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GrazGrazImage:Uhrturm1.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The landmark of Graz: The clock tower '''Graz''' is the capital of Styria (''Steiermark'') and the 2nd largest city of Austria. ==Understand== Graz is the second-largest city in Austria, with a population of over 230,000. Some 40,000 of this population is made up of students, as Graz is home to no less than six universities (four "standard" universities and two dedicated solely to applied sciences), and is associated with names as illustrious as Johannes Kepler, Erwin Schrödinger and Nikola Tesla. Graz was the European City of Culture for 2003. Phone: The local area code is (0)316. The country code for Austria is +43. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Graz has its own airport, [http://www.flughafen-graz.at/front/index.php?LANGUAGE=english (''Flughafen Graz - Thalerhof'')], less than 6 miles to the south. Scheduled flights operate to Graz from Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Vienna, Linz, Innsbruck, Zurich, London, Hannover, Gothenburg, Friedrichshafen. Getting to the City is easy and inexpensive. The trainstation is located 300 meters away from the passenger terminal. Trains leave to Graz Hauptbahnhof (main station) roughly every hour. Fare: 1,70 Euro. As an alternative Buses leave right in front of the passenger terminal. The Bus will take you first to Jakominiplatz and then further to Hauptbahnhof. Fare: 1,70. Of course you can also take a taxi (which is about €20 to the centre of the city) or rent a car. Nearby Airports include Maribor, Klagenfurt and a little further away Vienna. ===By train=== The main station (''Hauptbahnhof'') is to the west of the river Mur, at the end of the ''Annenstrasse''. [http://www.oebb.at/en/index.html Timetable]. ===By car=== The A9, slightly to the west of the city, runs north-south. The A2, just south of the city, runs east-west. Vienna (''Wien'') is 127 miles (2hrs) up the A2 to the east. Some might find the 5-mile-long Gleinalm (Toll) tunnel on the A9, 15 miles to the north of Graz, unnerving. Toll charge: Gleinalm Tunnel: cars and motorhomes up to 3.5 t: EUR 7.95 | with caravans/trailers: EUR 9.95 | Motorhomes over 3.5 t: EUR 11.50. It is possible to avoid the tunnel by travelling on the rather longer route via Bruck an der Mur. There is also a 6-mile tunnel under the Plabutsch mountain to the west of Graz, also carrying the A9. ===By bus=== Graz does not have a dedicated bus terminal. Private and public operators all operate from separate terminals: *[http://www.postbus.at/fahrplan/ '''Postbus'''] operates its terminal at [http://www.webs1.icomedias.com/stadtplan/index.php?coords=-68030,214863&dpi=9000&show=- ''Andreas-Hofer-Platz''] (City Bus 40, 67), with many destinations throughout Styria but also further available. *[http://www.oebb.at '''Bahnbus'''] (Trainbus) operates from a terminal next to the [http://www.webs1.icomedias.com/stadtplan/index.php?coords=-69451,215260&dpi=9000&show=- ''Hauptbahnhof''] (Tram 3, 6, 14 as well as 1, 7 in the evening, City Buses 50, 52, 53, 58, 63, 85). *'''[http://www.eurolines.at/ Eurolines]''' operates from the same terminal as the Bahnbus at [http://www.webs1.icomedias.com/stadtplan/index.php?coords=-69451,215260&dpi=9000&show=- ''Hautpbahnhof'']. They offer reasonable cheap tickets to many destinations throughout Europe. For travels to Austrian destinations check out http://busbahnbim.at , they will find you routes with public buses, trains, and trams to your desired destination. (Although outside of Styria it is limited to trains.) ==Get around== *'''Tram''' - Graz has an excellent tram service which criss-crosses the city through the ''Jakominiplatz'' where the different routes meet and you can change trams and buy tickets at the tobacco kiosk (''Tabak''). Make sure you punch your ticket inside the tram (If you get caught without a valid/punched ticket you will have to pay a fee of 40 Euros). You can buy hourly, daily, weekly or monthly tickets (also available at the driver). They are valid on all public transports throughout the city (Zone 101). *'''City Bus''' - Graz also has an excellent city bus network. Many buses go through ''Jakominiplatz'', ''Hauptbahnhof'' and ''Geidorfplatz''. The tickets are the same as for the tram.Be sure to get yourself a map (at Jakominiplatz) of the network if you plan to use it frequently. Also check out [http://www.busbahnbim.at]. :Tram and Bus Ticket prices: Single ticket (available from the driver) € 1.60 (valid for one hour) Day ticket (available from the driver) € 2.80 (valid for 24 hours) Week ticket € 7.90 and Month ticket € 27.50 available from the Office of Transportation at the ''Hauptplatz''. *'''Bike''' - Graz has an excellent bikeroute network. Due to this and the relative small size of the city, using a bike to get around is one of the best choices. Bikes may be rented, although if you are staying a bit longer buying a used one (and maybe reselling it) from one of the many bike stores may be cheaper. *'''Taxi''' - Taxis are available 24h a day. If you want to catch one, it's best to go for ''Hauptplatz'' or the opera (5min from ''Jakominplatz'') where most taxis accumulate. There is a base rate of approx. €2 for all rides. Avoid taxis in the early morning and early evening when traffic stucks because a taxi ride can easily get very expensive then. Taxis can be booked calling 878 or 889. ==See== *The historic '''city centre'''. This has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage List|World Heritage site *The Schlossberg ('''''Schloßberg'''''), the castle perched upon a small mountain around which the city sprang up. The funicular (''Schloßbergbahn'') and elevator (''Schloßberglift'') will take the effort out of the walk to the top, although to use them would be to miss the wooded paths and some spectacular views. *Clock Tower ('''''Uhrturm''''') on the top of the ''Schloßberg'', the symbol of Graz. *Eggenberg Castle ('''''Schloss Eggenberg'''''). Tel: 583264-0 *[http://www.kunsthausgraz.at/ '''Kunsthaus'''] is Graz's newest exhibition place. It's worth a visit, even if you only look at it's design from the outside. It's right across the river from Hauptplatz at the Suedtirolerplatz (Tram 1,3,6,7,14 outbound). (You will definitely notice the blue bubble) *[http://www.museum-joanneum.at/ '''Joanneum'''] Museum of Styria (''Steiermärkische Landesmuseum Joanneum''), ''Raubergasse 10''. Tel: 8017-9716 *[http://www.museum-joanneum.at/zeughaus/ Armoury ('''''Zeughaus''''')] in the ''Herrengasse'' Tel: 8017 9810 open March 19th - October 31th, 2005: Mo to Su 10:00-18:00, Th 10:00-20:00; November 1st, 2005 - März 18th, 2006 Thu to So 10:000 - 15:00; Additional Information: It's not allowed to take pictures! http://www.museum-joanneum.at/zeughaus/ *See an Opera at the Opera House [http://www.theater-graz.com/opernhaus/index.htm ('''''Opernhaus''''')]. [http://www.theater-graz.com/service_preise_tageskasse.htm Prices]. *On the ''Kaiser-Josef-Platz'', right opposite the ''Opernhaus'', is a fruit and vegetable '''open-air market''' where the small farmers from the countryside around bring their produce for sale (or rather their wives do). Morning only. *During the summer months, in the city centre between the ''Jakominiplatz'' and the ''Hauptplatz'', along the ''Herrengasse'', you may be fortunate enough to come across '''musicians''' of all sorts. Perhaps a small quartet playing Mozart. Perhaps a barrel-organ. *Football at the ''Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadion'', the home of '''Sturm Graz''' and '''Grazer AK''' at Liebenau, 3 miles to the south of the city centre. Ticket prices from 22 to 36.50 Euros : http://www.stadiumguide.com/arnold.htm *'''Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum''', Fitnessparadies, ''Stadionplatz 1''. Tel: 482482. Open Mo-Fr: 05:45-22:00, Sa,Su & public holidays: 10:00-21:00. Admission free. ==Do== *Walk or climb up the ''Schloßberg'' and have a meal in the open-air at the top whilst admiring the views. The easiest way is to walk up the ''Sporgasse'' from the ''Hauptplatz'' until you come to where a path meaders up the gentler eastern side of the ''Schloßberg''. From the west you have a choice of zig-zag paths or to climb the steps. You also might see some of the tame red squirrels (''Eichkätzchen'') at the top. Use the ''Schloßbergbahn'' to come down if you don't feel like walking. *Take the tram to the terminus at the bottom of the Plabutsch, a mountain to the west of Graz, and take a stroll up it. Perhaps I should say climb, because it's quite strenuous, and you really need walking boots and perhaps a map. *Swimming. Normally after May, the water in the outdoor swimming pools very quickly warms-up enough to enjoy swimming: **'''''Eggenberger Bad''''', ''Janzgasse 21'' **'''''Augartenbad''''', ''Schönaugürtel 1'', right next to the river Mur and the ''Schönaubrücke'' bridge. **'''''Bad Strassgang''''', ''Martinhofstraße 3''. **'''''Margarethenbad''''', ''Grillparzerstraße 10''. **'''''Ragnitzbad''''', ''Pesendorferweg 7''. **'''''Stukitzbad''''', ''Andritzer Reichsstraße 25a''. *Boating or skating on the '''Hilmteich''' and '''Talersee''', depending upon the season. * '''Royal English cinema''',Conrad-von-Hötzendorf-Straße 10, Tel.826133 has international films in english language. Take tram Number 4,5 or 13 and get out at ''Finanzamt''. If you are at ''Jakominplatz'' its a five-minute walk there. ==Buy== Be sure to buy a bottle of "Kernoel" (pumpkin seed oil). This oil is typical for Styria and has a very unique and wonderful taste. Ideally buy it at a (farmer)market (like Kaiser-Josef-Platz, Lendplatz,...). But you can also buy good quality oil at the normal supermarkets. There are many possibilities to go shopping in Graz. However beware that it's only a small city, thus you will not find the same possibilities as you would in a city like Vienna, Paris or London. Good places to shop are: * '''Herrengasse''' - the most important shopping street in Graz. It connects the main square (Hauptplatz) with Jakominiplatz. *in '''Kastner+Öhler''' Graz's big department store, right in the center, next to the main square. There is an underground car-park right underneath. *'''Steirerhof''', ''Jakominplatz 12''. Named after the demolished hotel that occupied the site until recently. Tel: 83 55 70 Bigger shopping complexes located outside the city center are: * '''Shopping Center West''' - Being already quite a few years old it's a lot smaller than the Shopping City Seiersberg, but it's also nearer to the center. Take tram 5 to Puntigam and then bus number 64. * '''Shopping City Seiersberg''' - A new build shopping complex right outside the city limits. Take tram 5 to Puntigam and from there take bus 78. Although the center lies outside of Graz it's still Zone 101, meaning that you will not have to buy an additional public transport ticket. ==Eat== *'''Schloßberg-Restaurant''', ''Schloßberg 7/8''. Tel: 823050 *Take the number 5 tram to '''Puntigam''' and eat in the '''Puntigammer Brewery''' restaurant, ''Triesterstraße 361'', Tel: 297100, open 10:00-24:00, or outside in the ''Gastgarten'', when the weather permits . *'''Saegewerk''', ''Schlögelgasse 1'' (near ''Dietrichsteinplatz'') , Tel: 820258 - they serve excellent and cheap pizza. *'''Brot & Spiele''', Mariahilferstrasse 17, Tel: 715081 - The offer american and asian style food for reasonable prices ( go for the steaks ) *'''Braun de Praun''',Morellenfeldgasse 32, Tel: 0316/322093 - Which has an incredible huge menu and reasonable prices. ==Drink== You'll have plenty of opportunities to drink beer (''Bier'') or wine (''Wein'') but perhaps the best one would be sitting, on a sunny day, in one of the many open-air bars. The local beer brands are Murauer, Gösser and Puntigamer. Gösser do a strong dark brown beer reminiscent of Guinness (''Stiftsbräu''). But you'll also find lots of possibilities to drink other austrian and international beers. Heineken merged in 2003 with the biggest beer group in Austria, therefore you'll often find bars that will only serve beers from the Heineken group. (Gösser, Puntigamer, Zipfer, Wieselburger, Starobruno, Heineken,...) If you visit Graz in winter try a Bockbier. But beware they are a lot stronger than the usual austrian beers. Styrian wine is one of best wines in the world. Especially the white wine. Try a glass of Welschriesling if you get the chance. Bars are concentrated around the city center as well as the Karl-Franzens-University to the west of the city center. The city center has a mixed audience while the bars around university are mostly attended by students. In the city center you'll also find a few irish pubs. Whereas the most irish of them is O'Carolines right next to the main square (Hauptplatz) others include Flan O'Briens and Molly Melone. ==Sleep== ===Budget=== *'''Jugendhotel & Jugendgästehaus Graz''' (Youthhostel Graz), Idlhofgasse 74 (''Busstop Lissagasse / Jugendhotel - Route 31,32,33'') 22 Euro *'''Vital Pension Teuschler''', Mariatrosterstraße 12, 321448 *'''Centralbackpackers''', Rösselmühlgasse 13, 0650-7221070. ===Mid Range=== *[http://www.ibishotel.com/ibis/fichehotel/de/ibi/1917/fiche_hotel.shtml '''Ibis Graz'''], Europaplatz 12 (''in front of the main railway station''), 7780 (fax: 778300). 62/77 Euro (single/double). *[http://www.austria-trend.at/en/?id=EUG '''Hotel Europa'''], Bahnhofgürtel 89 (''opposite the main railway station''), 7076 (fax: 7076606). 71/94 Euro (single/double). *[http://weitzer.com/en/daniel/start.php?oid=MENU_97 '''Best Western Hotel Daniel'''], Europaplatz 1 (''next to main railway station''), 711080 (fax: 711085). 86/106 Euro (single/double). *[http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=89123 '''Best Western Hotel Pfeifer Kirchenwirt'''], Kirchplatz 9 (''take Tramway 1 to the final stop at Mariatrost'') , 3911120 (fax: 39111249). ===Splurge=== *[http://graz.hotel-gollner.tobook.com/Austria/Hotels/Hotel-Gollner?citypname=Graz '''Hotel Gollner'''], Schlögelgasse 14 (''take tram 3 or 6 to Dietrichsteinplatz''), 120/200 Euro (single/double). *[http://www.erzherzog-johann.com/ '''Erzherzog Johann Hotel'''] Sackstrasse 3-5 (''just off the Hauptplatz''), 811616 (fax: 811515, [mailto:office@erzherzog-johann.com email:office@erzherzog-johann.com]). 102-330 Euro. *[http://www.weitzer.com/en/wiesler/start.php?oid=MENU_40 '''Grand Hotel Wiesler'''], ''Grieskai 4 - 8'', 7066-0 ([mailto:wiesler@weitzer.com email: wiesler@weitzer.com]) *[http://weitzer.com/en/weitzer/start.php?oid=MENU_54 '''Hotel Weitzer'''], Grieskai 12-14, 703-0. 110-405 Euro. *[http://www.schlossberg-hotel.at/en/index.html '''Schlossberg Hotel'''] on the ''Kaiser-Franz-Josef Kai'', 8070-0 ([mailto:office@schlossberg-hotel.at email: office@schlossberg-hotel.at]) ==Get out== *Take a trip through winding mountain passes on the 41km long [http://whc.unesco.org/sites/785.htm Semmering Railway], which runs from Mürzzuschlag to Gloggnitz. A UNESCO World Heritage List|World Heritage site. Ticket information from [http://www.oebb.at/ ÖBB] (''Österreichische Bundesbahnen'' - the Austrian national rail network). *Drive to the top of the '''Schöckel''', a mountain to the east of Graz. It also has a funicular (''gondelbahn'') so you can drive to the lower station and go up in that. There is a restaurant at the top and extensive views. You can walk down, even back to Graz, via Andritz and the number 4 tram terminus there, if you have a map. Take Bus 250 (Usually labeld St. Radegund) from Jakominiplatz or Andreas-Hofer-Platz to Seilbahn Talstation. Fare: 5,40 Euro. Duration: 40 min. You'll then be at the foot of the mountain, at the cable car station. *[http://www.freilichtmuseum.at/english.htm '''Austrian Open Air Museum (''Österreichisches Freilichtmuseum'')'''] Stübing, a few miles north of Graz. Old farm buildings brought from all over Austria in a woodland setting. Tel: +43/(0)3124/53 700. mailto:service@freilichtmuseum.at Open 1st of Apr – 31st Oct, 09:00-17:00 (entrance till 16:00) closed on Mo (except on holidays), free walk or guided tours. *'''[http://www.therme.at/index.php?lang=en Loipersdorf]''', 45 miles to the east of Graz, has a spa where you can spend a day, swimming, sun-bathing, and being pampered. Tel: +43 (0) 33 82 / 82 04 -0, mailto:info@therme.at. *'''Riegersburg''' is 45 miles to the east of Graz. An ancient castle, perched on a 482 meter high crag, that withstood the Turks. Open daily from 9:00-17:00. The lift operates from 9:00-18:00 (last descent). Various entry concessions but adult EUR 9.50 Child EUR 7. The lift is EUR 2 each way. Tel: +43-3153/8346 *'''Bärenschützklamm'''. A walk up a gorge between crags and over waterfalls starting from Mixnitx, 25 miles north of Graz, which can reached by road or rail. Or Pernegg an der Mur, Tel: +43 3867/8044. * '''Schwarzl Freizeitzentrum''' (Schwarzl Leisure Center) - a leisure center where you'll be able to do Water Skiing, [http://www.sfz.at/content/168_944.htm swimming], [http://www.sfz.at/content/166_605.htm diving], surfing, sailing, mountain biking, beach volleyball, [http://www.sfz.at/content/166_608.htm go-karting], [http://www.sfz.at/content/172.htm fishing], and ice skating in season, all at the at the Schwarzlsee, 5 miles south of Graz. ''Thalerhofstraße 85'', Unterpremstätten. Tel: ++43/(0)3135/53577-0 ==Contact== ==External links== * [http://cms.graztourismus.at/EN/ Graz Tourist Office] WikiPedia:Graz First page | Prev | Next | Last page |
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