Linz, Austria, took me by surprise. Even if it is the third-largest city in the country, not so many tourists decide to visit Linz, favoring more popular destinations, such as Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, or Graz. But there are plenty of great things to do in Linz, too, and you definitely should give this city a chance during your next trip to Austria!

I’ve been visiting Austria frequently for over 20 years and only made it to Linz recently. And even then, I underestimated the place, not knowing all that much about Linz attractions. As it quickly turned out, the city has a lot to offer, and I enjoyed my trip to Linz so much that I’ll gladly return there one day to spend more time hanging out in this vibrant place.

Whether you are planning to visit Linz as one of the day trips from Vienna or you would like to spend a few days there, I’m here with this Linz guide to help you plan your trip and enjoy the city to the fullest. Read all about the best things to do in Linz and have a wonderful time in this underrated Austrian city!

Where is Linz, Austria

Linz, a city of a bit over two hundred thousand inhabitants, is the capital city of the Upper Austria region, located between Vienna and Salzburg. The capital of Austria is about 200 km east of Linz, and a popular tourist destination – Salzburg – is 130 km southwest.

Why visit Linz

Linz might be known as an industrial city, but the area was already inhabited in prehistoric times. Still today, you can find there numerous historical Linz landmarks, like the castle dating back to medieval times.

But there are also many great modern sites, including museums, cultural centers, or industrial spots turned into art hubs. This variety and diversity of things to do in Linz was actually what I enjoyed the most about the city.

How to get to Linz

If you only have a little time in your Austria itinerary but would like to visit Linz, you can come here as one of the day trips from Vienna since getting here from the capital is easy. There are frequent trains between the capital and Linz, with a travel time of around 1,5 hours, depending on the connections. If you buy your ticket in advance, you might pay as little as 9€/one-way.

You can check the schedule and purchase the ticket at the website of the Austrian Railways here.

How to get around Linz

While you will find many Linz attractions in the center, within walking distance, some of the interesting places, as well as the train station, are located a bit away. Fortunately, public transport in Linz works well and is easy to use.

There are clearly marked schedules on bus/tram stops to figure out your way around; you will find there ticket machines too. The one-day ticket costs €4; you can also use a cheaper €1 ticket for up to four stops.

If you plan to take a tram to Pöstlingberg, it costs a bit more, but you can also purchase it from the ticket machines.

How many days for visiting Linz

You can visit Linz on a day trip from Vienna or Salzburg and see all the highlights in a few hours. But you can also spend a bit more time there to enjoy the city’s vibrant atmosphere and explore it to the fullest. I went there for one day, and while I’ve seen a lot, I wouldn’t mind spending a bit more time in Linz.

Things to do in Linz

And now, without further ado, here are the best things to do in Linz.

Visit the New Cathedral

The New Cathedral in Linz (also known as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception) was one of my biggest surprises in the city, where my jaw literally dropped. This masterpiece of neo-Gothic architecture was built between 1862 and 1924 and is the largest church in Austria. However, it is not the tallest one – even if the plans were to create an even higher church, in the times of Austria-Hungary, no building was allowed to be higher than the tower of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna therefore, the New Cathedral in Linz is shorter by two meters only.

The fantastic structure is incredible both from the outside and inside, so be sure to see its interior too. You will be impressed with the symmetry of the building as well as the beautiful and valuable stained glass windows.

In the back of the building, you will find a collection of gargoyles and parts of the cathedral’s ornaments.

Admire views from the Linz Castle

Located in the central part of the city, right above the Danube River, Linz Castle offers the best panorama of the city, with the flowing river, the Old Town, and beyond.

The first castle in that place was mentioned already in 799 – today, you can still find remnants from that time in the area. The castle went through major renovations in the 17th century – that’s the look we can still see now (with the exception of the part that burnt down in 1800 and was rebuilt in the modern style).

In the past, Linz Castle served as a hospital, prison, or military barracks; today, it is home to the local museum, where you can see exhibitions showcasing the artistic and cultural history of the Upper Austria region.

Wander around the Old Town

Linz Old Town might be small, but it has its moments, and the best way to get to know it is to wander around, letting your intuition guide you. There are so many charming corners, beautiful old townhouses, and historical spots; discovering them all is an absolute pleasure. This was one of my favorite things to do in Linz.

Enjoy the Main Square

Hauptplatz, the main square of Linz (and one of the largest in Austria), is bustling with energy all day long. This is where you will find some of the most beautiful townhouses in the city, worth taking a closer look at, as well as the old town hall.

But the highlight of the area is the stunning Holy Trinity column. With a height of 20 meters, it’s impossible to miss the impressive structure. The column was completed in 1723 as gratitude for protecting the city from diseases and natural disasters.

Due to its proximity to the Danube River, the main square served as the marketplace for years, placing Linz as an important stop on the trading routes. Today you will find numerous cafes and restaurants all over the square where you can sit, relax and enjoy the vibrant place.

Visit the Old Cathedral

Hidden in one of the backstreets, you will find the Old Cathedral, dating back to the end of the 17th century. It is a perfect example of the Baroque style that you can admire especially in its rich interior. Even if you are not religious, it’s worth visiting the cathedral to see the beautiful art decorating it.

For 13 years, the well-known Austrian composer of the 19th century, Anton Bruckner, worked here as the cathedral organist.

Wander along Landstrasse

The main shopping area of Linz (and of Austria, really) is Landstrasse – a long street, mostly pedestrian, connecting the Main Square with Landestheater near the train station. It is known for its numerous shops, both of popular brands and smaller, local ones. If you think of shopping during your trip to Linz, this is a place to go.

But even if you don’t plan to buy anything, it’s a nice place to wander around and feel the vibe of the city. It is also a very picturesque street, with numerous beautiful buildings around.

Admire the modern structure of the Musiktheater

This is one of the newest addition to the city’s scenery, dating back only to 2013 (making the place one of the most modern opera houses in Europe). The Musiktheater, located near the train station, next to the lovely park – Volksgarten – is an excellent example of contemporary architecture that catches the eye.

You can also attend one of the events taking place here. There is a variety of operas, operettas, ballet, and musicals you can choose from.

Take a tram to Pöstlingberg

A short tram ride away from the center, you will find Pöstlingberg, the local mountain packed with attractions. There is the pilgrimage basilica, the zoo, the photo gallery, and a viewing platform offering fantastic views over Linz and its surroundings.

To get to the Pöstlingberg mountain, you need to take the historical tram that’s been operating since 1898 (at first, it worked as the meter-gauge railway that was incorporated into the city’s tram line in 2008). The journey itself is an interesting experience since this is the steepest adhesion railway in Europe.

The Pöstlingberg trams depart from the Main Square, and the journey to the top of the mountain takes 22 minutes.

Admire the architecture of the New City Hall

Across the Danube River from the Old Town, you can admire the interesting architecture of the New City Hall, which opened in 1985. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find more info about it, but I liked this structure with the brutalist feel (and it’s no secret I’m a huge fan of this architectural style). The look of the New City Hall is really unique, with soft angles and interesting features.

This building was one of the biggest surprises for me in Linz, and I liked it so much! I just wish I could have visited it inside, too, but since it was Sunday when I was in the city, it was not possible.

Enjoy Ars Electronica Center

Across the street from the New City Hall, be sure to visit the modern Ars Electronica Center, also known as the museum of the future. You can enjoy there numerous interactive exhibitions about the latest inventions in electronics and technology. Unlike in other, more conservative museums, here you are invited to join the exhibition, to play with the artifacts for the full experience.

In the evening, the building of Ars Electronica Center changes its colors to give a colorful play of lights.

Visit Lentos Art Museum

A few steps away from the Main Square and across the Danube from Ars Electronica Center, you can visit Lentos Art Museum, one of the most important centers of modern and contemporary art in Austria. You can see there works of some well-known artists, such as Klimt, Schiele, and Kokoschka, as well as Austrian and German art from the 19th and 20th centuries. There are also some great temporary exhibitions you can see. The museum building is also interesting, especially at night when it’s lit in different colors.

Relax in Donaupark

Next to the Lentos Art Museum, you can find Donaupark, the major recreational area in the heart of Linz. It’s such a pleasant place to relax right at the shores of the Danube. There are also some interesting sculptures around, as well as the Brucknerhaus concert hall, known for its excellent acoustics, where you can enjoy some cool events.

Enjoy the Danube

The Danube River, flowing through the center of Linz, is one of the things that define the city. You can enjoy the popular river in numerous ways – you can go for a boat cruise, tour the harbor, or relax at the beach and the recreational area near Nibelungenbrücke right in the center.

Try Linzer Cake

Linzer Cake is a famous Austrian pastry originating in the city of Linz (hence the name) and is considered the oldest cake in the world. The shortcake pastry with redcurrant jam is often served with whipped cream and a bit of sugar.

Of course, the best place to try the Linzer Cake is in Linz, especially in one of the Jindrak Cafes you can find all over the city (there is one near the New Cathedral and another on the Landstrasse).

Visit OK Center

Hidden in the backyard of Landstrasse, OK Center for Contemporary Art is home to numerous exhibitions focusing on contemporary art of all sorts as well as space for art festivals. This cool alternative space is a bit different from other Linz attractions yet perfectly complements the day in the city. Even if no interesting events occur at OK Center, you still should visit the place to enjoy its vibrant atmosphere and colorful surroundings.

Explore Mural Harbor

This is one of the coolest things to do in Linz that I missed (and I’m ready to return to the city just for it). The large area of Linz harbor (warehouses, containers, cranes, etc.) was covered in murals, creating a unique open-air gallery, one of the largest art spaces of that kind in Europe. There are around two hundred works around the place, and new ones are constantly added.

Unfortunately, it is possible to visit Linz harbor only with a guide, so make sure to avoid repeating my mistake and plan your trip there ahead to enjoy all the street art around.

Go for day trips

If you are staying a bit longer in Linz, you can use the city as a base for some great and interesting day trips around. Some of the best options are:

• Mauthausen – the former Nazi concentration camp, just outside of Linz
• Hallstatt – probably the most picturesque and popular place in Austria, with a charming old town right on the lakeside and magnificent mountains in the background
• Bad Ischl – a charming spa town where the Empress Sisi used to stay
• Melk and Wachau Valley – the stunning area along the Danube known for picturesque landscape and stunning abbey
• Cesky Krumlov – a beautiful town in the Czech Republic
• Passau – a nice German city where Danube and Inn rivers meet

Final thoughts on visiting Linz

As you can see, Linz is much more interesting than it might seem at first, and the diversity of things to do in Linz makes it an excellent destination for a trip. I regret it took me that many years to visit Linz finally, but I hope you are not as hesitant as me and will include the city in your itinerary. You might be as surprised with the place as I was.

Further reading

I published many articles about Austria that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 17 Amazing Things to Do in Innsbruck, Austria
• Your Guide to Visiting Sigmund Thun Gorge in Kaprun, Austria
• How to Visit Wachau Valley from Vienna, Austria
• Innsbruck Card Review – Is It Worth It?
• One day in Vienna – how to see the most in the Austrian capital
• 9 Wonderful Things to Do in Bad Gastein, Austria
• and more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in Central Europe and ask your questions there.

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