Where to Stay in Graz: Best Hotels in Austria's Coolest City
Graz does not get the attention it deserves. Austria's second city has a UNESCO World Heritage old town, some of the best food in the country, a world-class contemporary art museum and a castle hill you can walk up for free. It is compact, walkable and lived-in in a way that Vienna can sometimes feel it is not. We have been twice and would go back again.
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Our first visit almost got off to a rough start. We had booked an Airbnb but the air conditioning was not working and it was incredibly hot, so we pivoted and booked into the Grand Hotel Wiesler. That decision turned the trip around completely. The rooms are beautiful, the hotel is right on the Mur and we loved it so much that on our second visit, coming back through Graz after leaving Croatia, we went straight back. If you are trying to figure out where to stay in Graz, Wiesler is where we would send you first.
Quick Picks: Best Hotels in Graz
- Grand Hotel Wiesler, our personal pick and the hotel we have now stayed at twice. Beautiful Art Nouveau rooms right on the Mur
- Schlossberghotel, best for art lovers who want a rooftop pool and design rooms at the foot of the castle hill
- Palais-Hotel Erzherzog Johann, best for history with a Hauptplatz address right in the heart of the old town
- Hotel Weitzer, best on the Mur with a rooftop sauna and access to both the Altstadt and the Lend district
- Boutique Hotel Dom, best boutique in the Cathedral quarter with uniquely designed rooms
- Hotel Gollner, best mid-range pick two minutes from the Opera with a rooftop terrace
- Motel One Graz, best budget location in the city right at Jakominiplatz
Quick Comparison: Best Hotels in Graz
| Hotel | Neighborhood | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Hotel Wiesler | Mur / Altstadt | Overall top pick, Art Nouveau riverside hotel | $$$ |
| Schlossberghotel | Schlossberg | Art lovers, rooftop pool, castle hill views | $$$ |
| Palais-Hotel Erzherzog Johann | Hauptplatz / Altstadt | History, right on the main square | $$$ |
| Hotel Weitzer | Mur / Lend | Mur views, rooftop sauna, versatile location | $$-$$$ |
| Boutique Hotel Dom | Altstadt | Cathedral quarter, unique design rooms | $$-$$$ |
| Aiola Living | Altstadt | Boutique with terraces, lower price point | $$ |
| Hotel Gollner | City Center | Near Opera, rooftop terrace, great value | $$ |
| Hotel Daniel | Near Station | Design on a budget, 10 min to old town | $-$$ |
| Motel One Graz | Jakominiplatz | Best budget location in the city | $ |
Your Guide to Staying in Graz
Graz is built around the Schlossberg, a 123-meter castle hill that rises out of the old town. The Altstadt sits at its base and is where you want to be for most of the sights, restaurants and coffee houses. The Hauptplatz is the central square and a natural hub. The Mur river runs along the western edge of the old town, with the Murinsel, an artificial island designed by artist Vito Acconci, floating in the middle of it. The Kunsthaus, a contemporary art museum that looks like a blue bubble structure, sits just across the Mur on the Lend side. On a first visit, you want to be in or very close to the Altstadt.
The Lend and Gries districts on the west side of the Mur are Graz's emerging neighborhoods, with independent restaurants, bars and a strong local food market at the Lendplatz. If you have been to Graz before and want something more local, staying in Lend puts you in the middle of it. Most of the hotels we recommend are in or on the edge of the Altstadt, but the Mur is walkable from everything so a riverside hotel like Wiesler or Weitzer gives you easy access to both sides of the city.
Best Hotels in Graz
We stayed at the Grand Hotel Wiesler on both visits, but these are the other Graz hotels we would consider based on their locations, facilities and consistently strong guest reviews.
- Grand Hotel Wiesler ($$$): Our top pick in Graz and the hotel we have now stayed in twice. The building is Art Nouveau and sits right on the Mur, and the rooms are beautiful. On our first stay the room had a bedroom and a queen-sized pull-out couch, which gave us plenty of space for two people who sleep separately. The second time we got a large twin room with plenty of space to spare. The location is a short walk from the Altstadt and the Schlossberg, and the Kunsthaus is practically next door. If you are only going to splurge once in Graz, splurge here.
- Schlossberghotel ($$$): Built at the foot of the Schlossberg, this is Graz's art hotel in the truest sense. The rooms are filled with antiques and contemporary works and the building itself has real character. There is a rooftop pool with views over the old town, a sauna and a 24-hour bar. If you want something with more personality than a grand hotel, this is the pick.
- Palais-Hotel Erzherzog Johann ($$$): A former palace right on the Hauptplatz, which puts you at the absolute center of the old town. The hotel is family-run and has a genuinely warm feel that larger hotels can lose. The Ernst Fuchs Bar is worth a visit even if you are not staying here. This is the pick for travelers who want history baked into every detail.
- Hotel Weitzer Graz ($$-$$$): 204 individually designed rooms on the Mur, with a rooftop sauna, modern gym and spa. The location is excellent for both the Altstadt and the Lend district, making it the most versatile pick on this list. A strong choice for couples or anyone who wants a proper hotel experience without paying for a grand hotel.
- Boutique Hotel Dom ($$-$$$): Steps from the Cathedral in the heart of the Altstadt. Each room is unique, mixing antique and contemporary pieces, and all come with air conditioning, Nespresso machines and rain showers. If you want a boutique hotel that genuinely earns the name, this is one of the best in Graz.
- Aiola Living Graz ($$): A small boutique hotel in the Altstadt with terrace rooms and a personal feel. It sits 150 metres from the Town Hall, putting you right in the middle of the old town at a lower price point than the grander options above. Good for couples or solo travelers who want something intimate without the full boutique price tag.
Best Budget Hotels in Graz
Graz is more affordable than Vienna or Salzburg and the budget options here are honestly good. You do not need to spend a lot to stay well-located and comfortable.
- Hotel Gollner ($$): A 4-star family-run hotel two minutes from the Opera House with a rooftop terrace, sauna and gym. Rated 8.8 on Booking.com with over 1,000 reviews. The breakfast is good, rooms have air conditioning and soundproofing and there is parking on site. This is the pick if you want a proper hotel at a mid-range price.
- Hotel Daniel Graz ($-$$): A design-forward budget hotel next to the main train station, 10 minutes on foot from the old town. Check-in happens at the espresso bar, the rooms are small but thoughtfully designed and the price is among the lowest for anything with real character in Graz. A good pick for travelers who would rather spend money on food than a hotel room.
- Motel One Graz ($): Right at Jakominiplatz, two minutes from the Herrengasse and a short walk from the Altstadt. Over 4,600 reviews on Booking.com at a consistently high rating. The rooms are compact and modern and the location is the real sell. For the price, there is nothing better positioned in Graz.
What to Know Before You Book in Graz
Graz gets hot in summer and air conditioning is not universal in older hotels and rentals. We learned this the hard way on our first visit when our Airbnb had no working AC on a very warm night. If you are visiting in July or August, confirm air conditioning before you book. The hotels on this list all have it.
The Altstadt is entirely walkable and most of the main sights are within 20 minutes on foot of each other. A car is not useful in Graz and a hotel with parking is only worth the premium if you are driving in from outside the city. The tram network covers most of the city well and a 24-hour ticket is cheap.
Graz is genuinely dog-friendly. The Schlossberg parklands, the Stadtpark and the banks of the Mur all make for good walking. Most of the hotels on this list are pet-friendly but confirm directly before booking as policies vary by room type.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Stay in Graz
What is the best area to stay in Graz?
The Altstadt is the best base for first-time visitors. It puts you within walking distance of the Schlossberg, the Hauptplatz, the Cathedral and most of the city's restaurants and coffee houses. The Lend district across the Mur has a more local, neighborhood feel and is a good choice for a second visit. Avoid booking far outside the center unless you have a specific reason to.
Is Graz worth visiting?
Yes, and it is significantly underrated. Graz has a UNESCO World Heritage old town, one of the best contemporary art museums in Europe, excellent food and a castle hill you can climb for free. It is compact, easy to navigate and far less crowded than Vienna or Salzburg. We have been twice and both visits were equally good.
How many nights do you need in Graz?
Two nights is enough to see the main sights and eat well. Three nights lets you slow down, explore the Lend district and take a day trip into the Styrian countryside. Graz is compact enough that you will not feel rushed with two nights but rewarding enough to justify staying longer.
Is Graz expensive?
Less expensive than Vienna. The mid-range hotel options are strong and you can eat and drink very well without spending a lot. Budget travelers are well served by Motel One and Hotel Daniel, both of which offer good value for what they deliver.
When is the best time to visit Graz?
April through June and September through October are the best months. The weather is comfortable, the Schlossberg gardens are in good shape and the city is busy without being overwhelming. July and August are hot and AC becomes important. December brings Christmas markets around the Hauptplatz and the city looks beautiful in the cold.
Our Graz Hotel Takeaway
Graz is the kind of city that people discover and immediately wonder why they waited so long. The old town is stunning, the food scene is one of the best in Austria and the Schlossberg gives you a free viewpoint that most cities would charge an entry fee for. It is also noticeably uncrowded compared to the bigger Austrian cities, which makes the whole experience calmer and more enjoyable.
Stay at the Grand Hotel Wiesler if you can. The rooms are beautiful and the location on the Mur is one of the best in the city. If you are watching the budget, Motel One at Jakominiplatz gives you a great location for a low price and Hotel Gollner gives you a full hotel experience close to the Opera. Whichever you choose, book early in summer and confirm air conditioning. Graz in July is warm.
