It’s hard to tear yourself away from Graz’s gorgeous historical center. Still, it’s well worth planning enough time in the city to enjoy some of the best places to visit near Graz. From mountain cable cars and laddered hikes to alpacas and adorable medieval villages, there’s plenty to experience in the Graz Region, locally known as Graz-Umgebung.
All of these spots are easy excursions by public transport, as they are in the Graz Region itself, rather than the slightly further afield day trips from Graz in the surrounding state of Styria. Some lie just beyond the city limits, and with each of Graz’s districts having a reason to visit, such as city wineries and Unesco-listed palaces, you might want to make it a full-day outing by combining a couple of sights.
I spent a couple of months slow-travelling in and around Graz, exploring quirky churches and gorgeous mountain scenery. These were my ten favourite places near Graz.
Tips For Exploring the Graz Region
All of these attractions near Graz can be reached by public transportation, and many can also be accessed by bicycle or on foot, either along the river-hugging Mur Cycle Path or other hiking trails. As these places are all outside the Graz 101 city ticket area, you’ll need to consult the regional train and bus website to check timetables. If you’ve already purchased a Graz Card (some attractions outside the city, such as the Open Air Museum, are included) to cover your long weekend in Graz, you don’t need to buy a whole new ticket; it’s possible to ask for a zone extension at the train station.
Another excellent value option is the €13 Freizeit-Ticket Steiermark (leisure ticket), available on weekends and holidays, which offers one day of transportation on all regional bus and train lines in Styria. Purchase online from ÖBB. Find more general travel tips in my detailed guide to Graz.
Frohnleiten Medieval Village
25 minutes by S-Bahn Train | Half Day | Easily combined with the Stübing Open Air Museum
Flanking the Mur River, the small medieval town of Frohnleiten is arguably the prettiest place to visit near Graz. Much of the architecture visible in the historic centre dates from the 15th and 16th centuries, with a scattering of Baroque gabled buildings embellishing the older constructions. Historic highlights include the Tabor (formerly the old entrance gate), the original well, and even a Roman bridge located on the outskirts. But it’s the pretty, flower-filled gardens and views of the town through the weeping willows that will stay with you.
It’s a delight any time of year, but visit during Christmas, and you’ll see the “skyline” lit up as all the buildings are hemmed in twinkling festive lights, adding an extra spot of magic to the mirror-like river view. Nearby is the hilltop 12th-century Rabenstein Castle, which can be glimpsed from the train; although usually closed to the public, it occasionally opens for visits.
Thal Lake, Church & Schwarzenegger Museum
55 minutes by connection bus (40 > 48 from Jakominiplatz) | Half Day
Best known as the birthplace of Arnold Schwarzenegger, most visitors to Thal come to see his former home, now converted into a museum dedicated to the actor-turned-politician. However, that’s far from the only – and in my opinion, the best – reasons to visit Thal. One of the most quirky places to visit near Graz is Thal Church, a unique hidden gem designed by the whimsical Austrian architect Ernst Fuchs. Unlike any church I’ve ever seen before, the unusual design has mosaiced pews, cobblestone-like flooring and almost psychedelic art on the ceiling.
There’s also a lovely artificial lake here where you can hire small boats, enjoy a drink or meal, or even stay for a more natural environment than being in Graz’s centre. Make it a longer outing by arriving by bus, and then hiking back on the trail to Gösting. En route, stop at the highest restaurant in Graz’s city limits, the Fürstenstand, for an excellent city and mountain panorama. If you hike down after sunset, you’ll likely spot fireflies.
Bärenschützklamm Laddered Gorge Hike
35 minutes by S-Bahn train to Mixnitz, followed by a 1.5-hour walk to the entrance | 6+ Hours
Hiking is one of the best things to do in Austria, no matter where you land in this fairytale country. My absolute favourite trail in the Graz Region is this laddered hike in the Almenland Nature Park. You’ll need good shoes and no worries about heights to enjoy this gorge climb, which is predominantly completed on wooden walkways and ladders that pass waterfalls and ascend a towering limestone gorge.
The wooden ladders were initially constructed in 1901 by the Graz Alpine Club and have been renovated and opened to the public since then. As such, there is an entrance charge which goes towards upkeep. Allow a solid part of the day to both arrive and complete the trail, and bring plenty of water. At the top of the gorge is a mountain hut serving well-deserved refreshments, beers and mountain fare. Elsewhere in Almenland is the slightly less challenging Kesselfallklamm waterfall route, as well as the visitable Lurgrotte karst cave system.
Schöckl Mountain & Cable Car
40 minutes by bus, followed by cable car or hike (250 from Jakominiplatz) | Half or Full Day
Ask a Grazer which the best places are to visit near Graz, and there’s a fair chance that Schöckl will be mentioned. While not the closest mountain to the city, it’s known as the city’s mountain due to its relative proximity and easy access thanks to the cable car. Of course, you could hike up to save yourself the ticket, or, as I did, take the cable car up and return down on the roughly 1.5-hour gravel hiking trail. From atop Schöckl, you’ll enjoy some magnificent views of the valleys, lush mountains and small villages of the Graz Region.
Entertain the kids on the toboggan ride, hike the wildflower-coated pastures roamed by caramel-spotted cows, and then enjoy a hearty mountain hut lunch while watching paragliders swoop above. It’s a mountain visit made easy.
Rein Abbey & Library
35 minutes by bus (110 from Graz Main Station) | Could combine with Maria Straßengel Church
If you’d rather skip the Graz Region’s countryside and dive into storied architecture, then Rein Abbey, dating back to 1129, is a great place to visit near Graz. Considered the world’s oldest operating Cistercian Abbey, the monastery is still in use by both monks, who are hidden away, and also as a secular school. As such, you’ll want to check tour times to plan your visit.
The Baroque church can be easily visited, but to access the rest of the building, especially the library – a magical, frescoed space with numerous medieval manuscripts – you’ll need to join a tour. It’s also possible to stay here with prior arrangements. Make it a half-day trip from Graz by combining the abbey with the Maria Straßengel Pilgrimage Church; it’s a short bus ride and walk between the pair.
Stübing Open Air Museum
35-55 minutes by bus or train combined (130 bus or S1 Train, connecting to 130 bus; both from Graz Central Station) | Easily combined with Frohnleiten
As one of Europe’s leading open-air museums and the country’s most extensive, the Austrian Open Air Museum is a popular place to visit near Graz. Located in a verdant valley, you can easily spend hours exploring the roughly 100 traditional houses and buildings from every state in Austria. Each has been relocated and rebuilt here, with the oldest dating back to the 13th century.
The grounds are a great place to see how Austria’s alpine and farmland communities used to live. If you want to learn more about each building, pick up an English-language guide from the entrance or join a guided tour to get the most out of the experience; otherwise, simply stroll freely between the mainly wooden homes. On certain days and during special events, actors perform traditional handicrafts, adding to the old-world feel that you’ll find during any visit to the vintage shop or traditional restaurant.
Schöcklblick Alpakas
25 minutes by bus (300 or 470 from Jakominiplatz)
Families with young children will love the opportunity to explore the grassy pastures just east of the city at Schöcklblick Alpakas. A beautiful, family-run farm with distant mountain views, you can walk with, pet, and simply hang out with some 120 alpacas at Austria’s largest alpaca farm. All visits must require pre-booking, especially since operating hours vary significantly by season.
Austrian Sculpture Park
45 minutes by direct bus, quicker with connections (510, or others, from Jakominiplatz) | Could combine with Schwarzlsee or Haindl Mill
The Austrian Sculpture Park is a free attraction located near Graz. Located south of the city, it perhaps isn’t worth making the detour alone, so it’s better to turn it into a half-day trip from Graz, combined with either the lake park at Schwarzlsee or the Haindl Mill. The ample, leafy space is speckled with massive art installations, ranging from a cloud-like home that “speaks” to giant metal art pieces. The grounds are delightful, featuring lily ponds, a rose garden, and numerous shaded picnic spaces.
Haindl Mill & Oil Press
35 minutes by bus, followed by a 15-minute walk (510 from Jakominiplatz)
One of the few remaining traditional working mills in the Graz Region, the water-powered Haindl Mühle still bakes bread the customary way and produces the prized pumpkin seed oil for which Styria is renowned – pick up a bottle at any of Graz’s farmers’ markets. Visits are periodic, and most are conducted in German. However, if you’re in Graz in May for Design Month, events are usually scheduled at the mill, making visits easier. One of my favourite Graz restaurants is nearby, Handbrauerei Forstner, where you can dine on typical provincial plates in a cute garden.
Schwarzlsee, Tibersee or Bad Weihermühle Swimming Lakes
30-60 minutes by bus or train, depending on which lake you visit
Austria might be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean there’s nowhere to swim in the Graz Region. Every summer in Austria, locals flock to pristine swimming lakes to splash around, cool off and enjoy a day out, often in one of the paid lake parks complete with all the facilities that you’ll need. Three of the closest locations to Graz are Schwarzlsee, a vast, almost park-like space near the Austrian Sculpture Museum; Tibersee, located north of the city and slightly more challenging to reach by public transport; and Bad Weihermühle, not far from Rein.
This article was written during a blogging residency in Graz hosted by Graz Travel Deeper. As always, all opinions and words are my own.
