Things to Do in Linz, Austria – The City of Creative Arts

Rarely at the top of visit lists and often overshadowed by other Austrian cities, a trip to find everything to do in Linz that stems from its creative arts scene might change your perception of how much there is to love about Austria’s third-largest city.

Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, showcases its best visually and artistically, proving that as a Federal capital, it’s worthy of attention. 

Proud to describe itself as future-oriented, Linz has transformed over the decades by embracing change. It soon becomes apparent that the arts are at the core of its identity.

Historically, Linz grew from the Roman fortification of Lentia to a flourishing town in the 15th century, home to Habsburg Emperor Frederick III, but it is largely defined by the quaintness of its 17th-century Old Town and its status as a wealthy steel-producing city. It’s a Danube River city whose artistic revival began in darker days, when Hitler wanted to restructure it as a core European base and rebuild it as the Third Reich’s main cultural centre (luckily, that never happened).

Today, Linz is a designated European Capital of Culture (2009) and a UNESCO Media Arts City. It has grown into a home for educational institutions and research facilities focused on developing and understanding media art and digital culture, and it has further established itself as a European centre for social innovation and artistic enterprise.

Beyond the pastel hues that define old Austrian towns lies the city’s multi-layered artistic flair. Contemporary arts blend seamlessly with the city’s historic structures to form a collection of cultural hubs, funky hangouts, and artistic business ventures.

So, where can you find it all when you visit Linz? This list brings together Linz’s top sights and attractions, plus spots that will make you see it differently. 

Things to Do in Linz to See it Differently

Stroll Linz Old Town (Altstadt)

Linz doesn’t forget its history, nor does it overlook or replace it. Its history remains layered in its architecture. 

On one side of the Danube River, the historic railway line takes you to the fairy-tale castle on Pöstlingberg Mountain and the Pöstlingberg Pilgrimage Basilica overlooking the city. On the other side, the Old Town’s preserved mint greens, soft blues, butter yellows, and delicate pink facades line avenues of flagstones and archways.

The lovingly restored showpieces are incorporated within the city’s contemporary expansion.

Enjoy Creative Hangouts on the Linz Danube Riverside

It’s not just the town itself humming with new ideas. One thing to do in Linz is to explore the social culture built along the waterfront. Riverside green spaces are accompanied by independent enterprises such as the red van ‘pay as you like cafe’ and crazy golf by the river and the Salonschiff Fräulein Florentine gastropub on a boat.

Visit Linz Museums and Core Visual Arts Centres

Along the riverbank, I visited the bold-edged glass structures housing two of the city’s core arts centres. The visual media and technology Ars Electronica Centre, which focuses on digital issues of the future (and whose ‘FutureLab’ research unit is a worldwide top 10 media laboratory), and the modern art collection that fills the Lentos Kunstmuseum.

Eat Original Linzer Torte at Jindrak Café 

Besides churches and cultural hubs, what is Linz famous for? The Linzer Torte and the origin home of this famed Austrian cake. While the recipe of this jam-filledbuttery-almond pastry date back to 1653, where a recipe was found in the cookbook a Countess, the Jindrak café lays claim to baking the “Original Linzer Torte”.

Visit and get a slice of the Linzer Torte served here since 1929.

Browse Boutique Stores and Culture Cafes

Cake-filled tradition rubs shoulders with modernity: boho-cool coffee shops like Friedlieb und Töchter serve avocado-toast breakfasts and international coffees; boutique outlets outshine modern chain stores; and the cultural centre Stadtwerkstatt stands as a symbol of communication. Activists established it to protest the modern concrete development of the old town. 

Take a Theatre Costume Guided Tour in Linz

Art goes beyond galleries and architecture. Theatre costume guided tours bring Linz’s old streets and their stories to life through theatre and drama. The interactive group tours, for up to 35 people, are by request. 

The Theatre Costume Guided Tour in Linz.

Find the Giant Map of Linz in the Town Hall 

Even the Town Hall has shed its typical stuffy civic image by becoming an exhibition space that showcases Linz. A giant aerial city view of Linz is displayed underfoot, in one of the large ground-floor rooms.

Marvel the Modern Remake of Linz Castle

The South Wing of the Linzer Schloss (Linz Castle), which burned down in 1800, was replaced with modern architecture and now houses the Schlossmuseum, which documents Linz’s early history. 

See Modern Art Stained Glass in the Biggest Church in Austria

In Linz, you’ll find the Mariendom – the biggest church in Austria. In keeping with the city’s artistic streak, it features stained-glass windows displaying modern-art designs.

See Rooftop Artworks at Höhenrausch in OÖ Kulturquartier

My favourite space is Höhenrausch – an annual art event and creative space. It’s set within the repurposed area known as the OÖ Kulturquartier. It features over 30 indoor, outdoor, and rooftop artworks with great views across the city, even extending to the front of the Ursulinen Church next to it.

The wooden tower, set among it all, offers the best view: Linz in a 360 panorama, and a perfect display of its many layers of old and new.

Mural Harbour – Linz Industrial Heritage in Art

Creative minds and hands have given Linz’s industrial heritage a makeover, showcased in the area called Mural Harbour. Urban development runs along the Danube, including Tabakfabrik, a former tobacco factory turned hub for makers and designers, and soon-to-be home to an international research centre for media and performance arts (Valie Export Centre).

A boat trip on the Linz Harbour takes you to the commercial port, now transformed into a giant street-art space. You can’t get off here for a closer look, but the boat gives you access to the art mural wall, which has become one of the world’s most extensive outdoor galleries.

Various murals adorn the industrial buildings, featuring works from international creatives, including Spanish street artist ARYZ, whose artwork, the biggest of them all, has come to symbolise this area’s transformation. During the outdoor event known as Bubble Days, street and graffiti artists are invited to come and decorate the space, expanding Linz’s international art platforms.

Plan your Danube boat trip from Linz. The Hafentour (Harbour tour) aboard the MS Linzerin departs six times daily at 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00. Tickets cost €12 per person. You can also book Hafentour tickets via GetYourGuide. 

Is Linz Worth Visiting?

‘Say Linz. Say Change’ is one of the city’s taglines – it’s not afraid to try something new as it incorporates an ultra-contemporary present into its cherished centuries-old past.

When it comes to things to do in Linz, it’s clear the city likes nothing more than treating visitors to sensory overload, both interactive and visual, in honour of the media arts and forward-thinking dynamism for which it is often rewarded.

Travel Tips for When You Visit Linz

Want to know how to get to Linz and how best to spend your time once you arrive? These tips have your trip covered. 

Getting to Linz

The city is a perfect weekend getaway, taking approximately 90 minutes by train from Vienna and 1 hour and 15 minutes from Salzburg. Linz connects to all major Austrian cities via the ÖBB national rail network and the private operator Westbahn, though Innsbruck is the furthest away, at close to 4 hours. 

• Search train tickets for travel from Vienna to Linz.
• Search for train tickets from Salzburg to Linz.

The Linz Card for Transport and Attractions

The digital Linz Card includes all public transport within the city, a return ticket (uphill and downhill) to the Pöstlingberg Tram, admission to all museums, discounts on over 15 attractions, and a €10 voucher for some concerts and theatre shows.

A 24-hour card costs €18, a 48-hour card is €30 and a 72-hour card €39.

Where to Stay in Linz

The modern-decked, renovated 15th-century Hotel Schwarzer Bär is a family-run accommodation in Linz city centre. Choose a room with a balcony or enjoy the view from the roof terrace and bar. 

The stylish adult-only Hotel Am Domplatz has Mariendom Cathedral views and several spa facilities. 

Arts Festivals in Linz

Linz hosts many annual festivals, including Ars Electronica, the Crossing Europe Film Festival, the Pflasterspektakel street art festival, the Nextcomic comedy festival, and the Linzer Krone Fest of music acts.

Further Information About Planning a Trip to Linz

For further inspiration, visit the Linz Tourism Website.

Are you travelling around Austria?

My trip to Linz was part of an Austria project involving various cities, regions and activities all over Austria. All opinions remain my own.