What to do in Linz, Austria?

Linz, Austria’s third-largest city, is a little-known destination that’s well worth a visit. Situated halfway between Salzburg and Vienna, Linz has long lived in the shadow of its two neighbors, but in recent years it has distinguished itself by its cultural offerings and modern mindset.

This dynamic city offers a unique blend of historical heritage and contemporary culture. Whether you’re a museum-goer, technology enthusiast or gourmet, Linz has something to offer every traveler.

In this guide, you’ll find the must-sees in Linz, tips on how to make the most of your stay and a selection of good addresses. Enjoy your trip!

This travel guide is produced in commercial collaboration with the Austrian Tourist board. The opinions and suggestions for activities in this article are therefore entirely sincere.

Plan your stay in Linz

🗺️ How do I get there? The city is easily accessible by train from other Austrian cities: allow 1h40 from Vienna (it’s possible to take a train directly from the airport), 3h from Graz.

🗓️ When to go? Temperatures in Austria are similar to those in France. Choose the mid-seasons (spring or autumn) for mild temperatures that will make your visits more pleasant, or winter to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. In September, you can attend the Brucknerfest classical music festival. Don’t plan to visit the city on Mondays, as most museums are closed on that day.

⏱️ How long can you stay? Linz is a city on a human scale. Two days will be enough to discover the city. Allow three days to take your time and explore the surrounding area.

💬 How do you communicate? In Austria, the official language is German, but most Austrians speak perfect English.

💰 How much does it cost? You won’t break the bank! The tourist office has offers for less than €150, which include 2 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast, as well as the Linz-Card, which offers access to public transport, free admission to museums, and numerous discounts on tourist attractions and restaurants.  To find out more

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Summary of Linz’s history

With its strategic location on the banks of the Danube, Linz is a city that grew through trade. In the ^15th century, Emperor Frederick III spent his final years here, making Linz the most important city in the Holy Roman Empire.

In more recent history, Linz was sadly marked by the Second World War. As Hitler’s childhood town, it was here in 1938 that the dictator announced the annexation of Austria to Germany (the Anschluss). Linz also became a major industrial center, and was heavily bombed by the Allies in the final months of the war.

Today, far removed from those dark days, Linz has become a cultural, modern, student and inclusive city. Modern art has an important place here, as do LGBT+ events, as evidenced by the many rainbow flags visible around the city.

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What to see in Linz Must-see activities

A stroll through Linz’s historic center

The center of Linz is quite small, so you can easily find your way around the city. Take your time to stroll through the charming alleyways.

Don’t miss Hauptplatz, the city’s main square, which is often bustling with activity, especially at weekends. In the middle, it’s impossible to miss the 20-meter-high Trinity Column, erected to celebrate the end of the Plague.

Discover the former cathedral (Alter Dom), also known as the Jesuit Church, built in the ^17th century and where Anton Bruckner was the organist from 1856 to 1868.

 Domgasse 3
 Free entrance

Visit the New Cathedral (Neuer Dom)

Built in Gothic style in the ^19th century, Linz Cathedral is Austria’s largest cathedral (at 5,170 m2), but it’s not quite as tall as Vienna’s, out of respect for the country’s capital! Its tower nevertheless reaches a height of 134 meters.

It was designed so that all the inhabitants of the time (20,000) could fit inside. A few years ago, the liturgical furnishings were moved to the center of the cathedral. Outside Masses, a mechanism lowers the altar so that visitors can stand in the center and enjoy the interior architecture to the full.

 Herrenstraße 26
 Daily, 8 am to 7 pm
 Free admission

Admire the view of Linz from the Schlossmuseum

Head for the heights of the city to discover the Schlossmuseum. This museum is housed in a castle built in the ^15th century by Frederick III. Ravaged by fire, it was restored and extended with a resolutely modern extension.

The museum tells the story of Upper Austria and presents temporary exhibitions. Unfortunately, most of the explanations are not translated into English.

Whether you visit the museum or not, you can enjoy a free visit to the terrace, which offers a magnificent view of Linz.

 Schlossberg 1
 Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
 Adults €6 / €3 for 6-19 year-olds / free for under-5s
 Free admission with Linz Card

Discover the Ars Electronica Center

Built in 1996 under the name “Museum of the Future ” and renamed Ars Electronica Center in 2009 when Linz became European Capital of Culture, this museum symbolizes the city’s modernity.

The tour covers a wide range of future-oriented fields, including artificial intelligence, robotics, genetics, biotechnology and neuroscience. Numerous interactive devices enable visitors to learn more about these different fields.

Also worth discovering is “Deepl space 8K”, a projection room where you can explore images in ultra-high definition and 3D on a giant 16 x 9-metre screen.

 Ars-Electronica-Straße 1
 Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
 13 € / free for children under 5
 Free admission with Linz Card

Take the high road to the Postlingberg

The Postlingberg is a hill that dominates the city at a height of 537 meters. You can, of course, get there on foot, but the least tiring – and most traditional – option is to take the Pöstlingbahn, a train that departs from the town center (Hauptplatz) and takes you to the very top of the hill in around twenty minutes, all the way through the countryside.

A shuttle leaves every 30 minutes from early morning until 10 pm. For more authenticity, you can wait for the old renovated wagon with its wooden seats.

Once up there, you’ll enjoy an incredible view of Linz and can visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Seven Sorrows. For children, there’s also a little train that takes you into the dwarf cave.

 Departure from Hautplatz
 Every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
 Adults €8, concessions €4
 Free with 2- or 3-day Linz Card

Explore the city’s museums

I highly recommend a visit to the Lentos museum of modern and contemporary art, where you can admire paintings by Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka, among others. Much of the museum’s collection comes from collector and art dealer Wolfgang Gurlitt, who was investigated for looting Nazi art. For several years, the museum has been conducting research to determine the provenance of the works, and to return them to the descendants of the looted families where appropriate. A section of the museum looks back at this history and the looting of works of art during the Second World War.

 Doktor-Ernst-Koref-Promenade 1
 Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, Thursdays until 8 pm
 Adults €14, under 7s free of charge
 Free admission with Linz Card

Push open the door of the Francisco Carolinum, a museum featuring mainly photography exhibits and magnificent architecture. Don’t be afraid to approach – the door gives the impression that the museum is closed, but as you get closer it will open automatically!

 Museumstrasse 14
 Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
 Adults €6.5, €3 for 6-19 year-olds, free for under-6s
 Free admission with Linz Card

Go out of town to discover Wilhering Abbey (Stift Wilhering)

Less than 10 minutes by bus from the center of Linz, it would be a shame to miss this abbey.

Founded in the ^12th century, it was destroyed in the ^mid-18th century and rebuilt in rococo style. Although the abbey is not open to visitors, the church is open to the public free of charge. It’s one of Austria’s most beautiful churches, with a rich, overloaded style that takes your breath away! Visiting the church is made all the more enjoyable by the fact that there are very few tourists: when I went there on a Saturday afternoon, I was alone with just 4 parishioners.

But be warned: buses to these destinations are infrequent, so it’s best to plan ahead and check the return timetable. You can check timetables and buy tickets on the ” OÖVV ” app. Return tickets cost just €6.

 Linzer Str. 4, Wilhering
 Open daily. Please do not disturb the Masses, see the program on the abbey website.
 Free admission

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Best places in Linz

Where to stay? Find a hotel in Linz

Enter the dates of your stay on this map to see the list of available establishments and their rates:

I recommend staying close to the city center, so you can do most of your sightseeing on foot, but you can also get around easily with a hotel close to a streetcar station (free with the Linz Card).

During my stay, I stayed at the Leonardo Boutique Hotel in Linz, ideally located just a 2-minute walk from the cathedral and 5 minutes from Hauptplatz. The rooms are very comfortable and, on the upper floors, offer a superb view of the cathedral.

Where to eat? Some restaurant ideas

Pauls steak & veggi

Just a stone’s throw from the cathedral, in a modern, glass-fronted building, Pauls steak & veggi offers – as its name suggests – a wide range of meat dishes, as well as a multitude of vegetarian options.

I highly recommend the three- or four-course “surprise” menu, where you can sample fusion cuisine with multiple influences.

 Domplatz 3
 Website: https: //www.pauls-linz.at/
 Reservations strongly recommended

Pianino

Tucked away in a little street off the town’s main thoroughfare, Pianino is a restaurant you’re sure to love! The regular menu is complemented by a regularly changing seasonal menu. You’ll also find a fine selection of Austrian wines, all in a warm, relaxed atmosphere.

Landstraße 13
 Website: https: //www.pianino.at/
 Reservations strongly recommended

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Interactive map

All the addresses mentioned in this article can be found on this map:

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Extend your stay in Austria

Don’t miss Vienna, the capital of Austria, with its palaces and numerous museums, only 1h40 away by train.

I also highly recommend discovering Graz, with its rich historical heritage, beautiful panoramas and cultural scene. Only 3 hours by train from Linz.

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This travel guide is produced in commercial collaboration with the Austrian Tourist Office. The opinions and suggestions for activities in this article are therefore entirely sincere.
This article contains affiliate links, i.e. I receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but it helps me develop Culturez-vous and bring you new stories.
All photographs used in this article are the property of Culturez-vous and may not be used without written permission.