Photo: Leonhard Lenz, CC0 on Wikimedia Commons
Five slow days in the green south of Austria. Two days in Graz, an old town of red roofs and a good table, then three by car: steep vineyards on the South Styrian Wine Road, a castle on a volcanic rock, and the Schilcher hills in the west.
A UNESCO old town with red roofs, courtyards and a hill in the middle. It is small, so the day is walking, sitting in squares and going up for the view.
The main square of the old town, with the town hall on one side and a fountain in the middle. Start here, look around, and take your time.
Go when Morning, before the shops open.
Local tip Look at the town hall on the square and the fountain, then take one of the lanes off the square to see the courtyards.
A grilled sausage with melted cheese inside, eaten with mustard and a roll from a street stand. A quick Austrian lunch.
Local tip Eat it hot and standing, and watch the square.
The hill in the middle of the old town, with the clock tower that is the symbol of Graz. A lift, a funicular and stairs lead up, so check ahead on which are running. The hands are the other way round, because the long one is the hour hand.
Go when Late afternoon, around sunset.
Local tip Take the lift or the funicular up and walk down the stairs, if you are comfortable with steps. Check ahead on which is running.
A late Gothic cathedral near the old castle, with a calm interior and a baroque mausoleum next door. A quiet stop in the middle of the day.
Go when Midday, when the old town is busy and the church is calm.
Local tip Look up at the old painted ceiling, and step next door to see the mausoleum from outside.
A modern art building that looks like a blue bubble with glass spikes, which locals call the friendly alien. Look at the building from the river, then go in if the exhibition appeals.
Go when Late afternoon, when the blue skin catches the light.
Local tip Cross the river for the best view of the whole shape, then decide whether you want to go in.
Wurzelfleisch is a Styrian dish of boiled pork with root vegetables, grated horseradish and caraway, served with bread. Warm and plain, and a taste of the region.
Local tip Order it in a traditional inn and ask what comes with it.
A day for Graz food and Graz style. A market, a modern island on the river, a huge armory, and a palace with a park for the afternoon.
An open-air market in the east of the old town, with fruit, cheese, bread and bottles of pumpkin seed oil. Go in the morning and eat as you walk.
Go when Morning, when the stalls are full.
Local tip Look for the dark green pumpkin seed oil, the black bread and the apple juice. Buy a little to eat on the spot.
A shell-shaped island of glass and steel that floats in the river Mur and is linked to the banks by two footbridges. A short stop with a good view of the water.
Go when Morning, with the river quiet.
Local tip Walk across one footbridge and back, and then look at it from the bank, where the whole shape shows.
The dark green pumpkin seed oil is a surprise on vanilla ice cream, and a very Styrian one. A few drops are enough.
Local tip Try it once, even if it sounds odd, and decide for yourself.
A building from the 1600s full of historic armor and weapons, kept in the rooms where they were stored. Walk through one floor and leave when you have seen enough.
Go when Midday, when it is hot or wet outside.
Local tip You do not have to see it all. Choose one floor, look at the armor close up, and move on.
A baroque palace in a large park on the western edge of the city, part of the UNESCO site. Walk the park first, then see the state rooms if you wish. Check ahead for how to visit.
Go when Afternoon, then stay for the park.
Local tip Walk the park first, then decide whether to visit the state rooms. Check ahead on how to visit.
Backhendl is fried chicken in a crisp breadcrumb coat, served with potato salad dressed in pumpkin seed oil. A classic Styrian meal.
Local tip Ask for the potato salad with Kernöl, the green oil, and a squeeze of lemon.
A day by car in the steep vineyards along the border with Slovenia. Three small wine villages, slow lanes and a long lunch. Plan who drives before the first glass.
A small market town near the Slovenian border where the wine road begins. Walk through the main street and look at the hills that come next.
Go when Morning, as the wine road begins.
Local tip Park in the town and walk the main street, then drive on with the vineyards in view.
A wine village with vineyards in every direction and lanes between the rows. Drive slowly, and stop at a viewpoint when you see one.
Go when Around midday, with a long lunch.
Local tip Take a lane off the main road for the view, and only ever drive slowly, as farm vehicles use the same roads.
A Buschenschank is a family wine tavern, where the grower pours his own wine and serves a board of cold cuts, cheese, black bread and spreads. A cheerful, simple lunch. The opening days vary, so check ahead.
Local tip Plan a designated driver, a taxi or a cycling day. Do not drink and drive on these roads.
A wine village in the steepest part of the road, with narrow lanes and views over the rows of vines. A good place to stop and look around.
Go when Late afternoon, around sunset.
Local tip Stop at a viewpoint over the rows of vines. If you have had wine, a taxi or a designated driver is the plan, not a second glass.
The hills of the wine road are known for crisp, fresh Sauvignon Blanc. A glass at a viewpoint, with bread, is the classic way to spend the late afternoon.
Local tip Share a bottle between those who are not driving, and take water for the one who is.
A day by car east of Graz, in a land of gentle hills, old volcanoes and farms. A big castle, a wine village on a slope and a spa park for the end.
A large castle on a steep volcanic rock that stands alone over the farmland. Walk up from the village or use the lift if it runs, and check ahead for opening.
Go when Morning, before the heat.
Local tip Check ahead on opening, since a castle may close on some days. Wear shoes for stone paths, even if you take the lift.
A table in a farmhouse or a country inn, with soup, a roast or Backhendl and a plate of local cheese. Simple, generous food at an unhurried pace.
Local tip Ask for fresh apple juice, which this part of Styria is known for.
A wine village on the slope of an old volcano, known for its Traminer, a spicy white wine. Walk the lanes and look out over the vines.
Go when Afternoon, after lunch.
Local tip Walk to the edge of the village for the view over the vines, and look for the volcanic soil in the slopes.
The oil comes from roasted pumpkin seeds, pressed in small mills across the hills. Some mills show how it is made and let you taste it with bread. Check ahead, since not all take visitors.
Local tip Buy a small bottle and keep it away from light.
A spa town with an old park of tall trees and quiet paths. Walk a loop and sit on a bench after a day of driving.
Go when Late afternoon, then dinner nearby.
Local tip Walk a slow loop, and sit under the old trees. It is a place to slow down, not to hurry through.
A slow last day in the western hills, the home of Schilcher, the dry rosé of Styria. Two castles, a village and a last long lunch before you go.
An old priory turned castle in the village of Stainz, in the middle of Schilcher country. Walk around the grounds and look at the courtyard.
Go when Morning, before the village fills.
Local tip Walk around the grounds and the courtyard, and check ahead if you want to go inside.
Schilcher is a dry, sharp rosé wine from the hills of the west, a favorite local drink. Try it with a plate of cold cuts and a hearty soup before you leave.
Local tip Taste a small glass first, since the sharpness surprises many people.
A medieval castle on a ridge above the town, with views over the hills. A fitting end to a slow trip.
Go when Afternoon, after a long lunch.
Local tip Walk up to the castle for the view over the hills, and take your time on the way down.
It covers 5 days in Graz, planned for late September. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
Each day has about 1.3 to 56.0 kilometers between its stops, and 95.2 kilometers in all across 5 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
7 days in ViennaAbout 150 km away
5 days in Hallstatt and the Salzkammergut lakesAbout 160 km awayOther guides with a page about Graz. Each one opens in a new tab.
Photo: Kobako, CC BY-SA 2.5 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
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