Self-Guided Tours Now Outside Graz Too: entdecken.tours Expands to Klagenfurt and St. Veit

Self-Guided Tours Now Outside Graz Too: entdecken.tours Expands to Klagenfurt and St. Veit Self-guided tours in Graz and beyond: BikeGraz rebrands to entdecken.tours. Audio tours without a guide in Graz, Klagenfurt and St. Veit — how it works. Topics: News, Leisure & Culture, Transport.

Last summer Graz launched its first self-guided bike tour — no tour guide, just a smartphone, GPS navigation and audio commentary. Today that project has grown into the entdecken.tours platform (formerly BikeGraz), now offering audio tours not only in Graz but also in Klagenfurt and St. Veit an der Glan. Here is how self-guided tours without a guide work, what is new in Graz and beyond, and when routes in other cities are coming.

What Changed: BikeGraz Becomes entdecken.tours

The platform has rebranded from BikeGraz to entdecken.tours. As MeinBezirk reports, the old name was tied to bikes and Graz — but the project had long outgrown both. The new name makes clear: this is no longer only about bike tours, and no longer only about Graz.

The idea is simple: a classic tour guide is replaced by a smartphone with GPS navigation and an audio guide. No fixed groups or schedules — you start whenever you like and set your own pace. If you want to linger in a courtyard or café, nobody rushes you.

From a single bike tour in Graz, a cross-city leisure offer has grown in just a few months — for people who prefer to explore at their own speed.

— Michael Fraß, entdecken.tours / MeinBezirk

How Self-Guided Tours Without a Guide Work

The principle is the same in every city: you download a route, walk or ride along it, and at each stop your smartphone plays stories and background information about what you are seeing. No groups, no timetable — starts, detours and pauses are entirely up to you.

This is the self-guided tours format that has become popular across Europe as an alternative to classic group walks. It is especially handy for people already living in Austria who want to explore neighbouring cities without booking a tour operator. If you are planning a summer vacation in Austria, such routes are a ready-made weekend plan with no extra logistics.

For trips around the country, it also pays to know about local pilot projects — for example, the free public transport pilot for tourists in Rhine Valley and Walgau — another way to save time and money on the road.

What Is Available Inside Graz

Graz now offers several routes of different lengths. The classic Top-10 sightseeing bike tour links the city’s main landmarks — from the Schlossberg to the Gunzenstein. For those who want to get to know Graz in about an hour, there is a compact “Graz in einer Stunde” route.

The real novelty, however, is the walking tours. One runs through the historic centre: old façades, inner courtyards and quieter spots you will not find in typical guidebooks. Another focuses on the Schlossberg and its stories — from fortress walls to legends of pirates. The format works well if you already live in Graz and want a fresh look at a familiar city, or if you are visiting and prefer to skip the guided group.

First Tours Beyond Graz: Klagenfurt and St. Veit

The most interesting news is the routes outside Styria. In Klagenfurt, a bike tour runs from the old town to Lake Wörthersee, one of the warmest alpine lakes. A separate walking tour connects the legendary Lindwurm (the dragon that is the city’s symbol) with Gothic alleys and Renaissance courtyards.

In St. Veit an der Glan — the former capital of Carinthia — a walking tour tells how the city lived after losing its political significance. It is a story about how provincial towns reinvent their identity while staying alive and attractive.

The “smartphone instead of guide” format works here too — same principle: no fixed start, your own pace. For anyone exploring Carinthia, this is a convenient alternative to excursion buses.

What Comes Next: New Routes in Preparation

As MeinBezirk notes, development does not stop there. New routes are already heading into a testing phase — more cities and more tour types are planned. The full list is not public yet, but the direction is clear: the platform aims to become an Austria-wide network of independent audio walks.

All available routes and information about upcoming launches are on the entdecken.tours website. If you live in Austria and enjoy discovering new places without group excursions, it is worth bookmarking the platform and following updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are self-guided tours (selbstgeführte Touren)? Tours without a guide: you walk or ride a set route, while a smartphone with GPS navigation and audio recordings explains the landmarks. No groups or timetables — you choose the start time and pace.

Where are entdecken.tours available today? In Graz (bike and walking routes), Klagenfurt (bike tour to Lake Wörthersee and a walking tour of the old town) and St. Veit an der Glan (historic walking tour). More cities are in preparation.

Do I need a guide or a group? No. The whole format is built on independence: routes start whenever you like, and pauses or detours are up to you.

How much do the tours cost? Current prices and available routes are published on entdecken.tours. Some information is free; paid options depend on the specific route.

Conclusion

Self-guided tours in Graz and beyond are a trend that is only gaining momentum. A single bike route has grown into the entdecken.tours platform with offers in three cities and plans to expand. The format suits people living in Austria who want to discover neighbouring cities at their own pace — without guides, groups or rigid schedules.

• ✅ Bookmark entdecken.tours — new routes appear there
• ✅ Start with Graz: the compact “Graz in einer Stunde” tour is a good first step
• ✅ For trips outside the city, see our guide to the best summer vacation spots in Austria

If you live in Austria and love discovering new places at your own speed, subscribe to our newsletter: we cover such projects and other practical finds for life in Austria.