A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Geneva vs. Graz for Old Town, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Geneva or Graz?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Graz. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Geneva

Geneva is a classy, diverse, and international city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Graz

Graz is a beautiful, medieval, and cultural city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Geneva and Graz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Graz?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Geneva than Graz. While Graz is larger than Geneva, Geneva has more sights and attractions for tourists. Geneva is very popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Graz attracts visitors for its nightlife and historical sights. Graz is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. Geneva is famous for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also well known for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).

How is Geneva different from Graz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Graz and Geneva. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Geneva or Graz?

Both Geneva and Graz have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Graz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The old town is among the largest in Europe and it's filled with sights and museums. The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower are among the most iconic sights but other highlights include the GrazMuseum, the Mohren Apotheke's Theriak Museum, a Gothic Franciscan Church, and the Robert Stolz Museum.

Is the Food Better in Geneva or Graz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Geneva and Graz can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Geneva makes for a great culinary experience. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Graz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a huge focus on sustainable dining in town, so you'll find many restaurants that use a farm to table approach. Local ingredients are heavily valued and it's fun to sample the many local flavors. Backhendl is a classic fried chicken dish that you must try.

Is Geneva or Graz Better for Nightlife?

Graz is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Graz know how to have a good time. The large student population means that there's an active nightlife scene that is diverse and fun. There's a wide variety of bars and pubs with almost any music genre you could want. There are also dance clubs for those who are looking for a party.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Is Geneva or Graz Better for its Old Town?

Graz is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Graz offers plenty to see. The medieval city center is very well preserved and one of the largest in Europe. The city has a lot of hidden charm and quaint streets to explore.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Graz?

Geneva is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Geneva draws large crowds to its stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Graz. You'll find a lot of shopping around both Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz Squares. There are also a number of shopping streets in town including Herrengasse which is filled with shops, restaurants, and more.

Is Geneva or Graz Better for Families?

Graz is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Graz is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the fairytale train and there's also a 4D cinema that is fun for the whole family. In Schlossberg Hill, families should check out The Slide, which is the largest underground slide in the world. Other highlights include a Children's Museum, a Folklife Museum, and a Natural History Museum.

Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Geneva or Graz Better for Couples?

Graz is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Graz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Geneva or Graz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Graz is a good destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Graz. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Graz Better for Students?

Geneva and Graz are superb places to visit for students.

Many students visit Geneva. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Graz is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's long been an education center in Austria and students make up a significant portion of the population. It's also a chill city with a relaxed and student-friendly vibe.

Is Geneva or Graz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Geneva is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Geneva has a great public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Graz offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Is Geneva or Graz a more walkable city?

Graz is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Graz on foot is easy. You'll find everything you'd want to see in the old town, which is large, but still compact enough to explore on foot.

Geneva is a very walkable city. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Graz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Graz or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Graz?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Geneva and Graz. In our opinion, Graz has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Graz than Geneva. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 2-3 days is enough time in Graz.

Families should spend more time in Graz than Geneva. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Graz, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Graz than Geneva. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Graz that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Graz than Geneva if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Graz.

One day in Geneva or Graz?

Geneva is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Graz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Geneva or Graz?

Geneva is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the shopping. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Graz is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Geneva or Graz?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the professional big city of Geneva. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Graz. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Geneva or Graz?

The diverse city of Geneva offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Graz. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best Christmas Market Tours in Austria, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Graz, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Graz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Graz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Graz and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Graz.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Geneva Expensive? and Is Graz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Graz?

Graz has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Graz, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Geneva or Graz?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Geneva or Graz in the Summer?

Both Graz and Geneva during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Graz for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Geneva is around the same temperature as Graz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Geneva in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Graz averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Graz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Graz. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 236 hours of full sun.

Graz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Geneva usually gets less rain in July than Graz. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Graz receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Graz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Graz. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Graz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Geneva is generally around the same temperature as Graz. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Graz during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 139 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Geneva usually receives more rain than Graz. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Graz receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or Graz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Graz. Many visitors come to Geneva in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Graz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Graz can be very cold during winter. Geneva can get quite cold in the winter. Geneva is much warmer than Graz in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Graz fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Graz. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 95 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in January than Graz. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Graz receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Graz in the Spring?

Both Graz and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Graz because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Geneva is cooler than Graz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Graz averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Graz during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Geneva usually receives more rain than Graz. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Graz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Graz and Geneva