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

Should you visit Graz or Mainz?

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

Should I visit Graz or Mainz? 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 historical, beautiful, and medieval city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz

Mainz is a quaint, charming, and beautiful town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Graz and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Graz or Mainz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Graz than Mainz. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Graz is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Mainz attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Graz is famous for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. It is also well known for The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower. Mainz is famous for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares.

How is Graz different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Graz is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Graz and Mainz.

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 Mainz is an experience not to be missed. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Is Graz or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Graz is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Graz has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Graz or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Graz is terrific for its historic old town. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

Graz has a unique history which comes to life in its historic 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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Is the Shopping Better in Graz or Mainz?

Graz is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Graz or Mainz Better for Families?

Graz is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Graz is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Graz or Mainz Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Graz and Mainz make for a excellent 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.

Mainz is a very popular place to visit for couples. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Is Graz or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Graz and Mainz 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.

Mainz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Graz or Mainz Better for Students?

For students, both Graz and Mainz are excellent places to visit.

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.

Mainz is very popular with students. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

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

Graz and Mainz both offer excellent 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.

Mainz offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

Is Graz or Mainz a more walkable city?

Graz and Mainz are terrific when it comes to walkability.

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.

It is easy to get around Mainz on foot. The town is easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Graz?

How long in Graz or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Graz or Mainz. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Mainz 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 Mainz.

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

In Graz, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Mainz. 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 Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Graz. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Mainz 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 Mainz?

Graz is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Graz. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the beautiful destination of Mainz. This town 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 Mainz?

You'll find food and shopping around the historical destination of Graz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The historic town of Mainz offers museums 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Graz or Mainz?

Graz has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Mainz. When comparing the sizes of Graz and Mainz, 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 Mainz?

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 Mainz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Mainz. Many visitors come to Graz in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mainz this time of the year. In Graz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Graz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz during summer. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

Graz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Graz usually receives more rain than Mainz. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Graz or Mainz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Graz as well as Mainz. Most visitors come to Graz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Mainz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Graz is a little warmer than Mainz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Graz often gets more sunshine than Mainz. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets more rain in October than Mainz. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Mainz in the Winter?

Both Mainz and Graz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Graz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mainz this time of year.

It's quite cold in Mainz in the winter. The weather in Graz can be very cold. In the winter, Graz is much colder than Mainz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Graz in January average around 1°C (34°F), and Mainz averages at about 2°C (35°F).

Graz usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during winter. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Graz usually receives less rain than Mainz. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Graz or Mainz in the Spring?

Both Mainz and Graz during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Graz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mainz for the natural beauty.

In April, Graz is generally a little warmer than Mainz. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 13°C (55°F), and Mainz fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Graz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Mainz. Graz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mainz and Graz