Discover Graz’s rich history and culture on a private tour. Explore medieval streets, iconic landmarks, and contemporary art. Customize your experience today.
Discover Graz’s rich history and culture on a private tour. Explore medieval streets, iconic landmarks, and contemporary art. Customize your experience today.
- Uhrturm - A 2-hour drive from Vienna, the clock tower was first mentioned in the 13th century. During the mid-16th century re-fortification of the Schlossberg, the tower acquired its current look. The large clock hands often cause confusion. Do clocks run differently in Graz? No. Originally, only large hour hands were visible from afar, and minute…
- Uhrturm - A 2-hour drive from Vienna, the clock tower was first mentioned in the 13th century. During the mid-16th century re-fortification of the Schlossberg, the tower acquired its current look. The large clock hands often cause confusion. Do clocks run differently in Graz? No. Originally, only large hour hands were visible from afar, and minute hands were added later, leading to the mix-up. The clock mechanism still works today but has been electrically operated since the mid-20th century. During city fires, the fire station on the clock tower rang the fire bell. The oldest bell in Graz, cast in 1382, strikes the hours. The “poor sinner’s bell” (circa 1450) was rung during executions and later warned night owls, earning it the nickname “rag bell.” At three corners of the tower, coats of arms that once adorned the castle hill fortifications can be seen.
- Island in the Mur - When Graz was named the European Capital of Culture in 2003, New York artist Vito Acconci designed a walk-in island project, a 47-meter-long net-like steel structure resembling a half-open shell. In its open part, wave-shaped blue benches form an arena for various events. Under the arched, water-cooled glass roof, a blue and white café offers the chance to enjoy the feeling of being close to the Mur River—a new experience even for Graz residents. Between the café and the arena, a three-dimensional labyrinth made of ropes and a slide promise an island adventure for children. What is called an island is actually a ship. It hangs from an anchor and is additionally stabilized by footbridges to both banks. The structure is even equipped with navigation lights as a warning in case another ship strays onto the Mur. However, the Mur Island is so brightly lit at night that no one can miss it.
- Landeszeughaus - Due to its geographical location south of the Alps and as the capital of Inner Austria, Graz became an important defense center against eastern invaders. From the late 15th century, the advance of the Ottoman Turks forced the Styrian Estates to increase their weapon stocks as part of an organized defense. From 1642, Antonio Solar built an “armoury” next to the Landhaus for the growing arsenal. The State Armoury was to be closed as part of Maria Theresa’s military reforms. However, the Styrian Estates managed to prevent its closure and preserve the arsenal as a testament to the bravery of the Styrians in fighting the “hereditary enemy of Christianity.” The only original armoury in the world still has around 32,000 exhibits today, including historical weapons and military equipment from the late 15th to early 19th century.
- Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II - The cathedral is a reminder of when Graz was an imperial city. Emperor Frederick III built it along with his new residence in Graz. Since 1786, the cathedral has served as the bishop’s church and the main baroque church for Catholics in Styria. The cathedral’s interior impresses with its harmony of Gothic and baroque architecture. The church’s frescoes date back to Emperor Frederick III’s time, including a depiction of Saint Christopher bearing Frederick’s facial features and the ducal hat of Styria. The mausoleum’s dome landscape visually crowns the city. In 1614, Ferdinand commissioned his Italian court architect Giovanni Pietro de Pomis to build a mausoleum and the structurally connected St. Catherine’s Church next to the cathedral. One of the most architecturally significant building complexes of the early 17th century in Austria was created. The oval dome above the crypt chapel is the first of its kind outside Italy.
- Grazer Burg - The centuries have brought many changes to the Habsburg residence in Graz, built in 1438 and now the official residence of the Governor of Styria. Wings were added, others destroyed, but many impressive remnants of the past remain. From the Biedermeier period to the Renaissance and back to the Gothic period. The famous double spiral staircase dates from this period. And these inscriptions - A.E.I.O.U. According to German historian Konstantin Moritz Langmaier, A.E.I.O.U. stands for “Amor Electis Iniustis Ordinor Ultor,” meaning “Loved by the chosen, feared by the unjust,” found in contemporary documents about Frederick III. In 1438, as Duke of Styria, Frederick decided to build a new residence in Graz. He built the court church and today’s cathedral of Saint Aegydius and had it structurally connected to his residential wing in the castle, which no longer exists today.
- Schloss Eggenberg - With 365 windows, 31 rooms per floor, 24 state rooms with 52 doors, and a total of 60 windows, and 4 corner towers, the palace’s design alludes to the seasons, weeks, days, hours, and minutes. This numerical theme, influenced by the then-new Gregorian calendar, is the basis of the palace. The Planet Hall, decorated in 1678, is also dedicated to astronomy. In the ceiling paintings, painter Hans Adam Weissenkircher assigned the seven known celestial bodies to the days of the week, Roman gods, metals, and Eggenberg family members. On the side walls, twelve zodiac signs complete the astronomical theme. The palace is inseparably linked to its park, a landscape garden created in the mid-19th century. The majestically striding peacocks and a newly designed section of the park—the Planet Garden, a natural continuation of the palace concept—are particularly attractive. - Time including return journey to Vienna
- Private transportation
- Carbonated beverages
- Bottled water
- On-board WiFi
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Private transportation
- Carbonated beverages
- Bottled water
- On-board WiFi
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Gratuities
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Gratuities
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Let us introduce you to GRAZ in a private, individual tour, where we take enough time to see all the sights according to your wishes. Graz is the capital of the southern Austrian state of Styria and the second largest city in Austria. The main square is the heart of the medieval old town. The surrounding narrow streets with buildings in the Renaissance…
Let us introduce you to GRAZ in a private, individual tour, where we take enough time to see all the sights according to your wishes. Graz is the capital of the southern Austrian state of Styria and the second largest city in Austria. The main square is the heart of the medieval old town. The surrounding narrow streets with buildings in the Renaissance and Baroque style are lined with shops and restaurants. A cable car leads up the Schlossberg, the city’s local mountain, to the centuries-old clock tower. On the banks of the Mur, the futuristic Kunsthaus Graz presents contemporary art and the Murinsel invites you to linger over coffee and cake in the middle of the river MUR. The 4 towers of Eggenberg Castle, the construction of which began in 1625, symbolize the seasons, 12 gates the months and 365 windows the days. The Landeszeughaus, with an impressive 32,000 exhibits, is the most important historical weapons collection in the world.
- Child seat up to 4 years and seat cover available upon reservation
- For people with reduced mobility, this day tour may be subject to some restrictions or modifications
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.