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

Should you visit Graz or Annecy?

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

Should I visit Graz or Annecy? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Graz

Graz is a medieval, cultural, and historical city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Annecy

Annecy is a quaint, storybook, and charming alpine town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Graz and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Graz or Annecy?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Annecy than Graz, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Annecy is better known for its food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Graz is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Annecy is more touristy than Graz and is known for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. Also, Annecy is famous for Palais de l'Isle. Graz is well known for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture.

How is Graz different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Graz is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Graz specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

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

Annecy is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Annecy is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Dining out in Graz is an experience not to be missed. 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 Graz or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Graz is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Graz has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Annecy. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Graz or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the world-class old towns in both Graz and Annecy.

The old town of Graz is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

Annecy offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Is Graz or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is great for hiking. However, Graz is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Annecy for the hiking trails. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Graz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Graz or Annecy?

Graz is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its shopping areas.

Graz is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Annecy to go shopping. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Graz or Annecy Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Graz or Annecy.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Graz is very family-friendly. 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.

Annecy is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

Is Graz or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Annecy makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Graz is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

Is Graz or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Graz and Annecy are notable places to visit.

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

Annecy is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Graz or Annecy Better for Students?

Graz is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Annecy is not popular with students.

Graz is very popular with students. 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.

Annecy is not popular with students.

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

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

Graz has some very good public transit options. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Annecy has a few public transit options. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Graz or Annecy a more walkable city?

Graz is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its ease of walking around.

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

Annecy is a very walkable destination. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Graz?

How long in Graz or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Graz or Annecy. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Annecy due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Graz, and 2-4 days is enough time in Annecy.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Graz than Annecy 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 Graz or Annecy?

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.

Annecy is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Graz or Annecy?

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.

Annecy is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Five days in Graz or Annecy?

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.

Annecy is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This alpine town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Graz or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical 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.

Because Annecy is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Christmas Market Tours in Austria, The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Graz and Annecy, we can see that Annecy 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 Annecy would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Annecy 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 Graz Expensive? and Is Annecy Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Graz or Annecy?

Graz has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Graz and Annecy, 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 Graz or Annecy?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Graz or Annecy in the Summer?

Both Annecy and Graz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Graz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Annecy for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Graz is around the same temperature as Annecy in the summer. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Annecy fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Annecy. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Graz. Graz usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during summer. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Graz. In July, Graz usually receives more rain than Annecy. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Graz or Annecy in the Autumn?

Both Annecy and Graz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Graz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Annecy in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Graz is around the same temperature as Annecy. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Graz in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Annecy averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Graz often gets more sunshine than Annecy. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets less rain in October than Annecy. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Annecy in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Annecy. Many visitors come to Graz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Annecy for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Annecy can be very cold during winter. Graz can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Graz is generally much colder than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 1°C (34°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Graz usually receives more sunshine than Annecy during winter. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Graz usually receives less rain than Annecy. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Graz or Annecy in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Graz as well as Annecy. Most visitors come to Graz for the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Annecy because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Graz is a little warmer than Annecy in the spring. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Annecy fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Graz often gets less sunshine than Annecy. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets less rain in April than Annecy. Graz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Graz