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

Should you visit Graz or Dusseldorf?

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

Should I visit Graz or Dusseldorf? 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 beautiful, medieval, and cultural city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf is a vibrant, historic, and fun-filled city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Graz and Dusseldorf: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Graz or Dusseldorf?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dusseldorf than Graz. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dusseldorf is very popular for its big city activities, while Graz attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Graz is more touristy than Dusseldorf and is popular for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. Dusseldorf is famous for its music and art scene, as well as being the fashion capital of Germany. It is also well known for Altstadt (the Old Town).

How is Graz different from Dusseldorf?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf?

Graz is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Graz. 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.

Dusseldorf offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are museums, palaces, and many cultural sights. Make sure you check out Schloss Benrath, the Rheinturm, the North Rhine-Westphalia Art Collection, and Museum Kunstpalast.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Graz and Dusseldorf.

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.

Dining out in Dusseldorf is an experience not to be missed. You'll find a mix of regional specialties and international restaurant options. Traditional dishes include Rheinischer Sauerbraten (Rhine style marinated roast), Haxe (shin), Flönz (blood sausage), and Ähzezupp (pea soup).

Is Graz or Dusseldorf Better for Nightlife?

Graz is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf has a few options to choose from. You'll find the highest concentration of bars and pubs in the old town area. Try to find a brewerie where you can try Dusseldorf's famous altbier.

Is Graz or Dusseldorf Better for its Old Town?

Graz is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

Graz has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Dusseldorf. The old town is popular for its bars and pubs, which serve up the local altbier. The atmosphere is charming and there are restaurants that spill out onto the streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Graz or Dusseldorf?

Graz is a great destination for shopping. Also, Dusseldorf is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Graz is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dusseldorf. Head to the popular shopping street of Königsallee. You'll find luxury brands and boutique shops. The city also has department stores and large shopping malls.

Is Graz or Dusseldorf Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Graz or Dusseldorf.

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.

Dusseldorf is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It has many great playgrounds and parks where kids can run around. Animal lovers will appreciate Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum and Grafenberger Wald which has about 100 animals. If the weather's nice you can head to Unterbacher See, which is a lakefront beach. Other kid-friendly activities in town include the Neanderthal Museum and Museum Kunstpalast.

Is Graz or Dusseldorf Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Graz and Dusseldorf make for a superb place to visit.

Graz is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

Dusseldorf is a very popular place to visit for couples. There is live theater, spa hotels, historic palaces, and many parks and gardens where couples can enjoy their time together. Popular activities for couples in town include visiting Rheinturm, taking a Rhine River cruise, and exploring Schloss Dyck.

Is Graz or Dusseldorf Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Graz and Dusseldorf are nice 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.

Dusseldorf is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels and activities around town. There are also affordable restaurants and a nice nightlife scene.

Is Graz or Dusseldorf Better for Students?

Graz is a great destination for students. However, Dusseldorf is not popular with students.

Many students visit Graz. 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.

Dusseldorf is not popular with students.

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

Dusseldorf 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.

Dusseldorf has a great public transit system. All of the public transportation in town is operated by Rheinbahn. There's a city railway, (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses. Dusseldorf is also easily connected to the many other nearby towns and cities including Cologne.

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

Is Graz or Dusseldorf a more walkable city?

Graz is very popular for its walkability. Also, Dusseldorf 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.

Dusseldorf is a very walkable city. It's easy to explore most of the city on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Dusseldorf or Graz?

How long in Graz or Dusseldorf?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Graz and Dusseldorf. In our opinion, Graz has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Graz than Dusseldorf. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the medieval city of Graz, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dusseldorf. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Dusseldorf?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Graz, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Dusseldorf is a fun place to experience. 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 Dusseldorf?

Graz, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Dusseldorf. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Graz or Dusseldorf?

Graz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The vibrant city of Dusseldorf offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Munich, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Graz or Dusseldorf?

Dusseldorf has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Graz. When comparing the sizes of Graz and Dusseldorf, 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 Dusseldorf?

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 Graz or Dusseldorf in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Graz as well as Dusseldorf. Most visitors come to Graz for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Dusseldorf because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Graz is generally a little warmer than Dusseldorf. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 23°C (73°F), and Dusseldorf fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Graz this time of the year. In the summer, Graz often gets more sunshine than Dusseldorf. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dusseldorf receives 195 hours of full sun.

Graz receives a lot of rain in the summer. Graz usually gets more rain in July than Dusseldorf. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Dusseldorf in the Autumn?

Both Dusseldorf and Graz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Graz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dusseldorf this time of year.

Graz is a little warmer than Dusseldorf in the autumn. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Dusseldorf fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Graz usually receives more sunshine than Dusseldorf during autumn. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Dusseldorf receives 112 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Graz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dusseldorf. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Graz or Dusseldorf in the Winter?

Both Dusseldorf and Graz during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Graz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dusseldorf for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dusseldorf. It's quite cold in Graz in the winter. In the winter, Graz is much colder than Dusseldorf. Typically, the winter temperatures in Graz in January average around 1°C (34°F), and Dusseldorf averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Graz often gets more sunshine than Dusseldorf. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dusseldorf receives 45 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets less rain in January than Dusseldorf. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Dusseldorf in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Dusseldorf. Many travelers come to Graz for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dusseldorf in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Graz is generally a little warmer than Dusseldorf. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 13°C (55°F), and Dusseldorf fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Graz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dusseldorf during spring. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Dusseldorf receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Graz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dusseldorf. Graz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dusseldorf and Graz