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

Should you visit Graz or Hamburg?

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

Should I visit Graz or Hamburg? 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 offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a historic, energetic, and cultural port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Graz and Hamburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Graz or Hamburg?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Graz than Hamburg. While Hamburg is larger than Graz, Graz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Graz is more popular for its food and historical sights, while Hamburg is known for its music. Graz is popular for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. It is also home to The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower. Hamburg is popular for its music clubs, beautiful architecture, relaxing natural areas, and green space.

How is Graz different from Hamburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Graz and Hamburg.

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.

Many visitors head to Hamburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most famous district is the port area, which has a number of cultural sights and a pedestrian trail. There are also many museums and architectural landmarks around town.

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

Graz is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Hamburg. The city has a mix of cosmopolitan restaurants and traditional places where you can enjoy a classic German dish like currywurst or labskaus (a type of stew).

Is Graz or Hamburg Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Graz and Hamburg.

Many people head to Graz for the nightlife scene. 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.

Hamburg has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city is often overlooked, but it's nightlife scene is actually among the best. There are techno concerts, music festivals, and nightclubs that appeal to all personalities.

Is Graz or Hamburg Better for Music?

Hamburg is renowned for its live music scene. However, Graz is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Hamburg. The city is an influential power in the music scene around Europe. You'll find many clubs concentrated in the St. Pauli district.

Graz is not a live music destination.

Is Graz or Hamburg Better for its Old Town?

Graz is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Hamburg does not have a historic old town.

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.

Hamburg does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Graz or Hamburg?

If you're looking to go shopping, Graz and Hamburg both offer plenty of great spots.

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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Hamburg. The diversity of shopping venues includes flea markets and luxury shopping malls. One of the main shopping streets in town is the Mönkebergstrasse.

Is Graz or Hamburg Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Graz or Hamburg.

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.

Hamburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a surprising number of opportunities to see wildlife nearby including a zoo and a wildlife park just outside of town. The city also has great playgrounds that are fun for kids who need a break from sightseeing.

Is Graz or Hamburg Better for Couples?

Graz is well known for couples. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Hamburg is a nice destination for couples. Romantic activities in town include taking a boat ride or harbor cruise or grabbing a cocktail at one of the city's many bars.

Is Graz or Hamburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Graz and Hamburg are good 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.

Hamburg is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers overlook the city, but there are a number of good hostels and a relaxing vibe that makes for a nice visit.

Is Graz or Hamburg Better for Students?

Graz is well known for students. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Hamburg. The city has a few great universities and a number of opportunities for international students.

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

Graz and Hamburg both offer great public transit to get you around.

The public transit in Graz can get you around easily. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Hamburg offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trains and buses that make their way around town.

Is Graz or Hamburg a more walkable city?

Graz is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Hamburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its 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.

Hamburg is very walkable. Most tourist areas can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Hamburg or Graz?

How long in Graz or Hamburg?

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

Families should spend more time in Graz than Hamburg. 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 Hamburg. 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 Hamburg 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 Hamburg?

In Graz, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Hamburg. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Graz or Hamburg?

In Graz, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Graz has to offer.

Hamburg is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the live music. 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.

Five days in Graz or Hamburg?

Graz is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Hamburg. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Graz or Hamburg?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Graz. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Graz. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The energetic port city of Hamburg offers shopping and museums. 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 10-Day Tours from Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Graz and Hamburg, we can see that Hamburg is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Graz or Hamburg?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Graz. When comparing the sizes of Graz and Hamburg, 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 Hamburg?

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 Hamburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Graz as well as Hamburg. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Graz this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Hamburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Graz is a little warmer than Hamburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Graz in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Hamburg averages at about 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hamburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Graz this time of the year. In the summer, Graz often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 207 hours of full sun.

Graz receives a lot of rain in the summer. Graz usually gets more rain in July than Hamburg. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Hamburg in the Autumn?

Both Hamburg and Graz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Graz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Hamburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Graz is generally a little warmer than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 13°C (55°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Graz usually receives more sunshine than Hamburg during autumn. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 101 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Graz usually receives less rain than Hamburg. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Graz or Hamburg in the Winter?

Both Hamburg and Graz during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Graz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hamburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hamburg can be very cold during winter. Graz can get quite cold in the winter. Graz is much warmer than Hamburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 1°C (34°F) in January, and Hamburg fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Graz often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 42 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets less rain in January than Hamburg. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Hamburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Hamburg. Most visitors come to Graz for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Hamburg because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Graz is much warmer than Hamburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Graz in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Hamburg averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Graz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg during spring. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Hamburg and Graz