Your Hotel in Linz

The former steel hub exudes a unique, down-to-earth charm, bringing together industry with culture, hip with affordable, academics with established locals. A harmonious combination that an increasing number of international visitors and city residents are learning to treasure.  
In the heart of the city is a baroque main square featuring the 20-metre high Trinity Column, which was erected in 1723 to express gratitude for the city’s deliverance from the catastrophes of war (1704), fire (1712) and the plague (1713). The former marketplace is framed by imposing buildings with painted façades. Here you can see the Old Town Hall – where the tourist office is also located – and the Feichtinger house with its built-in bells that ring shortly after 11 am, 2 pm and 5 pm. Listen carefully: the melody changes depending on the season. 
From the main square you can head along the Landstrasse, which is among the most frequented shopping streets in Austria. Perfect for an extended window-shopping tour! Don’t forget to check out the small side streets with their numerous shops, cafés and restaurants; there’s something for everyone here. Domplatz, home to the New Cathedral, is also close by. In addition to this holy structure, the square hosts ‘Klassik am Dom’ concerts featuring classical music every summer – just one of the cultural highlights and events the city has to offer.

Right on the Danube – the central lifeline of the city – is the Lentos Art Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in Austria. Its glass façade resembles an oversized picture frame, offering a view of the Urfahr neighbourhood on the opposite side of the river. Head across the Nibelungenbrücke bridge and you’ll arrive at the Ars Electronic Center; with its distinctive, futuristic architecture, it’s hard to miss. This Museum of the Future hosts exhibitions on the topics of tomorrow in the areas of art, technology and society. 
If you’d rather take a look back, the Schlossmuseum is a must. The former imperial residence is now a museum focusing on the natural, cultural and art history of Upper Austria from the beginning of life all the way to the 21st century. If you’re interested in something a bit more eccentric, the Zahnmuseum (tooth museum) and Cowboy Museum are worth a visit. Alternative art is also on display at a very special open-air gallery: in Handelshafen, also known as Mural Harbour, more than 100 works of graffiti and street art by artists from 25 countries stretch across old industrial buildings and house walls. You can view the art on a walking tour or boat tour.

Linz’s local mountain, the Pöstlingberg, is situated on the northern bank of the Danube. You can climb its 539 metres on foot – or conveniently ride to the top with the Pöstlingbergbahn mountain tramway. This popular outing destination not only offers the best views of Linz and its surroundings – it also brings together several sites to one place. Here you’ll find the Zoo Linz, where you can get a closer look at both local and exotic fauna. Younger visitors will especially enjoy the Grottenbahn, which takes children on a fantastical journey through the realm of fairy tales and dwarves. A historically treasured recreational ride, this beloved attraction is more than 100 years old. Halfway up the mountain is the Anton Bruckner Private University for music, theatre and dance, named after the prominent composer that worked as a cathedral and parish organist in Linz. Inside, you can enjoy concerts and performances, but the stunning slat-covered building is worth a visit for its exterior architecture alone. Once you reach the peak, you’ll see another symbol of Linz up close: the Pöstlingberg Church, dedicated to the ‘Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary’. With two towers in subtle pink and white, the church finished construction in 1748 and can be reached from the viewing platform in a few minutes. 
In general, Linz is the perfect base for anyone who loves the outdoors. The mountainous Mühlviertel and the Salzkammergut region, known for its many lakes, are just a stone’s throw away and can be easily reached via public transport. If you're looking for something a bit cosier, there are also natural oases large and small directly in the city: various bathing areas and parks, such as the Pleschinger See lake, Wasserwald, Hummelhofwald and the green banks of the Danube offer spaces to relax whenever you wish. Like we said: Linz is worth a visit!