When summer arrives in Graz, the possibilities expand well beyond the old town. Forest trails, rooftop views, river adventures, hilltop restaurants, and neighborhood pools that locals actually use — the city reveals a completely different side of itself when the sun comes out.
Photo: Austrian National Tourist Office / Harald Eisenberger
Hilmteich
A tranquil in-city forest pond on the eastern edge of the Stadtpark zone, connected to the Leechwald forest trail network. The Purberg café sits lakeside, and the surrounding Leechwald forest trails connect east toward the Basilika Mariatrost — the basis for a lovely gravel cycling route out of the city. Accessible by tram and bus.
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Tucked away in the Andritz district in the north of the city, Stukitzbad has a genuine neighborhood feel that the bigger central pools don't. A 25-meter pool, waterslide, table tennis, football, and badminton courts — quieter than its counterparts closer to the center, with a sauna on site that most people don't expect.
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A quiet hilltop east of the city with a petting zoo, dog park, and branching trail network. Family-friendly, easily accessible by public transport, and a good connector for longer ridge walks toward Mariatrost.
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One of Graz's seven summits, a forested hill popular with runners and hikers for a quick urban escape north of the city center. Quiet and local in character.
See MoreSchlossberg
Graz's defining hilltop park rising from the city center. Free to hike via multiple trail routes, or ride the lift and funicular. The clock tower and Citizens' Bastion offer the most iconic views over the UNESCO old town. Multiple paths wind through the hill, accessible by public transit (bus 30) or on foot. Don't miss the alternative gentle path up from Sporgasse for a less-crowded approach.
See MoreBasilika Mariatrost
A Baroque basilica built between 1714 and 1724 on a forested hill east of Graz, with 216 pilgrim steps and panoramic views. Easily reached by bus number 1 from the city center. A starting point for walks into the Rettenbachklamm and connected gravel cycling routes via Hilmteich.
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A cool, leafy gorge walk on the eastern edge of Graz following a stream past small waterfalls. Perfect for hot summer days, with wildlife including deer, horses, butterflies, and frogs. Park at the BIPA/SPAR lot nearby and walk ten minutes to the trailhead.
See MoreAugartenbad
Augartenbad has been the go-to summer pool for Graz residents for decades, tucked between the Augarten park and the Mur. A 25-meter sports pool, five-meter diving tower, beach volleyball, table tennis, bocce, and a water play area make for a full day from morning until evening.
See MoreAugarten
One of the most popular parks in Graz, Augarten sits along the Mur in the Jakomini district with wide lawns, shaded paths, a skate park, and a playground. Summer brings outdoor concerts, yoga groups, and slackliners to the mix, and the Augartenbad and Augartenbucht are both right on its doorstep.
See MoreSUP Sportclub Graz
Getting on the Mur is one of the best ways to see Graz from a completely different angle. Die Flößerei runs 80-minute raft trips from the city beach at Stadtstrand, drifting past the city skyline with a bar on board. For something more active, SUP boards and kayaks are available for hire at multiple points along the river, including the Stadtbalkon and Augartenbucht.
See MoreLeechwald
Leechwald is the large municipal forest stretching across three districts in the east of Graz, threaded with running and walking trails, a forest education path, and the Kletterwald climbing park above the Hilmteich. Locals know it well; visitors often miss it entirely. Keep an eye out for the resident squirrels, known affectionately as Leechwald Hansis.
See MorePlabutsch
Rising along Graz's western edge, Plabutsch is the city's lesser-known hiking escape, with trails weaving through the forests of Gösting up to the Fürstenstand at 754 meters. Sweeping views over the city, the Mur valley, and on clear days as far as the Koralpe await at the top, along with a mountain restaurant and sun terrace to stretch the afternoon out.
See MoreKletterwald Graz
Kletterwald Graz sits above the Hilmteich in the Leechwald forest, with ten rope courses ranging from two to twenty meters off the ground and more than 100 obstacles winding through the old-growth trees. Zip lines, rope bridges, climbing nets — and when you finally hit the zip line descent, you're flying through the canopy.
See MoreKarl-Franzens-Universität Botanical Garden
The University of Graz's Botanical Garden packs 7,500 plant species across 2.8 hectares, with three striking acrylic glasshouses covering tropical, temperate, and succulent climates. Free to enter and easy to miss, which is exactly what makes it worth seeking out.
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