Linz.
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Overview

Linz is the third largest city in Austria. It sits on the banks of the Danube (Donau) river. It is the capital of the federal province of Upper Austria (Oberösterreich) and forms the heart of Austria's second strongest economic region. Though it was primarily known as a major industrial centre, it also has a very picturesque historical old town including Austria's largest central square, surrounded by an impressive ensemble of Baroque architecture.

Linz a contemporary cultural hub with Ars Electronica Festival and Center, being the exemplary European Capital of Culture (in 2009) and UNESCO-designated City of Media Arts (from 2013), as well as through museums, organizations and events. From the steel city it transformed in the city for work and culture as well as focusing on participation of all, inclusivity and sustainability. The tourist slogan of the city is "In Linz beginnt's" ("It starts in Linz").

Understand

Linz had a population of about 215,000 in 2024. Linz is an industrial city with huge steel and chemical works on the Danube, about halfway between Salzburg and Vienna. While it does not have the touristic significance of these cities, it is an attractive and interesting destination in its own right. The fact that you are less likely to be trampled by hoards of travellers is a bonus.

The area where Linz now stands has been inhabited since prehistoric time. The name of the city supposedly stems from the Celtic word for 'bent', referring to the bend of the river Danube just east of Linz. During the Roman Empire Linz was a border settlement with a Roman castle (Lentia). In the Middle Ages and the beginning of the modern era, the city profited from its location on an important crossing of the Danube. Nevertheless, Linz never gained the historical significance of cities like Salzburg and Vienna and remained fairly small well into the 19th century. In 1900, Linz had around 80,000 inhabitants. The city's fate took a significant turn after Austria became a part of the German Third Reich in March 1938. In May 1938, construction started on a gigantic steel mill on the site of a former village in the southeast of Linz ('Hermann-Göring-Werke', now part of the steel concern voestalpine AG). Linz turned into an industrial hub. Consequently, Linz was bombed heavily during World War II. The raids were centered on the industrial areas and the main train station, which meant that the historical city center escaped relatively unscathed.

Starting in the 1950s, Linz saw an industrial boom. However, while the population grew and the economy prospered, the city also had to learn to live with the severe environmental fallout of its factories and businesses. Linz gained a reputation as a dirty and unappealing city. While this reputation continues to this day in the heads of some Austrians, it has become completely undeserved. Extensive plant modernizations in the last three decades (as well as an industrial crisis in the 1980s) mean that air and water quality in Linz are now as good – or even better – than in the other big cities of Austria.

While Linz is still cultivating its image as a 'steel city', it has also taken great (and expensive) steps to become better known as a city of culture, music, and art. Several new museums have been constructed since the 1990s, and in 2013 the city finally inaugurated its long-planned opera house. Linz also gets a lot of international media attention because of its annual Ars Electronica Festival. It also hosts the "Klangwolke" ("sound-cloud"), a big cultural open-air spectacle with modern and traditional music and a massive light show, which is held each year in September.

Nearly all retail stores close on Sundays, except for small shops at the main train station.

Get in

Linz has its own international airport, the Blue Danube Airport in Horsching just outside the city of Linz, but it sees very little international traffic. Austrian Airlines flies from Blue Danube Airport to Vienna and Düsseldorf and Lufthansa to Frankfurt, where you can connect to Lufthansa Group's extensive global flight network. There are also charter and seasonal flights to holiday destinations around the Mediterranean and to Canary Islands.

Alternatively, you can fly to the Vienna International Airport or Munich Airport and take a train from either city to Linz. Direct high-speed trains to Linz depart from Vienna International Airport's terminal. From Munich Airport, you need to take a local suburban train to Munich Hbf first and transfer to a long-distance train to Linz there. The total journey time is around 1 hr 40 min from Vienna International Airport and 3 hr 45 min from Munich Airport.

If you are flying Austrian, the train from Vienna airport to Linz is included in your flight ticket and Austrian guarantees your connection. See here for details.

ShuttleCeskyKrumlov.com. See the timetable.

CK Shuttle. The ride takes about 1½ hours.

By car Linz is connected with Vienna, Salzburg, and Munich via the A1 Autobahn/motorway; the Muehlviertel and the Czech Republic via the A7 Autobahn and the B310 regional road, and the south of Austria (Graz (Styria), Klagenfurt (Carinthia)) via the A9 Autobahn. It is also connected to Germany via Passau.

By boat The website of the city of Linz lists all cruises departing from the city. There is regular passenger boat service on the Danube from and to Vienna and Passau, Germany.

Get around

Linz has very good public transport. A map of the tram and bus lines as well as an online time table are available on the website of the network operator Linz AG. Tickets are purchased from the electronic vending machines at each stop, as well as tobacco and newspaper shops.

It is available at the Tourist Office and in many hotels.

See

When strolling through the heart of the city, one can literally sense its history. The lanes of the old town, which lies directly at the foot of the castle, communicate the feeling of past ages. Splendid town residences and chapter houses are worthy of closer scrutiny, as are the many inner courtyards hidden discretely behind arched gates. Moreover, the spacious, baroque main square with its lively hustle and bustle is never far away.

Linz is also a city of churches. With its 134-m tower and space for 20,000 people, the New Cathedral is Austria´s largest church. In addition, the city landmark, the pilgrimage basilica on the Pöstlingberg, is also clearly in view. A symbol of Linz is the Lentos Museum of modern art, which has a striking glass façade that is illuminated at night with alternating colours.

New Cathedral. The construction of the neo-Gothic cathedral was already initiated in 1855 by F.J. Rudiger, then Bishop of Linz, and the foundation stone was laid in 1862. The building was designed by the Cologne cathedral builder Vinzenz Statz. The cathedral was consecrated in 1924. The height of the tower was limited to 134 m (as it was not permitted to surpass St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna). The cathedral can accommodate 20,000 worshippers and is also notable for its stained glass windows, including the famous Linz Window with scenes from the history of Linz (left front). At Christmas the crypt church contains one of the largest nativity scenes, measuring 12 m in length.

Old Cathedral. Designed according to drawings by Pietro Francesco Carlone, the cathedral was built between 1669 and 1678. It was the cathedral church of the diocese of Linz from 1785-1909. The single-nave Baroque church has lateral chapels and galleries, as well as a closed choir and stucco work by J.P. Spaz and G.B. Mazza. The marble high altar is by Colomba and Barberini with a picture by Antonio Bellucci. The Aloisian altar picture is by Bartolomeo Altomonte. The choir pews originate from the former monastery church in Garsten, while the organ by Franz Xaver Krismann derives from Engelzell monastery. From 1856-1868 Anton Bruckner served as the cathedral organist.

Pöstlingbergkirche. This pilgrimage church, dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary and perched high above the roofs of the city, is the landmark of the Upper Austrian capital. It was built in 1748 according to plans by Matthias Krinner. The church is popular for weddings because of the unique location. From the mountain Pöstlingberg you have a beautifil view of Linz and to the Alps.

St Martin's Church. This is regarded as the oldest original church still in existence in Austria. It was first documented in 799. A rectangular building that is no longer visible, partially extending into the nave, probably dates from the Agilofingian period (before 788). During the Carolingian period (after 788), the central structure was erected using debris from Roman buildings. This can be seen on the inside and outside, while the ground plan is marked by stone slabs. The building was redesigned as a bay church in the 11th century and the pillar arches were filled in. There are Romanesque and Gothic door and window arches dating from later alterations. Inside the building, Roman stone inscriptions and a furnace can be seen. The first bay contains a copy of the Volto-Santo picture by Lucca (around 1440). The interior of the church can be viewed through a glass door. Entrance into the church is only permitted with a tourist guide.

Parish church Christ the King. Modernist church built in the 1950s.

Trinity Column. One of Austria's most attractive closed squares, there stands the 20-m-high Baroque Trinity Column (completed in 1723). Carved in white marble by Sebastian Stumpfegger according to a model from Antono Beduzzi, the column bears three inscriptions. These announce the dedication of the column to the Holy Trinity by the guilds, the Emperor and the people of Linz in gratitude for deliverance from the dangers of war (1704), fire (1712) and plague (1713). The column is flanked by the patron saints Sebastian, Florian and Carlo Borromeo.

Linz Castle. The Linz Castle is first documented in 799. It was entirely rebuilt in 1477 by Emperor Friedrich III, and there are partial remains of the defensive walls, the bastions and the west entrance (Friedrichstor). The latter is adorned by a stone coat-of-arms (1481) bearing the inscription "AEIOU" ("The whole world is subject to Austria") and the imperial initials. Around 1600, during the rule of Rudolph II, the castle was redesigned and expanded according to plans by the Dutch master builder Anton Muys. The powerful four-story block with two inner courtyards and the main gate to the city (Rudolfstor 1604) date from this time. During the Napoleonic wars the building served as a military hospital, and it was here that the great city fire of 1800 broke out (destruction of the south wing and a part of the transept). Beginning in 1811, the remaining buildings were used as the provincial prison and from 1851 until 1945 as a barracks.Between 1953 and 1963, the fortress was rebuilt and restored as the Schlossmuseum Linz. It contains permanent exhibitions of art from the Middle Ages to the present day, historical weapons and musical instruments, coins, folklore and technical history, as well as the Kastner collection. There are special exhibitions each year.

Bishop's Residence. The bishop's residence is the most important secular Baroque building in the city. Commissioned by Kremsmünster Monastery (1721–26), it was built by Michael Pruckmayr according to plans by Jakob Prandtauer, who was also responsible for the monasteries in Melk and St. Florian. The impressive lattice gate on the staircase is by Valentin Hoffmann (1727).

Lentos Museum of Art. Houses a large collection focusing on modern art, with representative works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Oskar Kokoschka, as well as current contemporary art.

Ars Electronica Center. This cutting-edge museum serves as a venue for art which explores the creative potential of the latest technology. Multiple child-friendly expositions are available, as well as hands-on expositions of various technical topics (sound and music, virtual reality, robots etc.).

Provincial Gallery of Linz. The museum has a large collection of modern and contemporary art, with rotating special exhibits of works by Upper Austrians.

Nordico Museum of the City of Linz. This former monastery now houses the civic museum, with rotating exhibits focused on regional history and ecology.

LinzGenesis. A branch of the Nordico Museum with displays dedicated to the history of Linz and its famous residents.

Museum of the History of Dentistry in Upper Austria. A one-room museum dedicated to the history of dentistry, from the 17th century until the present.

StifterHaus. The 19th-century Austrian writer Adalbert Stifter lived in this house for many years. It is now a museum devoted to Austrian literature, with exhibits of manuscripts and multimedia.

The O.K. Center for Contemporary Art. Hosts contemporary art exhibits and festivals, with a focus on installation and multimedia art.

Biology Center Dornach. Has science exhibits with a focus on botany and zoology.

Military History Collection in Ebelsberg Castle. Exhibits a large collection of historic firearms, as well as items from the former Austrian Imperial Navy.

Cowboy-Museum Fatsy. An unusual museum founded by Austrian entertainer Hans-Jörg Ratzenböck. It houses displays illustrating American cowboy life, with a replica rancher's room, sheriff's office, and gambling room.

voestalpine Stahlwelt. The voestalpine steel works run an impressive museum and experience centre devoted to the manufacturing and processing of steel, as well as applications thereof. One can visit on their own, or join an organized tour with a guide (1.5 hours), which can be expanded with a tour of the manufacturing facilities (3 hours in total). The Panorama Cafe atop the building offers views over Linz, drinks and light snacks. Groups can pre-order lunches there.

Botanic Gardens. One of the most beautiful and extensive botanic gardens in Europe, with more than 10,000 plants and five greenhouses. Particularly noteworthy is the cactus collection. Special exhibits and presentations are hosted throughout the year.

Linz Zoo. Over 800 animals await you on your visit to the local and exotic fauna. There are cuddly animals to hold, a selected collection of mammals (llamas, pygmy cows, sheep, goats), a variety of birds (parrots, ostriches) and reptiles (crocodiles, iguanas, snakes). As an excursion destination the children’s zoo is always popular with the little ones.

Skulpturenpark Artpark. A 5,000-m² sculpture garden, with works by more than 20 artists.

Mauthausen concentration camp memorial. Memorial to the notorious Mauthausen concentration camp, where predominantly political opponents of the Nazi regime were worked to death quarrying granite for the government's monumental buildings. Not recommended for children under 14. The "Steps of Death" stairway into the quarry is open April-Oct only for safety reasons and may be closed within those months in the event of rain or high winds.

Do

Football: LASK - Linzer Athletik-Sport-Klub - play soccer in the Austrian Bundesliga, the top tier. Their home ground is Raiffeisen Arena (capacity 19,000) two km south of city centre. FC Blau-Weiß Linz were relegated in 2026 so they play in Second League, the second tier. They play at Donauparkstadion (capacity 5000) 7 km south of the centre.

Pöstlingberg tram. The "Pöstlingbergbahn", Europe’s steepest mountain railway without rack or cable assistance, is no longer the museum piece it once was, but operates from Hauptplatz through Urfahr and through the neighborhoods up the Pöstlingberg itself. A mixture of new low-floor tramcars and rebuilt original cars (the old cars run only on weekends between March and October) are now used. Additionally, you can take bus 150 from Landgutstraße (the northern destination of tram 3 and 4) to the top of Pöstlingberg.

The Grotto Railway. Located in fortifications built by emperor Maximilian. Riding on the "dragon express", a mini-train in the shape of the mythological beast, the visitor travels through a brightly lit landscape of fairy tale scenes. A 1:7 scale model of the Linz "Hauptplatz" at the turn of the century is situated in the cellar of the citadel’s tower. In the side passages, there are depictions of episodes from famous fairy tales. Lift for handicapped visitors!

City Express. Touristy fun little train that takes you around downtown. Good chance to get off your feet and warm up in the winter.

Danube. The cultural town Linz~Danube is the ideal starting point for a ship tour. Everyone will find his individual ship adventure in the large variety of cruise line offers. Whether you are looking for a round trip, a scheduled tour or a cruise for a special occasion, e.g. Christmas party on the Danube, your captain and his crew is already waiting for you on board of the ship.

Donauschiffahrt Wurm und Köck Donauschifffahrt Schaurecker ÖGEG: Dampfschiff Schönbrunn Donau Touristik

Aquapulco Pirate's World Water Park. Five fantastic waterslides, a pool with wave machine, flow channels and an own mini water world.

Culture Linz has established an international reputation due to its extensive cultural life. You can visit the "culture mile" along the Danube, which stretches from the Brucknerhaus concert hall and the Lentos art museum and the Ars Electronica Center on the northern bank of the river. Linz also possesses a number of stage companies, which offer something for everybody in the form of a range of evening entertainment that extends from classic opera to modern dance theatre.

From June to August the Linz cultural summer features cabaret, open-air concerts and theatre on virtually daily basis at venues that are as varied as the programme itself. These include the bars and squares of the inner city, as well as the romantic Rose Garden high above the rooftops. Moreover, throughout the year, the Posthof features "contemporary culture at the harbour" with national and international performers.

Brucknerhaus. Designed by the architect-duo Heikki and Kaija Siren, this is the venue for the annual Brucknerfest and Ars Electronica Festival.

Events Linz is a synonym for variety that is found at open air events, in bars and restaurants and in the theatre and on concert stages of the city. In late April, the yearly Crossing Europe film festival for young European film features works with unconventional, courageous filmic positions. At Whitsun, the Linz Festival offers a cultural open-air festival in the Danube park, while in July the international "Pflasterspektakel" brings over 500 clowns, acrobats and mimes to the city´s streets. Moreover, September sees the musical "Cloud of Sounds" in the Donaupark, the Ars Electronica Festival and the Bruckner Festival.

The Linz markets provide an opportunity to browse, and sample, whether at the weekly markets or the twice-yearly Fair/Carneval Urfahraner Jahrmarkt, which is Austria´s oldest public festival.

During the universities lecture periods (October–January/march-June) there is a wide range of student parties among the campuses of the 4 universities in Linz. Particularly interesting might be the weekly Mensafest every Thursday in Dornach/Urfahr on the campus of Johannes-Kepler-University and the gatherings at the Sommerhaus Hotel during the SAICCA program that runs mid-May through mid-June.

The Moviemento and City cinemas show films that are not mainstream in original languages with German subtitles. The Cineplexx in the harbor shows all the actual blockbusters. Thursday is movie night, so it is the cheapest day to go.

The Posthof. Has modern music, dance and comedy performances, which is located near the port.

The Stadtwerkstatt (near the AEC). Popular meeting point for young people with an alternative lifestyle. They often have gigs with unknown bands.

Kapu. Popular meeting point for young people with an alternative lifestyle. It started out as punk bar. They often have gigs with unknown bands. Nirvana played at the KAPU about one year before they became world-famous. The texta hip hop concerts are legendary too.

Theater Phönix. Shows modern plays that are also suitable for teenagers.

Eat

A well-known specialty from Linz is the Linzer Torte, a torte covered with a latticework of dough and filled with fruit.

Eating in Linz depends on your budget, and taste. Be prepared to search far and wide for open restaurants on Sundays. The entire Altstadt seems to close down Sunday nights leaving tourists restaurant choices only in adjoining districts.

There are many luncheonettes in the city, offering a variety of food, such as Chinese food, kebab, pizza and typical Austrian snacks such as Bratwürstel (fried sausage) with Sauerkraut, Leberkäse, Bosner or Bosna (a special hot-dog with fried sausage and a special curry-ketchup-onion sauce), Käsekrainer (a sausage interlaid with cheese).

Leberkäse Pepi. You can get Leberkäse pretty much in every supermarket, but it's hard to find a place that serves as tasty and as various ones as here. It is a bit more expensive than in supermarkets, but the bread roll with Leberkäse is still low-priced. There is another store in the central train station.

Big Joe Falafel. Serving tasty falafel sandwiches. The other food of the menu is terrific too. In addition, the operators are super nice.

Gösserkeller. Classic Austrian dishes like Beuschel, roast pork and schnitzel. The host very friendly.

Don. Very good sushi restaurant. Also has other good Chinese food. The portions are quite large.

Linzer Heuriger. Rustic restaurant with good home cooking. Choice to eat either outdoors and inside the restaurant. Nice guest garden with a large chestnut tree.

Wokman. Great Japanese and Chinese food. Simply furnished, pleasant place. The service is fast and kind. The menu is delicious.

Schadzi Cafe. Great vegetarian and vegan dishes. Gluten-free options. High quality slow food ingredients. A breakfast here is special because it explicitly has oriental influences. Very nice, green guest garden in the backyard. Such a relaxed vibe.

Jindrak. A pastry shop serving the local speciality Linzer Torte (a cake).

Gelbes Krokodil. The Yellow Crocodile is next to/a part of the Moviemento Cinema, downstairs below street level. It has special vegetarian plates.

Alte Welt. The name ("Old World") suits this restaurant and bar perfectly. The entrance is in a small courtyard, with seemingly uncontrolled growing plants. The inside reminds of an inn from former times. A variety of cultural events take place in the wine cellar.

Klosterhof. Traditional Austrian cuisine, big beer garden

Drink

Local beers and warm "Glühwein" (hot, spiced/mulled wine) in winter. Upper-Austrian's "national drink" is Most (it´s cider but not fizzy), and Zipfer, Gösser, and Kaiser beer. There are many Austrian beers, of course.

Keep in mind that, contrary to almost the entire rest of the civilised world, smoking is still very common in Austrian bars and pubs.

Walker. A large bar/burger restaurant. Games room and occasional live music. Good breakfast menus. Great burgers.

Chelsea Pub. In 2006, it came second in "The Best Irish Pub" competition in Austria. An English-named Irish pub that serves Guinness, and has a friendly atmosphere for Austrians and English native-speakers. Large open-sandwiches and occasionally has English or Irish crisps. Shows sports programmes on a daily basis.

Remembar. Large and airy, on two floors, with enough "hip/cool" clientele to satisfy the needs of people with enough money to spend.

Stadtwerkstatt. Has a nice cafe and live DJ's (reggae,house ,world music,hip hop) in the evening (daily starting at 22:00) Local bands (rock, punk, hip hop) appear at weekends. DJs in the bar.

Smaragd. Regular live-concerts in the dance cellar and a beer garden on the street in summer.

Eiskönig Landstraße. You shouldn't miss Upper Austria's best Italian ice cream store. They have a multiplicity of ice cream flavours, something for every taste. You will also get coffee and Austrian specialities like Apfelstrudel or Topfenpalatschinken. Smoke-free.

Thüsen Tak. A small hard rock pub. Books and posters lining the walls. Be prepared for cigarette haze and talkative, not-always-sober regulars of all ages.

Exxtrablatt. Cosy cafe and bar. Sit outside in the summer until 23:00, or walk down the stairs into a large room. You'll notice typical (for Austria) coffee house tables and stools, and classic movie posters covering the walls. You get a good selection of beers and wines, and the usual long drinks/cocktails. They serve burgers and snacks, including some vegetarian. For dessert, there's a delicious chocolate cake.

Chay. Austria is famous for coffee but this small shop serves astonishingly good tea in many shapes. Split in a shop and a teahouse right beside to each other the menu offers tons of teas of excellent quality.

Roter Krebs. Founded and run by artists, frequented mostly by students from the nearby art school.

Sleep

Motel Pension Rosenhof. It's a lovely hotel with good rooms and a nice view, and there is a bus stop about 100 meters away between St. Isidor and Hart.

Das Park Hotel. Completely automated concrete drain tubes with beds inside, you book (through website) and you're given a code for the door. From May through October.

Hotel Mühlviertlerhof. Graben 24-26.

Hotel Am Domplatz. Business hotel direct in the city center with modern and well furbished rooms.

Steigenberger Linz. Direct at the Danube and close to the A7/E55 Autobahn this four star hotel is good located in the industrial area of Linz. Rooms are spacious and breakfast is good.