Day Trips from Graz: What's Worth Seeing In and Around the City
Redaktion ixpirityShare
Want to get out of town but not sure how far it's actually worth going? That's exactly where we come in. These day trips in and around Graz are sorted by travel time – Schlossberg and the Kunsthaus on foot, Eggenberg Palace and the South Styrian Wine Road under an hour.
The idea is simple: we split the destinations into two blocks. First the city, all reachable on foot or by public transport. Then the surrounding area, where we draw the line at 60 minutes' drive from Graz – with minutes and kilometres, so you can instantly judge what fits into your day.
Take a closer look. Sometimes the best destination is closer than you think.
The essentials at a glance
Doable on foot: Schlossberg, the clock tower and the Kunsthaus are all in the centre – the best starting point is Hauptplatz or the Schlossberg itself.
In the surrounding area under 60 minutes: South Styrian Wine Road (approx. 50 km), Lurgrotte cave, Stübing and more.
What to do in Graz without a car? The full city loop plus Eggenberg Palace by tram – no car needed.
Rough price range: Schlossberg funicular from €3.00 per ride, museums in the low double digits; the wine road is free, you only pay for what you eat and drink.
When a car makes sense: for the day trip from Graz into the surrounding area, especially to the wine road.
Destinations in Graz: reachable on foot
Let's start where you don't need a car at all. You can reach every destination in this section on foot from Hauptplatz – zero drive time, just a few minutes' walk. Perfect if you're spontaneous and just want to set off.
Schlossberg and the clock tower
The Schlossberg is the city's landmark, and you can get up there three ways: on foot via the steep Kriegssteig path, comfortably by the Schlossberg funicular, or with the Schlossberg lift through the hill. From Hauptplatz it's only a few minutes to the entrance.
At the top waits the clock tower – Graz's classic photo spot. Turn around: below you lie the red roofs of the old town, with the hills behind. A good moment to pause.
A one-way trip on the funicular costs €3.00, return €5.50 (as of: 10/2026). Good to know: a valid Graz public transport ticket for zone 101 is also valid here. The Schlossberg lift costs €2.60 for adults – for the lift, though, you need a separate ticket, the regular public transport ticket doesn't count here.
Kunsthaus Graz
Locals affectionately call it the "Friendly Alien": the Kunsthaus with its blue, bubble-shaped façade on the banks of the Mur is modern architecture you won't see anywhere else. It belongs to the Universalmuseum Joanneum and shows changing exhibitions of contemporary art.
A tip for rainy days: the Kunsthaus is entirely indoors. If the weather doesn't play along, this is your destination. It's centrally located and reachable in a few minutes' walk from Hauptplatz. You'll find the current admission price in the price overview further down.
Eggenberg Palace
A magnificent baroque palace, a sprawling park and – yes – free-roaming peacocks: Eggenberg Palace is a small experience all of its own. Since 2010 it has been part of the "Graz – Historic Centre" UNESCO World Heritage site, mainly thanks to its preserved original interiors from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The centrepiece is the 24 state rooms with the grand Planet Room. You can only visit them as part of a guided tour – plan for that if you want to see the interior. The park can be explored more freely.
How far is Eggenberg Palace from the centre? Around 4 km, the journey takes about 15 minutes. Tram line 1 towards Eggenberg/UKH takes you directly to the "Schloss Eggenberg" stop, from there it's about a 600 m walk. Strictly speaking, Eggenberg lies on the edge of the city – but it's easily reached by public transport, making it a genuine car-free stop on your itinerary.
Briefly mentioned: more city spots
Hauptplatz, Murinsel, Landhaushof, the cathedral and mausoleum – each worth a look, all on foot. We only touch on them here. If you want to dive deeper into Graz's sights, you'll find everything in the big Graz guide.
Scavenger hunt through Graz: discover the old town playfully
If you don't just want to tick off the old town but actually feel it, take a different route through the lanes. Instead of working through a list, our scavenger hunt through Graz has you follow a route, solve tasks on the spot and unlock little stories along the way.
It all runs through the app – self-guided, no meeting point and no fixed start time. You decide when to set off and how fast. A tour takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, including as many breaks as you like. Ideal for couples, groups of friends and locals who want to see their own city in a new light.
It combines well-known spots with corners most people walk past – and rounds off a day in Graz without overloading it. Your moment, your pace.
Ready to see Graz differently? → Scavenger hunt through Graz
Travelling with kids? Then check out our outings in Graz with children – we've bundled the family programme there.
Destinations around Graz within 60 minutes' drive
Now out of the city – but within reason. Here we deliberately only include destinations you can reach within a maximum of 60 minutes from Graz. That way your day trip stays relaxed instead of half of it disappearing into the car.
South Styrian Wine Road
Gentle hills, rows of vines, a windmill-like Klapotetz rattling in the breeze: the South Styrian Wine Road carries its nickname "Styrian Tuscany" for good reason. Around 50 km to the south, about 40 to 50 minutes' drive – and you're right in the middle of it.
Here it's all about enjoyment. Buschenschank taverns invite you in for a snack, there's wine, pumpkin seed oil and views that make you want to put the camera down. Works well as a half-day or full-day trip; a car is clearly recommended here, since the farms are spread out.
If you're torn between culture, nature and enjoyment: this is the enjoyment answer.
More worthwhile destinations nearby (within 60 min)
| Destination | Travel time | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lurgrotte cave (Peggau/Semriach) | approx. 25–30 min | approx. 25 km | Nature / Indoor |
| Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing | approx. 20 min | approx. 15 km | Culture / Nature |
| Rein Abbey | approx. 20 min | approx. 15 km | Culture |
| Thal (Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum) | approx. 15 min | approx. 10 km | Culture |
| Bärenschützklamm gorge (Mixnitz) | approx. 40 min | approx. 35 km | Nature |
A few words on these: the Lurgrotte is a dripstone cave and therefore a good bad-weather alternative – the weather doesn't matter indoors. The Stübing open-air museum brings together historic farmhouses from all over Austria in a green valley. The Bärenschützklamm is a hiking option and highly seasonal – check before you go whether it's open.
Which route suits you? Culture, nature or enjoyment
A good day isn't about the longest list, but a route that flows. Here are three suggestions – pick whichever matches your mood.
Half day without a car (city-trip classic)
Schlossberg and the clock tower, down towards the Mur to the Kunsthaus, then a relaxed loop through the old town. Allow for about half a day. No car needed, all on foot. Ideal if you're seeing Graz for the first time.
Full day of culture
Morning at Eggenberg Palace with a guided tour of the state rooms, afternoon back in the city for a museum of your choice. Doable by tram, plan for the whole day.
Full day of enjoyment
Morning in the city, set off around midday, afternoon on the South Styrian Wine Road with a stop at a Buschenschank. A car is worthwhile for this – allow 40 to 50 minutes each way.
And if the rain comes? Then your options bundle themselves automatically: Kunsthaus Graz, the Lurgrotte and the museums are all indoor destinations. No reason to cancel the day.
Admission prices at a glance (as of: 10/2026)
| Destination | Admission / ticket approx. | Opening / note |
|---|---|---|
| Schlossberg funicular | One-way €3.00 / return €5.50 | Graz public transport ticket zone 101 also valid |
| Schlossberg lift | €2.60 (adults) | Separate ticket required, public transport ticket not valid |
| Kunsthaus Graz | see official Universalmuseum Joanneum rates | Indoor, changing exhibitions |
| Eggenberg Palace – park | see official rates | Park freely accessible |
| Eggenberg Palace – state rooms | see official rates | Guided tour only |
| South Styrian Wine Road | free | Costs = food and wine |
If you're combining several destinations in the city, the Graz Card can be worth it – it bundles public transport and admission. Whether it pays off for your day depends on how much you visit.
Prices change. We keep these figures up to date, but please check the official pages of the respective provider before your visit – especially for museums, rates can vary depending on the exhibition.
Want to turn Graz into a longer weekend or add another city? Then take a look at all our tours in Austria.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Which destinations in Graz are reachable on foot?
From Hauptplatz you can reach the Schlossberg, the clock tower, the Kunsthaus and the entire old town on foot. Eggenberg Palace lies on the edge of the city, but is conveniently reachable without a car via tram line 1 in about 15 minutes.
How far is Eggenberg Palace from the centre of Graz?
Around 4 km, the journey takes about 15 minutes. Tram line 1 towards Eggenberg/UKH takes you directly to the "Schloss Eggenberg" stop, from there it's about a 600 m walk. Allow a good two hours for the park plus a state-rooms tour.
Is the South Styrian Wine Road doable as a day trip from Graz?
Yes. The drive takes about 40 to 50 minutes (approx. 50 km south). It works well as a half-day or full-day trip. Look forward to Buschenschank taverns, wine, pumpkin seed oil and sweeping views over the hills. A car is recommended, since the farms are spread out.
What does admission to Kunsthaus Graz cost (as of 10/2026)?
The Kunsthaus belongs to the Universalmuseum Joanneum; the rate can vary depending on the current exhibition. We recommend checking the current price on the official Universalmuseum Joanneum website before your visit. You'll also find the overview in our price table above.
Which Graz programme works entirely without a car?
A complete city route: Schlossberg and the clock tower, then the Kunsthaus, then tram line 1 to Eggenberg Palace – all by public transport and on foot. You can add a scavenger hunt through the old town, which leads you playfully through the lanes.
Is Graz better suited to culture, nature or enjoyment?
All three are there. The city itself (Schlossberg, Kunsthaus, Eggenberg) covers culture, the South Styrian Wine Road stands for enjoyment, and the surrounding area – from the Bärenschützklamm to Stübing – brings nature. The mix is usually the nicest part.
Discover Graz playfully: the ixpirity city rally
Got your route together? Then turn your old-town loop into a little adventure. With ixpirity's app-based city rally, you set off self-guided, solve tasks along the way and discover a side of Graz that pure sightseeing misses – no meeting point, no fixed start time.
Just pick your tour and start whenever suits you: all tours in Austria.
About the author: she writes for ixpirity about cities across Europe and brings the experience of 20 real ixpirity tours in more than 16 cities. She looks at city and surroundings separately – with honest travel times instead of wishful thinking. We state prices and duration transparently so you can plan realistically.
The cover image of this post was created with AI.
