Graz WWII Tour & Old Town with Museum Entry

Graz's Wartime Past Walks Through Its Rebuilt Streets

You walk through Graz's Old Town with a licensed guide who explains the WWII history written into the buildings and streets around you. The tour includes the Schlossberg tunnels, Graz Castle, the Cathedral, and the main square; if you choose the 3-hour option, you also get entry to the Graz Museum with its wartime exhibitions. The private format means the guide adjusts the pace and focus to what interests you, and you're back by early afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

WWII history and Old Town highlights

• Meet guide at Stiegenkirche Church
• Tour WWII history and Old Town highlights
• Stroll through Sporgasse street
• Explore Graz Castle and spiral stairs
• Visit Graz Cathedral
• See Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II
• View Glockenspiel and hear carillon
• Walk through Hauptplatz and see Franciscan Church
• Discover Schlossberg hill tunnels
• Visit Graz Museum WWII exhibitions

The Experience

The Stiegenkirche Catholic Church on Sporgasse is where you meet your guide, and from there the walk unfolds through a city that was bombed flat and chose to keep its scars visible. Graz was heavily devastated during World War II, but most of the Old Town buildings survived — they're the real evidence now, not a reconstruction. Your expert guide, licensed and fluent in your chosen language, walks you through the Hauptplatz and up toward the Schlossberg, where the ground beneath your feet holds something most visitors never know about: an extensive tunnel system carved out during the war to shelter civilians from aerial bombing.

The tour moves at your pace — it's private, so there's no group rhythm to match. You'll see the Graz Castle with its famous double spiral stairs, the Cathedral, and the Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II with its turquoise domes that still catch the light. The Glockenspiel on the Schlossberg chimes three times a day now, but during the war the bells were melted down for weapons; they weren't replaced until 1956. The Franciscan Church in the main square shows the damage plainly — it was hit hard and rebuilt, and your guide explains what you're looking at and why it matters. You choose between a 2-hour walk that covers WWII sites and Old Town highlights, or 3 hours if you want to include the Graz Museum, where five rooms of exhibitions focus on the city's wartime history and recovery.

The museum visit (included in the 3-hour option) deepens what the streets have already shown you. Your guide leads you through the collections, pointing out the objects and documents that tell the story of how Graz survived and rebuilt. The whole experience is wheelchair accessible, and the pace works for all fitness levels — it's a walk, not a hike. Check your email the day before for any last-minute details from the operator.

What’s included

• WWII sites and Old Town highlights sightseeing.
• private walking tour with an expert guide holding an official Austrian license.
• adjusted pace and focus tailored to your interests.
• visit to Graz Castle, Graz Cathedral, the Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II, the Glockenspiel, Hauptplatz, and the Schlossberg tunnel system.
• Graz Museum entry and guided exhibition tour (3-hour option only).
• public transportation options nearby.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Rosotravel - Vienna Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to understand Graz's wartime history through the buildings and streets themselves, with a licensed guide explaining what you're seeing — the private format means you set the pace and the guide adjusts to what interests you.

Top questions

Where do I meet the guide?

In front of the Stiegenkirche Catholic Church at Sporgasse 21, 8010 Graz.

Is the Graz Museum entry included?

Yes, but only in the 3-hour tour option. The 2-hour tour covers WWII sites and Old Town highlights without the museum.

How long does the tour take?

You can choose 2 hours (WWII sites and Old Town) or 3 hours (adding the Graz Museum).

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks fluently in a language you choose when booking.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on the tour are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are also wheelchair accessible.

Can I bring a stroller or pram?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and infants can sit on an adult's lap.

What is the Schlossberg tunnel system?

An extensive network of tunnels built beneath the Schlossberg hill during WWII to protect Graz's civilian population from aerial bombing. You see the entrance and learn about it during the tour.

What happened to the Glockenspiel bells?

During the war, the bells were melted down to make weapons. New bells were cast and installed in 1956, and the carillon now plays three times a day.