Styria is one of Austria’s most visited provinces. Numerous natural and historical attractions await visitors here.
Austria’s second-largest province is the country’s most forested region, with virtually continuous woodland. Because of this, it’s also known as a paradise for hunters and tourists. It’s bordered by Salzburg and Carinthia to the west, Upper Austria and Lower Austria to the north, Burgenland to the east, and Slovenia to the south.
Table of Contents
Styria attractions
Graz
Austria’s 2nd largest city is the capital of Styria, an important transportation hub along the Mura River.
Its Old Town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999 because the historic district has remained in very good condition, and its development can be well traced from Gothic times onwards.
Its most famous part is Castle Hill, a hill rising above the old town, where the Clock Tower, which is the symbol of Graz, can also be seen. Another outstanding attraction is Eggenberg Palace, one of the country’s most beautiful Baroque castles.
Bear Gorge (Bärenschützklamm)
The gorge near Mixnitz village is located at the foot of Hochlantsch mountain, north of Graz.
Its special feature is that wooden stairs and bridges lead through the entire gorge, so we can explore this wonderful section along a developed route. It’s more than 1,300 meters long, and we need to overcome an elevation difference of about 350 meters. Along the way, there are more than 50 ladders and 110 bridges.
The gorge entrance can be approached from a large, free parking lot. From here, we reach the ticket building after about a 45-minute walk.
While you don’t need to be an athlete, good stamina is definitely recommended. The many stairs are quite tiring, so if you want to complete it, do some stair training beforehand. 🙂
Riegersburg Castle
Between Graz and the Hungarian border, a medieval castle built on volcanic rock rises above a small town.
The castle has been owned by the Prince of Liechtenstein family since 1822. It currently houses museums, permanent and temporary exhibitions, while the princely family lives at the foot of the castle in a modern house.
The castle can be reached on foot, walking up a steep path, or by elevator. Of its 108 rooms, all but 25 can be visited. It’s typically closed in winter.
Three exhibitions can be found in the castle. The most interesting is the witch museum, where they display legally permitted torture devices and execution methods. In the castle museum, we can learn about the castle’s history, while the weapons museum presents 400 years of military history relating to the region.
Stübing Open-Air Folk Museum
One of Europe’s largest open-air museums, located about 20 kilometers north of Graz in the Stübing valley.
The museum displays more than 100 original buildings from the Austrian provinces. We can see the country’s rural architectural heritage from the Middle Ages right up to the 20th century.
The purpose of its establishment was to preserve the characteristics of Austrian folk architecture, showcasing the lifestyle, traditional agricultural techniques, and local crafts. The buildings are also furnished inside, faithfully reflecting the way of life of the particular era and region.
Admont Abbey
Styria’s oldest monastery is located in a rocky valley in Gesäuse National Park.
It was founded in 1074 by Archbishop-Prince Gebhard of Salzburg. For centuries, it was not only a religious center in Upper Styria but also a center of art and science. In the 19th century, the church burned down due to a fire and was rebuilt in Gothic and Romanesque style based on the model of Regensburg Cathedral.
From a cultural perspective, the abbey’s main attraction is its world-famous Baroque library with 80,000 volumes. Its museum exhibition rooms contain medieval manuscripts and early prints, art objects from the Middle Ages to the present, as well as a natural science collection.
Dachstein
One of Austria’s most famous mountain regions, a popular place for hikers, trekkers, and skiers.
It’s famous for its wonderful panorama, which can also be admired from the Skywalk viewing platform located on the glacier. This is often referred to as Europe’s highest viewing platform.
Naturally, winter sports are the most popular. The region’s ski slopes welcome visitors with excellently maintained runs and modern lifts. Skiing and snowboarding are possible on the glacier year-round, which makes this location unique in Europe.
A special attraction is the Ice Palace (Eispalast), where we can explore an artistically designed ice cave with impressive ice sculptures and creations.
Grüner See
The Green Lake lies in the southern part of the Hochschwab mountain range and is famous for its color and wonderful surroundings.
The small lake, sheltered from the wind, doesn’t form waves on the water surface, so you can see the water well even from a low angle. The light-colored limestone visible on the ground among the grass and small amounts of scattered limestone powder contribute to the brightness underwater. This is how the lake becomes sparkling emerald green.
Its water level varies significantly throughout the year. In winter, the lake’s depth is barely a few meters, but in spring, when the snow melts in the surrounding mountains, the water level rises significantly and can reach 10-12 meters.
Lurgrotte Peggau
One of Austria’s largest and most impressive stalactite caves, about 25 kilometers northeast of Graz, near the settlement of Peggau.
The cave was carved out by the Lurbach stream in the limestone rock and has two entrances: one in Peggau and the other in the village of Semriach. It consists of a complex labyrinth and giant chambers, with stalactites that formed over millions of years.
The temperature inside the cave is relatively constant year-round, moving around 8-10 degrees Celsius, so visiting is pleasant at any time. We can also admire the wonderful stalactite formations as part of a guided tour.
Murau
The town is located along the Mura River. It became known for its historical heritage, excellent beers, and wonderful natural environment.
The finest example of medieval monuments is Murau Castle, rising above the town. The Baroque castle is owned by the Schwarzenberg family. A chapel, prison, and period furnishings can be viewed, and classical music concerts are held in the knights’ hall.
Brewing is an integral part of Murau. The town’s famous brewery, Murauer Bier, produces excellent quality beers thanks to its long history and traditions, which we can also taste at local beer tours and tastings.
Schilcher Wine Road
The Schilcher Wine Road is a route offering a special gastronomic experience in western Styria.
The region is particularly known for a unique grape variety, Blauer Wildbacher, from which the famous Schilcher rosé wine is made. The wine’s characteristic is its strong acidity and special flavor profile, which distinguishes it from other rosé wines.
The wine road leads through wonderful landscapes where we can discover small mountain villages, historic wineries, and local winemakers. The route touches numerous wineries and vineyards.
Piber Lipizzaner Stud Farm
The famous stud farm is one of the most important centers for breeding and raising Lipizzaner horses, representing centuries-old traditions and high-level expertise.
The Lipizzaner is an elegant, medium-sized, mostly white horse breed, particularly suitable for carriage driving and classical dressage. It was originally bred in Slovenia, in the settlement of Lipica, from which its name also derives.
The farm’s goal is to maintain and further develop this special horse breed while showing visitors the history, cultural significance, and breeding methods of Lipizzaner horses.
Bad Blumau
The wellness and spa complex was designed by the famous Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and stands out for its unique architectural style.
The thermal water is rich in minerals and has numerous health benefits, including beneficial effects on joint problems, skin diseases, and the circulatory system.
There are 14 indoor and outdoor pools with more than 3,000 square meters of water surface. The wellness section has numerous saunas and steam baths, including Finnish saunas, aromatherapy steam baths, and infrared saunas. In addition, a wide range of wellness and spa services, including massages, body treatments, and beauty services, are available to guests.