Attractions Nearby Graz, Day Trips and Excursions

(Graz, Styria, Austria)

The city of Graz enjoys a great location should you wish to explore some of the many mountains and related attractions in this part of Austria. Close to Graz are some breathtaking mountain views on the World Heritage Semmering Railway, or onboard the funicular railway up the easterly Schöckel Mountain.

Alternatively, Graz is actually relatively close to many more traditional attractions, in the famous Austrian cities of Linz, Maribor, Salzburg and Vienna. Salzburg is actually the birthplace of world-famous Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 to 1791), and also featured prominently in the much-loved movie, 'The Sound of Music', with guided tours of the main movie locations always attracting crowds.

Vienna

Austria's proud capital of Vienna is home to a wealth of attractions and even if you spent an entire week in this city, you would only scratch the surface of what is on offer here. Vienna is relatively close to Graz and can be found just under 200 km / 124 miles to the north-east, within the state of Styria. Many glorious palaces punctuate the cityscape in Vienna and include the Schloss Belvedere and the Schloss Schönbrunn (Summer Palace), which even features its very own zoo (Tiergarten). The city's Museum Quartier is yet another highlight and is home to the Leopold Museum, the Museum Moderner Kunst, the Kunsthalle (City Art Gallery) and the Architekturzentrum Wien (Architecture Centre).

Linz

Located some 220 km / 137 miles to the north-west of Graz, the city of Linz retains its important industrial character, but does contain a number of worthwhile attractions and museums. Art lovers visiting Linz will always enjoy spending time at the renowned Lentos Kunstmuseum, while the Ars Electronica Centre is also of interest and sends visitors into the future, with the help of state-of-the-art virtual reality technology. The Landstrasse is the main street in Linz and this pedestrianised stretch is lined with shops and restaurants, within the heart of the Old Town district.

Maribor

A lively and inviting city located in Slovenia and around 50 km / 31 miles to the north-west of Graz, Maribor has a population of 120,000 residents and is based around the River Drava. Maribor is Slovenia's second-biggest city and contains some interesting attractions, including a particularly magnificent 12th-century Gothic-style cathedral and castle. Of particular interest, the University of Maribor has become a noteworthy attraction in its own right and is where you will find the 'Staratrta', the oldest grapevine on the planet.

Salzburg

There are a number of different reasons why visitors flock to Salzburg, with the two largest being Mozart and 'The Sound of Music'. Salzburg is only just close enough for a day trip and really warrants a longer weekend break, standing 280 km / 174 miles to the north-west and within the Austrian state of the same name. The 17th-century Salzburg Cathedral was actually where Mozart was baptised and is one of the city's most noteworthy landmarks, dominating the centre with its beautiful Baroque architecture.