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

Should you visit Graz or Siena?

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

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

Siena

Siena is a beautiful, romantic, and charming city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Graz and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Graz or Siena?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Graz than Siena. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Graz is very popular for its nightlife and shopping, while Siena 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. Siena is famous for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace.

How is Graz different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Siena specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Graz and Siena.

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 Siena is an experience not to be missed. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is Graz or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Graz is notable for nightlife. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Graz has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Graz or Siena Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Siena offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Is the Shopping Better in Graz or Siena?

Graz is notable for shopping. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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 Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Graz or Siena Better for Families?

Graz is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city 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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Graz or Siena Better for Couples?

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

Siena makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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 Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Graz and Siena 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.

Siena is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Graz or Siena Better for Students?

For students, both Graz and Siena are great 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.

Siena is very popular with students. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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

Graz is notable for its public transit. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Graz is fairly effecient and thorough. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Graz or Siena a more walkable city?

Graz is very popular for its walkability. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Graz 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.

Siena is a very walkable city. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Graz?

How long in Graz or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Graz or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Graz than Siena because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Graz, and 1-2 days is enough time in Siena.

Families should spend more time in Graz than Siena. 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.

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

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 food and shopping when visiting the destination of Siena. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Graz or Siena?

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.

Siena 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 Siena?

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 museums and nightlife around the medieval destination of Siena. 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 Siena?

You'll find food and shopping around the medieval 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 charming city of Siena 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Graz or Siena?

Graz has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Graz and Siena, 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 Siena?

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 Siena in the Summer?

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

In July, Graz is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 23°C (73°F), and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Siena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Graz. In the summer, Graz often gets less sunshine than Siena. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Graz. Graz usually gets more rain in July than Siena. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Siena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Siena. Many travelers come to Graz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Graz is cooler than Siena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Graz usually receives less sunshine than Siena during autumn. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Graz usually receives less rain than Siena. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Graz or Siena in the Winter?

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

Graz can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Graz is much colder than Siena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Graz in January average around 1°C (34°F), and Siena averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Graz often gets less sunshine than Siena. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets less rain in January than Siena. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Siena in the Spring?

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

In April, Graz is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 13°C (55°F), and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Graz usually receives less sunshine than Siena during spring. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Graz usually receives less rain than Siena. Graz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Graz