Culture & Cuisine
The Green Heart of culture and cuisine
Work-life balance: the balance between work and play should be taken to heart because there are so many treasures discover in your free time here. Steiermark stands for outstanding cultural programmes and exquisite cuisine, convincing with high quality in both areas.
Whether visiting one of the cultural events, admiring the sunset from a winery or strolling through the palace park – the Green Heart of Austria is a great place to wind down after a day’s work. You will quickly find your favourite place to relax and recharge your batteries here.
And those who prefer cool evening get-togethers will find what they are looking for too: from wine tastings to a variety of concerts.
Schloss Eggenberg, Planetensaal. Graz. Unesco world heritage | © Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
1/12
Sunset at the vineyard | © Steiermark Tourismus | Günther Steininger
2/12
Apple still life at the styrian apple route | © Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
3/12
Judenburg | © Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
4/12
The culinary Styria: Buchteln | © Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
5/12
© Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
6/12
Snack on wooden board, having a break from hiking | © Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
7/12
Trautenfels Castle | © Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
8/12
The Wine Cycle Tour, Gamlitz | © Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
9/12
Murau with castle Murau | © Steiermark Tourismus | pixelmaker.at
10/12
Snack at the Putzentalalm, nature park Sölktäler | © Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
11/12
The culinary Styria: zucchini noodles with celery purée and wine "Falter ego" (region Graz) of the wine-growing estate Hannes Sabathi. | © Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
12/12
Culture & Cuisine in Steiermark
- Over 330 museums, fascinating cultural festivals and numerous palaces and castles shape the Green Heart of Austria.
- As a UNESCO City of Design, Graz offers creative professionals an inspiring working environment.
- Worth seeing: the wide range of performances that the stages of Graz have to offer.
- And yet Steiermark does not just stand for appealing cultural programmes, but also a high standard of culinary products. More traditional culinary manufactories than anywhere else in Central Europe delight with their original ideas and lovingly produced food.
- Thanks to the diverse landscapes, culinary specialities thrive from the north to south of the Green Heart of Austria. Just one example: more than three million litres of pumpkin seed oil are produced here every year.
- Steiermark is also known as Austria’s largest apple-growing region and for its more than 2,100 wine-growing enterprises that produce fine wines in three wine-growing regions. Culinary highlights can be discovered along 8 Wine Roads.
- The Green Heart of Austria offers great choice when it comes to local gastronomy too: the spectrum of establishments ranges from award-winning restaurants to rustic hut cuisine.
- Intangible cultural heritage: 54 Steiermark entries are listed in the directory of Austria's intangible cultural heritage. Examples of this are the knowledge of Lipizzaner breeding at the Piber stud or social practices and rituals such as the Aussee Carnival or ratcheting during Holy Week (as of 2024).
Did you know that...
The Universalmuseum Joanneum is not only the second largest museum, but also the oldest museum in Austria. The museum, founded in 1811, presents exhibitions on art, culture, nature and history at 14 sites across Steiermark . In total, the Universalmuseum is made up of 20 museums and a zoo.
Many people know that the Green Heart of Austria stands for high-quality cuisine, but the full culinary abundance that Steiermark has in store can only be discovered on longer stays. Well-known producers who work with love and care on culinary products, traditional establishments, innovative manufacturers and three wine-growing regions make Steiermark a province of indulgence.
The Semmering Railway, which was inaugurated as the first mountain railway in the world, can boast of the title on the one hand and the Old Town of Graz and baroque Eggenberg Palace shine as UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the other. Numerous traditions that are listed as intangible cultural heritage are also maintained in the Green Heart of Austria.
I love being outdoors, that’s why I live here in the countryside. But I also like going to the provincial capital of Graz. There are many different places that give me strength which I like to visit with my family. Steiermark offers everything really.
– Simone Kopmajer, internationally successful jazz singer
What sets the Green Heart of Austria apart?
...This is best experienced individually. From the mountain peaks in the north to the Wine Roads in the south and green forests or historic old towns in between: Steiermark is the Austrians’ favourite holiday destination for good reason. But it offers even more: the Green Heart scores with a wide range of leisure activities plus a variety of opportunities on the job market and in the educational sector – all in all with a very high quality of life.
Wine Roads
Great outlooks: the Wine Roads are known for their special locations and spectacular views. And with their innovative ideas and personal experience, the winegrowers create unique wines to match.
Culture & Creativity
Insights: futuristic or masterpieces from the past. Unique cultural treasures are not just to be found in Graz, Capital of Culture 2003, but throughout the Green Heart of Austria.
The finest quality
Looking ahead: sustainability plays a key role within Steiermark's cuisine and culture. A wealth of manufactories and companies strive to uphold the standards in Steiermark: from pumpkin seed oil to runner beans.
Events
From vernissages to Advent markets, tours of the Old Town and culinary events – the Green Heart of Austria offers an array of events.
Even more information of living
Our sources:
- Steirischer Museumsverband, www.steirischemuseen.at (only in german)
- Universalmuseum Joanneum, www.museum-joanneum.at
- Figures on Styrian folk culture, www.volkskultur.steiermark.at (only in german)
- Figures on the wineries: steiermark.wine
- Kulturland Steiermark, www.kultur.steiermark.at (only in german)