Free Upper Austria Travel Guide & Mobile App

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Upper Austria
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Upper Austria combines Danube cities, imperial towns, monastery heritage, Salzkammergut lakes, mountain scenery and distinctive regional food.

Upper Austria, or Oberösterreich, stretches across a remarkably varied area in the north of Austria, from the Danube frontier with Germany and the Czech Republic to the limestone landscapes of the Salzkammergut. Its principal city, Linz, is an important cultural and industrial centre on the Danube, while Wels, Steyr and Braunau am Inn reveal different aspects of the region’s commercial and historical character. Southwards, the scenery shifts from fertile agricultural country and wooded hills to the lakes, market towns and mountains of the Salzkammergut.
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The Danube is the region’s defining geographical corridor. Linz combines a medieval core with major museums, contemporary art and the Ars Electronica Center, whose exhibitions explore technology, society and the future. Just west of the city, Wilhering Abbey and the hilltop pilgrimage church at Pöstlingberg add a quieter cultural dimension. Along the river and in the surrounding Mühlviertel and Innviertel, small towns, farm landscapes and monasteries provide a slower counterpoint to the urban centres.
Upper Austria’s southern districts are known for the Salzkammergut, a historic lakes and mountains region shared with neighbouring Salzburg and Styria. Within Upper Austria, Gmunden sits on the shore of Lake Traunsee beneath the Traunstein, while Bad Ischl carries the legacy of the Habsburg summer court. Hallstatt, Obertraun and the Dachstein-Salzkammergut landscape combine salt-mining history, lakeside settlement and high mountain scenery; these places can become very busy, particularly in peak summer and on fine weekends.
History is unusually visible across the region. Roman roads and settlements, medieval monasteries, Habsburg estates, ironworking towns and industrial enterprises all contributed to its development. Steyr’s preserved old town reflects centuries of metalworking and trade, while the former concentration camp memorial at Mauthausen gives essential, sobering insight into the crimes of the Nazi period. The region’s cultural life now ranges from classical music and church heritage to digital art, design and outdoor recreation.
Food and drink reflect the landscape: Danube and Alpine produce, freshwater fish, farmhouse cheeses, Austrian pastries, bread, fruit and locally made cider appear in markets, inns and contemporary restaurants. Walking and cycling are especially rewarding in spring through autumn, while the Salzkammergut offers swimming, boating and mountain routes in warmer months and winter sports in suitable conditions. Upper Austria is best approached as a collection of contrasting districts rather than a single compact destination, with Linz and the Salzkammergut serving very different travel purposes.

When is the best time to visit Upper Austria?

Best: June–August · 22–24°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January340
February435
March940
April1450
May1965
June (best)2280
July (best)2490
August (best)2485
September2060
October1450
November845
December340

Getting to and around Upper Austria

How to get there

Linz Airport is located at Hörsching in Upper Austria and provides the region’s principal air gateway, although its international network is more limited than those of Vienna and Salzburg. Vienna Airport, outside the region, is commonly reached by rail via Vienna and Linz, while Salzburg Airport, also outside Upper Austria, can be useful for the western Salzkammergut. Frequent long-distance rail services run along Austria’s main western corridor through Linz and Wels, with connections towards Vienna, Salzburg and Germany. Regional trains continue towards places such as Steyr, Gmunden, Bad Ischl and Hallstatt; reaching smaller Alpine communities usually requires an additional local connection. The A1 motorway serves Linz and the central and southern parts of the region, while other major roads connect the Innviertel, Mühlviertel and Salzkammergut.

Transportation

Rail is practical between Linz, Wels, Steyr, Gmunden, Attnang-Puchheim and other principal towns, and buses extend the network into rural districts. The Salzkammergut is accessible by public transport, but connections between lakeside villages and mountain starting points can be less frequent and more seasonal than mainline trains. A car is useful for combining monasteries, farm landscapes and small communities, particularly in the Mühlviertel, Innviertel and more remote parts of the Salzkammergut. Linz and other towns have local buses, while cycling is well suited to sections of the Danube route and selected lake districts. Mountain walks should be planned around the actual trailhead transport, not simply the nearest town shown on a map.

Top city travel guides in Upper Austria

The cities of Upper Austria, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Upper Austria

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Upper Austria

Upper Austria offers a broad mix of urban culture, religious heritage, industrial history and outdoor scenery. Linz is the main cultural centre, with the Ars Electronica Center, Lentos Kunstmuseum and Danube-facing historic streets, while Pöstlingberg provides elevated views over the city. Monasteries including St Florian, Kremsmünster and Wilhering reveal the artistic and intellectual importance of ecclesiastical foundations through architecture, libraries, music and collections. Steyr combines a preserved old town with industrial heritage, and the Mauthausen Memorial provides a serious place of remembrance. In the south, the Upper Austrian Salzkammergut brings together Lake Traunsee, Gmunden, Bad Ischl, Hallstatt and Obertraun, with boating, swimming, walking and mountain excursions in season. The Mühlviertel and Innviertel are better suited to slower touring through wooded hills, market towns, breweries, farms and small museums. Danube cycling, lakeside paths, winter activities and family-oriented museums broaden the options, although schedules and access can vary considerably between the region’s urban centres and rural valleys.

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Best landmarks in Upper Austria

The Danube-facing old town and hilltop Pöstlingberg are among Linz’s most recognisable features, while the city’s modern museums add a contemporary layer to its historic streets. In Steyr, the confluence of the Enns and Steyr rivers frames a distinguished old town of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings, with the Bummerlhaus as a notable civic landmark. Enns, one of Austria’s oldest towns, is marked by its medieval town tower and connection with the Roman settlement of Lauriacum. The monumental Baroque complex of St Florian Abbey represents the power and artistic ambition of Upper Austria’s monastic tradition, as does the long-established abbey at Kremsmünster. In the south, Gmunden’s Schloss Ort stands on a small island in Lake Traunsee, while the lakes and mountains around Hallstatt and Obertraun form a powerful natural and cultural landscape. The Mauthausen Memorial is a landmark of a different kind: its surviving camp structures and quarry landscape embody the region’s responsibility to remember Nazi persecution and mass murder.

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Explore Upper Austria on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Upper Austria

Upper Austrian food combines substantial Austrian cooking with produce from the Danube plain, Alpine foothills and Salzkammergut lakes. Traditional inns serve soups, schnitzel, roast meats, dumplings, seasonal vegetables and pastries, while Linz offers the region’s broadest choice of contemporary restaurants, cafés and international cuisines. Linzer torte is the best-known sweet associated with the capital, and its lattice pastry appears in bakeries throughout the region. Around the lakes, freshwater fish is an important seasonal feature, while farm shops and rural kitchens sell local cheeses, cured products, bread and fruit-based specialities. The Innviertel and other farming districts have a strong inn culture, with hearty portions and locally produced drinks; Upper Austrian cider, known locally as Most, is particularly associated with fruit-growing areas. Dining ranges from simple bread-and-cheese plates and coffee houses to refined restaurants, but opening days can be limited in smaller villages, especially outside the main season.

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Best bars in Upper Austria

Evening life in Upper Austria varies sharply by location. Linz has the region’s most developed scene, with bars, cafés, live-music venues, cultural events and late-night options concentrated around the central city and Danube-side districts. Wels and Steyr offer a smaller selection of pubs, wine bars, music venues and restaurants, while university and cultural programming can bring additional activity at particular times of year. In the Salzkammergut, evenings generally centre on traditional inns, hotel bars, lakeside restaurants and occasional live music rather than a large club culture. Rural districts are oriented towards local pubs, breweries and social gatherings, and many venues close earlier than urban visitors may expect. Seasonal festivals and summer events can alter the atmosphere, but their dates and programmes change. Visitors should check local listings rather than assume late-night transport or entertainment will be available in small lake and mountain communities.

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Best nightclubs in Upper Austria

Evening life in Upper Austria varies sharply by location. Linz has the region’s most developed scene, with bars, cafés, live-music venues, cultural events and late-night options concentrated around the central city and Danube-side districts. Wels and Steyr offer a smaller selection of pubs, wine bars, music venues and restaurants, while university and cultural programming can bring additional activity at particular times of year. In the Salzkammergut, evenings generally centre on traditional inns, hotel bars, lakeside restaurants and occasional live music rather than a large club culture. Rural districts are oriented towards local pubs, breweries and social gatherings, and many venues close earlier than urban visitors may expect. Seasonal festivals and summer events can alter the atmosphere, but their dates and programmes change. Visitors should check local listings rather than assume late-night transport or entertainment will be available in small lake and mountain communities.

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Best shops in Upper Austria

Shopping in Upper Austria is strongest in its regional centres and historic market towns rather than in a single large retail district. Linz combines modern high-street shopping and department stores with independent design shops, bookshops, galleries and cafés around the central streets. Wels and Steyr provide practical retail, local boutiques and historic town-centre browsing, while Gmunden is known for ceramics and craft traditions associated with the Salzkammergut. In smaller towns and villages, look for farm shops, bakeries, cheese, cured products, cider, honey and seasonal preserves rather than extensive souvenir ranges. Markets vary by town and day, so check locally before planning a visit. Hallstatt and other heavily visited lakeside settlements have shops selling postcards, decorative crafts and regional food, but prices and selection reflect tourist demand. Useful souvenirs include Linzer torte from a reputable bakery, locally made pottery, Austrian textiles, books on Alpine or regional history and packaged farm products that comply with customs rules for the onward journey.

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Upper Austria essentials

Currency and Payment
Upper Austria uses the euro, with the currency code EUR, as part of Austria’s national monetary system. Contactless and card payments are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, museums, transport ticket offices and established restaurants, particularly in Linz and other larger towns. Cash remains useful in village inns, small farm shops, market stalls, older ticket machines and some rural accommodation. Carrying a modest amount of euros is sensible when travelling through the Salzkammergut or less densely populated districts. Bank cards may require a PIN for some transactions, and visitors should check whether their card issuer applies foreign-exchange or cash-withdrawal charges.
Safety
Upper Austria is generally straightforward for visitors, but normal precautions remain appropriate in busy stations, festivals and crowded lakeside areas. Outdoor risks deserve more attention than urban crime: mountain paths can be steep or exposed, weather can change quickly, and snow or ice may persist at higher elevations outside summer. Follow marked routes, check local conditions and avoid entering closed or restricted areas. Swimming, boating and walking near lakes require care, particularly in unfamiliar water or during sudden weather changes. Drivers should expect bends, narrow rural roads, cyclists and winter conditions in upland districts. Keep valuables secure and use recognised taxis or transport providers.
Emergency Situations
The European emergency number 112 operates in Upper Austria, while Austria’s direct national numbers are 133 for police, 122 for the fire service and 144 for ambulance services. Mountain rescue can be reached on 140, which is particularly relevant in the Salzkammergut and other Alpine areas. The international emergency number 112 can be used when the appropriate service is unclear. Give the exact location, trail name or road number and describe the situation clearly; a mobile location pin can assist rescuers but should not replace a verbal description. For non-urgent medical advice, ask accommodation staff or a local pharmacy to direct you to the appropriate service.
Do's and Don'ts
Use a polite greeting when entering a small shop, café or traditional inn, and wait to be seated where table service is customary. In restaurants, rounding up or leaving a modest tip is usual when service has been satisfactory, although tipping is not a legal requirement. Keep to marked paths, close gates and respect privately managed land and agricultural work. At churches, monasteries and memorial sites, dress and behave discreetly and follow photography rules. Do not assume that swimming, camping, fires or drone use is permitted everywhere around lakes and forests. On public transport, queue calmly, validate or hold the correct ticket and keep voices low.
Local Tips
Linz works well for museums, contemporary culture and Danube travel, while Steyr, Wels and the Innviertel offer different perspectives on Upper Austria’s historic and commercial life. In the Salzkammergut, early starts make visits to Hallstatt and popular lakeside viewpoints more comfortable, especially in high season. Bad Ischl is best understood through its imperial and spa history as well as its position between the lakes and mountains. Look for regional produce at farm shops and markets, and ask about seasonal freshwater fish, cheese, bread, pastries and cider. Check the final public-transport connection before setting out for a rural walk or evening meal.
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[Groos Gott]
GoodbyeAde[Ah-day]
YesJa[Yah]
NoNein[Nyn]
Please/You're welcomeBitte[Bitta]
Thank youDanke[Dahnkeh]
Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung[Ent-shool-dee-goong]
How are you?Wie geht's?[Vee gates?]
Fine. And you?Gut. Und dir?[Goott. Oond deer?]
Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?[Shprekh-en Zee Eng-lish?]
I don't understandIch verstehe nicht[Ish fer-shtay-eh nikht]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch möcht die Speisekarte sehen, bitte[Ish moikht dee Shpyze-kahr-teh zayn, bitta]
I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch[Ish ess-eh kyn Fly-sh]
Cheers!Prost![Prohst!]
I would like to pay, pleaseIch möchte bezahlen, bitte[Ish moikht-eh beh-tsah-len, bitta]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hilfe![Hil-fe!]
Go away!Geh weg![Gay vek!]
Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei![Ru-fen Zee dee Po-li-tsai!]
Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt![Ru-fen Zee eye-nen Artst!]
I'm lostIch bin verloren[Ish bin fer-lo-ren]
I'm illIch bin krank[Ish bin krahng]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ich möchte kaufen...[Ish moikht-eh kau-fen...]
I'm just lookingIch schaue nur[Ish shau-eh noor]
How much is it?Wie viel kostet das?[Vee feel kost-et das?]
That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer[Das ist tsu toyer]
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 ayn Oor]
Half past (10)Halb (10)[Halb (10)]
MorningMorgen[Mor-gen]
AfternoonNachmittag[Nahkht-mit-tahg]
EveningAbend[Ah-bent]
YesterdayGestern[Geh-stern]
TodayHeute[Hoy-teh]
TomorrowMorgen[Mor-gen]
1Eins[Ayns]
2Zwei[Tsvy]
3Drei[Dry]
4Vier[Feer]
5Fünf[Foonf]
6Sechs[Zex]
7Sieben[Zee-ben]
8Acht[Ahkht]
9Neun[Noyn]
10Zehn[Tsayn]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/das...?[Vo ist ayn/das...?]
What's the address?Wie ist die Adresse?[Vee ist dee Ah-dres-se?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Können Sie mir (auf der Karte) zeigen?[Kern-en Zee meer (owf der Kar-te) tsai-gen?]
When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?[Vahn komt der nay-sht-eh (Boos)?]
A ticket (to ....)Ein Ticket (nach ....)[Ayn Ti-ket (nahkh ....)]

History of Upper Austria

Prehistoric salt and early settlement

Salt shaped the southern part of present-day Upper Austria long before the Roman period. The Salzkammergut’s deposits attracted organised extraction and trade, while lakes, valleys and river corridors supported farming, craft production and settlement. Hallstatt is associated with the Iron Age archaeological culture named after the town, although the culture extended across a much wider Alpine area. Finds from the region demonstrate long-distance connections through tools, ornaments and burial customs. Salt production remained an important economic force over later centuries, helping to explain the wealth and strategic value of communities around Hallstatt, Bad Ischl and the wider Salzkammergut.

Roman Noricum and the Danube frontier

Much of Upper Austria formed part of the Roman province of Noricum, with the Danube serving as a major frontier zone. Roman military and trading settlements developed along the river, including Lauriacum at present-day Enns, one of the most important Roman sites in the region. Roads connected the Danube with Alpine passes and inland communities, encouraging commerce and cultural exchange. Roman remains at Enns and the museum complex at nearby Obernberg am Inn help visitors understand the province’s military, administrative and urban organisation. Christianity also gained a lasting foothold in the late Roman period, although the frontier was eventually transformed by political and military upheaval.

Medieval monasteries, towns and dynasties

During the Middle Ages, Upper Austria developed through the interaction of church foundations, aristocratic estates, market towns and river trade. Monasteries such as St Florian, Kremsmünster, Wilhering and Schlierbach became religious, educational and economic centres, holding land and shaping local culture. Towns including Linz, Steyr, Wels and Enns benefited from commerce along the Danube and from routes towards Bohemia, Bavaria and the Alps. The region was successively influenced by the Babenbergs and then the Habsburgs, whose expanding territories gave Upper Austria a durable place within the political structure of Austria.

The Habsburg era and the Salzkammergut

Under Habsburg rule, Upper Austria became an important part of the Austrian lands. Salt extraction in the Salzkammergut was closely regulated because salt was a valuable state resource, and its revenues supported the ruling dynasty. Towns such as Gmunden and Hallstatt grew through administration, trade and salt-related activity. Country residences and monasteries were remodelled in Baroque and later styles, leaving a strong architectural legacy. In the nineteenth century, the imperial court’s summer presence in Bad Ischl turned the town into a fashionable resort and linked the Salzkammergut with the cultural and political world of imperial Vienna.

Ironworking, trade and industrialisation

Upper Austria’s rivers, forests and mineral resources supported metalworking and manufacturing for centuries. Steyr became especially important for iron processing, weapons production and skilled craft, while the Enns and Steyr rivers powered mills and workshops. The arrival of railways and the expansion of industrial enterprises during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries connected local producers with national and international markets. Linz developed into a major industrial and transport centre on the Danube, while Wels retained its importance as a commercial crossroads. This industrial inheritance remains visible in townscapes, museums and the region’s modern economic profile.

The Second World War and Mauthausen

The Nazi period brought persecution, forced labour and mass murder to Upper Austria. The Mauthausen concentration camp, established in 1938 near the Danube east of Linz, became the centre of a large camp network whose prisoners were exploited in quarries, factories and construction projects. The Mauthausen Memorial preserves the former camp site and documents the experiences of prisoners and the crimes committed there. Its exhibitions and surviving structures require a respectful visit and provide essential context for understanding the region’s twentieth-century history. The period also transformed Linz through wartime industrial expansion and later reconstruction.

Post-war reconstruction and contemporary culture

After 1945, Upper Austria underwent rapid reconstruction, industrial growth and urban modernisation. Linz’s heavy-industry base remained significant, but the city increasingly invested in education, design and cultural institutions. The Ars Electronica Festival and Ars Electronica Center helped establish Linz as an international centre for digital and media art, while other towns maintained strong traditions in music, crafts and heritage conservation. Tourism expanded in the Salzkammergut, building on its lakes, mountains, imperial associations and historic settlements. Today the region balances manufacturing and research with agriculture, cultural tourism and outdoor recreation.

Upper Austria in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Upper Austria

Free app-based travel guide to Upper Austria. Discover top attractions, landmarks, local shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, tours, and activities seamlessly.

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Explore Upper Austria with Evendo, your free and comprehensive travel guide. Discover attractions, book tours, and enjoy local tips for an unforgettable trip.

  • History of Upper Austria and travel essentials
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  • 'Near Me' feature to find nearby attractions
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Planning a trip to Upper Austria? With Evendo, your journey just got a whole lot simpler and more enjoyable. This 100% free app-based travel guide offers you detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Upper Austria. Whether you're exploring the historic Linz, marveling at the beauty of Hallstatt, or enjoying the serene landscapes of Salzkammergut, Evendo has got you covered.

Imagine wandering through the charming streets of Linz, visiting the iconic Ars Electronica Center, or exploring the picturesque Hallstatt with its stunning lakeside views and ancient salt mines. Evendo provides rich information, including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it easy for you to plan and organize your trip. Discover amazing places like the Mauthausen Memorial, the enchanting Melk Abbey, or the gastronomic delights at Steckerlfisch in Gmunden.

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Best of all, Evendo is entirely free to use. There are no in-app purchases or additional costs. Plus, the app covers over 7,000 other destinations worldwide, so once you download Evendo, you literally have the world in your pocket. Embark on your Upper Austria adventure with Evendo and experience the region like a local.

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