Styrian Castle Road
Discover castles, palaces and historic sites in Styria
Castles perched on mighty rocks, historic palaces, monasteries and former fortifications: the Castle Road connects 41 historic buildings in Austria, Slovenia and Croatia along a route of around 1,000 kilometres.
22 of the 41 stops along the Castle Road are located in Styria. Many of them can be visited on a day trip from Graz, including Riegersburg Castle, Herberstein Castle, Piber Castle, Stainz Castle, Kornberg Castle and Seggau Castle.
Exploring the Castle Road from Graz also gives you the opportunity to combine history and architecture with other attractions, regional cuisine and the Styrian wine regions.
The Castle Road at a glance
- 41 castles, palaces and historic buildings are part of the cross-border Castle Road.
- 3 countries: The route connects Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.
- Around 1,000 kilometres is the total length of the Castle Road.
- Graz as a starting point: From Graz, you can visit various castles and palaces in Styria on day trips.
- History & architecture: Castles, palaces, monasteries and historic fortifications tell the stories of different eras and the shared history of this border region.
Discover castles and palaces in Styria
Historic buildings along the Castle Road
From medieval castles to historic palace complexes: along the Castle Road, visitors can discover different eras, architectural styles and fascinating stories. Some of the best-known stops are located in Styria and are also ideal for a day trip from Graz.
Castle Road from Graz
Which castles and palaces are suitable for a day trip?
- Riegersburg Castle │ Thermal and Volcanic Region
Driving time from Graz: approx. 50 minutes
Explore the historic castle complex and its museums independently, with an audio guide or on a guided tour. Bird of prey flight demonstrations are also available. - Herberstein Castle │ Eastern Styria
Driving time from Graz: approx. 45 minutes
Combining castle history, historic gardens and wildlife, Herberstein offers plenty to discover. Admission to the zoo includes access to the castle and gardens, making it ideal for a varied family day out. - Piber Castle & Lipizzaner Stud │ Lipizzaners & castle history in Western Styria
Driving time from Graz: approx. 45 minutes
In Piber, a historic castle meets the fascinating world of the Lipizzaners. You can explore the stud independently or on a guided tour, making it particularly suitable for a family day out.
- Seggau Castle │ Southern Styria
Driving time from Graz: approx. 40 minutes
Situated above Leibnitz, Seggau Castle combines history with Styrian wine. On selected dates, guided castle tours followed by wine tastings are available. - Kornberg Castle │ Thermal and Volcanic Region
Driving time from Graz: approx. 50 minutes
An experience tour of Kornberg Castle provides fascinating insights into the castle's history and rooms. Thanks to its proximity to Riegersburg Castle, the two attractions can easily be combined in one trip. - Stainz Castle │ Western Styria
Driving time from Graz: approx. 35 minutes
Stainz Castle is home to three museums: the Hunting Museum, the Agriculture Museum and the Archduke Johann Museum. A visit can easily be combined with a trip to Western Styria and the Schilcher wine region.
Tip: Piber Castle & Lipizzaner Stud
A destination for the whole family
In Piber, castle history meets the world of the Lipizzaners. The historic castle is part of the Piber Lipizzaner Stud complex, which is closely associated with the breeding of the famous white horses of the Spanish Riding School.
During a visit, families can see the Lipizzaners up close and learn more about how they are bred and cared for. Depending on the season and programme, there are various ways to explore the stud.
The combination of a historic castle, horses and fascinating insights into the stud makes Piber an ideal destination for a family day trip from Graz.
Tip: Before your visit, check the current opening hours, guided tours and family activities offered by the Piber Lipizzaner Stud.
Discover the Castle Road by e-bike
Explore castles, palaces and special places on two wheels
The Castle Road can also be explored by e-bike. A dedicated e-bike tour leads through the Thermal and Volcanic Region, combining castles and palaces with the surrounding landscape. The cross-border route runs through Austria and Slovenia.
You can choose where to join the route. One option is to start at the Piber Lipizzaner Stud. From here, the route leads through Southern Styria and the historic small towns of Deutschlandsberg and Leibnitz before continuing into Eastern Styria. Following several loops, including through Austria's largest apple-growing region around Lake Stubenberg, the route continues via Hartberg and the Thermal and Volcanic Region towards Slovenia and Croatia.
Tip: The Steiermark Tourismus tour portal provides details of the e-bike route as well as further information to help you plan your cycling trip along the Castle Road.
Combine the Castle Road & Wine Roads
Combine the Castle Road & Wine Roads
Castles and palaces are not the only attractions worth visiting around Graz. Several stops along the Castle Road are located in or close to well-known Styrian wine regions.
A visit to Seggau Castle, for example, can be combined with a trip to Southern Styria. Around Riegersburg Castle and Kornberg Castle, you can explore the Thermal and Volcanic Region. Stainz Castle and Deutschlandsberg Castle, meanwhile, are located in Western Styria, a region known among other things for its Schilcher wine.
This makes it easy to combine historic sights with wineries, traditional Buschenschank wine taverns, regional cuisine and the Styrian countryside.
Frequently asked questions about the Styrian Castle Road
Useful information for your trip along the Castle Road
Which castles and palaces can you visit from Graz? How long is the Castle Road, and which destinations can be combined? Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the Styrian Castle Road and tips for planning your trip.
The Castle Road is a cross-border cultural route connecting historic castles, palaces, monasteries and fortifications. It runs through Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. A large number of the Austrian stops are located in Styria.
The entire Castle Road is around 1,000 kilometres long. The route runs through Austria, Slovenia and Croatia and can be explored in individual stages or by visiting selected attractions along the way.
The Castle Road connects 41 castles, palaces and other historic buildings in three countries. They range from medieval castles and palaces to monasteries and historic fortifications.
Several stops along the Castle Road can be visited on a day trip from Graz. These include Riegersburg Castle, Kornberg Castle, Herberstein Castle, Seggau Castle, Stainz Castle and Piber Castle.
Which destinations are best suited to your trip will depend on how much time you have available and the respective opening hours.
The entire Castle Road covers around 1,000 kilometres and runs through three countries. For a day trip from Graz, it is therefore best to choose individual castles and palaces or combine several stops that are located close to one another.
Yes. Riegersburg Castle and Kornberg Castle are both located in Styria's Thermal and Volcanic Region and can generally be combined on a day trip. When planning your visit, make sure to check the current opening hours and guided tour times at both attractions.
Yes. Several stops along the Castle Road are located in or close to Styrian wine regions. Seggau Castle, for example, can be combined with a trip to Southern Styria. Stainz Castle and Deutschlandsberg Castle are located in Western Styria. You can also discover vineyards and regional cuisine around Riegersburg Castle and Kornberg Castle.
This depends on the individual attraction and the type of tour. Some sites can be visited independently during opening hours, while certain guided tours require advance registration or reservation. It is therefore advisable to check opening hours, tickets and guided tours directly with the respective castle or palace before your trip.
Admission prices, tickets, opening hours and guided tours vary depending on the castle or palace. Up-to-date information is available directly from the respective attraction. It is best to check opening hours and any reservation requirements before your trip.