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

Should you visit Helsinki or Graz?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Graz can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a environmentally conscious, waterfront, and active city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Graz

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

Helsinki and Graz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Graz?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Graz than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Graz, Graz has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Graz is better known for its food, nightlife, and historical sights, while Helsinki is more popular for its impressive beauty. Graz is more touristy than Helsinki and is known for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. Also, Graz is famous for The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower. Helsinki is well known for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene.

How is Helsinki different from Graz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

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.

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

Graz is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Helsinki area. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Is Helsinki or Graz Better for Nightlife?

Graz is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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.

Helsinki has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Is Helsinki or Graz Better for its Old Town?

Graz is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Graz is revered around 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.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Graz?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Helsinki and Graz.

Helsinki is well-known for its shopping. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Is Helsinki or Graz Better for Families?

Both Helsinki and Graz are excellent to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Helsinki is very family-friendly. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

Graz is known to be 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.

Is Helsinki or Graz Better for Couples?

Both Helsinki and Graz are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Helsinki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

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.

Is Helsinki or Graz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Graz are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Helsinki is a good city to visit for backpackers. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

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

Is Helsinki or Graz Better for Students?

Both Helsinki and Graz are excellent destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Helsinki. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

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.

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

Visitors will find excellent public transit in both Helsinki and Graz.

The public transit in Helsinki can get you around easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

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

Is Helsinki or Graz a more walkable city?

Graz is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

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

Should I spend more time in Graz or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Graz?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Helsinki and Graz. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Helsinki than in Graz. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 2-3 days is enough time in Graz.

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Helsinki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The city of Graz offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Graz?

Helsinki is a fun place to experience. 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.

Graz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Graz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Graz?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the waterfront destination of Helsinki. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Graz is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Graz?

The waterfront city of Helsinki offers nightlife and food. 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.

Graz is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Christmas Market Tours in Austria, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Graz?

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

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 Helsinki or Graz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Graz. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Graz in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Helsinki is cooler than Graz in the summer. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Graz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Graz this time of the year. In Helsinki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Graz during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

Graz receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Graz. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Graz receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Helsinki or Graz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Graz. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Graz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Helsinki is much colder than Graz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Helsinki in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Graz averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Graz. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 139 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets more rain in October than Graz. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Graz receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Graz in the Winter?

Both Graz and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Graz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Graz can be very cold. Helsinki can be very cold during winter. In January, Helsinki is generally much colder than Graz. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around -6°C (21°F), and Graz fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Graz during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Graz. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Graz receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or Graz in the Spring?

Both Graz and Helsinki during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Graz this time of year.

The weather in Helsinki can be very cold. Helsinki is much colder than Graz in the spring. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Graz. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 158 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than Graz. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Graz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Graz and Helsinki