Graz, the second largest city in Austria (270,000 inhabitants from 159 different nations, speaking in 150 languages; see: website of the City of Graz ) and capital city of Styria, is situated at the south-east rim of the Alps and is distinguished for its outstanding quality of life. Located mid-way between Venice and Budapest, Vienna and Ljubljana, Munich, Salzburg and Zagreb, Prague and Trieste, Innsbruck and Bratislava this one-time imperial residence offers a blend of Austrian charm and Mediterranean ambience.

Graz boasts the largest preserved historic city centre in Europe, which - alongside with Schloss Eggenberg - has been officially added to UNESCO´s World Heritage List. The city offers its visitors cultural treats ranging from the classical to the avant-garde: theatre and opera, off-theatres like TIB-Theater im Bahnhof, and others , modern art festival steirischer herbst, the electronic art and music springfestival, the music, arts and political discourse festivals elevate and Lendwirbel , FORUM STADTPARK - a venue for production and presentation of contemporary art, the classical music festival Styriarte, the Festival of Austrian Film DIAGONALE with independent cinemas like KIZ-RoyalKino, the Graz international Festival of Puppet and Street Theatre La Strada, the pop culture projects ppc , Postgarage and generalmusikdirektion , museums like Kunsthaus Graz, Universalmuseum Joanneum, Stadtmuseum Graz, and MUWA. These are also reasons why Graz was the Cultural Capital of Europe in the year 2003. In 2011 Graz was awarded the title City of Design by UNESCO, recognising the activities within the network Creative Industries Styria . For current cultural events please visit the Graz Cultural Calendar.

Graz is surrounded by areas for recreation, ranging from the Alpine mountains in the north - ideal for hiking and skiing - to the gentle rolling hills of the Styrian wine region in the south - for exploring regional culinary specialities.