Straddling the Danube River in Austria’s north, Linz is a charming city that’s home to historic architecture, leafy green spaces and cutting-edge museums. It forms part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network due to its arts-focused cultural institutions and hosts the annual Ars Electronica Film Festival.

Things to do

Spend a day strolling through the historic heart of Linz, which is watched over by a 17th-century castle that houses the Upper Austrian Provincial Museum. Admire the Baroque architecture of the Church of Ignatius and the stained-glass windows of the immense New Cathedral before exploring one of Austria’s most impressive art collections at Lentos Art Museum.

Technology enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to the Ars Electronica Centre, a landmark institution that’s been nicknamed the "Museum of the Future”. Its interactive exhibits include a virtual ping pong game and state-of-the-art robots, as well as a huge screen displaying different parts of the world in high definition.

For some of the best views in Linz, jump aboard the Pöstlingbergbahn narrow-gauge railway for the steep ride to the top of Pöstlingberg hill. You can look out across the rooftops of Linz from the railway’s vintage-style carriages before visiting the 18th-century Pöstlingbergkirche that’s dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary. If you’re travelling with kids, don’t miss Pöstlingberg’s Grottenbahn, a family-friendly dragon train ride that takes you through the “Land of Dwarves”.

Getting around

Blue Danube Airport is a 20-minute drive from the centre of Linz and has flights to destinations across Europe. Trains make the journey east to Vienna and west to Salzburg while trams and buses travel throughout the city centre. Linz’s centre is also pedestrian-friendly.