Your Ultimate Guide to Linz – Culture, Cuisine & Danube Beauty

Welcome to Linz, Austria’s third-largest city and an exciting blend of heritage and modern creativity. Nestled on the banks of the Danube River, Linz has evolved from an industrial center into a UNESCO City of Media Arts and one of Austria’s most dynamic cultural destinations.
 

Whether you're here to explore its baroque Old Town, visit interactive museums, or cruise the Danube at sunset, Linz offers a unique mix of past and future. It's the perfect city for art lovers, curious travelers, and relaxed explorers alike.

📍 Where Is Linz?

Location: Northern Austria, on the Danube River

Region: Upper Austria (Oberösterreich)

Population: ~200,000

Proximity: ~1 hour from Salzburg, ~2 hours from Vienna by train

✈️ How to Get to Linz

By Air:

Linz Airport (LNZ): Small international airport, ~20 minutes from the city

Nearby alternatives: Salzburg (1.5 hrs), Vienna (2 hrs)

By Train:

Linz Hauptbahnhof is well connected to major cities like Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, and Prague via ÖBB and Westbahn services.

By Car:

Easily accessible via A1 and A7 highways

🏙️ Top Things to Do in Linz

1. Ars Electronica Center (Museum of the Future)

Linz’s flagship attraction: a hands-on, futuristic museum showcasing technology, AI, and digital art

Interactive exhibits and light installations

Nicknamed the “Museum of the Future”

2. Lentos Art Museum

Modern and contemporary art in a stunning glass building along the Danube

Works by Klimt, Schiele, Warhol, and Austrian contemporary artists

3. Old Town (Altstadt)

Charming narrow lanes, colorful façades, and baroque architecture

Don’t miss:

Hauptplatz: One of the largest town squares in Europe

Old Cathedral (Alter Dom): 17th-century Jesuit church

Landhaus: Renaissance government building with an ornate courtyard

4. Pöstlingberg Hill

Take the Pöstlingbergbahn, one of the world’s steepest adhesion railways

Visit Pöstlingberg Church and Grottenbahn, a fairytale world inside a dragon-themed grotto

Amazing panoramic views over Linz

5. Danube River Cruises

Scenic boat rides from Linz along the Danube, including trips to Vienna or Passau

Great for evening dinner cruises or daytime sightseeing

🎨 Museums & Culture

🧬 6. Ars Electronica Festival (September)

Linz’s biggest annual event dedicated to technology, art, and society

Attracts innovators and digital creators from around the world

🖼️ 7. Nordico City Museum

History of Linz from Roman times to today

Local exhibits, stories of WWII, and urban development

🏛️ 8. St. Martin’s Church (Martinskirche)

Oldest surviving church in Austria, dating back to the 8th century

Small, peaceful, and full of historic charm

🎭 9. Musiktheater Linz

One of the most modern opera houses in Europe

Stunning performances of opera, ballet, and musicals

Modern architecture and top-tier acoustics

🌳 Nature & Outdoor Activities

🚴 10. Danube Bike Path (Donauradweg)

One of Europe’s most popular cycling routes

Linz is a great base for exploring sections of the route

Bike rentals and well-marked scenic paths

🏞️ 11. Botanical Gardens (Botanischer Garten Linz)

Over 10,000 plant species across beautifully designed gardens

Greenhouses, alpine flowers, and themed areas

🚡 12. Linz Castle (Schlossmuseum Linz)

Overlooking the Danube, this historic site combines ancient ramparts with modern exhibits

Stunning river views and museums on nature, technology, and culture

🛍️ Shopping in Linz

🛒 13. Landstraße

Main shopping street connecting the train station with the Old Town

International brands, boutique stores, bookstores, and cafés

🧵 14. Main Square Markets

Seasonal markets with local produce, flowers, and crafts

Especially vibrant during Easter and Christmas

🍽️ What to Eat & Drink in Linz

Local Specialties:

Linzer Torte: Austria’s oldest known cake, with a buttery crust and raspberry jam filling

Bratknödel: Meat dumplings with gravy

Bauernkrapfen: Fried dough with powdered sugar or jam

Krautfleckerl: Pasta with caramelized cabbage

Where to Try:

Jindrak Konditorei: Home of the original Linzer Torte

Wirt am Graben: Traditional Austrian tavern

Pöstlingberg Schlössl: Elegant dining with hilltop views

Sky Garden Café at the AEC: Great for coffee with a Danube panorama

🏨 Where to Stay in Linz

Luxury:

Austria Trend Hotel Schillerpark – Modern, central, with rooftop dining

Hotel am Domplatz – Stylish design hotel near the Old Cathedral

Mid-Range:

Park Inn by Radisson Linz – Comfortable and well-located

Hotel Schwarzer Bär – Boutique charm in a historic building

Budget:

Montagehostel – Good option for budget-conscious travelers

Youth Hostel Linz – Affordable and friendly

🎉 Events & Festivals in Linz

Ars Electronica Festival (Sept): Digital art, science, and technology

Pflasterspektakel (July): International street performance festival

Linz Marathon (April): Annual race through the city

Christmas Markets (Dec): Traditional stalls in Hauptplatz and Volksgarten

📸 Best Photo Spots in Linz

Golden hour at Hauptplatz with baroque buildings

Night view of Lentos and Ars Electronica Center reflecting on the Danube

View from Pöstlingberg over the entire city

Street art and modern design in Tabakfabrik Linz

Danube promenade at sunset

📅 Sample 2-Day Itinerary in Linz

🗓️ Day 1:

Morning: Old Town walking tour – Hauptplatz, Alter Dom, Linz Castle

Afternoon: Lentos Art Museum + riverside lunch

Evening: Ride the Pöstlingbergbahn, dinner at the top

🗓️ Day 2:

Morning: Explore the Ars Electronica Center

Afternoon: Danube cruise or cycling along the river

Evening: Attend a performance at the Musiktheater

💡 Travel Tips for Linz

Language: German, but English is commonly spoken in tourist areas

Currency: Euro (€)

Best time to visit: Spring (Apr–Jun) and Autumn (Sept–Oct)

Transportation: LINZ AG buses and trams are efficient and punctual

Linz Card: Offers free public transport and access to museums

🌟 Why Visit Linz?

Because Linz offers a perfect harmony of old-world charm and forward-thinking creativity. It’s less crowded than Vienna or Salzburg but equally rewarding for travelers seeking history, art, tech, and tranquility by the Danube. From medieval churches and cutting-edge museums to cozy bakeries and lively riverfront paths, Linz is Austria’s hidden cultural treasure—waiting to be discovered.