As you stroll through the vibrant Gries district—past old tenement buildings, hidden courtyards, and the hustle and bustle of the international scene—a true insider tip awaits you in an inconspicuous corner: the KunstGarten Graz. At first glance, a garden. At second, an open-air gallery. At third, a place where you see the world a little differently than before.
What Irmi and Reinfrid Horn have created here is neither a museum nor a park, but a lovingly maintained mixture of both – an art project that lives, grows and surprisesBetween flowering perennials, old fruit trees, and crooked rose arches, you'll find sculptures, light installations, temporary works of art, and sometimes even a reading desk amidst the greenery. Here, you can sit on simple benches, sip a glass of wine, listen to a reading, or watch a short film at sunset.
The artGarden isn't a place you "create"—it's one you linger in. You immediately sense that this garden was created out of passion: for art, for literature, for nature, and for exchange. And that's precisely why it's a real must for anyone who wants to not just see Graz, but experience it—in all its quiet creativity.
The artGarden was founded in 2004 by Irmi and Reinfrid Horn with the aim of creating a space in which contemporary art, garden culture and social encounters Since then, the 1300 m² site has been a place where artists from all over the world exhibit their works – nestled among flowerbeds, between vegetable patches and reading tables.
The atmosphere is deliberately imperfect, yet very approachable. One moment you'll find yourself standing in front of a rusty sculpture, the next you'll discover a poetic sentence on a plaque in the grass. Readings, film nights, concerts, and exhibitions take place here regularly – with a clear focus on sustainability, diversity, and low-threshold access to art.
The best time to visit is on a summer evening, when the sun is slowly sinking behind the rooftops. The garden will smell of lavender, while somewhere a violin is rehearsing or a projector begins to hum quietly. Ask about the program in advance – many events are spontaneous, some magical. And if you're a garden fan, be sure to ask for a tour of the library – it's a real highlight.
Address:
Payer-Weyprecht-Straße 27, 8020 Graz
Journey:
By tram line 5 until Griesplatz, then about a 10-minute walk. Alternatively, you can cycle along the Mur River – from the Lendkai, you'll be there in just a few minutes.
Opening hours:
Friday & Saturday: 3:30 pm – 7:00 pm
and daily by appointment
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Whether hidden courtyards, quiet squares or little surprises in the middle of the city – Graz has countless corners just waiting to be discovered.
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