Linz, Austria, is the third-largest city in this landlocked nation. Here, you can uncover the ancient roots of this river city, which sit side-by-side with a vibrant contemporary culture on the banks of the Danube.
And since Linz, brimming with baroque architecture, has been designated a UNESCO City of Media Arts, you will get to see a union between the old and new here, including innovative museums, serene riverside promenades, technology, and the walkable Old Town.
Why Visit Linz?
Hauptplatz
Linz’s unique character makes it a special destination in Austria worth exploring. Its scenic locale on the Danube River offers an intriguing mix of historic appeal and avant-garde modernity.
The city reveals its baroque facades and pastel townhouses that populate cobblestone streets next to futuristic structures and digital-themed artwork.
The riverbank offers a lovely setting for people-watching, where you can savor coffee at an al fresco café and watch the boats pass by. Linz’s laid-back urban vibe provides a slower pace of life, contrasting with Vienna’s and Salzburg’s more rapid tempos.
Ars Electronica Center
The Ars Electronica Center offers interactive exhibits that blend art and science with virtual reality. Classical concert halls and traditional Austrian coffeehouses are never too far away, either, where you can listen to beautiful music and then enjoy coffee with a tasty Linzer Torte, the local specialty.
If you need any more reason to visit, note that Linz is also an ideal “basecamp” for taking day trips into Upper Austria with its lush green hills, as well as visiting regional lakes, such as Traunsee, and other scenic Austrian towns like Steyr and Gmunden.
Another plus? Linz is still a relatively small city, which is extremely easy to navigate. And since local attractions are close to one another, you won’t need to rely overly on public transportation.
History & Culture
Hauptplatz
The city of Linz dates back to Roman times, when it was known as Lentia. As a result, it’s characterized by historical layers that permeate every part of the city.
Due to its prime location on the Danube, the city became a central trading hub during the Middle Ages. It later developed into a significant industrial powerhouse, specializing in textiles and steel.
Hauptplatz
There’s a good chance you will begin your Linz tour at or near Hauptplatz, one of the largest town squares in Austria. This square features a collection of baroque buildings and the massive Trinity Column, made from white marble. The square also hosts frequent markets, festivals, and open-air concerts.
Another focal point is Linz Castle, and the Schlossmuseum, situated on a hill overlooking the Danube. You can explore Upper Austrian history in the museum while enjoying the inspiring views from the terrace.
Linz’s cultural soul has leapt from the history books into the modern era in a most definitive way. This is evident in the city’s fascination with the contemporary world, from the Lentos Art Museum, featuring a solid collection of modern art on the riverbank and a large “Danube Window,” to the Ars Electronica Center.
Nature and Wildlife
Danube River Promenade
While Linz is most definitely an urban destination, you will find a surprisingly rich source of clean air and natural beauty here.
The Danube River Promenade is one of the best places to relax. The path along the river provides idyllic scenery for joggers and cyclists as it winds its way past moored boats and tree-lined parks. Depending on the time of day, you will also have swans, ducks, and other birds like moorhens to “accompany” you along your way.
Pöstlingberg Hill
Proceed to Pöstlingberg Hill on the city’s northern outskirts to gain a loftier view. Pöstlingberg, surrounded by lush greenery, can be reached by the Pöstlingbergbahn tram, one of the world’s steepest adhesion railways.
The summit here offers sweeping scenes over Linz and the surrounding landscape. You can check out the basilica, then hike around the forested paths at the top of this small mountain for some exercise.
Linz Botanical Garden
Sticking with the “green” theme, consider stopping by the Linz Botanical Garden, built for nature lovers and filled with myriad plants, including cacti. Exotic flowers thrive amidst alpine flora in tropical greenhouses.
And if you enjoy more rugged outdoor activities, think about visiting Kürnberg Forest, located on Linz’s western edge, which features extensive trails for hiking and mountain biking that pass beneath tall pine, spruce, and fir trees.
Tips for Visiting Linz
Linz
Get your hands on the Linz Card. This card offers transportation benefits and free admission to major attractions, including the Ars Electronica Center and the Lentos Art Museum, as well as providing discounts at many other locations.
The Linz Card is an outstanding value if you intend to fill your schedule with activities. It’s available in one-, two-, or three-day passes, with some versions also offering an included trip on the Pöstlingbergbahn.
The card’s Danube Culture Bonus is also worth noting. It offers a price reduction for concerts, boat trips, and other culture-related activities.
Hauptplatz
Getting around Linz is a piece of cake. Most major attractions within the city are accessible via the user-friendly public transportation network, which includes trams and buses.
Hauptplatz is the main hub where multiple lines intersect, enabling passengers to board and disembark easily. The city is also very pedestrian-friendly, so sightseeing on foot is a breeze, weather permitting.
When exploring hilly areas like Pöstlingberg or sauntering down the cobblestone streets, make sure you wear comfortable shoes to protect your feet and toes.
If you’re a two-wheeled enthusiast, you will adore Linz, as it has excellent infrastructure for cyclists, including plenty of bike rental spots—often with the first 30 minutes free—repair shops, e-bikes, and a sizable network of bike routes.
Danube Cycle Path
The Donauradweg, or the Danube Cycle Path, is a popular long-distance bike route that runs from Passau to Vienna, passing through the city.
Although staff in restaurants and hotels usually know English, it’s not a bad idea to learn some basic German words. You can start with simple phrases such as “Guten Tag” and “Danke,” which mean “Good Day” and “Thank You,” respectively.
Things to Do & Attractions
Explore Linz Castle
Linz Castle
While there are numerous things to see and do in Linz that will satisfy your historical cravings, a good place to start is Linz Castle, or Linzer Schloss.
Linz Castle is on a hill overlooking the city and the Danube River below. While its origins trace back to Roman times, today’s structure is predominantly characterized by its Renaissance vibe.
View from Linz Castle
And since the castle is in the center of town, it’s easy to reach. The Austrian castle was gutted by fire in 1800 and then rebuilt, with a new, more modern wing added to the complex.
As you explore the interior, you can imagine life here when the city was an important trading hub, while also admiring the remaining Renaissance architecture, 19th-century paintings, and Gothic art, as well as the historical weapons and musical instruments on display.
Broaden Your Mind at Schlossmuseum Linz
Schlossmuseum Linz
Another aspect of Linz Castle you’ll want to investigate is its glass-and-steel extension, the Schlossmuseum Linz, or Castle Museum, located in the south wing.
Schlossmuseum Linz, dating back to the 1960s, features a diverse collection that includes archaeological artifacts, contemporary artwork, medieval relics, and natural history displays.
This is a one-stop museum covering a range of topics, meaning that no matter what piques your interest —whether it’s the history of Upper Austria or modern technology—this striking castle wing will have something to capture your attention.
Travel to the Future at Ars Electronica Center
Ars Electronica Center
Modern artistic creativity is on full display here. A visit to the Ars Electronica Center takes you into the future, where robots, computer art, and artificial intelligence come together—perhaps for the betterment of humankind, or perhaps for some science fiction dystopia.
This unique museum, established in 1996 and moved to its current location in 2009, features interactive exhibitions designed to help you grasp the profound connection between humans and technology.
One of the center’s highlights is the Deep Space 8K experience, which offers an intensely immersive digital exhibit featuring large 3D projections on the walls and floor that explore subjects such as astronomy, human anatomy, culture, and art.
Enjoy Nature and Religious Traditions at Pöstlingberg
Pöstlingberg Hill
Traveling to Pöstlingberg on the Pöstlingbergbahn is a very cool journey, letting you ride on one of Europe’s steepest adhesion railways.
As the tram ascends the steep slope of Pöstlingberg Hill, you will be treated to a natural area with extensive views of Linz and the surrounding river valley.
Pöstlingberg is also home to the baroque and rococo Basilica of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, built in the mid-1700s. It’s located at the summit, a popular pilgrimage site, enveloped in a soothing spiritual atmosphere.
Lose Yourself in Linz’s Altstadt
Altstadt
Back to the city center, you’d likely regret it if you didn’t set time aside to stroll through the maze of streets within the Old Town district, or the Altstadt.
Locally owned shops and beautiful squares contribute to the Altstadt’s timeless charm. Make your way to the Roman Catholic Mariendom, which is Austria’s largest church. This impressive neo-Gothic building is a wonder that can accommodate 20,000 visitors. It features sensational stained-glass windows that depict tales about the building itself, the Bible, and Austria.
Climbing the cathedral’s tower, with hundreds of steps, offers a fantastic view of Linz. Back on terra firma, you’ll find cobblestone streets, exquisite courtyards, art galleries, and fun cafés, such as Wohnzimmer Coffeeshop Linz, designed like a cozy living room, to explore.
Stroll Along the Danube
Danube River
Take a relaxing morning or afternoon stroll along Linz’s grassy Danube Promenade. It’s an ideal setting for cycling, walking, or chilling out by the riverside.
You’ll mix with joggers, strollers, and dog-walkers as you enjoy the river, where you can look at the city’s buildings and the boats on the water. Donaupark, next to the river, offers a mix of greenery and modern sculptures for you to enjoy as well.
Experience Dance and Music at the Musiktheater
Musiktheater Photo by Isiwal on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
If you’re keen to dip your toes into the cultural scene in this riverside city and you relish the performing arts, consider visiting Musiktheater am Volksgarten.
This contemporary opera house hosts opera, as well as ballets, dance events, and Broadway-style musicals. If you’re in town, check their calendar to see what’s going on.
Food & Drink
Linzer torte
If you dream about desserts morning, noon, and night, then please, for the sake of your sweet tooth, order some Linzer torte.
This tasty torte is among the oldest cake recipes in the world, with a traditional nut-based dough—hazelnuts or almonds most frequently—that is combined with cinnamon and served with bitter redcurrant jam.
If you’re dedicated to sweet treats, you can try slightly different torte versions that use other ingredients, such as chocolate or various types of fruit, at cafés and bakeries throughout the city.
Melange
Enjoying an Austrian dessert with a rich kleiner brauner and melange—espresso with milk, and coffee with cream, respectively—is also a must.
Linz truly has a vibrant café culture. Coffee houses like Café Traxlmayr and Jindrak provide a cozy setting where you can sample Verlängerter, a long shot of espresso, and Einspänner, a black espresso topped with a hefty dose of whipped cream, for an afternoon delight.
Wiener Schnitzel
Traditional Austrian cuisine in Linz features dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, knödel (bread and potato dumplings), tafelspitz (boiled beef), and hearty goulash stews seasoned with paprika, which you can find in restaurants like Stiegl-Klosterhof and Alte Welt Gasthaus.
For beer, swing by the local Brau Union brewery, which produces beer brands like Zipfer, Gösser, and Edelweiss.
Südbahnhofmarkt Photo by Haeferl on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
And last, but not least, a trip to the Südbahnhofmarkt, with various food stalls where you can taste fresh produce, cured meats, and cheeses, as well as seasonal delicacies.
Best Time to Visit
Hauptplatz
Late April through May is a season with comfortable temperatures and access to open-space parks, with slightly less tourism than the more jam-packed summer months.
Summer, roughly June to August, is, naturally, the peak tourist season. If you visit Linz during these months, you will experience warmer, sunny days, a slight increase in rainfall, and events such as the Linzer Sommerfestival, featuring food and live music.
However, remember that with more people in town during the summer, there may be longer lines and more competition to get into local attractions.
Early autumn, between September and early October, can offer a somewhat more relaxed Linz experience, while still providing reasonably pleasant weather, changing foliage colors, and the absence of the bigger summer crowds.
Linz
Book one of Celebrity’s river cruises to Linz to learn more about this fun-loving, innovative, and beautiful riverside town.
