1Historic cathedral
Graz Cathedral
Visit the public church interior and look at the surviving architectural and painted details. Its close relationship with the mausoleum introduces the imperial quarter.
3-day itinerary · Austria
3 Days in Graz
Three Graz days linking the imperial old town and armoury with Schlossberg, contemporary art and the collections at Eggenberg Palace.
- 3days
- 11sights
- 0.9 kmon foot between sights
Updated 12 September 2026 · 4 official sources checked · report an error
The plan at a glance
Graz’s imperial quarter, hilltop views and palace collections
Use three full days and check the seasonal calendars before booking. Eggenberg’s State Rooms and the mausoleum have restricted winter access; use available central collections as substitutes then. Arrange the museum days between Tuesday and Sunday. Hotel and first-stop journeys are additional except the Schlossberg ascent shown below.
Day 1The imperial quarter and the old townGraz Cathedral · Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II · Graz Burg and double spiral staircase · Styrian Armoury · Landhaus courtyard · Hauptplatz6 sights · 730 m on foot
Day 2Schlossberg and contemporary GrazSchlossberg and the Clock Tower · Murinsel · Kunsthaus Graz3 sights · 190 m on foot
Day 3Eggenberg Palace and natural historyEggenberg Palace and gardens · Natural History Museum Graz2 sights · Transport between sights
At a glance
Ways to use these days
Day 1
The imperial quarter and the old town
Begin at the cathedral and mausoleum during their visitor hours, then explore the Burg’s public courtyard and double spiral staircase. Arrange these nearby visits around the booked Armoury session; the regular English guided visit is at 12:30. Take a late lunch after the collection, then finish at Landhaus and Hauptplatz.
- 6 sights
- 730 m on foot
- Longest walk 380 m
Morning
Right next door
2Imperial mausoleum
Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II
Explore the permitted visitor route through the church and burial complex beside the cathedral. Keep any tower or additional guided access within the same visit.
100 m · about 2 min on foot
3Historic architecture
Graz Burg and double spiral staircase
Enter the publicly accessible courtyard and look at the double spiral stair, using the permitted stair route. The Burg is a working government complex, so this is a focused architectural stop.
380 m · about 6 min on foot
4Historical collection
Styrian Armoury
Spend a focused visit among the historic armour and weapons, using the available interpretation to understand their production and military context. Choose a guided or independent visit appropriate to the season.
Midday
LunchTake a late lunch after the armoury visit in the old town.
Afternoon
Right next door
5Renaissance courtyard
Landhaus courtyard
Walk into the courtyard when public access permits and examine its arcades and proportions. This is separate from the armoury collection next door.
160 m · about 3 min on foot
6Civic square
Hauptplatz
Explore the main square around the town hall façade and fountain, then follow a short stretch of the adjoining old-town streets. Treat the square and its monuments as one circuit.
Evening
DinnerChoose dinner in the historic centre after the square walk.
Day 2
Schlossberg and contemporary Graz
Allow about 25 minutes for the ascent before the first stop, using a suitable lift, funicular or stair route. Follow a selected two-hour hilltop circuit including the Clock Tower exterior and city views. Descend before lunch, then visit Murinsel and spend the afternoon with Kunsthaus’s exhibitions.
- 3 sights
- 190 m on foot
- Longest walk 190 m
Morning
1Hilltop park and views
Schlossberg and the Clock Tower
Use a selected hilltop circuit to see the Clock Tower exterior, remaining fortification features and city views. The two hours include movement between the hilltop sights; ascent and descent are budgeted separately.
Midday
LunchDescend toward the river and take lunch before Murinsel and Kunsthaus.
Afternoon
Allow about 25 minutes to descend from the hilltop circuit and reach Murinsel by your chosen route.
2River architecture
Murinsel
Walk the public gangways onto the floating architectural island and look at its relationship with the riverbanks. A café visit is optional within the same pause.
190 m · about 3 min on foot
3Contemporary art museum
Kunsthaus Graz
Give the changing exhibitions a focused two-hour visit inside the distinctive building. Include time to appreciate its architecture without assuming a permanent collection display.
Evening
DinnerHave dinner near the river or return to the old town.
Day 3
Eggenberg Palace and natural history
Allow about 40 minutes before the first stop to reach Eggenberg from the centre. Start with a reserved State Rooms tour and selected Alte Galerie rooms, keeping a short garden walk within three hours. Return to the centre for lunch before a two-hour Naturkundemuseum visit.
- 2 sights
- Transport between sights
Morning
1Palace complex
Eggenberg Palace and gardens
Combine a booked State Rooms tour with a selected Alte Galerie visit and a short garden walk. Keep the archaeology and coin collections as substitutions within the three hours.
Midday
LunchReturn to the Joanneumsviertel area and take lunch before the afternoon museum.
Afternoon
Allow about 40 minutes from Eggenberg to the Joanneumsviertel using public transport and the final walk.
2Natural history museum
Natural History Museum Graz
Visit selected geology, zoology and other natural-history displays in the Joanneumsviertel. This is the central Naturkundemuseum, distinct from the collections at Eggenberg.
Evening
DinnerKeep the evening free for dinner in the centre.
Before you go
Good to know in Graz
Book around seasonal access
- Eggenberg’s State Rooms require a guided tour and normally operate in the spring-to-autumn season. The gardens have a separate year-round calendar. Choose the tour before combining it with selected Alte Galerie rooms.Source: Universalmuseum Joanneum — Eggenberg admission · checked Sep 2026
- The mausoleum’s regular visitor season is April to October, Tuesday to Sunday. Winter access requires advance arrangements through the Diocesan Museum.Source: Graz Tourism — mausoleum · checked Sep 2026
- Styrian Armoury access changes by season, with guided visits required during much of winter. The regular English tour is at 12:30; confirm dates, language and admission before fixing the morning.Source: Universalmuseum Joanneum — Styrian Armoury admission · checked Sep 2026
One hilltop circuit
- The Clock Tower belongs to the Schlossberg walk. Select a suitable ascent and descent and keep tower interiors or additional attractions within the same allowance.Source: Graz Tourism — Clock Tower · checked Sep 2026
Questions
3 days in Graz: quick answers
Are the Clock Tower and Schlossberg separate outings?
They are combined in one two-hour hilltop circuit, with ascent and descent allowed separately.
Does the Burg stop include government offices?
No. It covers the publicly accessible courtyard and double spiral staircase.
Can I follow the palace day in winter?
Check the seasonal collection calendar. The State Rooms may be unavailable; replace them with an open central collection rather than expecting the full summer route.
Are Landhaus and the Armoury the same stop?
They are adjacent but different experiences: a short public courtyard visit and a substantial historical collection.
Is Judenburg included?
No. It is outside Graz and requires a separate excursion.
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