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

Should you visit Tartu 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 Tartu 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.

Tartu

Tartu is a lively, intellectual, and student-oriented university town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife.

Graz

Graz is a medieval, cultural, and historical city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Tartu and Graz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Graz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Graz than Tartu, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Graz is more touristy than Tartu and is known 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. Tartu is popular for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Graz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Graz is a great city for its historical sights. However, Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Graz is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tartu is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Graz has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Tartu offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Is Tartu or Graz Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find excellent options in both Tartu and Graz.

The nightlife in Tartu has something for everybody. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

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.

Is Tartu or Graz Better for its Old Town?

Graz is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its historic old town.

Graz offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Tartu. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Graz?

Graz is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Tartu is a good destination for shopping. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Is Tartu or Graz Better for Families?

Graz is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Graz. 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.

Tartu is a family-friendly place to visit. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

Is Tartu or Graz Better for Couples?

Graz is a great city for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

Graz is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Tartu is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Tartu or Graz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Tartu. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

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 Tartu or Graz Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Tartu. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

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

Graz is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its public transit.

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

Tartu has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

Is Tartu or Graz a more walkable city?

Graz is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its walkability.

Graz is a very easy city to get around 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.

Tartu is very walkable. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

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

Should I spend more time in Graz or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Graz?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tartu and Graz. In our opinion, Graz has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Graz than Tartu. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Tartu, and 2-3 days is enough time in Graz.

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Tartu. 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.

In Graz, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural 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.

A weekend in Tartu or Graz?

Tartu 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.

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.

Five days in Tartu or Graz?

You'll find nightlife around the intellectual destination of Tartu. This university town 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.

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.

A week in Tartu or Graz?

The lively university town of Tartu offers nightlife. 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.

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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Graz?

Graz has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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 Tartu 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 Tartu or Graz in the Summer?

Both Graz and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Graz in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tartu is generally cooler than Graz. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 17°C (62°F), and Graz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Graz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tartu. Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Graz during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Graz. In July, Tartu usually receives less rain than Graz. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Graz receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tartu or Graz in the Autumn?

Both Graz and Tartu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tartu in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Graz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Tartu is much colder than Graz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Graz. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 139 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in October than Graz. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Graz receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Graz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Graz. Most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, 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. Tartu can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Tartu is much colder than Graz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tartu in January average around -7°C (19°F), and Graz averages at about 1°C (34°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Graz during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tartu usually receives around the same amount of rain as Graz. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Graz receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tartu or Graz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Graz. The spring months attract visitors to Tartu because of the natural beauty. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Graz this time of year.

The weather in Tartu can be very cold. In April, Tartu is generally much colder than Graz. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 5°C (41°F), and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Graz. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 158 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in April than Graz. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Graz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Graz and Tartu