I have visited Graz’s Christmas markets almost every year. After exploring the markets around Hauptplatz, Jakominiplatz, and other parts of the city, there was actually one major market I had never visited: the Schlossberg Christmas Market.
It was one of those places I had always thought, “I’ll go someday,” but somehow kept putting off. This time, I finally made the trip and explored it in detail. Here is my experience of visiting the Schlossberg Christmas Market in Graz.
Taking the Stairs Up to Schlossberg
At first, I planned to take the Schlossbergbahn funicular as usual. However, when I arrived, I was surprised by how crowded it was. There was a line of around 20 meters just to get on the funicular, and I decided it simply wasn’t worth waiting.
So I changed my plan and headed to Schlossbergplatz, where I chose the staircase route instead.
Schlossbergplatz was decorated with beautiful star-shaped Christmas lights, which immediately put me in the festive mood.
Climbing the Illuminated Staircase
The staircase itself is decorated with subtle, warm Christmas lights rather than flashy decorations. The climb can be quite challenging, but there are plenty of reasons to stop and enjoy the view along the way.
Partway up, you can enjoy a beautiful night view toward Schlossbergplatz and Hauptplatz. The city of Graz spreads out below like a jewelry box, and I felt that this was one of the special rewards of choosing the staircase route.
The Flower Garden Route Is Better for Reaching the Clock Tower
You can reach the Clock Tower by taking the main staircase, but I usually recommend turning right partway up and going through the flower garden area. The reason is simple: this route tends to be a little less crowded.
On this day, the main staircase leading directly to the Clock Tower was packed with people, while the staircase through the flower garden area was relatively easy to walk along. If you don’t like crowds, I highly recommend taking this alternative route.
The Area Around the Clock Tower Is Surprisingly Normal
When I finally reached the Clock Tower, I was slightly surprised. There were some Christmas lights, but the area did not feel particularly different from normal. Apparently, the main Schlossberg Christmas Market is not located around the Clock Tower, but elsewhere on the mountain.
The Main Christmas Market Is at Kasematten
The main venue is Kasematten, located near the Schlossbergbahn station. From the Clock Tower, it takes around 10 minutes to walk north to reach the market.
As soon as I arrived, the atmosphere changed completely. The Christmas market spread throughout the Kasematten area had a wonderful sense of unity. The lighting, food and drink stalls, and flow of people all came together to create a very pleasant atmosphere.
It was one of those moments when I thought, “I’m really glad I came here.”
The size of the market was also impressive, easily holding its own against the markets at Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz. There were plenty of drink stands and food stalls, creating an atmosphere that made me want to stay for a while despite the cold weather.
Discovering the Word “Aufsteirern”
One thing that caught my attention inside the market was the word “Aufsteirern.”
It reminded me of the large event held at Hauptplatz during the summer. I found myself wondering again what exactly it was all about. Aufsteirern is an event centered around the traditional culture of Styria, so it was interesting to see the name here at Schlossberg during the winter season.
Taking the Schlossbergbahn Back Down
On the way back, the Schlossbergbahn was much less crowded, perhaps because of the time of day. So I decided to take the funicular back down. Riding down while looking at the illuminated city was relaxing and definitely helped save my legs after climbing all those stairs.
Conclusion: The Schlossberg Christmas Market Has a More Relaxed, Grown-Up Atmosphere
Graz has many Christmas markets, but the Schlossberg Christmas Market stands out for its more relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere.
The illuminated staircase, the views over the city, and the cohesive atmosphere of the Kasematten venue all made this a different experience from the other Christmas markets in Graz.
If you have already explored the Christmas markets around Hauptplatz, I highly recommend taking the next step and visiting the Schlossberg Christmas Market.
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