14 Christmas markets – Graz at Christmas time

UNESCO City of Design, a historic city centre as a World Heritage Site, a lively cultural scene, nice cafés and creative shops. Graz has a number of trump cards up its sleeve. As if that weren’t enough, the provincial capital of Styria attracts visitors during the Advent season with a total of 14 Christmas markets, lovingly decorated alleys and an office for Christmas carols. Let’s go!

Kaffee, what else?

There is definitely no shortage of trendy cafés in Graz. High in the race is Tribeka, which already spoils guests with good coffee and the finest cinnamon rolls at four locations in the city. Martin Auer is also an institution with several shops – here you can not only find good coffee, but also freshly baked bread, the smell of which penetrates to me at the counter. I found the branch at the Tummelplatz, which is called the children’s café and has a play area for the little ones in the middle of the shop, funny. Great stuff.

360 Degree Graz

Another cool and, above all, promising coffee location is located on the top floor of the chic Kastner & Öhler department store near the main square. On the roof of the department store there is a viewing terrace with the best view over the rooftop landscape of Graz and the lively Herrengasse.

Graz Bilbao Effect

It’s a stone’s throw from Kastner & Öhler to Kunsthaus Graz. We cross the Mur over the Archduke Johann Bridge and are already standing directly in front of this amoeba-like building, which on the one hand connects to the historical construction and on the other hand has extremely futuristic features. The “Friendly Alien”, designed by the architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier, has played a significant role in shaping the cityscape of Graz since 2003. A look inside is not only worthwhile for those interested in art. Museum shop and Kunsthauscafe on the ground floor are also worth a visit.

Stately alleys and castles

Since 1999, the old town of Graz has been classified as a World Heritage Site. In 2010, Schloss Eggenberg was also added to the World Heritage Zone. The special feature of the old town is its surprisingly well-preserved building fabric as an ensemble and the numerous Renaissance buildings with magnificent arcaded courtyards. When walking through the city centre, it is recommended to follow the narrow streets and go in search of the hidden courtyards. The inner courtyard of Eggenberg Castle, which is one of the most important baroque palace complexes in Styria, is outstanding. During the winter months, the State Rooms and the Old Gallery of the Universalmuseum Joanneum are only accessible as part of guided tours.

14 Christmas markets and an ice nativity scene

From the Franciscan Quarter to the main square to the Färberplatz, Graz shines in the glow of Christmas lights during the Advent season. Each alley is individually lit and each of the 14 Christmas markets has a special focus. Framed by the Christmas tree as it stands in a picture book, the “hanging Christmas trees” along Herrengasse and the illuminated façade of Graz City Hall, the Christmas market on the main square is a popular meeting place for a Christmas walk through the city centre. Another classic during the Graz Advent is the impressive ice nativity scene in the Landhaushof, which this year suffers badly from the not at all Christmas temperatures. Even though the Christmas markets fill up in the evening and it is almost impossible to get through the “Aufsteirern” Christmas market on the Schlossberg, there are still quiet and contemplative corners in Graz. For example, in the inner courtyard of the Palais Attems, where the styriarte Advent with musical events provides a welcome counterpoint.

Another special feature in Graz is the office for Christmas carols in the Styrian Heimatwerk (a great shop for gifts from Styria). You remember a song melody, but can’t remember the lyrics? Or have you had a line of lyrics buzzing through your head for a long time, but the title has escaped you? The service point of the Styrian Folk Song Society can certainly help – all year round, by the way.

A cup of Schilcher mulled wine on the flour square surrounded by “design Advent huts” even put me in the Christmas mood. And the numerous handicraft stalls are a great inspiration when looking for unusual souvenirs for under the Christmas tree. The Graz Christmas markets impress with their charm and quality.

Anne reports in detail about the Christmas markets in the Joanneum district, on the Schlossberg, on the Mariahilferplatz and Paradeishof on Lilies Diary.

Styrian Tapas

It’s no secret that people eat well in Austria. If you prefer appetizers to large menus, you will be delighted with special features in two restaurants in Graz. With sandwiches and a twist – as the breakfast beer is called – the delicatessen Frankowitsch has been delighting locals since 1932. The rolls cost between 1 euro and 2 euros and taste delicious. The Styrian tapas in the restaurant Der Steirer also taste good. Alpine salmon with honey-mustard sauce?
Trout sour cream pâté with lamb’s lettuce? Or wild boar ham with vinegar plums? Oh, it’s best to do it all at once – after all, they all cost only 2 euros.

Sleep better in Graz

In the triangle between the Styrian, the art museum and the most beautiful department store in Europe lies the Hotel Wiesler, which has skilfully transformed the almost 100 rooms into small bijoux piece by piece in recent years. On site, we asked ourselves the question of which renovation would cause the walls to be “destroyed” so wantonly. Shabby chic. I like it.

Note: I visited Graz at the invitation of Austria Tourism and the Styria Region – thank you very much for this. As always, my readers can be sure that I always represent my views and enthusiasm here.