A Local's Guide to Linz, Austria

Ars Electronica Center

This art museum is a world-renowned “Museum of the Future” that showcases the cross between art, technology, and society. This gorgeous museum, located right on the Danube River in the heart of Linz, features interactive exhibits on AI and biotechnology as well as deep-space exhibits and a glowing LED glass facade.

Hauptplatz

Welcome to the center of Linz! Hauptplatz is the vibrant and historic city square that dates back to the 13th century. This square is full of beautiful Baroque and Renaissance architecture and is lined with lively cafés, restaurants, and outdoor patios. Hauptplatz also holds beautiful markets, whether it’s the farmers markets in the summer or the Christmas markets in the winter.

Explore Old Town Linz

Linz’s Old Town (Altstadt), is a vibrant, pedestrian-only historic center lined with gorgeous Renaissance and Baroque buildings and townhouses. I personally loved walking along here and getting lost in the historic alleyways where you find hidden courtyards, or marveling at the striking Alter Dom Cathedral.

Admire the Mariendom Church

The Mariendom Church (or the New Cathedral) is the largest church in all of Austria. Built in 1924, this Neo-Gothic masterpiece features a 442-foot spire and breathtaking stained-glass windows along with a stunning view of the city. I highly recommend a visit here, even just to walk around and marvel at its beauty.

Take the tram up to Postlingberg

Rising just under 1,770 feet above the city, Postlingberg is the city’s iconic local mountain and a pilgrimage site. This destination above the city is not only where you can find the best views of Linz, but is also where you can go to see the pilgrimage basilica, enjoy a coffee or sweet treat at the café above the town, enjoy the Linz Zoo, or even ride the Grottenbahn dragon ride. Just take the tram from Hauptplatz, and you can easily enjoy a lovely afternoon up here.

Lentos Kunstmuseum

Located right along the Danube River, this is one of the country’s top modern and contemporary art institutions. This museum is not only striking on the outside with its 425-foot glass facade, but it also houses a permanent collection of over 3,600 paintings and sculptures, ranging from 19th-century works to classical modernism.

Shopping on Landstrasse

If you’re visiting Linz and looking for a shopping spree, look no further than Landstrasse. This street is the premier pedestrianized shopping and cultural street in Linz and is one of the busiest and most visited streets in the entire country. My personal advice is to walk along this street—stopping into the various international flagship stores, department stores, and local Austrian boutique stores—and then enjoying a well-deserved sweet treat at Surace ice cream shop. Their salted caramel ice cream is my favorite!

Haribo Factory

Did you know that your favorite gummy bears or Coca-Cola gummies were manufactured in Linz, Austria? Sure enough, the Haribo factory in Linz serves as the major production hub for Eastern and Southern Europe, manufacturing tons of your favorite sweets daily, and has a shop just outside where you can stock up on all of your favorites for a great discount!

Danube River Cruise

What better way to experience a city in the evening than a river cruise featuring live music, food, and drinks? Hop on a river cruise along the Danube to fully soak in the sights of Linz and learn all about the history of this special city.

Tour the city with a local

City tours are the perfect way to explore Linz and its top attractions in comfort. Explore Linz through the eyes of a local with tailored experiences ranging from walking tours to boat cruises to excursions all around the city.

Walk along the Danube

I’ve mentioned so many sights and museums along the Danube River, but what about the river itself? The Danube is a gorgeous river that runs right through the center of this city and is a beautiful spot to walk along. You can spend hours and hours walking along this river, finding small lakes along the way, seeing the big cruise ships pass by, and maybe even catching a glimpse of the Alps in the distance on a clear day. Walking along the Danube was one of my favorite pastimes while living in Linz, and it also makes for some awesome people-watching!

Visit the Mural Quarter

The Mural Quarter of Linz is also known as the Mural Harbor. Linz is the hub for contemporary art, and this is one of Europe’s largest open-air graffiti galleries located in the industrial port. Over 300 murals painted by artists from over 40 countries are featured along massive warehouses, storage silos, and containers. It truly is quite a sight to see, and it's really unique to get to watch these artists at work.

Linz Botanical Garden

If you’re looking for a scenic escape in the midst of this bustling city, look no further than the Linz Botanical Garden. These gardens are among the most beautiful in Europe and hold over 10,000 types of plants. Due to the natural conditions here, the exhibited plants are featured in complete landscapes, making visitors feel like they are truly immersed in their natural habitat.

The Sandbar

A favorite place of mine to go with friends while living in Linz was the Sandbar. Located right along the river, just a short walk away from Hauptplatz, the Sandbar is an urban beach bar where you can enjoy food, drinks, music, and a relaxing evening with friends and family after a day exploring the city!

K.u.K Hofbackerei Jindrak

Stop into this iconic bakery and enjoy the traditional Linzer torte! The Linzer torte is a traditional Austrian pastry and the oldest cake in the world, and its birthplace was right here in Linz. It is a buttery, crumbly shortcrust made of hazelnuts, spiced with cinnamon, filled with a delicious redcurrant jam, and topped with its iconic lattice crust. You cannot come to Linz without trying this sweet treat, and trust me when I say it is simply to die for!

Josef Linz

Although located right along Landstrasse, this restaurant is tucked away off the main drag and features a gorgeous garden for diners along with fantastic regional dishes! My personal favorite is, of course, the traditional Wiener Schnitzel, which is a must-try when visiting Austria

Pianino

This chic restaurant in the heart of Linz is a perfect place to stop and enjoy a Hugo spritz and some mouthwatering dishes that mix Austrian flavors with some Asian fusion. My favorite is starting with the salad topped with crispy asparagus, burrata, and berries and following that with the king prawn and asparagus gnocchi!

Wirtshaus Keintzel

This is the place in Linz to go if you’re looking for a lively restaurant to sample some traditional Austrian dishes. Sit outside in their giant outdoor courtyard and enjoy a classic spaetzle or their famous grilled trout with some apple strudel for dessert—you’ll find yourself in Austrian heaven.