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

Should you visit Zurich 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 Zurich 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.

Zurich

Zurich is a beautiful, historic, and liberal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Graz

Graz is a cultural, historical, and beautiful city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Zurich and Graz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Graz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Zurich than Graz. Zurich is bigger than Graz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Zurich is well known for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. Also, Zurich is famous for The Grossmünster. Graz is well known for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture.

How is Zurich different from Graz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Zurich and Graz.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Zurich. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

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.

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

Both Zurich and Graz offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Zurich. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

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.

Is Zurich or Graz Better for Nightlife?

Both Zurich and Graz are superb when it comes to partying.

Zurich offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Graz has a large number of nightlife venues. 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 Zurich or Graz Better for Music?

Zurich is great for its live music scene. However, Graz is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Zurich draws a good crowd. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Graz is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Graz Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the amazing old town areas in both Zurich and Graz.

The rich history of Zurich can be explored in its historical center. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Graz?

Zurich 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, Zurich draws large crowds to its stores. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

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 Zurich or Graz Better for Families?

Both Zurich and Graz are superb family-friendly destinations.

Zurich is a very kid-friendly city. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

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.

Is Zurich or Graz Better for Couples?

Zurich and Graz both superb destinations for a couple.

Zurich is a very popular place to visit for couples. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

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 Zurich or Graz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Zurich and Graz are notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

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 Zurich or Graz Better for Students?

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

Many students frequent Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

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

Both Zurich and Graz offer superb public transit options.

Zurich has some very good public transit options. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

The public transit in Graz can get you to most places easily. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Is Zurich or Graz a more walkable city?

Graz is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

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.

Zurich is a very walkable destination. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Graz or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Graz?

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

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

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

One day in Zurich or Graz?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Zurich. 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.

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 Zurich or Graz?

Zurich is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the shopping. 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.

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 Zurich or Graz?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the liberal destination of Zurich. 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.

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 Zurich or Graz?

The historic city of Zurich 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical 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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best Christmas Market Tours in Austria, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Graz?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Graz. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich 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 Zurich or Graz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Graz. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Graz for the family-friendly experiences.

Zurich is around the same temperature as Graz in the summer. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, 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 Zurich this time of the year. In the summer, Zurich often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Graz. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 236 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Graz. Zurich usually gets less rain in July than Graz. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Graz receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Graz in the Autumn?

Both Graz and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Graz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Zurich is around the same temperature as Graz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zurich in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Graz averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Graz during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 139 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zurich usually receives more rain than Graz. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Graz receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Zurich or Graz in the Winter?

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

Graz can be very cold during winter. Zurich can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Zurich is generally much warmer than Graz. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 3°C (37°F), and Graz fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Graz. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 95 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Graz. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Graz receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Graz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Graz. Most visitors come to Zurich for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Graz because of the natural beauty.

Zurich is around the same temperature as Graz in the spring. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Graz during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Graz. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Graz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Graz and Zurich