The routes range from relaxed stretches along rivers to more athletic variants with elevation gain. Leisurely cycling and active rides can be flexibly combined and accompany the summer perfectly.
Golfers appreciate the diversity of the region, with attractive outdoor courses and modern indoor facilities catering to every level of play. The Steiermark GOLF CARD brings this selection together and provides access to first-class golf courses across the region.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
The top 10 sights in Graz are the Schlossberg with the Uhrturm, the Kunsthaus Graz, Schloss Eggenberg, the Landeszeughaus, the Landhaushof, the Grazer Glockenspiel, the Grazer Dom, the Mausoleum, and the Doppelwendeltreppe.
Graz Main Station is one of the most important railway stations in Austria. There are good train connections from Vienna, Munich and Prague, among others. With the Koralm Railway, you can travel from Klagenfurt to Graz in just 42 minutes, and there are also faster connections from Northern Italy (approx. 4 hours). Thanks to various direct flights, you can reach Graz in no time from Hamburg (1 hour 30 minutes), Berlin (1 hour 20 minutes), Düsseldorf (1 hour 25 minutes), Frankfurt (1 hour 25 minutes), Zurich (1 hour 15 minutes), and London (2 hour 15 minutes).
Whether you prefer stylish city hotels or small, charming private accommodations in the surrounding countryside — there is something for everyone. The wide range of places to stay offers options for luxury travelers, relaxed connoisseurs and modern explorers alike. We recommend browsing through our partner accommodations directly on our website to find the one that suits you best.
Top excursion destinations in the surrounding area include the Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing, the Sculpture Park, the Schöckl, the Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum, the Lurgrotte cave, the Kesselfallklamm gorge, the Lipizzaner Stud Piber, Stift Rein Abbey, and many more.
When temperatures rise, Graz’s city life moves outdoors. Here is a small selection of the most beautiful spots:
Café Fotter | Attemsgasse 6, 8010 Graz
Klapotetz Weinbar | Herrengasse 9, 8010 Graz
Freiblick Tagescafé | Sackstraße 7–13, 8010 Graz
Herzl Weinstube | Prokopigasse 12, 8010 Graz
aiola upstairs | Schlossberg 2, 8010 Graz
Tickets for Bühnen Graz are available at: ticketzentrum.buehnen-graz.com
