First founded by the Romans, Linz is home to roughly 200,000 citizens. It is the third-largest city in Austria and the capital city of the state of Upper Austria.
Located along the banks of the magnificent Danube, Linz can be thought of as a ‘real’ working Austrian city, as it lacks the somewhat fairy-tale appearance of other cities. It is also one of the few Nazi-occupied cities that managed to survive World War II relatively intact.
The residence of mathematical genius Johannes Kepler, Linz gained a sort of notoriety in the late 1930s as the childhood home of Adolf Hitler. On a lighter note, the whimsical candy-maker Pez is located in Linz.
Your River Cruise Ship Docks …
River cruise ships calling on Linz dock right in the heart of town.
When in Linz …
Like many European cities, a simple stroll around the maze-like streets of Linz’s Old Town area can be extremely satisfying. But in case you crave more (and we know you do), here are some of the best ways to spend your day in Linz.
- A Linz City Ticket, available from the main Tourism office on Hauptplatz, as well as at many hotels and museums. The City Ticket is a great buy if you intend to see several major attractions. For €20 per person, the City Ticket includes admission to a dozen different museums, as well as the City Zoo and Botanical gardens along with a restaurant voucher for €10. A sightseeing tour of the city on the Linz City Express Train is also included.
- The Linz Castle was entirely rebuilt in 1477, and at one time served as a military hospital and a prison. Today, it has been restored to its former glory, and now houses art and artifacts from the Middle Ages straight through to present day.
- The Botanical Gardens are among the largest in Europe, with more than 8,000 types of plants and a whopping 43,000 square meters of space. If you purchase the Linz City Ticket, your admission is included.
- Like many German and Austrian cities, Linz features a dazzling array of Local Food and Drinks, including a wide variety of both German and Austrian beers, as well as Most, an un-carbonated cider. On Christmas Market Cruises, be sure to try Linzer Torte, a cake usually eaten during Christmas.
River Cruisers Should Know!
- The adopted currency of Austria is the Euro.
- German is the official language in Austria, and while most people involved directly with tourism will speak English, it isn’t as widely used compared with other European countries. Because of this, travelers may wish to bring an English to German dictionary.
- Sundays in Linz can be very, very quiet. Be prepared for closed shops, cafes and eateries if you happen to call here on the traditional “day of rest.”
