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Innviertel
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Explore Innviertel in Upper Austria for historic market towns, Inn riverside scenery, Bavarian influences, woodland walks, moorland and regional food.

Innviertel occupies the north-western corner of Upper Austria, between the River Inn and the gently rising landscapes of the Hausruck and Kobernaußerwald. Its western edge faces Bavaria across the Inn, while the Salzach marks much of its northern boundary with Salzburg. This is a region of market towns, farmsteads, wooded hills, river meadows and productive agricultural land rather than grand alpine scenery, and its quieter character is one of its defining attractions.
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The principal urban centres are Braunau am Inn, Ried im Innkreis and Schärding. Braunau combines a compact historic centre with a prominent Gothic parish church and a long-established position on the river frontier. Ried is a practical regional base, known for its town square, cultural institutions and links to the surrounding countryside. Schärding, on the Inn, is distinguished by its colourful Baroque streetscape and riverside setting. Smaller towns such as Mattighofen, Obernberg am Inn and Altheim provide access to local history, walking routes and the rural character of the district.
Innviertel’s history is closely connected with Bavaria, the Inn trade and the shifting political boundaries of central Europe. The region became Austrian in 1779, after centuries of Bavarian rule, and its architecture, dialect and food culture still reflect this borderland past. Reichersberg Abbey, standing above the Inn near Obernberg, remains one of the region’s most important ecclesiastical landmarks. In the countryside, old churches, wayside shrines, timber farm buildings and village inns reveal a landscape shaped by Catholic traditions and agriculture.
Nature is experienced at a modest, accessible scale. The Ibmer Moor, Austria’s largest raised bog, protects wetland habitats in the north-west, while the Kobernaußerwald offers forest walks and cycling routes south-east of Ried. The Inn itself provides birdwatching opportunities and riverside paths, although its banks are shaped by managed waterways and flood-control infrastructure as well as natural habitats. At Geinberg, thermal waters have made spa and wellness an important part of the regional visitor economy.
Food and drink are central to the experience, with farm produce, dairy products, bread, pastries and hearty Upper Austrian cooking appearing in traditional inns and contemporary restaurants. Local breweries and small-scale producers add to the region’s culinary identity. Innviertel suits visitors who enjoy travelling between historic town centres, abbeys, wetlands, wooded uplands and country roads, with enough distance between places to reward a flexible itinerary rather than a single concentrated sightseeing stop.

When is the best time to visit Innviertel?

Best: June–August · 23–26°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January340
February445
March950
April1455
May1960
June (best)2365
July (best)2670
August (best)2575
September2170
October1565
November860
December355

Getting to and around Innviertel

How to get there

Innviertel is reached most conveniently by road and regional rail from Linz, Salzburg and the Bavarian side of the Inn. Wels and Passau, both outside the region, are useful railway gateways, while Salzburg Airport and Munich Airport, also outside Innviertel, provide the broadest international air connections. Regional trains serve centres including Braunau am Inn, Ried im Innkreis and Schärding, but journey patterns vary by route; check current connections before travelling. The A8 motorway provides access from the east and west, with local roads continuing towards the region's smaller towns and villages.

Transportation

Trains and buses connect the principal towns, but rural services are less frequent and dispersed attractions are rarely convenient to combine without planning. A car is useful for reaching the Ibmer Moor, villages, forest areas and smaller historic sites, although cycling is rewarding on quieter country roads and designated routes along the Inn. Walking works well within the town centres and for selected nature trails. Taxis are available in larger settlements; avoid assuming that an unbooked taxi or bus will be readily available in remote villages, particularly in the evening.

Best attractions in Innviertel

Innviertel's attractions are spread across historic towns, river landscapes and rural nature rather than concentrated in one major sightseeing centre. Braunau am Inn offers a compact old town and important ecclesiastical architecture, while Schärding is known for its colourful historic streets and position on the Inn. Ried im Innkreis provides museums, cultural venues and a useful base for exploring the surrounding countryside. Reichersberg Abbey is a major heritage stop, combining a long religious history with views towards the Inn valley. Nature-oriented visitors can explore trails and observation areas around the Ibmer Moor, Austria's largest raised bog, or walk and cycle in the wooded Kobernaußerwald. Geinberg adds thermal bathing and wellness to the regional offer. Smaller attractions include village churches, traditional farm landscapes, local breweries, cycling routes and riverside paths. The best itineraries alternate between town-centre heritage and open countryside, allowing time for the region's less hurried scale.

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Best landmarks in Innviertel

The most recognisable landmarks of Innviertel reveal its borderland history and close relationship with the Inn. Reichersberg Abbey, an Augustinian monastery above the river near the Austrian-Bavarian frontier, is a major ecclesiastical landmark whose buildings and long institutional history give the surrounding valley a strong sense of place. Schärding's historic centre is distinguished by rows of brightly coloured Baroque façades, especially around the central town streets, reflecting its past as a prosperous trading settlement. In Braunau am Inn, the parish church of St Stephen is notable for its Gothic architecture and tall tower, one of the town's most visible features. The medieval and early modern townscape of Braunau also includes remnants of its historic fortifications and civic buildings. The Ibmer Moor is a natural rather than architectural landmark: its raised-bog landscape represents a rare wetland environment in the region. Together, these places express Innviertel's combination of religious heritage, river commerce, urban history and protected countryside.

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Best restaurants in Innviertel

Innviertel's cooking reflects its position between Upper Austria and Bavaria, with hearty dishes based on pork, beef, dumplings, potatoes, seasonal vegetables and locally produced dairy. Traditional Gasthäuser remain important places to encounter regional food, particularly in market towns and villages, while cafés serve Austrian pastries, coffee and light meals. Bread, farmhouse cheeses, cured products and seasonal produce appear in local shops and farmers' markets, although availability varies by town and day. The Inn and nearby lakes and wetlands do not make the region primarily a seafood destination; its culinary identity is more strongly agricultural and dairy-based. Beer has a visible place in the local food culture, with regional breweries and beer served alongside classic dishes. In larger towns, contemporary restaurants broaden the choice without replacing the traditional inn. Menus can change with the season, and a little German vocabulary is useful when ordering in smaller rural establishments.

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Best bars in Innviertel

Evenings in Innviertel usually centre on traditional pubs, brewery-linked restaurants, wine bars and cafés rather than a large nightclub circuit. Braunau am Inn, Ried im Innkreis and Schärding offer the broadest choice of places to eat and have a drink, with activity generally concentrated around their central streets and squares. Historic inns and village pubs remain part of local social life, while larger towns may offer occasional live music, cultural performances and late-opening bars. Geinberg's visitor economy adds evening dining and wellness-oriented venues, but it is not a major club destination. Nightlife is often quieter outside Friday and Saturday, and rural establishments may close earlier than international visitors expect. The region's evening appeal lies in relaxed meals, local beer, conversation and small-town cultural events rather than an intensive party scene.

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Best nightclubs in Innviertel

Evenings in Innviertel usually centre on traditional pubs, brewery-linked restaurants, wine bars and cafés rather than a large nightclub circuit. Braunau am Inn, Ried im Innkreis and Schärding offer the broadest choice of places to eat and have a drink, with activity generally concentrated around their central streets and squares. Historic inns and village pubs remain part of local social life, while larger towns may offer occasional live music, cultural performances and late-opening bars. Geinberg's visitor economy adds evening dining and wellness-oriented venues, but it is not a major club destination. Nightlife is often quieter outside Friday and Saturday, and rural establishments may close earlier than international visitors expect. The region's evening appeal lies in relaxed meals, local beer, conversation and small-town cultural events rather than an intensive party scene.

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Best shops in Innviertel

Shopping in Innviertel is focused on practical market-town high streets, independent retailers, weekly markets and regional food rather than large-scale luxury districts. Ried im Innkreis, Braunau am Inn and Schärding provide the widest selection of everyday shops, cafés, books, clothing and locally oriented businesses, while smaller towns serve their surrounding agricultural communities. Visitors can look for farmhouse cheeses, bread, honey, cured products, spirits and other Upper Austrian specialities in food shops and producers' outlets, although opening arrangements vary. Craft shops, galleries and seasonal markets may offer ceramics, woodwork, textiles and locally made gifts, but these are best regarded as occasional regional finds rather than a standard retail circuit. Schärding's historic centre is particularly suitable for browsing alongside a town visit, while market days elsewhere offer a more direct connection with local produce. Check dates locally, as farmers' markets and village events are often weekly or seasonal rather than permanent attractions.

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Innviertel essentials

Currency and Payment
Innviertel uses Austria's national currency, the euro (EUR). Debit and credit cards, including contactless payment, are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, transport facilities and established restaurants, though smaller rural businesses, market stalls and some traditional inns may prefer cash or have minimum card amounts. Keep some euros available for small purchases, local transport and countryside services. Austria's standard banking and payment practices apply throughout the region, and exchange rates should be checked with the card provider or bank.
Safety
Innviertel is generally a straightforward region for visitors, but ordinary precautions remain appropriate in busy town centres, stations and car parks. Rural roads may be narrow, unlit or shared with agricultural vehicles, while forest paths can become slippery after rain. Follow marked trails and respect wetland access rules in the Ibmer Moor. The Inn has strong currents and engineered banks in places, so do not swim or approach the water casually. In winter, fog, ice and reduced daylight can affect driving and walking, particularly in wooded or open rural areas.
Emergency Situations
In Austria, call 112 for the European emergency number, 133 for police, 122 for the fire service and 144 for an ambulance. Mountain rescue can be reached on 140, which may be relevant in the wooded and hilly parts of the region, although Innviertel is not a high-alpine destination. Give the exact town, road, trail name or mapped location, and state whether medical help, fire assistance or police is required. The Geinberg thermal resort and other visitor facilities have their own first-aid arrangements, but these do not replace the national emergency services.
Do's and Don'ts
Greet people politely in shops and traditional inns, queue patiently and keep voices moderate on regional trains and buses. Ask before photographing people, private farm buildings or religious ceremonies, and follow signs at abbeys, churches and protected nature areas. Do not enter fields, forestry land or private courtyards without permission, and keep dogs under control near livestock and wildlife habitats. Tipping is customary in restaurants and cafés when service has been satisfactory, usually by rounding up or adding a modest amount rather than following a fixed rule. Respect that many small villages are working communities rather than open-air visitor attractions.
Local Tips
The Inn valley and the towns beside it are best explored with a little historical preparation, since the Bavarian-Austrian border story explains much of the local architecture and culture. Combine an urban visit with one rural landscape, such as the Ibmer Moor or Kobernaußerwald, rather than attempting too many scattered stops in one day. Ried and Braunau are useful bases for different parts of the region, while Geinberg suits a slower wellness-focused stay. Regional food markets and seasonal village events are often small and locally oriented, so confirm dates with municipal or tourism offices before planning around them.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloGrüß Gott[Greeß Got]
GoodbyeAuf Wiedersehen[Owff Veederzayn]
YesJa[Ya]
NoNein[Nayn]
Please/You're welcomeBitte[Bitt-e]
Thank youDanke[Dank-e]
Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung[Ent-shool-dee-goong]
How are you?Wie geht's?[Vee gates?]
Fine. And you?Gut. Und dir?[Goot. Oond deer?]
Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?[Shpreck-en Zee Eng-lish?]
I don't understandIch verstehe nicht[Ish fer-shtay-e nikt]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch möchte die Speisekarte sehen, bitte[Ish merkt-e dee Shpieze-kart-e zayn, bitt-e]
I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch[Ish ess-e kine Flesh]
Cheers!Prost![Prohst!]
I would like to pay, pleaseIch möchte bezahlen, bitte[Ish merkt-e be-zahl-en, bitt-e]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hilfe![Hil-fe!]
Go away!Geh weg![Gay vek!]
Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei![Roo-fen Zee dee Po-li-tsai!]
Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt![Roo-fen Zee eye-nen Arts-t!]
I'm lostIch bin verloren[Ish bin fer-lo-ren]
I'm illIch bin krank[Ish bin krank]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ich möchte ... kaufen[Ish merkt-e ... kauf-en]
I'm just lookingIch schaue nur[Ish shau-e noor]
How much is it?Wie viel kostet es?[Vee feel kost-et es?]
That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer[Das ist zoo toy-er]
Can you lower the price?Können Sie den Preis senken?[Kern-en Zee den Price senk-en?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Wie spät ist es?[Vee shpayt ist es?]
It's one o'clockEs ist ein Uhr[Es ist ine Oor]
Half past (10)Halb (10)[Halb (10)]
MorningMorgen[Morg-en]
AfternoonNachmittag[Nach-mit-tahg]
EveningAbend[Ah-bent]
YesterdayGestern[Gest-ern]
TodayHeute[Hoy-te]
TomorrowMorgen[Morg-en]
1Eins[I-ns]
2Zwei[Tsvy]
3Drei[Dry]
4Vier[Fear]
5Fünf[Foonf]
6Sechs[Zex]
7Sieben[Zee-ben]
8Acht[Acht]
9Neun[Noyn]
10Zehn[Tsen]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/das ...?[Vo ist ine/das ...?]
What's the address?Was ist die Adresse?[Vas ist dee Ad-res-se?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Können Sie mir (auf der Karte) zeigen?[Kern-en Zee meer (owf dare Kar-te) tsai-gen?]
When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?[Vann komt dare neks-te (Boos)?]
A ticket (to ....)Ein Ticket (nach ...)[Ine Ticket (nahkh ...)]

History of Innviertel

Prehistoric settlement and Roman frontiers

The Innviertel has been settled since prehistoric times, with archaeological evidence showing the long agricultural use of its fertile plains and wooded margins. Under Roman rule, the region lay near the frontier zone between the provinces of Noricum and Raetia, with roads, farms and smaller settlements connected to larger centres elsewhere in the Alpine Danube world. The River Inn was both a natural route and a boundary of practical importance. Although the most monumental Roman remains lie outside the region, Roman-era finds and road patterns help explain the area's enduring role as a north-western passage through what is now Upper Austria.

The Innviertel under Bavarian rule

For much of the medieval and early modern period, Innviertel belonged to Bavaria rather than Austria. Towns along the Inn developed through agriculture, crafts, river trade and regional administration, while churches and monasteries shaped the cultural landscape. Reichersberg Abbey, founded in the twelfth century, became an important religious and intellectual institution. The border was not simply a line between states: dialect, family connections and commercial links crossed the river, helping to create the distinctive Bavarian-Austrian character that remains visible in local speech, architecture and food.

River trade and the growth of market towns

The Inn supported transport and commerce, linking settlements in present-day Upper Austria and Bavaria with wider Danube routes. Schärding benefited from its position as a trading town and developed an impressive historic centre of merchants' houses. Braunau and Obernberg also grew through their frontier and market functions, while inland towns such as Ried served agricultural hinterlands. The region's economy remained predominantly rural, but mills, breweries, crafts and small manufacturing gradually added to the occupation of its towns and villages.

The transfer from Bavaria to Austria in 1779

The Treaty of Teschen in 1779 transferred the Innviertel from Bavaria to the Habsburg monarchy after the War of the Bavarian Succession. The change placed the region within the political framework of Austria while leaving its Bavarian historical inheritance intact. This is the event most often used to define Innviertel in its modern political sense. Administrative changes followed, but the area's borderland identity did not disappear; instead, it became a distinctive regional feature within Upper Austria.

Napoleonic upheaval and the return to Austria

The Napoleonic wars unsettled the region's political status. After Austria's defeat in 1809, the Innviertel was again assigned to Bavaria, remaining there until the settlement that followed the Congress of Vienna. In 1816 it returned to Austria and was incorporated into the Austrian lands that later formed modern Upper Austria. These changes affected administration, military movements and taxation, while the region's towns and villages continued to rely on farming, trade and established parish communities.

The Braunau Parliament and Bavarian resistance, 1705

Before the transfer to Austria, Braunau became associated with the Bavarian popular resistance to Habsburg occupation during the War of the Spanish Succession. The so-called Braunau Parliament met in 1705 and is remembered as an early representative assembly formed during the uprising. Its military and political influence was short-lived, and the revolt was suppressed, but the episode gives Braunau a place in the political history of early modern Bavaria. It also illustrates the strategic importance of the Inn frontier during periods of European conflict.

Agriculture, industry and modern regional life

During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Innviertel remained strongly agricultural while its towns expanded through food processing, engineering, commerce and service industries. Improved roads and railways connected market centres with Linz, Salzburg and Bavarian towns, changing the movement of people and goods. Dairy farming, brewing and other rural industries retained importance, while newer employers diversified the economy. Today the region balances productive farmland and small-town life with tourism based on wellness, heritage, cycling, walking and the conservation of wetlands and river landscapes.

Innviertel in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Innviertel, Austria

Discover Innviertel with Evendo – a 100% free app-based travel guide covering the best attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Plan and book your perfect trip effortlessly.

  • Comprehensive information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich content including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
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Explore Innviertel like never before with Evendo. This free travel guide app provides you with detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and activities, all in one place.

  • Historical insights and travel essentials for Innviertel
  • Curated local tips to experience Innviertel like a local
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near me' feature to find nearby attractions
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Are you planning a trip to Innviertel, Austria? Make the most out of your visit with Evendo, the ultimate app-based travel guide designed to offer a seamless and enriching travel experience. Innviertel boasts an array of fascinating attractions including the Baroque town of Schärding, the serene Ibmer Moor, and the historical Engelszell Abbey. With Evendo, you’ll have detailed information on these landmarks and many more right at your fingertips.

Imagine strolling through the picturesque streets of Ried im Innkreis and easily locating the best local restaurants like the renowned Gasthof Riedberg or indulging in the delightful pastries at Café-Konditorei Ottet. Evendo ensures that you don’t miss out on any culinary delights or cultural experiences. The app features rich descriptions, images, local tips, and maps for each location, making it easier than ever to plan your itinerary.

No more hassle of searching for things to do, figuring out logistics, or booking tickets. Evendo allows you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app. Whether you’re interested in a guided tour of the stunning Reichersberg Abbey or an adventurous hike through the Sauwald region, Evendo has you covered.

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