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

Should you visit Kaunas or Graz?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas and Graz. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a active, young, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife and food.

Graz

Graz is a cultural, historical, and beautiful city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Kaunas and Graz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Graz?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Graz than Kaunas. While Kaunas is larger than Graz, Graz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Graz is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Kaunas is known for its big city activities. Graz is more touristy than Kaunas and 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. Kaunas is popular for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town.

How is Kaunas different from Graz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Graz is notable for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Graz is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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 Kaunas. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

Is Kaunas or Graz Better for Nightlife?

Graz is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

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 Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

Is Kaunas or Graz Better for its Old Town?

Graz is renowned for its historic old town charm. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

Kaunas is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Graz?

Graz is notable for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

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.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Graz Better for Families?

Graz is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Kaunas or Graz Better for Couples?

Graz is notable for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

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.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Graz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Kaunas and Graz are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

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.

Is Kaunas or Graz Better for Students?

Graz is notable for students. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

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

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

Many visitors use the public transit system in Graz. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Kaunas has some public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Is Kaunas or Graz a more walkable city?

Graz is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

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

Should I spend more time in Graz or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Graz?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kaunas and Graz. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Graz than in Kaunas. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kaunas, and 2-3 days is enough time in Graz.

Families should spend more time in Graz than Kaunas. 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 Kaunas. 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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Graz?

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Graz. 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 one day exploring.

A weekend in Kaunas or Graz?

Kaunas 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Kaunas or Graz?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Graz. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Kaunas or Graz?

The cultural city of Kaunas 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Graz. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best Christmas Market Tours in Austria, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and Graz, we can see that Graz is more expensive. And not only is Kaunas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kaunas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kaunas 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 Graz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Graz than you might in Kaunas.

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

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Graz?

Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Graz. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas 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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Graz in the Summer?

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

In July, Kaunas is generally cooler than Graz. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 18°C (64°F), and Graz fluctuates around 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 Kaunas this time of the year. In the summer, Kaunas often gets more sunshine than Graz. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 236 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Graz. Kaunas usually gets less rain in July than Graz. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Graz receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Graz in the Autumn?

Both Graz and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Graz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Kaunas is much colder than Graz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Graz during autumn. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 139 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Graz. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Graz receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kaunas or Graz in the Winter?

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

Graz can be very cold during winter. Kaunas can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Kaunas is much colder than Graz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kaunas in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Graz averages at about 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Graz. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 95 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets more rain in January than Graz. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Graz receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Graz in the Spring?

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

In April, Kaunas is generally much colder than Graz. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 7°C (44°F), and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Kaunas usually receives more sunshine than Graz during spring. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Graz. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Graz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Graz and Kaunas