What to See & Do in Styria – 2026 Austrian Grand Prix

The best things to do away from the track for F1 fans attending the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix, including the best of Graz and the Styrian region

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• The 2026 Austrian Grand Prix is on June 26-28
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The Red Bull Ring is located in the heart of the beautiful region of Styria, known as the ‘green heart’ of Austria. The hilly, forested region at the foot of the Alps is popular for skiing in winter and hiking and cycling in summer. Styria is also famous for its tasty local cuisine (hearty schnitzels and frothy beers), wineries, history and castles.

Best of Graz

Austria’s second city may not have the grandeur of Vienna, but it’s still an historic city with a lot to offer tourists. There’s a good selection of bars and restaurants in the beautiful Graz old town (Altstadt von Graz) to check out after a long day at the track. Head to the Hauptplatz (Main Square), where there is often some kind of F1-themed display or party, then explore the surrounding streets for restaurants and bars. There is a good vibe on Freiheitsplatz with several lively bars. For free entry to selected museums, free public transport and discounts on various attractions in Graz, check out the Graz Card. Here’s some tourist ideas for Graz:

• Visit Schlossberg hill and the famous Uhrturm clocktower, which can be accessed via a funicular railway from the old town
• Check out Eggenberg Castle, a seventeenth century palace and gardens
• Discover Kunsthaus Graz, the art museum of Graz that was completed in 2003 when the city held the title of European Capital of Culture
• Take an open-top bus tour, during which you’ll be told about the history and important landmarks in Graz. The bus tours run from Wednesday to Sunday. Tickets cost €24 for adults and €12 for children
• Go to a concert: Styriarte is an annual classical music festival. Concerts mostly take place in Eggenberg Castle or the Helmut List Halle
• The Murinsel is a cafe on the water with beautiful lighting at night
• For a nice view of the Styrian hills, the Gösting Castle ruins are worth a visit. There’s also a small museum and a tavern in the tower
• Local foods can be found at the largest farmers market of Graz, the Kaiser-Josef-Market
• Other sights include the Graz cathedral and the pilgrimage site Mariatrost Basilica
• Recommended restaurants in Graz offering traditional Austrian dishes include Restaurant Brandhof, Der Steirer, Glöckl Bräu and Gösser Bräu

Best of Styria

• Visit the Spa town of Bad Waltersdorf, 60km East of Graz
• Go wine tasting in Steiermark (East & South of Graz), which is famous for its white wines, especially Sauvignon Blanc; there are hundreds of picturesque producers dotted around the region
• Go on a guided tour in the Lurgrotte, a cave system north of Graz
• Zotter is a chocolate factory with many attractions such as a museum, chocolate tastings and a zoo
• Learn about tourist activities in Styria on the main Austria tourism website

Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum

Around 10km from the city of Graz is the small village of Thal. The village is the birthplace of Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 2011, his former childhood home became a museum dedicated to the former Mr Universe. Items on display include props from Terminator films and some of his very first dumb-bells. The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 in June and 09:30-17:30 in July. The entrance fee is €14.90 for adults and €7.90 for children. More details can be found on the museum website.

Styria Hiking & Cycling

The summer months are the perfect time to go hiking in the beautiful Styrian mountains. The Red Bull Ring has plenty of mountains in the vicinity, including Kornock and Kreischberg. Cable cars remain open at some resorts throughout the year, so this is something to bear in mind as a fun (and more relaxing!) way to explore the area. There are also plenty of lakes which are perfect for swimming, rowing and sailing. Check out the Salzkammergut Cycle Way which passes 13 of Styria’s finest lakes and offers breathtaking scenery. Learn more about the best outdoors pursuits in Steiermark here.