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Linz
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Linz combines Danube views, Ars Electronica, industrial heritage, contemporary art and historic streets with thoughtful Austrian culture and regional cuisine.

A City Shaped by the Danube

Linz stretches along the Danube between Salzburg and Vienna, combining a historic centre of Baroque façades with the purposeful scale of an important industrial city. Once known primarily for steel production and river commerce, the Upper Austrian capital has developed a confident cultural identity, particularly through its investment in digital art, contemporary architecture and public space. The Schlossberg rises above the old town, while the river provides a broad natural axis for walking, cycling and observing the changing cityscape.
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Old Streets, New Ideas

The Hauptplatz forms the architectural heart of Linz, framed by historic town houses and the column of the Holy Trinity, with narrow streets leading towards the Domviertel and the monumental Mariendom. Across the river, the Ars Electronica Center presents interactive exhibitions exploring technology, science and society, its illuminated façade acting as one of the city's most recognisable modern signatures. The Lentos Kunstmuseum adds an international art perspective beside the Danube, while the OÖ Kulturquartier and former industrial sites extend the cultural scene beyond conventional museum spaces.

Upper Austrian Character

Linz rewards visitors who mix landmark sightseeing with slower local rhythms: coffee and Linzer Torte in a traditional café, seasonal produce at the Südbahnhofmarkt, a tram ride towards Pöstlingberg, or an evening walk along the riverbank. The city's cuisine reflects Upper Austrian traditions, with dumplings, freshwater fish, pastries and hearty regional dishes appearing alongside contemporary restaurants. Nearby hills and the Danube landscape give Linz a spacious setting, while its museums and creative institutions ensure that its identity is firmly directed towards the future.

When is the best time to visit Linz?

Best: June–August · 23–25°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January325
February421
March924
April1536
May2055
June (best)2373
July (best)2584
August (best)2570
September2052
October1440
November832
December426

Getting to and around Linz

How to get there

Linz is well connected by rail, road and the Danube. Linz Hauptbahnhof lies on Austria's principal east-west railway corridor, with frequent long-distance services linking the city with Vienna, Salzburg and other Austrian centres, as well as international connections. Linz Airport, also known as Blue Danube Airport Linz, is located at Hörsching, outside the city, and is connected to Linz by road and public transport, with rail access via Hörsching station and onward connections. Vienna and Salzburg airports provide broader international flight networks and can be reached by rail. Long-distance coaches and the motorway network offer additional approaches, while river cruises use Linz as a Danube stop.

Transportation

Linz has an efficient public transport network operated principally through trams and buses, with the central Hauptplatz serving as a useful orientation point for several routes. The compact old town is easiest to explore on foot, although the city's extensions along the Danube and towards Pöstlingberg make public transport useful. The Pöstlingbergbahn is both a working mountain railway and a scenic way to reach the hill above the city. Cycling is practical on Danube routes and many urban streets, while taxis are available for direct journeys. Drivers should note that parking and access are more restricted in the historic centre than in outer districts.

Best attractions in Linz

Linz's principal attractions range from historic squares to experimental cultural institutions. Hauptplatz anchors the old town with Baroque façades and the Holy Trinity Column, while the nearby Schlossmuseum occupies the former castle complex and traces Upper Austria's natural, cultural and social history. The Mariendom, Austria's largest church by internal capacity, provides a striking neo-Gothic counterpoint to the older centre. Across the Danube, the Ars Electronica Center explores artificial intelligence, robotics, biology and digital society through highly interactive displays, while the Lentos Kunstmuseum presents modern and contemporary art in a riverside building whose illuminated exterior is part of the cityscape. The steep Pöstlingberg offers views and access to the pilgrimage basilica, and the former industrial harbour's Mural Harbor turns large working structures into an open-air gallery of international street art. Danube paths and the botanical garden add quieter ways to experience Linz beyond its museums.

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Best landmarks in Linz

Linz's built identity is anchored by the Hauptplatz, one of Austria's large historic squares, where the 1723 Holy Trinity Column commemorates protection from plague and wartime danger. The Old Cathedral, or Alter Dom, represents the restrained Baroque tradition associated with the city, while the Mariendom, completed in the twentieth century, dominates the skyline with its neo-Gothic towers and vast stained-glass windows. Schloss Linz occupies the Schlossberg above the centre, its origins reaching back to medieval fortification and its present form reflecting centuries of political and architectural change. Across the river, the Nibelungen Bridge links the historic core with Urfahr and provides a broad view of the Danube frontage. The modern Ars Electronica Center and Lentos Kunstmuseum are landmarks of a different kind, demonstrating how Linz has made contemporary design, digital culture and riverside architecture part of its civic image.

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Explore Linz on the map

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Neighbourhoods in Linz

Best restaurants in Linz

Linz's culinary identity is rooted in Upper Austrian cooking, with dumplings, freshwater fish from the Danube region, seasonal vegetables, game and hearty meat dishes appearing alongside modern interpretations. The city's most famous edible association is Linzer Torte, a spiced pastry with a lattice top and redcurrant filling that has become an emblem of local baking. Traditional inns and cafés in the old town provide a setting for Austrian classics, while newer restaurants broaden the scene with international influences and contemporary regional menus. Südbahnhofmarkt offers a useful introduction to local produce, prepared foods and everyday shopping, rather than functioning solely as a visitor attraction. Coffeehouse culture remains important, and pastries, cakes and small savoury dishes are often enjoyed slowly. Beer from Upper Austria and Austrian wines complement many meals, while riverside venues add Danube views to the dining experience.

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Best bars in Linz

Linz's evening scene is varied without being overwhelming, with much of the activity concentrated around the old town, Alt-Urfahr and cultural venues close to the Danube. Traditional pubs and wine taverns provide relaxed settings for Austrian beer, regional wines and conversation, while smaller cocktail bars and cafés lend the centre a more contemporary tone. The Passage and surrounding streets accommodate later-night venues, though the atmosphere changes according to concerts, university events and seasonal programmes. Music is central to the city's cultural life: the Brucknerhaus presents classical performances and other concerts, while Posthof is a major venue for contemporary music, comedy and performance. Ars Electronica and other institutions occasionally host evening events that connect art, technology and nightlife. Summer brings open-air activity along the river, but Linz is better known for culture-led evenings and local socialising than for an all-night club district.

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Best nightclubs in Linz

Linz's evening scene is varied without being overwhelming, with much of the activity concentrated around the old town, Alt-Urfahr and cultural venues close to the Danube. Traditional pubs and wine taverns provide relaxed settings for Austrian beer, regional wines and conversation, while smaller cocktail bars and cafés lend the centre a more contemporary tone. The Passage and surrounding streets accommodate later-night venues, though the atmosphere changes according to concerts, university events and seasonal programmes. Music is central to the city's cultural life: the Brucknerhaus presents classical performances and other concerts, while Posthof is a major venue for contemporary music, comedy and performance. Ars Electronica and other institutions occasionally host evening events that connect art, technology and nightlife. Summer brings open-air activity along the river, but Linz is better known for culture-led evenings and local socialising than for an all-night club district.

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Best shops in Linz

Shopping in Linz combines the pedestrian streets of the historic centre with practical local markets and contemporary retail areas. Landstrasse is the main central shopping street, extending from the railway-station area towards Hauptplatz and lined with Austrian and international retailers, department-store-style businesses and cafés. The side streets around the old town offer smaller independent shops, bookshops, galleries and craft-oriented businesses, while Arkade and other central retail complexes provide shelter in poor weather. Südbahnhofmarkt is the most distinctive place to browse regional produce, bread, cheeses, meats, flowers and prepared foods, with an atmosphere shaped more by everyday shopping than souvenir hunting. For gifts, Linzer Torte, Austrian confectionery, local spirits, design objects and Upper Austrian handicrafts are more characteristic than generic merchandise. The riverside and Urfahr areas also contain smaller specialist businesses, though retail activity is less concentrated there than in the centre.

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Linz essentials

Currency and Payment
Austria uses the euro, written as EUR or €. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, museums, supermarkets and many restaurants, although smaller cafés, market stalls and some traditional businesses may still prefer cash or have minimum card-payment requirements. Cash machines are available in central areas and at transport hubs, but international visitors should check their own bank's withdrawal and foreign-exchange charges. When paying by card, choose euros rather than a home-currency conversion if the terminal offers a choice, as the card issuer's exchange rate may be more favourable. Keep small notes and coins for occasional low-value purchases.
Safety
Linz is generally straightforward for visitors, but ordinary urban precautions remain sensible. Keep belongings secure in crowded trams, at railway stations, around busy events and in queues, and avoid leaving valuables visible in parked cars. The riverside and central streets are usually easy to navigate, though quieter areas should be treated with the same awareness as any city after dark. Take care when cycling or walking beside roads and tram tracks, and observe local signs near the Danube. Austria's weather can change quickly, particularly on Pöstlingberg and along exposed river paths, so suitable clothing and footwear are useful for outdoor sightseeing.
Emergency Situations
For an immediate emergency in Austria, call 112, the European emergency number. Police can be reached on 133, the fire service on 122 and ambulance services on 144. Give the exact location, describe the problem clearly and follow the operator's instructions; operators may be able to assist in English, but having the address written down can help. For non-urgent medical needs, ask accommodation staff or a local pharmacy about the appropriate service, and carry travel insurance details and essential medication information. The European Health Insurance Card can assist eligible visitors from participating countries, although it does not replace travel insurance.
Do's and Don'ts
Greet staff politely and use formal forms of address in more traditional settings until invited to be informal. Queue carefully, validate or hold the correct public-transport ticket, and allow passengers to leave trams before boarding. In churches and the Mariendom, modest clothing and quiet behaviour are appropriate, while photography may be restricted in particular areas. Tipping is customary rather than compulsory; rounding up or leaving around five to ten per cent for good restaurant service is common, with smaller gratuities for cafés and taxis. Do not assume that shops or restaurants operate late every day, and avoid walking or cycling on marked tracks without checking local signs.
Local Tips
The old town, Hauptplatz, Schlossberg and the Danube museums make a compact first orientation, while the Neustadtviertel and Urfahr reveal more everyday urban life. Südbahnhofmarkt is useful for observing local shopping habits and sampling Upper Austrian produce, particularly earlier in the day. The riverside paths become increasingly open and green away from the centre, making them suitable for a gentle walk or cycle. Check cultural programmes at Ars Electronica, Lentos and the Brucknerhaus because exhibitions and performances add a different dimension to the city's industrial and historical character. A little German, especially greetings and please, is appreciated even where English is understood.
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
HelloServus[zair-voos]
GoodbyeAuf Wiedersehen[owf vee-der-zay-en]
YesJa[yah]
NoNein[nine]
Please/You're welcomeBitte[bi-teh]
Thank youDanke[dahn-keh]
Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung[ent-shool-dee-goong]
How are you?Wie geht es dir?[vee gayt es deer]
Fine. And you?Gut. Und dir?[goot oond deer]
Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?[shpre-khen zee eng-leesh]
I don't understandIch verstehe nicht[ikh fer-shtay-e nikht]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch möchte bitte die Speisekarte sehen[ikh merkhte bi-teh dee shpye-ze-kahr-teh zay-en]
I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch[ikh ess-eh kine flysh]
Cheers!Prost![prohst]
I would like to pay, pleaseIch möchte bitte zahlen[ikh merkhte bi-teh tsah-len]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hilfe![hil-feh]
Go away!Geh weg![gay vehg]
Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei![roo-fen zee dee po-lee-tsey]
Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt![roo-fen zee i-nen artsht]
I'm lostIch habe mich verlaufen[ikh hah-beh meekh fer-lou-fen]
I'm illIch bin krank[ikh been krank]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ich würde gerne kaufen...[ikh voo-deh gehr-neh kow-fen]
I'm just lookingIch schaue nur[ikh show-eh noor]
How much is it?Wie viel kostet das?[vee feel kohs-tet dahs]
That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer[dahs ist tsoo toy-er]
Can you lower the price?Können Sie den Preis senken?[kern-en zee den prees zehn-ken]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Wie spät ist es?[vee shpet ist es]
It's one o'clockEs ist ein Uhr[es ist iyn oor]
Half past (10)Halb elf[halb elf]
MorningMorgen[mor-gen]
AfternoonNachmittag[nahk-mit-tahk]
EveningAbend[ah-bent]
YesterdayGestern[gehs-tern]
TodayHeute[hoi-teh]
TomorrowMorgen[mor-gen]
1Eins[iyns]
2Zwei[tsvai]
3Drei[dray]
4Vier[feer]
5Fünf[foonf]
6Sechs[zeks]
7Sieben[zee-ben]
8Acht[ahkt]
9Neun[noyn]
10Zehn[tsayn]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/der...?[vo ist iyn/dehr]
What's the address?Was ist die Adresse?[vas ist dee ah-dreh-suh]
Can you show me (on the map)?Können Sie mir zeigen (auf der Karte)?[kern-en zee meer tsai-gen (ouf dehr kar-teh)]
When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?[vahn kohmt dehr nekhs-teh (boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Eine Fahrkarte (nach ...)[iyn-eh fahr-kahr-teh (nahkh ...)]

History of Linz

Celtic Origins and Roman Lentia

The area around present-day Linz was settled before Roman rule, and the Celtic name associated with the settlement is generally linked to the later Roman place name Lentia. The Romans established a military presence here during the first centuries AD, protecting the Danube frontier and the route along the river. Although little of Roman Linz remains visible above ground, archaeological evidence confirms the importance of the settlement within the wider defensive and commercial system of the province of Noricum. The Danube provided transport and strategic access, while the surrounding fertile country supported agriculture. This early combination of river communications, military administration and regional trade helped establish the foundations for the urban centre that developed in the medieval period.

Medieval Town on the Danube

Linz grew as a medieval market and administrative settlement beside an important Danube crossing and trading route. Its position connected Upper Austrian territories with Bohemia, Bavaria and the eastern Danube lands, encouraging commerce in agricultural goods, salt and other commodities. The town acquired civic privileges during the Middle Ages and expanded around the main market square, churches and defensive structures. The Schlossberg became associated with territorial power, while religious foundations shaped the developing townscape. Much of the historic centre visible today reflects later rebuilding, yet its street pattern and relationship with the river preserve the logic of the medieval town. Linz's commercial position also made it an important stop for travellers and rulers moving through the region.

Habsburg Residence and Renaissance Ambition

Linz became especially prominent in the late fifteenth century when Emperor Friedrich III made it an imperial residence for a period and died there in 1493. The Habsburg connection brought political attention and encouraged the development of representative buildings and institutions. During the sixteenth century, the town was affected by the religious conflicts that divided the Habsburg lands, while trade and administration continued to sustain its importance. Renaissance influences entered the urban landscape alongside older Gothic traditions, and Linz remained closely tied to the Danube routes that supported regional exchange. The period established a longer association between the city and state power, a role later reinforced when Linz became the capital of Upper Austria.

Baroque Reconstruction and Cultural Growth

The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries brought religious and architectural change across Linz. Catholic renewal under the Habsburgs encouraged the construction and embellishment of churches, monasteries and civic buildings, giving the old town much of its Baroque character. The Hauptplatz and surrounding streets acquired the elegant façades that remain among the city's defining visual features. Education and the arts also gained importance, and Linz became connected to the musical culture of the Habsburg territories; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed the Linz Symphony during a visit in 1783. These developments did not erase the earlier town but layered new political, religious and cultural meanings onto its medieval plan.

Industry, Railways and Urban Expansion

The nineteenth century transformed Linz from a regional market town into a modern industrial and transport centre. Steam navigation on the Danube, railway connections and expanding manufacturing altered both the economy and the physical shape of the city. New suburbs, factories and civic institutions grew beyond the old centre, while the river remained central to freight and communication. Industrialisation brought employment and population growth but also created contrasts between historic districts and working environments. By the early twentieth century, Linz was increasingly defined by engineering, metallurgy and its position within Austria's national transport network. The arrival of modern infrastructure laid the groundwork for the large-scale industrial development that followed during the Second World War.

War, Industry and a Cultural Reorientation

Under National Socialism, Linz was designated a major redevelopment city, and the construction of the Hermann-Göring-Werke, later associated with the modern voestalpine steelworks, made heavy industry central to its wartime economy. The period brought forced labour, persecution and profound destruction, subjects addressed in contemporary memorial and educational work. After 1945, Linz rebuilt its infrastructure and expanded as an industrial centre, while gradually broadening its cultural identity. The city became European Capital of Culture in 2009, a milestone that accelerated investment in museums, public spaces and creative institutions. Today, places such as the voestalpine Stahlwelt, Ars Electronica Center and the Mural Harbor project reflect a city willing to examine its industrial past while presenting itself as a centre for contemporary culture and technology.

Linz in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Linz, Austria

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