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

Should you visit Istanbul or Graz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Graz, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a high-energy, historic, and diverse city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

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.

Istanbul and Graz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Istanbul or Graz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Istanbul than Graz. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Istanbul is more touristy than Graz and is popular for its world class historical sights, stunning mosques, and dynamic energy. It is also well known for The Blue Mosque. Graz is famous for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture.

How is Istanbul different from Graz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Istanbul is renowned for its historical sights. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Istanbul are world-renowned. With such a long and diverse religious and political history, it has many museums, mosques, churches, and archeological sites that you can visit. Some of the most famous sights include the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Sarayi, and the Blue Mosque.

Many visitors head to Graz specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Istanbul or Graz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Istanbul is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Istanbul is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. From Turkish classics to sweet desserts, the city has it all. Popular dishes include Turkish style pizza, kebabs, and doner, which you'll find everywhere for affordable prices. You'll also find many tourist-centered restaurants in the touristy areas but if you get away from the main sights, you'll find more local options that let you sample high quality food for affordable prices.

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.

Is Istanbul or Graz Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are very good in both Istanbul and Graz.

Istanbul has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Dancing, dining, and partying have all become part of Istanbul's culture. Top nightclubs in the city include Reina, Sortie, and Supperclub. If you're looking for dance clubs and alcohol, your best bet is to head to the Beyoglu district.

Graz has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Is Istanbul or Graz Better for its Old Town?

Istanbul and Graz both have fantastic historical old towns that attract visitors.

Istanbul offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The Old City in Istanbul is the most historic part of the city. It's where you'll find most of the city's historic sights. The area around Sultanahmet Square is the most popular tourist area to explore.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Istanbul or Graz?

Both Istanbul and Graz are very good shopping destinations.

Istanbul is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It is the capital of culture and fashion in Turkey, and there are many shopping areas that carry all kinds of brands. For a more traditional, but touristy experience head to the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. For modern brands, Istiklal Caddesi is the most popular area for shopping.

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.

Is Istanbul or Graz Better for Families?

Istanbul and Graz are both very good destinations for the whole family.

Istanbul is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has several kid-friendly museums, a couple of aquariums, and fun theme parks. If the kids need a break from the city, you can spend a day at Vialand Theme Park or LEGOLAND Discovery Center Istanbul. Food in Istanbul is also very kid-friendly with many affordable dishes that young ones will enjoy.

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.

Is Istanbul or Graz Better for Couples?

Istanbul and Graz are both very good to visit as a couple.

Istanbul is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy history, culture, and vibrant neighborhoods will enjoy a romantic stay here. The city lights up at night and there are many rooftop dessert cafes where you can take in the view. The waterfront setting is the perfect place to watch the sunset and there are many places to walk and soak up the atmosphere.

Graz makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Is Istanbul or Graz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Istanbul is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Istanbul is extremely popular for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels and budget accommodation options, and there's also plenty of ways to meet other travelers. You'll find plenty of hostels concentrated in the Sultanahmet area.

Graz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

Is Istanbul or Graz Better for Students?

Istanbul and Graz are both very good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Istanbul is a great city to visit as a student. Students appreciate the city's vibrant neighborhoods, constant activity, and diverse population.

Students come from all over to stay in 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 Istanbul or Graz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Istanbul 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.

Istanbul has a great public transit system. It has a comprehensive and diverse public transit system that includes buses, trams, minibuses, ferries, funicular, and more.

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

Is Istanbul or Graz a more walkable city?

Graz is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Istanbul 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.

Istanbul is a very walkable city. Although it is huge, most of the neighborhoods that tourists visit are incredibly walkable and pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Graz or Istanbul?

How long in Istanbul or Graz?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Istanbul and Graz. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Istanbul than in Graz. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Istanbul, and 2-3 days is enough time in Graz.

Families should spend more time in Istanbul than Graz. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Istanbul, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Istanbul than Graz 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 Istanbul.

One day in Istanbul or Graz?

Istanbul is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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.

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 Istanbul or Graz?

Istanbul is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. 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 Istanbul or Graz?

Istanbul is a historic big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Istanbul or Graz?

Istanbul is a high-energy city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Christmas Market Tours in Austria, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria.

When comparing the travel costs between Istanbul and Graz, we can see that Istanbul 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 Istanbul Expensive? and Is Graz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Graz?

Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Graz. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul 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 Istanbul or Graz?

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 Istanbul or Graz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Graz. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Graz for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Istanbul is around the same temperature as Graz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Istanbul in July average around 24°C (74°F), and Graz averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Graz. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Istanbul this time of the year. In the summer, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Graz. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 236 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Graz. Istanbul usually gets less rain in July than Graz. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Graz receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Istanbul or Graz in the Autumn?

Both Graz and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Graz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Istanbul is generally a little warmer than Graz. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 16°C (61°F), and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Graz during autumn. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 139 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Graz. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Graz receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Istanbul or Graz in the Winter?

Both Graz and Istanbul during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Graz this time of year.

It's quite cold in Graz in the winter. Istanbul is much warmer than Graz in the winter. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Graz fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Graz. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 95 hours of full sun.

Istanbul usually gets more rain in January than Graz. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Graz receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Istanbul or Graz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Graz. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Graz for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Istanbul is around the same temperature as Graz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Istanbul in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Graz averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Graz during spring. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Istanbul usually receives around the same amount of rain as Graz. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Graz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Graz and Istanbul