Best places to visit around Graz
Which excursion destinations around Graz should you absolutely discover?
Just outside the city awaits a huge array of things to discover – and even more to enjoy.
Discover the perfect balance of urban lifestyle and green escapes in Graz. As one of the most liveable and green cities in Europe, Graz combines vibrant culture with vineyards, forests and unforgettable excursion destinations just moments from the city centre. Whether you are looking for nature in the city, scenic day trips or authentic slow travel in Austria, Graz is where “nature meets city” in the most inspiring way. Explore caves, mountains, wine regions and cultural highlights surrounding this unique city with nature at its heart.
Excursion destinations around Graz with children
Tips for family adventures in the region
The region around Graz offers numerous exciting excursion destinations that are particularly suitable for families with children. Here are a few recommendations.
- Schöckl - Graz's local mountain: The Schöckl, just a few kilometres from Graz, is a paradise for families. The cable car takes you comfortably up to the plateau, where the nature play trail with animal figures awaits little explorers. There are also numerous hiking trails and breathtaking views to enjoy. The absolute hit on the mountain is the ‘Hexenexpress’ summer toboggan run with a length of approx. 1,000 metres, 7 bends and 2 jumps. Also not to be missed: the climbing park near the valley station in St. Radegund near Graz.
- Relaxed alpaca hike with a view of the Schöckl: A very special experience for young and old - an individual trekking tour with the Schöcklblick alpacas takes you at a leisurely pace across meadows and through forests in Kainbach near Graz. The gentle animals radiate peace and quiet and turn every hike into a little break from everyday life. Cosy products such as alpaca wool, pillows and more await you in the farm shop on site. Appointments are possible daily - please book in advance!
- Kesselfallklamm gorge in Semriach: The Kesselfallklamm gorge is a special experience for families who love hiking. Children can explore the impressive gorge landscape on a 2.7 km long route with well-secured climbing facilities and discover nature in a playful way.
- Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing: History comes to life in this museum. Over 100 historic farm buildings from all over Austria provide an authentic insight into rural life in times gone by. Children can experience at first hand what everyday life was like in the past.
- Piber Lipizzaner Stud Farm: A visit to the Piber Lipizzaner Stud Farm is one of the most popular excursion destinations in the region - and for good reason: the graceful white Lipizzaners and their dark foals cast a spell over visitors of all ages. Families can experience the famous horses up close on the extensive pastures of the Lipizzanerheimat, take part in exciting guided tours and gain an insight into the traditional breeding programme. An animal highlight - and not just an unforgettable experience for horse fans!
These excursion destinations offer varied experiences for the whole family and make a stay in the Graz region an unforgettable experience.
Trips Around Graz – Where Nature Meets City
Discover the best excursion destinations, wine regions, hiking trails and family adventures around Graz – the ideal starting point for slow travel in Austria.
Graz combines vibrant city life with easy access to some of Austria’s most beautiful landscapes and excursion destinations. Whether you are planning day trips to the wine region, family adventures, scenic hikes or relaxing escapes into nature, Graz is the perfect place to start exploring. As one of the most liveable and green cities in Europe, Graz offers a unique “nature meets city” experience and invites visitors to enjoy authentic slow travel in Austria.
Graz is the ideal destination for travellers looking to combine urban experiences with nature and relaxation. As a true example of “nature meets city”, Graz offers the best of both worlds: a vibrant historic centre, rich culture and culinary highlights, while vineyards, mountains, lakes and scenic countryside are only a short journey away. Thanks to its central location and excellent public transport connections, Graz is perfect for slow travel in Austria and exploring some of the most beautiful regions nearby. Whether you are searching for nature in the city, outdoor adventures or authentic local experiences, Graz stands out as one of the most inspiring green cities in Europe and a unique city with nature at its doorstep.
There are many worthwhile excursion destinations in the area surrounding Graz: Popular destinations include the Schöckl - Graz's local mountain, the Austrian Open-Air Museum Stübing, the Austrian Sculpture Park Premstätten, the Lurgrotte Peggau and the Lurgrotte Semriach, the Lipizzaner stud farm Piber, Rein Abbey, the Bärenschützklamm gorge and the Kesselfallklamm gorge. A summary of the most popular excursion destinations around Graz and in Styria can be found on the pages ‘Top excursion destinations around Graz’ and ‘Top excursion destinations in Styria’.
Yes, the South Styrian Wine Route can be reached from Graz in around 45 minutes and is ideal for day trips with wine tasting and visits to wine taverns. The South Styrian Wine Route leads through picturesque villages such as Ehrenhausen, Gamlitz and Leutschach. Numerous wineries, wine taverns and idyllic landscapes await you along the 25.5 km route. You can find more information about the Styrian Wine Route here.
There are numerous family-friendly excursion destinations in the Graz region: The Lipizzaner stud farm in Piber offers exciting insights into the world of the famous white horses. The Lurgrotte Peggau impresses with fascinating stalactite formations and a mysterious atmosphere. At the Austrian Open-Air Museum in Stübing, families can discover historic farms and craft traditions. The sebastian RELOADED® adventure trail in Laßnitzhöhe offers an extraordinary adventure for visitors of all ages. In the Graz climbing forest at Hilmteich, you can move through the treetops well secured on rope slides, balance on suspension bridges high above the forest floor and skilfully shimmy from tree to tree on climbing nets. On the ‘Graz for families’ page you will find numerous tips on what you can do with children in Graz.
Yes, there are many well-marked hiking trails in and around Graz - for example up the Schöckl, through the Leechwald area or up the Plabutsch. Easy circular hiking trails with views and refreshment stops are also popular. On the page ‘Walks trough Graz and surroundings’ you will find tour suggestions for easy and more challenging hikes. We have also summarised all the tours in our brochure "Moving through the city". Order your personal copy here or browse online.
