A Travel Price Comparison for Austria Salzburg vs. Graz for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Salzburg or Graz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg 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.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a musical, cultural, and recognizable city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

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.

Salzburg and Graz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Graz?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Salzburg than Graz. While Graz is larger than Salzburg, Salzburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Salzburg is more popular for its music, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Graz is known for its nightlife. Salzburg is more touristy than Graz and is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also home to The Salzburg Old Town. Graz is popular for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Graz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Salzburg or Graz.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

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.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Salzburg and Graz.

Dining out in Salzburg is an experience not to be missed. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Graz. 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 Salzburg or Graz Better for Nightlife?

Graz is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Graz offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Salzburg or Graz Better for Music?

Salzburg is renowned for its live music scene. However, Graz is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Salzburg. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Graz is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Graz Better for its Old Town?

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

Salzburg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Graz?

Salzburg is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Salzburg draws large crowds to its stores. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

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 Salzburg or Graz Better for Families?

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

Salzburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

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.

Is Salzburg or Graz Better for Couples?

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

Salzburg makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg or Graz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Salzburg. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

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 Salzburg or Graz Better for Students?

Salzburg is renowned for its student-friendly activities. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Many students frequent Salzburg. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Graz is very popular with students. 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 Salzburg or Graz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Salzburg and Graz offer very good public transit options.

The public transit in Salzburg can get you to most places easily. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Visitors to Graz can move around easily with public transportation. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Is Salzburg or Graz a more walkable city?

Graz is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is very walkable. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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

Should I spend more time in Graz or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Graz?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Salzburg and Graz. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Salzburg than in Graz. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 2-3 days is enough time in Graz.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg 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 Salzburg.

One day in Salzburg or Graz?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Salzburg. 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 Salzburg or Graz?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg or Graz?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the musical destination of Salzburg. 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 Salzburg or Graz?

The historic city of Salzburg offers shopping and museums. 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.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Graz?

Graz has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg 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 Salzburg 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 Salzburg or Graz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Graz. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Graz for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Salzburg is generally cooler than Graz. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around 20°C (68°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 Salzburg this time of the year. In the summer, Salzburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Graz. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 236 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Graz. Salzburg usually gets less rain in July than Graz. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Graz receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Graz in the Autumn?

Both Graz and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music 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.

Salzburg is cooler than Graz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Graz during autumn. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 139 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Graz. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Graz receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salzburg or Graz in the Winter?

Both Graz and Salzburg during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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. The weather in Salzburg can be very cold. In the winter, Salzburg is much colder than Graz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salzburg in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Graz averages at about 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Graz. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 95 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in January than Graz. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Graz receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Graz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Graz. The natural beauty are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Graz for the natural beauty.

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

Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Graz during spring. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Graz. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Graz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Graz and Salzburg