Lurgrotte caves near Graz: 2026 tickets and which entrance to choose

The Lurgrotte cave lies 25 km north of Graz (research data). It has two entrances, and these are two different routes. From the Semriach side you enter the largest chambers; from the Peggau side you walk through the lower galleries next to the underground river.

Below you will find prices for the 2026 season, tour durations, and an honest answer to the question of which entrance to choose. The editorial team verified all information about the cave's operation against the official websites of both entrances.

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Two entrances: Semriach and Peggau

💡 In short:

• For the largest chambers and the Der Riese stalactite, go to the entrance on the Semriach side.
• Peggau also has a short route, but the cave is only open there from April to October.
• Prices: 09/2026, verified on the official Semriach website.

Lurgrotte cuts through the karst massif between the villages of Semriach and Peggau (location and geology). Lurgrotte is considered the largest active water cave in Austria (system description). Underground, the temperature stays at 10 °C year-round with humidity around 95% (measurements by the Peggau operator), so a warm jacket will come in handy even in July heat.

The explored length of the system grew to 10.2 km after the new topographical survey of 2023 (resurvey report). Approximately 4.3 km is developed for visitors, with roughly 2 km of route leading from each entrance (route history).

© Klaus Cage · CC BY-SAPhoto: Klaus Cage, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The rock here is dense Schöcklkalk limestone, and water continues to dissolve it. Some of the lower galleries are only opened at low water in winter, so you will not be taken there in summer (winter visiting mode).

History: 1894 and nine days underground

The official opening date of the cave is considered to be April 1, 1894. On that day, the Styrian explorer Max Brunello reached the farthest galleries (chronicle of the discovery). As early as 1895, Lurgrotte was declared a show cave (show cave status).

Real fame came to the cave through a misfortune. Four weeks later, on April 28, 1894, seven explorers descended into Lurgrotte. Rains raised the water level in the underground river, and the exit was cut off (circumstances of the accident).

The group spent nine days underground. They were brought to the surface after a complex operation involving more than 1,000 helpers, miners, and divers (rescue operation). Emperor Franz Joseph I himself had to intervene to make the rescue possible. All of Europe followed the events, and the writer Peter Rosegger described them in his novel Das ewige Licht.

The underground river here is called the Lurbach. Near Semriach it goes underground, and near Peggau it re-emerges on the surface (cave hydrology). It was this water that repeatedly flooded the galleries and washed away the wooden walkways.

Tunnels that connected the two entrances

For a long time, Semriach and Peggau were considered two separate caves. In February 1905, members of the Styrian Speleological Club discovered another 1,002 meters of passages (research timeline). The limestone between the two villages turned out to be one continuous cavity, but there was no passage through it.

In the 1920s, explorer Hermann Mayer and his father widened the tunnels at Peggau. After a blast on November 26, 1924, the route above the siphon was cleared, but the first complete traverse took place only on February 13, 1935 (connection dates). From that point on, the cave could be walked through from end to end.

The cave also had ordinary owners. In 1927 it was put up for auction, and the wine merchant Pezzi became the new owner (auction history). He invested in reinforcing the galleries and planned to build an underground railway called the Grottenbahn.

A 2023 survey showed that the system is longer than was believed a hundred years ago (measurement results). This means some passages are still waiting for their explorers.

Routes, tickets, and opening hours

Since 1962, visitors have been able to walk all the way through Lurgrotte. The roughly five-kilometer route operated until July 15, 1975, when heavy rain washed away most of the structures (route history). After that, the cave was rebuilt as two separate sections.

Today, you can only go inside on a guided tour: there is no self-guided access on either side (visiting information). In Semriach, the tour lasts 55 minutes for groups of at least two adults and about 70 minutes for groups of five or more. Tickets cost 12 € for adults, 8 € for children, and 10 € for students (as of 09/2026, Semriach rates).

In Peggau, any ticket includes the walk itself, the cave museum, and the prehistory museum in Peggau (ticket terms). The standard tour takes one hour, while the extended tour takes two hours and costs 17 € for adults and 11 € for children (as of 09/2026, official Peggau price list). The season here runs from April 1 to October 31.

For adventure seekers, both sides offer winter tours. In Semriach, it is four hours covering 2.5 km of cave for 50 € per person (as of 09/2026, winter program). In Peggau, the tour takes 5-6 hours and costs 80 € per person (as of 09/2026, winter program).

With a stroller, you can only go at Semriach and only halfway: after that, stairs begin (Semriach infrastructure). In Peggau, the route has about 300 steps, so it is better to leave the stroller in the car (Peggau infrastructure). A leashed dog can join you on both sides, and in Peggau a muzzle is also required.

If you are planning an overnight stay in the region, add tours of Graz and Styria to your trip. You can conveniently book them in advance on GetYourGuide.

Cave chambers

Each chamber of Lurgrotte has its own name on the cave map. Flowstone columns support the corridor vaults, and thin coralloid flowers grow on the walls (chamber descriptions).

In the 1920s, speleologists discovered the Fairy Meadow. Nearby they found a gallery with the remains of a large predator: some biologists consider it an ancestor of the modern lion, which is why the passage was named the Lion's Passage.

In summer, the Großer Dom chamber hosts a light and music show with projections (program). In winter the show is cancelled: bats hibernate in the cave and must not be disturbed.

Above Großer Dom hangs Der Riese, the largest free-hanging stalactite in the world (according to Semriach operator). Another large chamber is named the Collapse Chamber: visitors are impressed by its coralloid flowers and graceful flowstone columns. Nearby is the Gallery of Hope, a small alcove with stone altars along the walls. This alcove resembles a tiny chapel, a place where it is easy to make a wish.

Near the Peggau entrance, archaeologists found a Middle Paleolithic site next to the Peggauer Wand and Röthelstein cliffs (archaeological finds). The chambers are best viewed from the installed walkways. Since 2014, Lurgrotte has been lit with LEDs, and since July 2025 low-voltage 12 V lamps have been in use (cave lighting). Wear non-slip shoes: it is damp underground, and in places water drips from the ceiling.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a ticket to Lurgrotte cost?

An adult ticket costs 12 € on both sides, a child ticket costs 8 € (as of 09/2026, Semriach tickets, Peggau and group tickets). In Semriach, students pay 10 €, and groups of 20 or more get a discount down to 10 €. A two-hour tour in Peggau will cost you 17 €. Any ticket in Peggau includes two museums.

Which entrance should I choose: Semriach or Peggau?

Semriach is right for you if you want to see the largest halls and the Der Riese stalactite. There are no steps for the first half of the route, and the cave is open year-round. Choose Peggau for a short one-hour tour, since any ticket there includes two museums (Peggau schedule).

How do I get to the cave from Graz?

The cave lies about 25 km north of Graz (distance). By car, the easiest option is to take the expressway north and then follow the signs to Semriach or Peggau. Without a car, trains and tim-Verbund buses work well: check the schedule on the operator's website before your trip (transport).

How long does the tour last?

In Semriach, the tour lasts about an hour; in Peggau, one or two hours (duration). Winter adventure tours run four hours in Semriach and 5-6 hours in Peggau, but they only operate when water levels are low.

Can I bring a dog or a stroller?

Dogs are allowed on both sides, and a stroller is only suitable for Semriach (Peggau rules). The conditions regarding muzzles and steps are described in the section on routes and tickets.

Is the cave open in winter?

The Semriach entrance is open year-round, while Peggau operates only from April 1 to October 31 (Peggau season). In winter, Semriach runs adventure tours through the lower galleries. Some halls are closed at that time: bats sleep there, and they must not be disturbed.

In short: what to book

If you are traveling with children and want to see the largest halls, take the tour from the Semriach side. For a short stop on the way from Graz, a one-hour tour in Peggau is enough. For a real thrill, go on a winter adventure tour through the wet galleries that are off-limits in summer.

• With children: Semriach, a route with no steps for the first half.
• In one hour: Peggau, a one-hour tour, and any ticket includes two museums.
• For adrenaline: a winter tour of 4-6 hours through the lower galleries.

One booking covers the whole trip: tours of Graz and Styria on GetYourGuide.