A Travel Price Comparison for Austria Villach vs. Graz for Old Town, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Villach or Graz?

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

Should I visit Villach or Graz? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Villach

Villach is a historic, nature-filled, and outdoorsy town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

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.

Villach and Graz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Villach or Graz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Graz than Villach, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Graz is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Villach is known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Graz is more touristy than Villach 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. Villach is popular for its many alpine hikes, nearby lakes, and its quaint main square.

How is Villach different from Graz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Graz is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Graz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Villach is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical buildings in town such as the Parish Church of St. Jakob, the Holy Cross Church, and the Parish Church of St. Martin. Also worth a visit is the Museum of the City of Villach.

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

Graz is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Villach is a mediocre town 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.

Villach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find the standard options of pizza and burgers around town. While the food scene isn't particularly special, the quality is decent and reliable.

Is Villach or Graz Better for Nightlife?

Graz is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town 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 Villach. The weekends are when you'll find the best nightlife. There are some local bars and clubs that come to life and attract a young crowd on a weekend night.

Is Villach or Graz Better for its Old Town?

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

Graz has a unique history which comes to life in its historic 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.

Villach is a good destination for visiting its old town. You'll find churches and gardens throughout the charming old town. At the heart of the town is the main square.

Is Villach or Graz Better for Hiking?

Villach is great for hiking. However, Graz is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Villach for the hiking trails. The surrounding countryside is filled with both short and long hikes. You can take a short stroll or spend hours (or days) exploring the alpine scenery. Breathtaking views and peaceful retreats make this a wonderful area for hiking.

Graz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Villach or Graz?

Graz is notable for its shopping areas. However, Villach is a mediocre town 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.

Villach is a good destination for shopping. There are your standard shopping centers where you can pick up clothes or anything you may have forgotten for your trip.

Is Villach or Graz Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Villach or Graz.

Villach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family will enjoy. There's kid-friendly hiking, adventure parks, nature parks, and some swimming areas.

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 Villach or Graz Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Villach and Graz make for a high quality place to visit.

Villach is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures, beautiful hikes, and stunning scenery will appreciate a visit to this area.

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 Villach or Graz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Villach. There are a number of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers who enjoy the outdoor setting and beautiful hikes that are nearby.

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 Villach or Graz Better for Students?

Graz is notable for students. However, Villach is not popular with students.

Graz is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Villach is not popular with students.

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

Graz is notable for its public transit. However, Villach is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Villach. There are buses and trains in the area, but to experience the nearby nature you'll want to have a car.

Is Villach or Graz a more walkable city?

Graz is terrific for its ease of walking around. However, Villach is a mediocre town 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.

Villach is generally not a very walkable town. Parts of the town are walkable but the surrounding natural areas are most easily accessed with a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Graz or Villach?

How long in Villach or Graz?

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

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

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Villach. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Graz, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Villach or Graz?

Villach is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

In Graz, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Graz has to offer.

Five days in Villach or Graz?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the nature-filled destination of Villach. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Graz is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Villach or Graz?

The nature-filled town of Villach offers nightlife and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Graz. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Graz. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Austria, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Villach or Graz?

Graz has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Villach. When comparing the sizes of Villach 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 Villach 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 Villach or Graz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Villach as well as Graz. The summer months attract visitors to Villach because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Graz this time of year.

In July, Villach is generally around the same temperature as Graz. Daily temperatures in Villach average around 24°C (75°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 Villach this time of the year. In the summer, Villach often gets more sunshine than Graz. Villach gets 288 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 236 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Graz. Villach usually gets less rain in July than Graz. Villach gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Graz receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Villach or Graz in the Autumn?

Both Graz and Villach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Villach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Graz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Villach is a little warmer than Graz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Villach averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Villach usually receives more sunshine than Graz during autumn. Villach gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 139 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Villach usually receives more rain than Graz. Villach gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Graz receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Villach or Graz in the Winter?

Both Graz and Villach during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Villach for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Graz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Graz can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Villach is much warmer than Graz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Villach in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Graz averages at about 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Villach often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Graz. Villach gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 95 hours of full sun.

Villach usually gets more rain in January than Graz. Villach gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Graz receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Villach or Graz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Villach and Graz. Many visitors come to Villach in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Graz for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Villach is generally around the same temperature as Graz. Daily temperatures in Villach average around 13°C (56°F), and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Villach usually receives more sunshine than Graz during spring. Villach gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Villach usually receives more rain than Graz. Villach gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Graz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Graz and Villach