Eco-Friendly Ways to Enjoy Graz

By Keith Jenkins

Graz, Austria’s second-largest city, is a wonderful destination for a city break. I first visited Graz in 2017 and loved its laid-back, somewhat Mediterranean vibe, the fantastic cuisine and its natural surroundings. I’ve since returned on numerous occasions and discovered that the city offers visitors not only a rich cultural experience but also a variety of sustainable ways to explore its green landscape, historical landmarks and local flavors. With its well-developed public infrastructure, farm-to-table culture and countless upcycling and social impact businesses, Graz sure makes it easy for visitors to delight in its offerings in a sustainable manner. Based on my experiences, I’ve compiled these eco-friendly ways to enjoy Graz. They truly maximized my enjoyment and helped to minimize my carbon footprint. In addition, I left the city feeling quite pleased with myself, knowing that I’d made a (modest) contribution to the local community.

1. Explore Graz’s Historic Old Town On Foot

The UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town of Graz is a fascinating place to explore. Renowned for its Renaissance architecture, the old town is a maze of charming streets, hidden courtyards and vibrant squares. The Old Town of Graz is a compact area with large pedestrian zones, making it easy and eco-friendly to explore on foot.

Start your exploration at Hauptplatz, the central point in the city, make your way up to Schlossberg (Castle Hill) to see the city’s iconic Clock Tower and enjoy lovely views of the city.

Make your way down to the Old Town and explore its atmospheric streets and squares. Historic highlights that shouldn’t be missed include the Landhaus, Double-Spiral Staircase, Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II and Graz Cathedral.

Don’t miss the Gries and Lend districts on the other side of the Mur River, as well as the quirky Murinsel and Kunsthaus art gallery.

2. Hire A Bike

Graz is a bicycle-friendly city with an extensive network of cycling routes. The local governments are committed to the mission of making Graz the “Bicycle Capital of Austria”. There’s already an extensive network of bicycle paths in and around the city center but this is quickly being extended into the countryside, across the verdant hills and past picturesque vineyards.

Renting a bike (or e-bike) allows you to enjoy many places outside the city center, while reducing your carbon footprint. Areas east and west of the city center are quite hilly. If you’re a beginner, head north or south along the Mur River.

Places in and around Graz to explore by bike

Historic attractions such as Schloss Eggenberg and Rein Abbey are easy to reach by bike (or public transport). These attractions are surrounded by lush parks and forests, making them perfect for a bike+hike excursion.

If you’re an experienced cyclist, head into the beautiful hills surrounding Graz. Stop at a rustic village, go for a hike in the forests and, my favorite thing to do, relax with a wine and a meal at a traditional buschenschank (wine tavern). One route to follow is the Schilcher wine route, which winds its way around the hills in the west. The scenery is wonderful and you’ll find numerous wine taverns with delicious food and wines.

Another place worth visiting is Thal, the birthplace of Arnold Schwarzenegger, a village on the outskirts of Graz. Visit the Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum, a 40+ minute bike ride from the city center. In the vicinity, don’t miss a visit to the quirky and colorful St. Jakob Church and a stroll around the Thalersee lake.

You can also follow the bike path along the Mur River for a scenic ride into the countryside. One route follows the river south to Badesee Wildon, a pristine lake that’s perfect for a swim. From the lake, you can continue into the hills to the lovely Buschenschank Bockmoar.

3. Ride The Efficient Public Transport

Graz has a highly efficient and eco-conscious public transport system with trams and buses powered by renewable energy. Consider purchasing a Graz City Card to explore the city and its outskirts in a low-emission way. The City Card offers complimentary public transport and free access to most museums in Graz. Purchase the Graz City Card here.

Interesting places to visit around Graz by public transport include the Eggenberg Palace, Rein Abbey and the Mariatrost Basilica, all of which can be combined with a beautiful nature hike.

4. Explore Graz’s Hiking Trails

Graz is surrounded by gentle hills and forests, making it a haven for those who love to immerse themselves in nature. In and around the city, hiking enthusiasts will love the trails on Schlossberg (Castle Hill), Plabutsch and Fürstenstand (with its lookout and restaurant) and Schöckl.

Just a few kilometers from the city center, the Leechwald Forest is another local favorite where you can reconnect with nature and take in the local flora and fauna. Don’t forget to visit the Hilmteich Pond for a scenic stop or picnic. Another attraction worth a visit is the Baroque-style Mariatrost basilica. As you stroll around the forest, look out for the Leechwald squirrels (or Leechwald hansi). In autumn, locals organize guided truffle hikes in the Leechwald Forest. Visitors learn about the truffles, sustainable forest management and how to use the truffles in dishes.

5. Browse The Farmers’ Markets

Graz is home to several farmers’ markets where local, organic produce is sold directly by farmers. Visit Lendplatz Market (6am – 1pm every day except Sundays/public holidays) or Kaiser-Josef-Platz Market to sample seasonal, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, and purchase local food products. One product I always bring home with me is Styrian pumpkin seed oil, which goes so well in salads and even vanilla ice-cream!

6. Shop Sustainably At Local Boutiques

Graz boasts a variety of eco-conscious stores and boutiques. Head to the Lend and Gries districts, which are known for their unique vintage and upcycled fashion stores such as Tag.werk, Managerie, Heidenspass and Bohemian Soul Beehive.

In the Old Town, check out Offline Retail. For typical Styrian food products, such as the delicious pumpkin seed oil, head to s’Fachl.

At the edge of the Old Town, visit Peaces Biomode, a clothing shop that sells handcrafted shirts, skirts, dresses and sweatshirts, made from sustainable fabrics.

7. Enjoy A Sustainable Meal

Being the Culinary Capital of Austria, Graz offers many options for a delicious, sustainable meal. Many restaurants source their ingredients from the surrounding areas, ensuring that their food is fresh and seasonal. For a traditional Styrian meal with a focus on local and seasonal produce, head to Der Steirer or Mohrenwirt. Both embrace a sustainable approach by prioritizing regional ingredients, including organic vegetables and meats, and local wines.

A short distance from Mohrenwirt, you’ll find Hummel, a Levantine cuisine restaurant, where you’ll find seasonal, low-waste mezze plates.

I’ve also discovered that Graz has the highest density of vegan/vegetarian restaurants in Austria! Together with my vegan friends, I visited quite a few of them. Our favorites include Gerüchteküche, Ginko, Mangolds Eco Lifestyle, PARKS, Swing Kitchen and Café Erde.

8. Contribute To Local Social Impact Programs By… Eating!

There are numerous eateries which actively participate in social impact programs. Pane by Auer, a bakery, sells yesterday’s bread at half price, the proceeds of which are donated to local charities. Bo Suppe, a hole-in-the-wall soup kitchen (think wholesome, organic, zero-waste soups) provides support for children with special needs. If you love soups, like I do, don’t miss Bo Suppe!

9. Stay At Eco-Friendly Accommodations

When choosing where to stay, consider booking an eco-friendly hotel. Hotels I’ve stayed at include Augarten Art Hotel, Aiola Living, Grand Hotel Wiesler and Hotel Weitzer. They are excellent examples of accommodations that emphasize sustainability. Like many hotels in Graz, they have also adopted green certifications, ensuring they follow environmentally friendly practices.

10. Participate In A Local Eco-Project Or Community Event

Graz is a vibrant city with strong community-based initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability. Look for eco-friendly volunteer opportunities or participate in local workshops such as urban gardening projects or eco-conscious art events. One community event that’s a highlight every year in the Lend district is Lendwirbel, a street party where everyone is invited. Every summer, the city organizes the Long Table of Graz where locals and visitors dine alfresco in the UNESCO World Heritage Site center. All food and drink is locally sourced and it’s a unique way to engage with the residents.

Graz is not only a charming city rich in history and culture but also a model of sustainability. I hope my recommendations above help visitors to explore Graz in eco-friendly ways that preserve the city and its environment for future generations.