Destinations » Austria » Linz Travel Guide
Linz dares to break away from the traditional stereotype of Austria - it is a city with an urban edge, a thriving youth culture and its feet firmly in the 21st century. It does not have the stunning architecture of Vienna or Salzburg, but it is the clear winner in terms of modern art and new technology, with crystalline venues like Lentos and the Ars Electronica Center.
Linz was voted European Capital of Culture 2009. By injecting life into the centre in recent years, the city has successfully reinvented itself: where unsightly smoke stacks were once unsightly features, they now incorporated into glass-walled galleries displaying Kokoschka or daring public art installations.
Check availability >Arkade
The glass-roofed Arkade mall is the perfect place to take sanctuary when it rains. Alongside high-street names like Boss and Agatha, there are also speciality shops, boutiques and a juice bar.
Glas Galerie
If designer glasswork is to your taste then check out the varied works in the Glas Galerie.
Imkerhof
For all things honey! Shelves upon shelves with a wide variety which can be eaten, drunk or bathed in!
Klosterhof
Klosterhof's tree-shaded beer garden is arguably the best in Linz, with space for 1500. If this isn't enough to tempt you, tasty Knödel (dumplings) with Stiegl beer in the vaulted tavern at the front should do the trick.
K.U.K. Hofbäckerei
Come to the city's oldest café (first mentioned in 1371) for the best Linzer Torte in the city! The sweet aromas of sugar and butter float around the wood-panelled café, decorated with Sissi portraits and Habsburg decorations.
Mia Cara
Visit this buzzing Italian osteria. Sample antipasti from the counter or homemade penne with a nice glass of Chianti. The patio is popular in summer.
Alter Dom
Admire the 17th-century Alter Dom, where Anton Bruckner served as church organist. Step inside to admire the breath-taking interior, with its theatrical pink marble altar and lavish white stuccowork.
Botanischer Garten
Relax beside the rhododendrons and orchids in Linz's Botanischer Garten. This peaceful oasis nurtures 10,000 species, from native alpine plants to tropical palms and one of the largest cacti collections in Europe.
Neue Dom
The Neue Dom, a neo-Gothic giant with towering spires and stained glass windows which depict Linz's history. The cathedral's height was apparently restricted to 134m, so as not to out-do Stephansdom in Vienna.
