← Wörthersee Marathon·2 nights

Graz: Two Nights in the Styrian Capital

The Koralm railway makes Graz a 42-minute ride, with a hill reached by lift, an armoury, a gallery and a Styrian dinner, and the museums open from Tuesday.

Duration2 nights
TransitRailjet on the Koralm railway, about 42 minutes, hourly
DepartsKlagenfurt Hauptbahnhof

After the Wörthersee Marathon: Graz

The Route: Klagenfurt → Graz → Graz Airport (or back to Klagenfurt) Logistics: Railjet from Klagenfurt Hbf to Graz Hbf, about 42 minutes, hourly according to ÖBB. Flat walking in the old town. Marathon Month: September Duration: 2 nights

Klagenfurt Hbf ──(Railjet, about 42 mins, hourly)──> Graz Hbf ──(tram / walk)──> Old town hotel
                                                           │
                                  Graz Airport (GRZ) ◄─(S5 rail or bus 630)─────┘

Until the Koralm railway opened, Graz and Klagenfurt were closer on the map than on the timetable. Now an hourly Railjet covers the distance in 42 minutes, which makes Graz the easiest big city to reach after the Wörthersee Marathon. The Monday after the race is a poor day for sightseeing there, since the Landeszeughaus and the Kunsthaus are closed on Mondays. Two nights solve the problem: arrive Monday, rest and walk, and do the museums on Tuesday.

September in Graz: the city is warm without being hot, and evenings turn cool. Check the forecast and pack a layer. The Schlossberg is the city's viewpoint, and its lifts spare you the climb.

Getting there

Take the RJX Railjet from Klagenfurt Hauptbahnhof to Graz Hauptbahnhof. ÖBB lists the journey at 42 minutes with trains running hourly. Book at oebb.at, and buy a seat reservation if you are carrying luggage. Graz Hbf is a short tram ride from the centre.

Nights one and two: Graz

Pick one hotel and keep it. Motel One at Jakominiplatz 7 sits near the Opera, and Das Weitzer at Grieskai 12 to 14 stands on the Mur's west bank. Both are central and have restaurants in walking distance. Check availability and breakfast hours.

On the Monday, walk the old town on the flat. Take the lift or the funicular up the Schlossberg, the hill above the old town, so that tired legs do not have to climb. Check current operating hours and ticket terms.

On the Tuesday, visit the Landeszeughaus, the state armoury, which holds one of the largest collections of historic arms and armour in Europe. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00, with an English guided tour listed at 12:30. Expect standing and stairs. The Kunsthaus Graz, the blue "Friendly Alien" gallery on the Mur, is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00. Closing days and hours change, so check the Museum Joanneum website.

Schloss Eggenberg lies about 3.5 km from the centre. The state rooms open Tuesday to Sunday on a guided tour of around 50 minutes, and the park is open daily. A Monday walk in the grounds is possible even though the interiors are closed.

Where to eat

Der Steirer, at Belgiergasse 1, serves Styrian cooking and is open from 11:00 to midnight daily, with the kitchen running 11:30 to 23:00, according to the restaurant. Ask for a schnitzel or a dish with pumpkin-seed oil, and drink water first. Reserve a table.

Getting home

For Klagenfurt, the same hourly Railjet runs back. For Graz Airport, take the S5 rail line or bus 630, both in zone 101. Check the Sunday timetable if you leave on a Sunday.