Styria, Austria · Europe
Graz is worth a stop: 40km from South Styrian Wine Road.
Graz is a city located in Styria, Austria. With a population of 303,270, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Graz sits in Austria, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Vienna time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Graz to your route.
Graz (German: [ɡraːts] ) is the capital of the Austrian state of Styria and the second-largest city in Austria, after Vienna. On 1 January 2026, Graz had a population of 307,912, or 345,391 including residents with a secondary residence. In 2023, the population of the Graz functional urban area was 660,238. The cityRead more
is an important centre of higher education, with four universities and four other higher education institutions; together, they had more than 63,000 students as of 10 June 2023. Its historic centre (Altstadt) is considered one of the best-preserved urban centres in Central Europe.
The earliest documented mention of Graz dates from the 12th century, when it developed as a fortified settlement under the rule of the Babenbergs. During the Late Middle Ages, the city became an important commercial and administrative centre. From the 14th century onward, it served as the residence of the Inner Austrian branch of the Habsburg dynasty, a role that contributed to its political, cultural and architectural development. Many Renaissance and Baroque buildings from this period remain part of the cityscape. Graz also held strategic military importance as a stronghold against the Ottoman Empire, particularly through the fortifications on the Schlossberg. In the 19th and 20th centuries, industrialisation and urban growth helped establish Graz as a major industrial, educational and cultural centre in southern Austria.
In 1999, the historic centre of Graz was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites; in 2010, the designation was expanded to include Eggenberg Palace (German: Schloss Eggenberg) on the western edge of the city. Graz was designated the European Capital of Culture in 2003 and became a City of Culinary Delights in 2008. It is also recognised as a City of Design within UNESCO's Creative Cities Network.
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Graz offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Graz is located in Styria, Austria, Europe. The coordinates are 47.0673 latitude, 15.4420 longitude.
Graz has a population of approximately 303,270 people, making it a city in Austria.
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Essential numbers in Austria
Motorway vignette required. ÖAMTC roadside assistance: 120.
Full driving guide for Austria4 notable places within an hour's drive.
museum
In the last surviving hall of Johann Puch's original factory, some 2,500 exhibits trace Austria's own marque: Puch mopeds and motorcycles, the 500 microcar, and Haflinger and Pinzgauer off-roaders.
3 km · about 5 min drive
famous road
Ribbon roads roll along vine-covered ridges on the Slovenian border between Ehrenhausen, Gamlitz and Leutschach, the 'Austrian Tuscany': dotted with Buschenschank taverns and klapotetz windmills.
40 km · about 45 min drive
natural wonder
A seasonal phenomenon in Styria where snowmelt floods a park creating a crystal-clear emerald lake with submerged benches and paths.
53 km · about 60 min drive
racetrack
Short, fast circuit at Spielberg in the Styrian mountains hosting the Austrian Grand Prix, with big elevation changes, alpine views, and a busy calendar of public track days.
54 km · about 60 min drive
April to October
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