Spielberg
DESTINATION GUIDE
123 miles from Vienna, Spielberg offers breathtaking scenery and a thrilling racetrack, making the journey well worth the effort.
WHAT TO EAT
Affectionately known as ‘the belly of Austria’, the Steiermark region in which the Red Bull Ring is located proudly produces some of the finest ingredients in the country, meaning that wherever you choose to grab a bite to eat there is a high probability that at least part of the menu will feature something produced nearby.
While elsewhere in the world pumpkins are widely regarded as a vegetable to be carved with ghoulish expressions once a year for Halloween, Styrians embrace this orange folkloric vegetable all year round with much of the farmland surrounding the Red Bull Ring dedicated to pumpkins which have been grown in southern Styria since the 18th century.
Used mainly in the form of pumpkin seed oil, you’ll find bottles of this ‘green gold’ on every restaurant and domestic table in the region for dressing salads or pepping up soups – but perhaps surprisingly one of the very best ways to enjoy this rich and nutty tasting delicacy, is to drizzle it over vanilla ice cream.
If you're beginning and ending your Austrian trip in the capital Vienna, be sure to indulge in what is arguably the city’s finest culinary delight, sachertorte. Legend has it that this rich chocolate cake layered with apricot jam, and covered in dark chocolate icing, was created in 1832 by 16-year-old apprentice chef Franz Sacher for Prince Metternich of Austria.
NON-F1 HIGHLIGHTS
Embrace nature! There are over 1,600 hiking trails in Styria covering a total of 15,000km, so pull on your walking boots or hire a bike and enjoy the beautiful surroundings in this incredible region.
Situated 1,800km above sea level in the middle of the Seetal Alps and accessible by car from Spielberg in approximately 45 minutes, Winterleittenhutte is a popular destination for lovers of the great outdoors with crystal clear lakes dotting the majestic landscape and activities such as archery, fishing, climbing and hiking on offer around the hut. And with routes of varying degrees of difficulty, there is something to suit everyone’s ability.
The trails are lined with beautiful alpine flowers in the summertime with breathtaking views in every direction, and at the end of a day spent being active in the clean mountain air, you can refresh yourself with a cold drink back at the hut and gaze in awe at the impressive peaks you’ve just conquered.
Fun Fact
Graz may have many museums of interest to visit in its historic centre, but perhaps the most esoteric of them all lies 3.2km outside the city in Thal, where former professional bodybuilder, Hollywood actor and one-time governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger has a museum dedicated to his life and career so far.
Opened in 2011 on the (self-proclaimed) most famous living Austrian’s birthday and housed in what was once the Terminator star’s childhood home, the exhibits include memorabilia from Schwarzenegger’s long acting career such as a motorbike from the Terminator film franchise, along with personal items such as the bed he slept in as a child, and a replica of his desk in his office during his stint as governor.
The historic city of Graz, with its relaxed cultural vibe, beautiful architecture and dominated by the 473-metre-high Schlossberg – castle hill – is well worth a visit even if you’re not staying there for the race weekend.
Once the site of a fortress so fortified that even Napoleon couldn’t destroy it, the Schlossberg is a green space for relaxing and enjoying open-air entertainment in the summertime, with far reaching views over the pretty, red-roofed buildings and the hustle and bustle of the city below. This central public park can be reached by a funicular railway which has been transporting passengers to the top of this iconic hill since 1894.
Back at ground level make sure to wander the streets of the UNESCO world heritage site of Graz’s Old Town with its well preserved medieval and Italian Renaissance buildings and enjoy a coffee at a charming café tucked down one of the narrow alleyways away from the tourist crowds.
After a day of gentle sight-seeing, you’ll be ready for a shot of adrenaline in the form of karting at the Red Bull Ring where the impressive and challenging track is located directly behind the Niki Lauda curve of the F1 circuit. With its varied layout, high-grip asphalt and sophisticated corner combinations, it’s the perfect place to demonstrate those driving skills as you battle for victory and try to emulate the late, great Austrian F1 hero himself.
Despite its relatively remote location away from city centre attractions, there is still so much to see and do in and around the Austrian Grand Prix with the great outdoors and beautiful landscapes undoubtedly a major draw for fans attending the race.
