Straddling the Danube River in Upper Austria, Linz is a city best known by Austrians, along with German and Czech citizens whose borders are nearby. It’s Austria’s third largest city, but with a population similar to a US suburb, it doesn’t feel that big. Visitors who linger today will find the perks of a city with the tranquil air of a town and a burgeoning cultural scene. In Linz, contemporary museums dedicated to art and innovation are among the cool things to do.
Linz is loveliest in the warm summer months when average temperatures hover around 68°F (20°C). Although it’s not a big tourist city, more Austrian and German visitors are in town at this time of year. Snowfalls give the city an enchanting vibe in winter, especially if the snow hits the ground in time for the Christmas markets (mid-November to Christmas Eve). The Hauptplatz market is the main attraction, although smaller markets are dotted about the city, too.
Linz old town is pedestrianized, but for further-away exploring, the buses and trams are efficient, regular, and free to holders of the Linz Card. Many locals like to get around on bikes, though, making use of the generally flat terrain. The public hire scheme Linz City Bikes has more than 40 stations around the city, and there are private bike-hire shops dotted around with e-bike options and scooters, too.
Many travelers to Austria will have heard of Vienna’s coffeehouse culture but might not know it exists beyond the capital. In Linz, the coffeehouse culture is alive and thriving, maybe in testament to its famous Linzer Torte. Must-visit cafés include the Café Traxlmayr, a historic Viennese coffee house with a vast selection of newspapers and magazines, and the Jindrak Konditorei on Herrenstrasse, which is often touted as the best place to try Linzer Torte.
