Murau

Murau is a historic district capital in Upper Styria (Steiermark), Austria, situated along the upper Mur River at an altitude of 829 meters between the Niedere Tauern and Gurktal Alps. The town developed around medieval trade routes and its 13th-century fortifications, building an economy anchored in regional forestry and brewing traditions that date back to 1495.

Travelers visit Murau for year-round alpine recreation and its preserved historic core. In winter, skiers and snowboarders use the town as a base for the Kreischberg and Frauenalpe slopes. In summer, the valley fills with cyclists riding the 345-kilometer Murradweg (Mur Cycle Path) and hikers heading onto the Stolzalpe. The town center retains its historic layout with castle fortifications, Gothic churches, and the active Brauerei Murau complex.

The town experiences an alpine continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summer brings warm days tempered by mountain breezes and occasional afternoon thunderstorms, while winter brings sub-zero temperatures and steady snowfall across the upper valley.

By Air

Murau has no commercial airport. The nearest international and regional airports are:

• Klagenfurt Airport (KLU): 80 km south (1 hour 15 minutes by car via B317 and B96). Airlines include Austrian Airlines (connecting via Vienna) and seasonal European carriers.
• Graz Airport (GRZ): 135 km east (1 hour 35 minutes by car via S36; approx. 2.5 hours by train). Airlines include Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Eurowings, and KLM with direct flights from Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, and Amsterdam.
• Salzburg Airport (SZG): 150 km northwest (1 hour 45 minutes by car via A10 and B96). Served by Lufthansa, British Airways, Eurowings, and Ryanair.
• Vienna International Airport (VIE): 245 km northeast (2 hours 45 minutes by car; approx. 3.5 to 4 hours by train via Leoben and Unzmarkt).

By Train

Murau is served by the narrow-gauge Murtalbahn (Line R630), operated by Steiermarkbahn.

• Regional diesel trains run every two hours along the Unzmarkt – Murau – Tamsweg route.
• Connect at Unzmarkt railway station with Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) long-distance Railjet (RJ) and EuroCity (EC) trains on the Vienna – Bruck an der Mur – Klagenfurt / Villach line.
• The journey from Unzmarkt to Murau Bahnhof takes 35 minutes and costs €7–€9 ($7.50–$10 USD) for a one-way standard class ticket.
• During summer (mid-June through September), Steiermarkbahn operates scheduled steam heritage trains between Murau and Tamsweg (€20–€28 / $22–$30 USD return).

By Bus

Regional bus network RegioBus Steiermark (operated under the Verbund Linie transit authority) connects Murau Bahnhof to neighboring valleys and train stations:

• Line 890: Runs between Murau, Scheifling, and Unzmarkt railway station several times daily (journey time: 35–45 minutes, fare: €7–€8 / $7.50–$8.75 USD).
• Line 885: Connects Murau with St. Lambrecht and Neumarkt in Steiermark (journey time: 40 minutes, fare: €6–€7 / $6.50–$7.50 USD).
• Line 895: Connects Murau, Ranten, Krakautal, and Tamsweg (journey time: 50–60 minutes, fare: €7–€9 / $7.50–$10 USD). Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver or through the BusBahnBim and ÖBB apps.

By Car

• From Graz / Vienna: Take the S36 Murtal Schnellstraße westward past Judenburg to Scheifling, then join the B96 (Murauer Straße) directly to Murau (from Graz: 135 km, 1 hour 35 minutes; from Vienna: 245 km, 2 hours 45 minutes).

• From Klagenfurt: Drive north via the B317 through Friesach to Scheifling, then follow the B96 west to Murau (80 km, 1 hour 15 minutes).

• From Salzburg: Drive south on the A10 Tauern Autobahn to exit 104 (St. Michael im Lungau), then follow the B96 east through Tamsweg into Murau (150 km, 1 hour 45 minutes). Note: A valid Austrian toll sticker (Vignette) is required on all motorways (A10) and expressways (S36).

• On Foot: Murau's historic center, Schlossberg, parish churches, and the brewery are within a 10- to 15-minute walk of each other and Murau Bahnhof.

• Public Transit: The Murtalbahn train and RegioBus routes serve local stops, including Murau West and St. Lorenzen (Kreischberg). Single-zone fares start at €2.90 ($3.15 USD). Use the BusBahnBim or ÖBB Scotty apps for live schedules.

• Bicycles & E-Bikes: The Murradweg (R2) runs directly through town. Bike and e-bike rentals are available at Intersport Pintar (Bundesstraße 7a) and local sports shops from €25 to €35 ($27–$38 USD) per day for standard touring bikes and €45 to €60 ($49–$65 USD) for e-bikes.

• Taxis: Local operators such as Taxi Wif-Zack (+43 3532 2382) and Power Taxi Murau (+43 664 340 0300) provide transfers to trailheads and ski areas. Short rides within town cost €10–€15 ($11–$16 USD).

• Schloss Murau (Murau Castle): Dominating the town from the Schlossberg, this castle was originally built in the 13th century by minnesinger Ulrich von Liechtenstein and reconstructed in Renaissance style around 1628 by Anna Neumann. Owned by the House of Schwarzenberg, guided tours access the Knights' Hall, castle chapel, and historical prison. Guided tour entry: €9–€10 ($10–$11 USD). Tours run Wednesdays and Fridays at 14:00 during summer.

• Stadtpfarrkirche St. Matthäus (Parish Church of St. Matthew): Consecrated in 1296 by the Bishop of Lavant, this early Gothic church features a crossing tower with six bells and interior wall frescoes dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. Entry: Free.

• Brauerei der Sinne (Brewery of the Senses): Located at Raffaltplatz 17, this visitor center inside the 500-year-old Murauer Brewery offers tours explaining the brewing craft through interactive exhibits, followed by a beer tasting in the taproom. Entry: €16.50 ($18 USD) for adults, including tasting and souvenir glass. Open Tuesday–Saturday.

• Murauer Handwerksmuseum (Crafts Museum): Located in a former Capuchin monastery built in 1642, this museum displays regional artisan workshops including carpentry, blacksmithing, leatherworking, and weaving. Entry: €8 ($8.75 USD) for adults via guided tour (free with Murau GuestCard). Open mid-May to mid-October.

• Annakirche (St. Anna Church): Built around 1400 near the cemetery, this Gothic church contains ribbed stone vaulting, a carved late-Gothic winged altar, a Baroque high altar, and preserved medieval stained glass. Entry: Free.

• Leonhardikirche and Burg Grünfels Ruins: Standing on the Grünfels ridge above town, this 15th-century Late Gothic church features stone keystones and a trail lined with stations of the cross. Nearby lie the surviving keep and moat walls of 13th-century Burg Grünfels. Entry: Free.

• Holzmuseum St. Ruprecht ob Murau (Wood Museum): Situated 7 km west of Murau in St. Ruprecht, this 10,000 m² exhibition center covers traditional forestry, timber construction, wood art, and woodworking tools. Entry: €11 ($12 USD) for adults. Open daily May to October.

• Ski and Snowboard at Kreischberg: Located 7 km west in St. Lorenzen ob Murau (accessible via Murtalbahn to the Kreischberg station), this resort features 42 km of groomed runs, modern 10-person gondolas, speed measurement courses, and a world championship snowpark. Day ski passes cost €58–€64 ($63–$70 USD).

• Ride the Murtalbahn Steam Train: Experience a nostalgic steam train journey along the narrow-gauge railway through the Mur Valley between Murau and Tamsweg on scheduled summer running days. Round-trip tickets cost €20–€28 ($22–$30 USD).

• Cycle the Murradweg (R2): Follow the paved, riverside bike route that runs through Murau along the Mur River, connecting westward to Tamsweg or eastward toward Judenburg and Graz.

• Hike the Stolzalpe and Frauenalpe: Ascend the Stolzalpe (1,817 m) north of town for views across the valley, or hike the Frauenalpe (1,997 m) south of Murau, stopping at the Murauer Hütte (1,583 m) for traditional alpine refreshments.

• Swim at Schanzenkessel and Hallenbad Murau: During summer, visit the outdoor pool in the Schanzenkessel featuring a natural pond, diving board, and water slide. During cooler weather, use the indoor Hallenbad Murau (Bundesstraße 13) equipped with a 25-meter pool and sauna area (€7–€10 / $7.50–$11 USD).

• Golf at Golfclub Murau-Kreischberg: Play an 18-hole, par-72 championship course set between the Mur River and surrounding mountain slopes. 18-hole green fees run €75–€95 ($82–$104 USD).

• Lercher's Restaurant (Hotel Gasthof Lercher): Awarded Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide, this dining room prepares Styrian dishes featuring local venison, alpine char, beef, and pumpkin seed oil specialties. Price tier: Mid-range to Upscale (€22–€42 / $24–$46 USD per main).
• Brauhaus zu Murau (Raffaltplatz 17): Located adjacent to the brewery, this traditional inn serves Austrian classics including Wiener Schnitzel, Schweinsbraten (roast pork with dumplings), Kasnocken, and freshly poured Murauer beers on draft. Price tier: Mid-range (€14–€24 / $15–$26 USD per main).
• Gasthof Egidiwirt (St. Egidi 82): Established inn located along the Murradweg east of the center, serving Styrian roast meats, regional fish, seasonal chanterelle dishes, and pizzas. Price tier: Budget to Mid-range (€12–€22 / $13–$24 USD per main).
• Restaurant-Pizzeria Platzhirsch (Schwarzenbergstraße 1): Riverfront restaurant in central Murau serving thin-crust Italian pizzas, pasta dishes, and Austrian grill specialties. Price tier: Budget to Mid-range (€10–€20 / $11–$22 USD per main).

• JUFA Hotel Murau (Budget): Family-friendly modern hotel offering private en-suite rooms, multi-bed family units, an indoor bouldering wall, and direct access to cycling paths. Nightly rates: €75–€120 ($82–$130 USD) per double room.
• Gasthof Egidiwirt (Budget to Mid-range): 3-star country inn located in St. Egidi featuring wood-furnished rooms, a guest garden, and bicycle storage facilities. Nightly rates: €80–€140 ($87–$152 USD) per double room including breakfast.
• Hotel Gasthof Zum Brauhaus (Mid-range): Central Murau hotel offering traditional alpine-style wood interiors, comfortable rooms, and an on-site dining hall. Nightly rates: €110–€170 ($120–$185 USD) per double room.
• Hotel Gasthof Lercher (Upscale): 4-star family-run hotel in the Old Town featuring modern wellness amenities, relaxation sauna suites, mountain-view balconies, and an award-winning restaurant. Nightly rates: €160–€260 ($175–$283 USD) per double room.

• Tamsweg (35 km west): Historic market town in the Salzburg Lungau district, reachable in 40 minutes via the Murtalbahn train or B96, known for its Gothic pilgrimage church of St. Leonhard and alpine trail network.
• St. Lambrecht (14 km southeast): Site of the 900-year-old Benedictine St. Lambrecht's Abbey (Stift St. Lambrecht), featuring a Gothic collegiate church, monastic art collection, and abbey gardens. Reachable in 20 minutes by car or Bus 885.
• Oberwölz (25 km northeast): The smallest historic town in Styria, featuring intact 13th-century town walls, medieval gate towers, and the Austrian Brass Music Museum (Blasmusikmuseum).
• Spielberg & Judenburg (55–60 km east): Judenburg features a 75-meter medieval town tower housing a modern planetarium. Nearby Spielberg features the Red Bull Ring, Austria's Formula 1 and MotoGP racing circuit (45 minutes by car via B96 and S36).
• Turracher Höhe (38 km southwest): High mountain pass at an altitude of 1,763 meters on the border of Styria and Carinthia, featuring three alpine lakes, Swiss stone pine forests, and high-altitude hiking and ski trails.