Linz, Austria: what to see in the city and how to get from Vienna

Linz (Austria) is a city located in the northwestern part of the country on the banks of the Danube and is the capital of Upper Austria. The object covers an area of 96 km², and its population is almost 200 thousand people. It is the third largest city in Austria, serving as an important industrial and cultural center. Linz is located 185 km west of Vienna and is located at an altitude of 266 m above sea level.

The first settlements in the city of Linz are associated with the ancient Celts. In the 15th century BC The Romans took over the area, giving it the name Lentius, and later built an outpost here, which served as the main defense of the northern borders of the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages, Linz received the status of an important shopping center, but by the 17th century, due to the plague and endless wars, its importance in the state somewhat weakened. It was revived in the 18th century, becoming the focus of industrial and metallurgical factories.

Currently, this city is of great value not only for the Austrian economy, but also for its culture and education. Despite its industrial vector, in 2009 Linz received the status of the European cultural capital. Many historical monuments have been preserved on its territory, and contemporary art does not stand still. All these factors make the city quite popular among travelers. What attractions are in Linz and how developed is its tourist infrastructure, we will tell in more detail below.

Sights

The city with a rich centuries-old history offers great opportunities for excursions, offering to visit a variety of religious monuments and museums. Its natural landscapes are not without beauty, therefore, an inquisitive tourist will definitely have something to do here.

Linz Cathedral of Our Lady (Mariendom Linz)

Among the attractions of Linz, first of all, it is worth paying attention to the Cathedral of Our Lady. This is a relatively young temple, the construction of which took almost 62 years. Today it is the largest cathedral in area in Austria, able to accommodate up to 20 thousand parishioners. The architecture of the building is designed in the neo-Gothic style, and its decoration, in addition to the huge interior spaces, is distinguished by skillful stained-glass windows that are perfectly visible in sunny weather. The highest tower of the temple stretches for almost 135 m.

Despite the fact that this is a new cathedral in Linz, built less than 100 years ago, according to the clever idea of the Cologne architect, the building looks quite ancient. Unlike most Austrian churches, visitors are allowed to walk around the entire room here, and in the daytime there are practically no tourists inside.

Address: Herrenstraße 26, 4020 Linz, Austria.
Opening hours: from Monday to Saturday, the attraction is open from 07:30 to 19:00. On Sunday - from 08:00 to 19:15.
Cost of visit: free.

Central square of the city (Hauptplatz)

If you want to see the sights of Linz in one day, be sure to include the main city square in your tour list. This historical object, existing since the 13th century, covers an area of 13 thousand m². The area is surrounded by many beautiful old buildings, as well as restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. In the center of Hauptplatz stands the Column of the Holy Trinity, built in honor of the victory over the plague. And nearby is the Old Town Hall, in which the mayor of Linz lives today. On weekends, various fairs and concerts are organized in the square, and festivals are held here in the summer.

Address: Hauptplatz, 4020, Linz, Austria.

Old Baroque Cathedral (Alter Dom)

The sights of Linz in Austria are rich in religious buildings, and, undoubtedly, the Old Baroque Cathedral is of great interest. Built by the Jesuits in the 17th century, the temple on the outside looks quite simple. But its interiors are still full of baroque style luxury. Marble columns of a pink hue, gilded statues, skillfully executed altar, arches with beautiful stucco molding - all these attributes give the cathedral splendor and pomp.

Also inside the building you can see the canvases of the famous Italian artist Antonio Bellucci. Often within the walls of the temple concerts of organ music are arranged. The attraction is located in the center of Linz, near the main city square.

Address: Domgasse 3, 4020 Linz, Austria.
Opening hours: The cathedral is open daily from 07:30 to 18:30.
Cost of visit: free.

Mount Pöstlingberg Tram (Postlingbergbahn)

If you decide what to see in Linz, then do not forget to plan a trip on tram number 50 to Mount Pöstlingberg. This tramway is considered one of the steepest in the world: after all, at some of its points the slope reaches 116 °. Finding yourself at an altitude of more than 500 m, you will see Linz at a glance and you can admire the unique Austrian landscapes. But in addition to breathtaking views of the mountain, there are a number of attractions.

Attraction "Cave of the Dwarves" offers a ride on a steam train in the form of a dragon through a tunnel furnished with figures of gnomes. And then you can take a walk in a miniature town dedicated to famous fairy-tale heroes. At the top of the mountain there is also a cozy restaurant, a zoo and a garden. You can go on an adventure from the central city square, from where a tram leaves every 30 minutes.

"Dwarven Cave"

Opening hours: on Friday and Sunday, the tram runs from 07:30 to 22:00, on other days from 06:00 to 22:00.
The cost of visiting: the price of a return ticket is 6.30 €.

Castle Museum of Linz (Schlossmuseum Linz)

Often in a photo of Linz in Austria you can see a large-scale white building, towering on the banks of the Danube. This is one of the most popular attractions of the city, has served as a castle for centuries, and today it has been transformed into an extensive museum dedicated to the art of Upper Austria. In the old building you will see a large collection of weapons, craft items, furniture and equipment of the 12-18 centuries. In a separate room the works of artists of the 19th century are demonstrated. The castle offers picturesque panoramas of the city and the Danube, and outside it is pleasant to stroll through its garden. The Linz Castle Museum is considered the largest in area in Austria: after all, almost all the premises of the palace are reserved for collections.

Address: Schlossberg 1, 4020 Linz, Austria.
Opening hours: on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, the attraction is open from 09:00 to 18:00. On Thursday - from 09:00 to 21:00. On Saturday and Sunday - from 10:00 to 17:00. Monday is a day off.
Entrance fee: adult ticket - 3 €, children's ticket - 1.70 €.

Museum Ars Electronica Center

Among the attractions of the city of Linz in Austria, it is worth noting the Ars Electronica Center Museum. His collections tell about the achievements of modern science, and exhibits are shown in the form of installations. It is noteworthy that this is an interactive museum where you can touch objects with your hands and even use them on yourself. For example, visitors have the opportunity to photograph their retina with an interesting device and send a picture to themselves by e-mail or to study the cells of their skin under a powerful microscope. A plus of the museum are its employees who are ready to explain how to use one or another technique.

Address: Ars-Electronica-Straße 1, 4040 Linz, Austria.
Opening hours: on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, the attraction is open from 09:00 to 17:00. On Thursday - from 09:00 to 19:00. On Saturday and Sunday - from 10:00 to 18:00. Monday is a day off.
Entrance fee: admission for adults is 9.50 €, for children under 6 years old - free of charge.

Food in the city

The city of Linz in Austria will delight you with an excellent selection of cafes and restaurants, many of which are conveniently located near the main attractions. The traditional cuisine of Upper Austria was greatly influenced by Bavarian cuisine. In addition to the famous Austrian schnitzel in local institutions, you should try vinegar sausage, trout fillet, fried chicken and cheese soup. In the restaurants of the city you will find a lot of all kinds of desserts, the most popular of which are apple strudel and Linz cake (pastries with jam filling). Well, the traditional drinks here are wine and beer.

Josef Linz

Prices in the cafe are variable and depend on which part of the city you decide to dine. Obviously, in the center of Linz near the sights, the amount of the check will be significantly higher than in more remote areas. So, a meal in a budget institution for two will cost about 26 €. If you go to a restaurant a class higher, get ready to pay at least 60 € for dinner. You can always dine economically in fast food, where you will leave about 7 €. Well, below we presented the approximate prices in institutions for drinks:

Local beer 0.5 - 4 €
Imported beer 0.33 - 4 €
Cappuccino - 3.17 €
Bottle of Coke 0.33 - 2.77 €
Bottle of water 0.33 - 2.17 €

Where to stay

Austria Trend Hotel Schillerpark Linz

If you plan to explore the sights of Linz in Austria in one day, then most likely you will not need housing. Well, in the case when you are ready to devote more time to getting to know the city, renting a hotel room will become a necessity. There are several dozens of hotels of different categories in Linz: there are also economical establishments without stars, and 3 * class options. It is noteworthy that there are no five-star hotels in the city, but 4 * hotels are a good substitute for them.

Kolpinghaus Linz

Booking a double room in an institution without stars will cost at least 60 € per day. If you prefer to stay in three-star hotels, then be prepared to pay an average of 80 € per night. It is interesting that approximately at the same price you will have to reserve a room in a 4 * hotel. As a rule, establishments in Linz do not include free breakfast in the amount, but some of them still offer such an option.

When booking a room in Linz in Austria, pay attention to additional fees. Some hotels require you to pay on-site tax, not included in the total amount. The value of such a fee may vary between 1.60 - 5 €. It is also worth considering the location of the object, which does not always apply to the city center, where the bulk of the attractions are located.

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How to get there

Blue danube

Linz has its own Blue Danube Airport, which is approximately 12 km from the city center. However, due to the small distance between Linz and Vienna, flights from the Austrian capital are not provided here. It is convenient to use the air harbor if you fly from other major European cities such as Berlin, Zurich, Frankfurt, etc.

Of course, the easiest way to get to the place is from the Austrian capital. How to get from Vienna to Linz? If you are not considering such an option as renting a car, then you can get into the city in only one way - by train. To do this, you need to go to the Vienna Main Station (Hauptbahnhof) or to the West Station (Westbahnhof). From there from 04:24 to 23:54 several times an hour trains leave for Linz. The fare starts from 9 €, travel time takes up to 1 hour 30 minutes. The train arrives at the main city station in Linz. Bus flights on a given route is not provided.

Prices on the page are for January 2019.
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Useful Tips

It is best to schedule your trip to Linz between July and September. These are the warmest and sunny months when the average daily air temperature does not drop below 20 ° C.

The city has excellent public transport, represented by trams and buses. Tickets can be bought at bus stops and at tobacco shops. If you intend to spend a few days in Linz, it is most reasonable to purchase a weekly pass.
Every year in mid-July, the Linz Festival of Street Art takes place, when dancers and poets, artists and musicians gather in the city center and arrange a real holiday. If you would like to attend such a national celebration, then go to the city in July.
As souvenirs from Linz, we advise you to bring pumpkin oil, candied flowers, exact models of steam locomotives and cow bells.
For those who pay special attention to shopping on a trip, we recommend visiting the Landstrase shopping street, Flohmarkte flea market, as well as Arkade and Plus City shopping centers.