Graz Old Town Walk: From Hauptplatz to Schlossberg

This tour takes you through the Innere Stadt of Graz for a full day, with no need for any transportation. The distances are short, the stops are close together, and between the sights there's time to peek into courtyards or simply stroll through the lanes.

You start at Hauptplatz and walk along Herrengasse, past the Painted House and aristocratic palaces such as Palais Breuner. At the Landeszeughaus (Provincial Armory), you get a sense of how Styria armed itself against attacks in the past. After a detour to the Mariensäule (Mary's Column) at Eisernes Tor, you have lunch near the Landhaus. In the afternoon, you move on to the quiet Franciscan Quarter and follow Sackstraße to Schlossbergplatz. From there, you climb the Felsenstiege up to the clock tower and the bell tower and look out over the rooftops of the Old Town. You then head back down via Sporgasse, with Palais Galler and Palais Saurau, where the day winds down at a cocktail bar.

The tour suits you if you're visiting Graz for the first time and want to explore the historic Old Town at a relaxed, normal pace. Museums play only a minor role; the focus is on squares, facades, and views. You should bring a bit of stamina for the climb up Schlossberg.