Explore Best Tourist Places in Linz

1: Hauptplatz And Landstrasse

The 1200 mts long Landstrasse stretches from the Promenade towards the main railroad station and is the best place to begin exploring Linz's historic city centre. On the east side stand the Ursuline Church from 1772 and the Carmelite Church built during 1674-1726. Another old church is the Seminary Church, a small round structure with a fine interior built in 1717-25 for the Teutonic Order. The other part of the old city to explore is the Hauptplatz the original Market Square. This large public space surrounded by handsome Baroque buildings, forms the centre of the old town. On its eastern side stands the 17th century Rathaus and opposite it, in the middle of the square is the Trinity Column a 20 mts high marble column erected in 1723 in thanks for the town's preservation from plague and Turkish attack. Across from the Rathaus is the Feichtinger Haus, with a beautifully arcaded courtyard

2: Postlingberg

This small hill is located in the northern part of Linz and is accessible by the wonderful Postlingbergbahn railway. On top of this quiet area of Linz is the Pilgrimage Basilica church, the Grottenbahn attraction and several restaurants and cafes. Once off of the railway, tourists can see the amazing views of Linz below in sweeping panoramas. The Pilgrimage Basilica stands out with its twin towers, while the Grottenbahn is an entertaining ride that takes tourists through a fairy tale landscape lit up in beautiful colours full of trolls and fairies. Postlingberg is a fine part of Linz to visit and visitors could easily spend half a day here. The carriages are all old and stylish and typical of what one would expect from a tram system in a city centre, but have been retrofitted and upgraded with modern electrics etc for safety purposes. Not only is the ride fun and enjoyable in itself but the scenery and things to do at the top of the Postlingberg are well worth the journey.

3: Steel World

In recognition of Linz's decades long role as a centre of the Austrian steel industry, the country's largest steel manufacturer, Voestalpine AG, has created a fascinating look at the industry. Steel World known as Voestalpine Stahlwelt, in the heart of the country's largest industrial complex, gives visitors a chance to enter a full size replica of a blast furnace, along with numerous hands-on displays showing the manufacturing process from start to finish. Also of interest are the 80 large chrome plated spheres some as big as two and a half mts in diameter illuminated to show the many uses of steel. It is the sincere desire of voestalpine that the historical museum covering the time period between 1938 and 1945 will adequately remember the forced labourers under the NS regime and Reichswerke Hermann Goring in Linz.

4: Schlossmuseum

Overlooking the Danube, the imposing Linz Castle has dominated the city for centuries. Records indicate the site has been home to a fortress since the early 9th century, the remains of which can still be seen around the old walls and the Friedrich Gate, while the present structure dates predominantly from the 16th century and was rebuilt after a fire in 1800. Now home to the excellent Schlossmuseum the castle houses an important art and historical collections along with displays featuring artefacts from the prehistoric, Roman and medieval periods including paintings, sculptures, arms and armour. In addition to the permanent exhibition, there are large annual exhibitions on both international topics and those related to geography and culture. Linzer Schloss is an eye catcher in Linz's historical Old Town, which is situated only a few hundred mts from the Danube. The more modern South Wing contains permanent exhibits regarding nature and technology as well temporary exhibits.

5: Stifterhaus

In the rooms of the former residence of the writer Adalbert Stifter from 1805 to 1868, there is now a centre for literature and language. The Adalbert Stifter Institute is not only a research station for literature and linguistics, but also sees itself in its entirety as a service centre for school pupils and students, scientists and teachers, as well as members of the public interested in literature. The Stifterhaus also houses the OK Literaturhaus. This offers Upper Austrian writers a platform to present their ambitious new publications. Here tourists can see the original manuscript of Stifter's Witiko, written from 1865 to 1867. Guided tours for single persons and groups are available only with advanced reservation possible in the OK Landesmuseum and the Adalbert Stifter memorial room.

6: Botanischer Garten

Near the outskirts of Linz, on the eastern slopes of the Freinberg, a 30 minute walk from the city centre, the splendid Botanical Gardens are considered among Europe's most beautiful gardens. Home to more than 10000 species of plants spread over numerous attractive flowerbeds and five greenhouses, the garden features many exotic specimens, including a large collection of cacti, a superb Rosarium, numerous alpine flowers in the Alpinum and a well stocked Tropic House. The Botanical Gardens also hosts numerous events throughout the year, including flower shows and concerts. There is an outdoor section with different themed gardens such as a Japanese garden and an area with a pond full of water lilies. Alongside the gardens stands an impressive arboretum with around 700 varieties of trees and five greenhouses, with a mind boggling display of beautiful plants, cactus and flowers. These gardens really are a relaxing and enjoyable experience and a great way to do something different other than sightseeing.

7: St. Florian Augustinian

Just 20 minutes south of Linz, the St. Florian Augustinian Abbey dates from 800 AD and was built over the grave of St. Florian, a Roman official martyred in 304 AD for becoming Christian. The present Baroque structure was built between 1686 and 1751 and remains an important theological seminary famous for its boys' choir. Tour highlights include the impressive main doorway with its massive statues of Atlas and Virtue the imposing Abbey Church with its twin Baroque towers, stucco decoration and Bruckner organ and the crypt, where organist Anton Bruckner lays buried. Also of note are the Imperial Apartments, once used by visiting Emperors and Popes St. Sebastian's Altar with its 14 early 16th century paintings by Albrecht Altdorfer, a master of the Danube school the magnificent library with its ceiling paintings and Rococo gallery and the St. Florian art collection. A restaurant is on-site and for a truly memorable experience, affordable B&B options are available in the guest house.

8: St. Martins Church

Just below Linz Castle in Romerstrasse stands quaint little St. Martin's Church (Martinskirche), the oldest church in Austria to be preserved in its original form. Built on the remains of Roman walls that can still be seen in the building's exterior, this remarkable 8th century church is characteristic of the earliest Carolingian architecture. Highlights of a visit include an interior rich with 15th century frescoes, along with the outlines of old doorways and windows in the sidewalls dating from the Gothic period. A Roman oven is visible and many stones inside the church bear Roman inscriptions, while recent excavations have revealed the royal hall of the former imperial palace.

9: Zahnmuseum

The newly designed Zahnmuseum in the Old Town Hall on the main square in Linz impressively presents the fight against this evil and much more from the world of dentistry and dental technology. Exhibited in the museum are exhibits from the time around 1700 to the recent past. The oldest exhibits are a toothed spanner, as it was customary around 1730 and a wooden bathing chair with a neck support, a precursor of the more and more elaborate treatment units. The exhibition rooms are modern in architectural design and contrast with the medieval vaults of the Old Town Hall. Airy islands or mouths separated by transparent curtains, house ordination facilities from the past 120 years. The showcases in the Zahnmuseum are specially designed by the well known exhibition architects Gnigler and Wilhelm. Their shape symbolizes bark teeth. Their arrangement and number can be changed as required. The content is organized according to subject area. The museum is handicapped accessible, so accessible to visit.

10: Donau Park

A meandering stretch of open parkland on the river Danube and conveniently next to the Lentos Museum, the Donaupark is enjoyed by all and a lovely place to chill out in. The grass plains are segmented and crossed by footpaths, with a promenade running parallel to the Danube. Everything one would find in a typical public park can be found including scattered trees, benches, fountains and also some modernist sculptures. The locals use this park for recreational purposes and visitors will often see joggers and cyclists together with people relaxing or playing sports on the lawns.

11: Ursulinenkirche

The former Ursuline monastery church is now both a parish church and venue for arts and concerts for the forum St. Severin. The monastery itself was dissolved in 1968. This baroque, twin domed church a former nunnery now features altar paintings by the prolific Martin Altomonte. The new Upper Austrian Cultural district brings together the Ursulinenhof cultural centre, the Ursuline Church and the Open Cultural Centre of the Province of Upper Austria. The Ursulinenhof houses galleries, the province’s art collection and the theatre. The Ursulinenkirche is a Baroque style monastery church in Linz built in 1736 to 1972 facing Linzer Landstrasse is based on a project by Johann Haslinger.

12: Landesgalerie Linz

Landesgalerie Linz houses modern, contemporary art and photography. Founded in 1855 by Adalbert Stifter for the enlightenment and education of the bourgeoisie, the building now functions as the main museum of the Upper Austrian Provincial Museums. Landesgalerie Linz was built until 1895, according to the plans of the Berlin architect Bruno Schmitz. Today, the Landesgalerie is the museum for Upper Austrian modern and contemporary art. The collection includes around 1000 paintings, sculptures and installations as well as the world's largest collection of works by the Austrian illustrator Alfred Kubin. In addition, the museum houses an important photography collection. The Landesgalerie offers an extensive programme for children and families. Regular family tours of the current exhibitions are offered. Additionally, creative workshops and many holiday activities are available.

13: Nordico Stadtmuseum

Nordico Stadtmuseum provides space for the history of Linz to be presented. The museum houses an extensive collection of art, photography, archaeology and folklore. Nordico a networked, lively place for telling stories and innovative museum work is also a place of learning and education and represents the identity of Linz in a historical context. The Stadtmuseum Linz, opened in 1973, occupies a special position in the upper Austrian museum landscape it has a rich collection of art, photography, archeology and folklore. The museum is located in the town hall district on the Dametzstrasse named after the mayor Josef Dametz. The archaeological collection of Nordico consists of those objects that could be excavated at various excavations. Among them are internationally significant finds of the grave fields from the bronze and Hallstattzeit, the Roman antiquity and the Bayernzeit as well as the unique iron treasure of Grundberg.

14: Old Cathedral

Often referred to as Linz's Old Cathedral, the twin towered Jesuit church of St. Ignatius is famous for its rich Italian decorations. Also of note is its organ, famously played by Austrian composer Anton Bruckner and now known as the Bruckner Organ, as well as its high altar dating from 1683 and pulpit from 1678. Note also the richly carved choir stalls from 1633 depicting grotesque human and animal figures, as well as strange dwarfs. Also of historical significance is the nearby Landhaus, seat of the provincial government of Upper Austria, built in 1571 on the site of an earlier Minorite convent. The building's magnificent doorway bears the coats of arms of the original Austrian provinces, while its centrepiece is the fine arcaded courtyard in which concerts are still staged. The focal point of the courtyard is an octagonal Planet Fountain from 1582. From 1612 to 1626, the astronomer and scientist Johannes Kepler taught here in the college that once occupied the building.

15: New Cathedral

The splendid New Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a three aisled, neo Gothic pillared basilica of yellow sandstone with an ambulatory surrounded by a ring of chapels. This massive building, constructed between 1862 and 1924 to the plans of Cologne architect Vinzenz Statz, covers a larger area than Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral. Highlights include a 135 mts high tower, the great organ built in 1968 and its crypt with the grave of Franz Josef Rudigier Linz's best known Bishop also worth noting in the crypt is its large nativity scene. The cathedral also includes a spectacular stained glass window depicting the history of the town. Afterwards, be sure to visit the Bishop's Palace. Dating from 1726 and originally part of the Kremsmunster monastery, it's notable for its unique iron gateway and staircase built in 1227.

16: Mauthausen Memorial

In several parts of Europe there are unfortunately the remnants of concentration camps and labour camps that the Nazi’s constructed during the Second World War everyone knows what happened at these places so no details are needed, but several still stand today as grim and poignant reminders of the past and suffering. East of Linz is the Mauthausen memorial and museum and the remains of the camp. An extremely touching and meaningful sight, there are day trips available to the site and self guided audio tours can be brought on arrival. While not everyone’s cup of tea, Mauthausen is still an important historical site and a great deal can be taken in from what transpired here.

17: Lentos Art Museum

Another of Linz's ultra modern museums on the banks of the Danube, the Lentos Art Museum opened its doors in 2003 as the successor to the New Gallery and has since become one of the most important art galleries in Austria. Highlights of this spectacular museum itself a work of art when lit up at night are its rich collection of more than 1500 pieces of artwork, including examples from the 19th century, as well as Classical Modernism masterpieces by the likes of Austrians Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. Other highlights include a collection of important works from the German and Austrian Expressionist movement of the 1920s and 1930s, as well as international works from the post war period. The museum also has a notable collection of sculpture, sketches and photographs.

18: Wilhering Abbey

About eight kilometres west of Linz on the southern bank of the Danube stands the little town of Wilhering, famous for its sprawling 12th century Cistercian abbey. Founded in 1146 and rebuilt in the 18th century after a devastating fire, Wilhering Abbey is well worth taking the short trip from Linz to explore especially doing it by boat. A highlight is the modern art gallery in a former guesthouse thought to be the oldest surviving part of the complex with a number of paintings by Fritz Frohlich. The church is also worth visiting and boasts one of the finest Rococo interiors in Austria and a number of attractive frescoes by B Altomonte including the Glorification of the Mother of God. Also of note are its fine choir stalls and wall graves.

19: Ars Electronica Centre

The excellent Ars Electronica Centre also referred to as the Museum of the Future was founded in 1996 and moved to its present ultra modern location on the Danube in 2009. Designed to showcase the city's reputation as a dynamic centre of technology, media, industry and art, the centre features exhibits focusing on the technology shaping the modern world including displays related to climate change and pollution, space exploration, biotechnology and robotics. The centre is also the site of the annual Ars Electronica Festival, which recognizes world leaders in computer music, animation, interactive art and web design. Temporary and special exhibitions are held regularly at the centre. Be sure to take a walk along the Danube after sundown to see the centre and other area museums lit up as part of a stunning riverside light show.

20: Zoo Linz

Over 600 animals await a visit to the local and exotic fauna. There are cuddly animals to hold, a selected collection of mammals, a variety of birds and reptiles. They are all to be found at the zoo, which is located half way up the Postlingberg. As an excursion destination the children´s zoo is always popular with the little ones. The hot house is particularly worth seeing, with its extraordinary inhabitants, such as apes and boas. Special events for families are offered throughout the whole year. Halfway up the Postlingberg, with a fabulous view over the city of Linz guarantee a varied and exciting trip for the whole family. Inquisitive meerkats, cuddly red pandas and quirky zebras are waiting for tourists.

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