The 16 best free attractions in Graz

The architecture is impressive! I couldn't shake the feeling that I was on a spaceship. This museum doesn't showcase art in the classical sense, but it offers something else. Here, art is meant to be listened to, felt, and perhaps understood in your own way. Some exhibits made no sense to me at all, even after reading the explanations — and that was part of the intrigue. The price is standard for Austria. The staff is excellent. The shop inside is interesting. I definitely recommend a visit.

Extremely well-curated with a blend of modern and old, what's not to love about Kunsthaus? Even if you're not a museum/gallery type of person, come for the gorgeous views from the terrace/top floor

We went there after exploring the Schlossberg area; easily accessible by foot! And not too far. It cost us €12 / adult and the "kass" was friendly without queue (lucky us!). The "Freeing the Voice" was on exhibition during our visit; it was an intriguing one! It took us around 1.5 hours to learn about everything, including a photography exhibition. This place has 3 floors for exhibitions - there was also a "friendly alien" space below seemingly targeted for children; interactive stuff, where saw a work from someone and I loved it!

The Kunsthaus Graz, Grazer Kunsthaus, or Graz Art Museum was built as part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2003 and has since become an architectural landmark in Graz, Austria. Its exhibition program specializes in contemporary art from the 1960s onwards.

Awesome place to visit. It is ever present on any youtuber's travel vlog to Graz /Austria. We were lucky enough to enter for free on a Sunday (no idea what the occasion was, but it was free entrance). The building is in center down town. Awesome architecture on the outside, awesome light shows on the building during the night, massive concrete building. They have lockers at -1 like most Austrian art galleries and museums and you are not allowed to bring your backpack inside the museum, nor selfie sticks, not liquids. I especially love the eye shaped windows at the first flor, gave such alien UFO vibes or a feeling you were i side a cyborg wale or something 😄🐳🐋. On the last floor there is an indoor terrace with a view towards the river and the city center. They have great restrooms for people with disabilities as well and lifts between the floors. They also have a bar terrace outside , behind the museum, very lively and there is also a municipality fountain , with drinkable water, next to that bar , for those hot summer days . Artworks were very well lit and separated with proper details in regard to the artist and hi/her work.

Don't waste your time going to Freeing the Voices unless you never watch news broadcasts on TV or take sadistic pleasure from seeing the misery of other people. The exhibition borders on emotional abuse, and it is an outrage that I had to pay to experience it. Yes .. galleries are discursive spaces. We should enter with an open mind and expect to learn. But conceptual art is taking the concept of art beyond anything meaningful.

What was I thinking …it was the building that led me to make an exception and enter a contemporary art museum…don’t get it, never got it , never will get it ..if it rocks your boat go in otherwise stay away !!

Murinsel Café is a great place with a cozy and relaxed atmosphere. The staff is friendly, the prices are reasonable, and the architecture is truly unique — a floating structure in the middle of the Mur river that makes the whole experience special. Whether you're just grabbing a coffee or taking a break while exploring Graz, it's definitely worth a visit!

Super fun addition to the city of Graz and a very unique experience. If your path takes you across the river to some of the most interesting downtown hubs of Graz, this is the way to go to enhance your experience. They have outdoor seating for a nice Cafe in the middle of a river! You'll have a story to tell as well as a good experience with the staff and accommodations. 4/5 stars because they deliver an experience that you can't experience anywhere else on the planet based on the design and uniqueness, however; Graz provides alot of unique areas, culture, history, and interesting design that places this in a "might see" instead of a "must see" category.

A little pearl in the middle of the city and the river. There's a nice cafe bar indoor and outdoor as well. Check out murinselgraz homepage for concerts and events available in the outdoor part. The island is accessible from both sides of the river, it's worth to just cross it.

Just walked thru, perfect for nice pictures. Brilliant architecture in the middle of the river. You can have a coffee inside, we didn’t but it seems nice and they have nice looking desserts.

The exterior is nice. There is a coffee shop inside. The sound of the river is magnificent. It is such a pleasant building.

Really impressive structure and has an open air cinema inside. It's beautiful at night all lit up. It's free to walk through it.

An artistic, impressive and nice place on the flowing river. It has a cafe inside too.

The Schlossberg is a must-see when visiting Graz. The climb itself is part of the fun! There’s an amazing staircase carved right into the hillside that makes you feel like you’re conquering the mountain step by step. But if stairs aren’t your thing, don’t worry: there’s also a funicular and even an elevator to take you to the top. I highly recommend the funicular. It’s smooth, quick, and the views as you ascend are fantastic. Plus, it’s part of Graz’s regular public transport system, so the cost is the same as a bus or tram ride. You can buy a one-way ticket, use your 24-hour pass, or even a weekly/monthly pass. Just note: if you’re using a transit ticket, you’ll need to stop at the ticket window to get waved through instead of scanning at the turnstile. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with incredible panoramic views of the city. Between the history, the scenery, and the multiple ways up and down, it’s the kind of spot you can’t miss when exploring Graz. Whether you’re climbing, riding, or snapping photos from above, the Schlossberg is one of those places that makes the city feel truly special.

The Schlossberg in Graz Austria is a must see if you are ever in Graz. There is a staircase on the outside of the mountain that allows you to walk up and down to access the Schlossberg. There is also a tunnel that takes you into the mountain where there is a lift that will take you to the top of the Schlossberg. The first visit, I took the exterior stairs up and down and found it to be a moderate to challenging walk. I only took the lift the second time because I want to experience what that was like. And it was pretty cool to say the least. There is a lot of history to this structure. The castle was apparently never conquered, but was largely demolished with the signing of a treaty by Napoleonic forces. The Clocktower and Belltower were spared when the people of Graz paid a tribute or a ransom to ensure their survival. It is mostly a park now but there are several cafés at the top where you can enjoy a glass of wine and snacks The view from the top is simply stunning and is absolutely worth the walk up to the top or by taking the lift I would highly recommend making this part of your stay if you were ever in Graz Paul Calgary, Canada

Did you know…? An alternative route (if you don’t want to climb the steep stairs, or use the paid lift/funicular) to the top of Schlossberg/Uhrtum) can be accessed via a winding back route! Start your ascent at Sporgasse & Am FuBe des Schlossberges (the entrance is near Kirby’s American Kichen restaurant) - - - from there you’ll walk up and along a tree- lined wide & gently sloped path to the top. (Aprox. 15 minute walk) Views are well worth the effort. For the brave & young at heart, consider taking the carpet slide back down the mountain! There’s a short flight of stairs by the lift that will take you to the slide entrance. For 3 Euros, it’s an unforgettable corkscrew slide down at speeds up to 35Km! Terrifying and exhilarating experience all at once!

Views on top are incredible - lots of nice places to sit and order beer and coffee at the top - views are incredible - many ways to get to top between walking, elevator and other ways

You should walk up the stairs! Such amazing views, plenty of seats on the way up. The top is worth it! And it's free!

Schlossberg is a great place to take a walk and enjoy a beer with an amazing view over Graz. The atmosphere is really relaxing, and it’s perfect for spending an afternoon outdoors. There’s also a fun option to slide down the hill with the Schlossberg slide — it’s a unique experience and a lot of fun, although a bit pricey. Definitely worth visiting!

Today I visited Schloßberg with a friend, and it turned out to be such a great experience. We took the funicular Zug 🚆 to the top, which was smooth and gave us some lovely views of the city as we ascended. Once at the top, the atmosphere was peaceful and scenic perfect for relaxing with a drink and taking in the surroundings. We spent some time just soaking in the views, snapping a few photos, and enjoying the fresh air. The place has a unique charm, with old stone paths and remnants that really give you a feel of history almost like stepping back into a time with echoes of World War II still lingering in the walls. Coming down, we chose the stairs instead of the train, and that was honestly one of the highlights. The descent offered some beautiful views and made us appreciate the height we were at even more. It’s a bit of a workout but worth every step.

imposing 15th century cathedral, on the top of a staircase. the simple linearity of the facade contrasts with the baroque mausoleum next to it, creating an interesting architectural dialogue

Majestic and beautiful cathedral. Wonderful music during Mass.

A stunning and historic cathedral right in the heart of Graz! The interior is beautiful, with impressive architecture, intricate details, and a peaceful atmosphere that makes it a perfect place to explore. It’s easy to visit while walking through the city center, and the cathedral offers a glimpse into Graz’s rich history and culture. A must-see landmark for anyone visiting the city!

Is certainly to be visited, if outside appears so simple, inside is beautiful with so many wood sculptures, not enough words to describe the art found inside

A beautiful, serene, small cathedral full of symbolism, located atop a set of stairs on a narrow street that you don't expect. The tomb area is stunning.

At first glance, beautiful, but ! If you tap on the "marble" - it rings on plasterboard ! A complete imitation. I hope the organ is real?

Going back to the 15th century, the cathedral is built in Gothic style while the interior is decorated later in baroque style. The entrance is free and there is a lot to discover inside, very many intricate works of art, ornate and colorful altars, wonderful architectural elements, murals, reliefs and statues all making up a rich, tasteful space.

The parc is well-preserved and nice but I would prefer it to be more accesible to the public. I do get that it’s monument and must be protected though I cannot enjoy the parc when your dog cannot go, you cannot step on the grass etc. In general, you can just walk and look. I def prefer the Schlossberg parc that is public.

Easy access via tram. Huge garden, the garden next to the museum is beautiful. Going thru the Palace you do lots of walking and the presentation is very helpful to get to know the history. Had a very nice visit.

Beautiful and huge place place. Unfortunately when I was there the weather was not very pleasant and still this building managed to make me feel its power. Inside there is exhibition perfect for the history lovers. The park is also worth seeing itself.

This is the first destination my friend showed me in Graz. This is not the kind of extremely luxury type of palace. It is a lovely place with the right size, interesting history and significance. There are a few exhibitions with well presented information and artefacts. You wont be disappointed.

Wonderful experience, easily accessible getaway from town centre by tram. Nicely curated exhibitions, not too overwhelming, which we appreciated. Very accommodating to English speaking tourists. Extremely pleasant lady at the cash register with outstanding level of English. Ausgezeichnet!

We visited during weekend , it was amazing experience. The line was maybe 5 minutes , so not a big deal . We didn’t buy tickets in advance , and I think there is no need . The entrance fee is very low and reasonable for all you can see .

Beautiful absolutely beautiful palace and gardens in which you can spend an entire day, sadly I didn't have that much time but nevertheless I enjoyed a lot visiting this place. Definitely a must see while visiting Graz.

splendid historic center, a UNESCO heritage site. very pleasant streets and squares in which to walk among monuments and theaters.

Mid December, advent is in full swing, the town is buzzing with people, it's decorated and lit up so tastefully. Every opening between buildings is a home to a Christmas market. Unlike many places I've seen around Europe everyone is happy, there is a really nice vibe to this place. It's very clean, haven't seen a single homeless person, nothing dodgy or suspicious. It's a very very nice place and well worth a visit

beautiful city, unexpected decorations on the facades of buildings, pleasant streets, many cafes and cozy courtyards

The city, with its peaceful streets and captivating architecture, is truly worth exploring.

Graz was a great surprise and quite a lovely city. It has everything - gorgeous streets, cozy restaurants, museums, river, castle, cultural activities, churches, old town and modern Town, but after all it remains aristocratic, elegant and cozy. The old town is great, do not miss to take a ride with the fanicular.

Graz is very romantic town. Austrian architecture really got me excited. Every building has its own unique style. I am sure that couples will find there something for themselves 🙂.

Graz is a very touristic place. There are a lot of museums and architecture buildings, it s worth to visit. The restaurants present different food culture, which come from different nations. It s better to visit in sunny days or during Christmas.

I was very pleased to find this large park, right in the heart of Graz. It's the perfect choice for taking a stroll, unwind and see the world go by. During spring time, you'll see a lot of green trees, colorful flowers and those splendid magnolias. I also liked the fact that it's a great area to practice sports. Definitely worth a visit while you find yourself in Graz.

A large park next to the old city centre and ancient city walls. There are many large old trees giving shade and large lawn areas. It has a view of the "Ententeich" duck pond and there are many benches to relax. It's very popular with groups and families. There is a cafe in the middle but also 2 more outlets for food and drinks in the eastern part I visited. There are special areas where kids can play and skate etc. I'll go there again.

Really peaceful and cozy. Many people piknik here. A one quite enjoyable park for sure!!

One of my favourite spots in Graz. There's a bit of everything here: sports fields, open space for picnics and group hangouts, monuments, gardens...

You can enter into the park for free. Nice park with many green area what is good for resting place. Trees, many benches, fountains... Public transport is not so far. In the south side it has a big garage for cars. Many people use the park to relax, but it is not overcrowded.

Great urban park, so near to the city centre and to some of the universities in Graz, no wonder it was full of students when we were there.

Definitely one of my favorite places in Graz. I used to come here with my squad when I was there for my Erasmus. I will miss this place a lot. I hope I can come back one day.

Neat place to spend half an hour in the afternoon for a relexed time with nice view of the northen side of Graz city. Many people like to go up running as a final sprint from their jugging along the Mur river path.

Historical site, very well maintained, no entry fees. And it's virtually the only lookout point within city limits on the western side of the river Mur.

This area is beautiful, especially when the weather is nice.. It is also a very religious place, it depicts the life of Jesus Christ, the days leading up to his Crucifixion, so if you are religious or just love Jesus Christ then this is the place for you.. Just be sure to visit in Nice, warm weather.

Magnificent and charming. It captures from the first sight and keeps in suspense up to the last glance

A nice little church in a lovely neighborhood. Extraordinary architecture. Not the biggest and the oldest one but I would suggest the tourists to visit if they have time.

A place with a lot of interesting history, a must see.

you have to climb it all up

Good view panorama the city. Iconic Tower Lock with garden . You can choose climb up or get the lift ( need to pay )

Beautiful landmark. Cool lift to get up to the tower at a decent price. Once at the top you get rewarded with the most amazing views. It's even possible to go on a massive slide to get you back down. If you are in Graz or anywhere nearby go and have a look. You won't be disappointed. Very, very nice. Give it a try it's lovely.

The Clock Tower on the hill if one of the most important landmarks of Graz. When I was doing my research about this city, this was the highlight of every picture. The Clock Tower carefully watches over the city, as you get a splendid panoramic 360° view of the city. You have a few options to chose from on how to get to it, but I highly recommend taking the funicular as it's the most scenic route. Apart from that, if you're up to it, taking a hike on the many stairs is another option. The photos don't do it justice, you have to visit this landmark for yourself and learn the history of this place.

We enjoyed the well-kept and fragrant place thanks to the roses and other flowers in the area. We of course enjoyed the wonderful view of the entire city from the height. To be honest, the clock tower, the clock, did not make a special impression on us

Super cute small hike up the stairs. It took me about 7 minutes to get to the top. I would say give yourself 15-20 minutes if you aren't used to hikes. It gives you time for a small break as you tread up the stairs.

Beautiful old clock tower on top of the hill, the view from the top is amazing so you should definitely climb and see it.

Walked up to the plateau using google maps , walked up Sporgasse and then made a left turn on Am Fuse des Schlossberges (which i understand means at the bottom of the castle hill) , this street has some paved alleys which are not yet mapped on google maps, it is a bit of a hike for the elderly but it is manageable. Once up on the plateau the view is amazing , the top gardens are amazing. Warning for people with hight anxieties, if you plan on getting down using the stairs from the front of the tower, they may seem steep and narrow. My girl had a bit of a panic attack. For me the view was awesome.

A beautiful trail alongside the mini waterfalls a perfect place to be with mother nature.

Getting there: GPS and parking is VERY tricky! First we were guided to the track from the north side which is a private area. So we had to go around and get near it from south. It took about 10 minutes by car which is not too bad. Once you arrive there parking is your next problem. Next to the area there are no parking spots at all (only private ones). So we parked a few streets away at the parking lot of BIPA. We were a little bit worried about that because you’re only supposed to park there if you’re a customer of BIPA. Since we saw others coming back to the parking lot in hiking shoes we finally decided to start our hike. :) (Also it might be the case of us just being stupid tourist and there might be a better way to get there we just didn’t know about it.) The hike: A beautiful trail with lots of wonders. We really enjoyed the track. We made it a roundtrip and without any routine we easily finished in an hour.

Nice small trail just on the outskirts of Graz

Loved the hiking trial. But I came excited to see Deer and wild horses but all I saw were frogs and snails (plus butterflies which was magical). Maybe I should have completed the entire hike to see Deer and horses. Piece of advice: park your car at Bipa or Spar and walk the ten minute distance. As there isn’t designated parking for the hike trial. Overall it was an amazing experience walking in the middle of nature along streams and waterfalls. Just don’t forget to wear your most durable shoes.

Wonderful hike along the river gorge! Attention, the google navigation directions are wrong! Use the tram line or park the car near the Grazer Tramway Museum.

One of the nicest walks in the area. Very short though!

perfect family destination if you have small kids. the trip through the canyon has a good balance of safety and adventure so the little ones gets entertained. at the end you will find a flat place with benches to sit and rest. you can choose walking down the streets from there where you get rewarded with a view to the church Maria Trost.

Relaxing park right by the river with plenty of green space for picnics and all sorts of activities

Very pleasant park on the banks of the River Mur. Lots of people enjoying the sunshine on a warm Saturday after. Loads of ducks in the water!

beautiful park with a lot of space to sit in it and amzing big lush trees. there is public bathrooms that gets clean often but still smelly. the made up river looks nice with lots of ducks but smells soooo bad like sewge

Nice park with plenty of activities for kids, teens, and adults, located near the river. There's also a children's theater/museum and free toilets on the grounds. The park has many trees, but surprisingly, in August, much of the grass was sunburned - unusual for Graz, given the not-so-hot weather.

Great place calm and quite . One can even do calitanistcs and skateboarding. The place even have 2 table tennis tables but will be occupied mostly. Great view as it's in the bank of mur. Toilet facilities also available

A really nice Big Park with a couple of Pingpong Tables and workout machines and playgrounds also next to the river

Nice place for the chill by the river.

Nice park with access to the Mur river where you shouldn't take a dip, because the water quality is really bad.

A beautiful place for a picnic or a stroll.

Serene, relaxing and refreshing.

This place is great in the summer to walk around or just sit on the grass and relax. The park has recently underwent an upgrade and looks great now. You can sit by the water, on the grass away from the water or on the many park benches/banks and rocks. There is also a free gym, but strictly for adults use (not for young kids to play on, they are dangerous for young kids). There is a place for young children to play in the park also.

Beach feeling alongside the river. Nice place to hang out with friends, share beers and stay till after sunset.

This garden is more a 'local people' thing. It's the place we hang out after work, enjoy nature surrounding us. There is a noisy Skatepark, a gazibo with a mobile coffee shop, a fenced garden for dogs, several play grounds for kids, a tree area for slack line people, a training area with machines. Take a Picknick towel, sit down and enjoy people watching.

I love this park! Big enough and also have some sport tools that you can train there.

That hill doesn’t look so high... until it does - a reality check wrapped in stone steps. The climb from the city square up to Schlossberg is a full-body commitment - somewhere between a workout and a scenic life lesson. The number of steps? No idea. About a lot toward the middle, too many at the top. But I guarantee some zealous Austrian can tell you not only the total, but also the average step height and its standard deviation. And yes, they’ll be proud of it. After what feels like scaling a small mountain - legs burning, heart questioning your life choices - you finally reach the top. And guess what? It’s beautiful. Peaceful (okay, not really). Green. Full of bars, cafés, and suspiciously happy people who definitely didn’t climb like you just did. Or worse - they do it every day. That’s when it hits you: the climb was the real reward. And you want to do it again. Some other day. The summit is lovely, but that zigzagging, calf-burning, photo-op-filled journey... That’s the story you’ll tell (along with the mild soreness you’ll feel tomorrow). Pro tip: Don’t walk back down with anyone younger than 50… or 40… maybe 30. Basically, anyone with a spine and a sense of fun should take the slide. Yes, a real slide. Hidden inside the hill. It shoots you back to earth in 40 seconds of pure joy - in a canvas sack - for just €6.50 and a childlike grin. You climbed a hill, earned a view, and slid down like a legend. Priceless.

Very nice walkable area with great views. The lift is not too expensive, though we did not explore the train that goes trough the inside. Perfect for a walk and a drink between the gardens.

Amazing view from the top! Lovely garden to fall in love and relax. Worth a visit, despite of some graffiti around. Serenade by some musician was remarkable from this city of arts & music❤️

Important place to visit in Graz - A Scenic Climb with Stunning Views Schloßbergsteig is a beautiful stairway leading up to Graz’s iconic Schloßberg. The climb offers stunning city views, lush greenery, and a touch of history with fortress remnants along the way. While it’s a bit of a workout, the breathtaking panorama from the top—featuring the Clock Tower and the Mur River—is well worth it. If you love scenic walks, this is a must-do! ⭐ Tip: Visit at sunset for the best views!

It is a very nice place to visit! A nice walk and climb to view various things (not only the Uhrtrum), we were lucky the weather was super nice; not too warm nor cold and dry! When we visited it was not very busy - we did not need to use the lift or the ventricular to get up there and it did not take too long as well. Very highly recommended to visit. You can also view the city from above (see my video)! Worth it~

I have to admit that the climb is not quite that easy at times, especially because of the summer temperatures, but it is absolutely worth it! In several points you can really well see the city and also take some really nice pictures! Obviously, for people who don't feel doing it, to reach the castle there is a funicular, an elevator, a small train or even an underground tunnel on foot

I'm so happy i got through all these stairs... from the top to the bottom, instead the other way around 😃

(Translated by Google) Romantic, historic path up to the clock tower. Very well-kept green area with a wonderful view over the city (Original) Romantischer, geschichtsträchtigen Weg hinauf zum Uhrturm. Sehr gepflegte Grünanlage mit herrlichem Blick über die Stadt