The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Linz, often simply called The Cathedral or Mariendom, is the largest church in Austria and a stunning masterpiece of neo-Gothic architecture. Since its foundation stone was laid in 1862, the cathedral has dominated the cityscape with its immense size and its elegant tower, which stands just shy of the height of Vienna’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The vibrant stained-glass windows, including the famous Linz Window, depict stories from the city’s history, while the viewing platform at 112 meters offers breathtaking views of Linz and the surrounding area.

The interactive Museum of the Future brings the future into the present. It explores the intersection of art, technology, and society, inviting visitors to engage with cutting-edge innovations. You can, for example, test artificial intelligence, train self-driving cars, program robots, or experiment with 3D printing. The motto is: Try it out and join in!

The Main Square in Linz is the heart of the city and, with an area of approximately 13,200 m², one of Austria’s largest enclosed squares. It is surrounded by historic buildings with impressive façades, including the Old Town Hall, which houses the Mayor of Linz and the Linz Tourist Information Center. Another notable building is the Feichtinger House with its carillon, playing different melodies depending on the season. At the center of the square stands the 20-meter-high Baroque Trinity Column, crafted from white marble and erected in 1723 as a gesture of gratitude for protection from fire, war, and plague.

The Musiktheater am Volksgarten is one of the most modern opera houses in Europe and a cultural highlight that captivates many visitors. Located by the Volksgarten and close to the central Landstraße, it offers world-class performances of opera, operetta, ballet, and musicals in a building designed by British architect Terry Pawson. Since its opening in 2013, the theater has impressed audiences with its outstanding acoustics, contemporary design, and diverse programming. Regular tours provide a behind-the-scenes look.

The Grottenbahn on Linz’s Pöstlingberg transports families to a fairy tale paradise. This historic attraction, delighting generations since 1906, offers children and adults a magical ride on the Dragon Express through a sparkling grotto filled with scenes of dwarfs. Afterwards, visitors can explore a meticulously crafted miniature version of Linz’s Main Square at the turn of the 20th century, featuring scenes from classic fairy tales that captivate young and old alike.

The small yet charming paradise for animal lovers and families is located halfway up the Pöstlingberg. It offers not only a glimpse into the world of around 600 animals from approximately 110 species (such as meerkats, zebras, red pandas, and kangaroos) but also a stunning view over Linz. Since its establishment in the 1980s, the zoo has continually expanded and modernized, staying true to its motto: “European animals, domestic animals, and their wild ancestors.”

This green oasis lies in the heart of Linz and ranks among the most beautiful botanical gardens in Europe. Spread across 4.2 hectares, it showcases over 10,000 plant species, including one of Europe’s largest cactus collections. The alpine garden and rose garden invite exploration, offering fascinating insights into plants from around the globe.

The Brucknerhaus, named after the renowned composer Anton Bruckner, is a central cultural venue in the city. Built between 1969 and 1973 based on designs by Finnish architects Heikki and Kaija Siren, the concert hall may not impress with its aging exterior, but much more importantly, it boasts exceptional acoustics and comfortable seating. This makes the Brucknerhaus one of Europe’s leading concert and conference centers.

The Schlossmuseum overlooks the old town of Linz and offers you a wonderful view of the Danube. Combining Renaissance architecture with modern design, the museum spans over 18,000 m² and features permanent exhibitions on the natural, cultural, and technological history of Upper Austria, from prehistoric times to the 21st century. Basically, you can find everything here, from archaeology and music to technology and medieval weapons.

The Posthof is one of the leading centers for contemporary culture and a magnet for creative minds and culture enthusiasts. Located in the historic harbor district, the Posthof hosts over 250 events per year across three versatile halls, offering space not only for big names but also for experimental formats and emerging artists—a vibrant meeting place.

The Danube Promenade, also known as Donaupark, is a green oasis in the heart of Linz and a popular recreation area for Linz residents. Stretching along the southern bank of the Danube (between the Nibelungen Bridge and the VOEST Bridge), this expansive park offers plenty of space to unwind.

With its iconic pilgrimage basilica, this 539-meter-high hill is one of Linz’s landmarks and a popular destination for families. The historic Pöstlingberg Railway — one of Europe’s steepest adhesion railways — takes you directly from the main square to the top in 20 minutes, passing green slopes and quaint houses along the way. At the summit, you’ll find the whimsical Grottenbahn, a lovingly crafted fairy tale world that’s sure to bring a smile, as well as the Zoo Linz.

The climb up 137 wooden steps leads through the interior of the popular tower to a platform perched high above the treetops. From here, a breathtaking panoramic view unfolds: the Danube winds its way through the city, the Pöstlingberg rises picturesquely, and even the Eferding Basin comes into view.

On the 405-meter-high Freinberg, the lowest mountain of the Linz basin, you can enjoy an impressive panoramic view of the entire city of Linz. This plateau, designed as a park since the late 18th century, is home to several historical buildings, including the Franz Josef-Warte built in 1889, the Barbara Chapel, and the Aviator Memorial.

The Lentos Art Museum is one of Austria's most significant venues for modern and contemporary art. Boasting over 1,700 paintings, sculptures, and photographs, as well as works by luminaries such as Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, and VALIE EXPORT, it attracts art enthusiasts from around the globe.

The Linz Tower Fortifications, also known as the Maximilian Tower Line, is an impressive fortification system from the 1830s that once surrounded the city as a closed defensive ring. Initiated by Archduke Maximilian Joseph of Austria-Este, a total of 27 towers, 5 segment towers, and several batteries and forts were built between 1831 and 1833, designed based on the experiences of the Napoleonic Wars.

The Trinity Column, designed by architect Antonio Beduzzi and crafted by Salzburg master stonemason Sebastian Stumpfegger, captivates with its baroque artistry. Its 20-meter-high cloud column, made of gleaming white Untersberg marble and adorned with jubilant cherubs, exudes a sense of dynamism and lightness. This plague column holds a special story: it was erected between 1717 and 1723 as a thanksgiving for protection from plague, war, and fire.

In the Old Cathedral of Linz, originally built as a Jesuit church and consecrated in 1678, you will find an impressive single-nave church space with bright Baroque interiors.

High above the old town of Linz stands the impressive Linz Castle, whose history dates back to 799 and was built on the foundations of the Roman fort Lentia. As the residence of Emperor Frederick III. in the 15th century, it reached new splendor and has experienced a tumultuous history - from imperial residence to provincial prison and finally to barracks.

The Pichlinger See in the southeast of Linz, with its 31 hectares of water surface, is one of the most popular recreational areas in the region, attracting up to 40,000 visitors on peak days. Originally formed by gravel extraction, the lake is now surrounded by a 3.5-kilometer circular path and offers not only swimming opportunities but also restaurants, playgrounds, and a campsite.

As the largest theater in Upper Austria, the Landestheater Linz captivates its audience around 900 times each season with its three venues - the modern Musiktheater, the historic Schauspielhaus, and the Kammerspiele. The history of the house dates back to 1803, when the then Landständische Theater was opened under Emperor Franz II.

High above Linz stands the Catholic pilgrimage church of Seven Sorrows of Mary, with its distinctive white and pink twin-tower facade. Its origins trace back to a statue of Mary created by Ignaz Jobst in 1716, which was brought to Pöstlingberg, leading to a surge of pilgrims. Following the plans of Johann Matthias Krinner, the church was built as a cross-dome church starting in 1742 and was consecrated in 1748, although the characteristic towers were only completed in 1892.

At the southern edge of Linz, you will find the fascinating Weikerlsee, a double body of water that was formed due to gravel extraction for the Westautobahn in the 1930s. The smaller of the two lakes invites you to swim with its beach, kiosk, and nudist area, while the larger lake serves as a strictly protected nature reserve of the Traun-Donau-Auen.

The impressive Linz Landhaus, which has been the seat of the Upper Austrian Parliament since 1861, combines Renaissance architecture with Baroque and Rococo influences, making it one of the most significant buildings in the city. In the three courtyards connected by a passage from the promenade to Klostergasse, you will find the magnificent "Stone Hall" with its distinctive red marble columns.

In the heart of Linz, the Offenes Kulturhaus Oberösterreich (OK) awaits you as a dynamic center for contemporary art, residing since 1998 in a listed school building from the 1930s.

On the Bauernberg, which stretches between the Linz districts of Innenstadt and Waldegg, you will find one of the city's most significant parks from the early 20th century. Designed in the Art Nouveau style, the park features winding paths that meander up the hill and was created between 1911 and 1915 under the direction of city garden director Josef Schweiger. At that time, it was the largest construction project in Linz.

The historic Florianerbahn connected the towns of Ebelsberg and St. Florian in Upper Austria from 1913 to 1974 as a narrow-gauge local railway. With its 900 mm track gauge and 600-volt direct current electrification, it transported an impressive 12 million passengers during its 60-year history and was directly linked to the Linz tram network starting in 1929. After its closure, the Austrian Society for Railway History initially took over the line as a museum railway but had to cease operations in 2003. Today, you can explore parts of the former railway route as a cycling path between St. Florian, Linz, and Ansfelden, while in St. Florian, some original track remnants still remind you of the history of this unique railway.

The impressive Ursuline Church on the main road captivates with its late Baroque double-tower facade and was built between 1736 and 1772 under the direction of architect Johann Haslinger.

The Martinskirche in the center of Linz is one of the most historically significant churches in Upper Austria, with its first documented mention dating back to 799. Throughout its tumultuous history, it has served not only as a church but also at times as a stable and military depot.

The baroque Carmelite church that you find on Linzer Landstraße was built between 1690 and 1710 as part of the Carmelite monastery. The west facade, designed by Johann Raas, impresses with its striking portal, crowned by figures of saints and a monumental statue of Saint Joseph.

The impressive City Parish Church of Linz combines Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architectural phases in its rich history since its foundation in 1207. In this three-nave church, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, the wedding of the future Emperor Ferdinand I. took place in 1521, and the entrails of Emperor Frederick III. were also buried here.

As part of the Roman Limes Noricus, the military camp Lentia controlled important trade routes over the Danube from the late 1st century. Although this strategically significant fortress was repeatedly devastated by Germanic tribes, it remained continuously inhabited until the 5th century.

The Heart of Jesus Church, built around 1900, is a prominent Catholic church that characterizes the Linz district of Lustenau. The original structure, designed by Raimund Jeblinger, underwent a comprehensive renovation in the late 1960s, during which the distinctive portal extension was created.

In the old town of Linz, you will find the Minoritenkirche, an architectural gem that holds a special place as the only Rococo church in the city. Originally built in the 13th century in Gothic style, the church underwent extensive renovations starting in 1751, giving it its current elegant appearance with magnificent Rococo furnishings.

The Taubenmarkt is one of the busiest places in Austria and the vibrant transportation hub of Linz, where over 30,000 people cross paths daily. Until 1880, a poultry market was held here, but today you can find the historic Sparkassenbrunnen by Hermann Krackowizer from 1892 at this significant location.

On the banks of the Danube, you discover a fascinating relic of war history: the fortifications at the Winter Harbor consist of a system of bunkers, workshops, and fuel depots that served as a naval base during World War II. The approximately one-kilometer-long Winter Harbor was established in the late 19th century to protect Danube ships from ice, and it became an important military port during both world wars.

High above the Linz district of Ebelsberg stands the castle of the same name, which dates back to the 12th century and was owned by the bishops of Passau for over 600 years. The trapezoidal complex, with its three distinctive towers, two gates, and double moat, was heavily damaged in 1809 during the Napoleonic Wars, before Baron Karl Theodor von Kast acquired it in 1825 and extensively renovated it.

The Christ the King Church, also known as the Peace Church, in the Linz district of Urfahr brings together impressive 20th-century art under one roof. In this church, built between 1933 and 1951, you will find significant works by Austrian artists, such as the altar fresco by Max Weiler and the intricate stained glass windows by Alfred Stifter and Lydia Roppolt. A special highlight is the life-sized Pietà made of white marble by Adolf Wagner von der Mühl in the Peace Chapel. This listed church is still used not only for services but also serves as a popular concert venue.

The Burschenschafterturm in Linz was built in the early 19th century as part of the Maximilian Tower Line, a fortification system against Napoleon's troops. After decades of decay, Karl Beurle acquired the tower in 1917 for the Burschenschaft der Ostmark, which used it as a war memorial for those who fell in World War I.

In Linz's oldest and largest city park, covering 3.2 hectares, you’ll find a green oasis between the main train station and the bustling Landstraße. The Volksgarten, opened in 1829 by café owner Bartholomeo Festorazzi, was inaugurated in the presence of Emperor Franz I and has since become a popular meeting spot.

In the magnificent Francisco Carolinum in Linz, you will find one of the most traditional art museums in Upper Austria, which was personally inaugurated by Emperor Franz Joseph I. in 1895. The impressive building features a monumental staircase with a glass dome and a 110-meter-long frieze that tells the history of Upper Austria from the Celts to the Habsburgs. Today, the museum serves as a dynamic platform for contemporary photography and media art, showcasing international artists like Roger Ballen and VALIE EXPORT. As one of the first art museums in the world, the Francisco Carolinum has even established a virtual branch in the Metaverse.

In the heart of Linz, you will find Schillerpark, one of the oldest urban green spaces, established in 1824 as a recreational park on the site of the former military barracks. The park, which received its current name in 1910, was completely redesigned in 1983 and expanded again in 2013, preserving the old trees and adding 30 new large trees.

In the historic town hall district of Linz, you will find the Nordico City Museum, an impressive building from the early 17th century, designed by the Italian architect Francesco Silva. With 700 square meters of exhibition space, you can learn all about the archaeological, artistic, and cultural development of the city of Linz.

The Hospital of the Brothers of Mercy in Linz uniquely combines historical tradition with modern medicine. Originating from a modest leper house in the 14th century, the facility was reestablished in 1755 as a charity hospital and officially handed over to the Brothers of Mercy a year later.

In the heart of Linz, you will discover the former Capuchin monastery, founded in 1606 by Archduke Matthias of Austria. The monastery church, built between 1606 and 1612, impresses with its simple Baroque architecture, featuring a neoclassical bell tower and a distinctive copper dome from the late 19th century.

The Martin Luther Church in Linz tells a special story of Protestant life: When it was built between 1841 and 1844, it initially had to do without a tower - it was only in 1862 that one was allowed to be added later.

The Stadtwerkstatt is the oldest autonomous cultural center in Linz, operating since 1979 as a creative space for art and culture. In the centrally located building near the Danube and the Ars Electronica Center, you can enjoy regular concerts by local and international bands, theater performances, and art exhibitions. The venue features a large event hall, as well as Café Strom and the studio of Radio FRO. One of the highlights is the annual "STWST48" festival, where you can experience 48 hours of artistic productions and collaborations.

In the baroque Bergschlössl in the Volksgarten district of Linz, majestic architecture and botanical tradition have been coming together since the early 18th century to create a unique ensemble. The building, constructed by Johann Michael Prunner between 1717 and 1718, impresses with its elaborate wall paintings in the Sala Terena and a Pompeian bath.

In the Linz district of Lustenau, you’ll find the Südbahnhofmarkt, the largest retail market in Upper Austria's capital. At 28 permanent market stalls, you can discover a wide variety of goods every day, with a farmers' market featuring different vendors on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

The Old Town Hall of Linz, a magnificent landmark on the Main Square, combines medieval charm with baroque elegance. Originally built in the 15th century and rebuilt after a devastating city fire in 1509, the building is distinguished by its octagonal tower with an astronomical clock and the impressive late Gothic ribbed vault inside. Today, it houses the tourist information center, the Museum of Dental History, and features a walkable city map in the foyer.

In the former Phönix-Kino, you will find one of Austria's most important independent stages today, attracting around 25,000 visitors each year. The Phönix Theater, recognizable by its distinctive blue and white facade, has made a name for itself since its founding in 1989 with socially critical productions and the promotion of young authors.

In Bethlehem Street in the City Hall District of Linz, you will find the Linz Synagogue, the spiritual center of the city's Jewish community. The modern building, designed by architect Fritz Goffitzer, was inaugurated in 1968 and stands on a historic site—this is where the first synagogue from 1877 was located, which was destroyed during the Night of Broken Glass in 1938.

In the heart of Linz, you will find the Moviemento, one of the last remaining premiere cinemas in the city center, which has been offering high-quality art house films in three screens since 1990. Here, you can enjoy current films, usually in their original language with subtitles, while the in-house media library invites you to browse through over 4,000 titles. This award-winning cinema, honored as the "Best Cinema in Europe" in 2016, is not only the home of the Crossing Europe Film Festival, but also surprises with film discussions, premieres, and open-air screenings at the OK-Platz. After the film, the restaurant Gelbes Krokodil and the bar Solaris in the same building invite you to linger.

At 567 meters high, the Pipieterkogel stands as the tallest peak in the Linz city area, rising from the Bohemian Massif. The forested mountain, with its steep slopes between Haselbach and Höllmühlbach, invites you to enjoy relaxing hikes. At the summit, which is accessible via a well-maintained trail, you'll find a wooden cross and a summit book box. About 600 meters to the south, on the same ridge, another forested peak, the Keglergupf (536 m), awaits your exploration.

In the historic Prunerstift from the 18th century, you can expect an exciting blend of history and the present. The building, donated by Mayor Johann Adam Pruner in 1730 as a poorhouse, now houses the city's music school and the Old Catholic Church.

High above the Danube, right next to the modern Ars Electronica Center, the historic Josefskirche welcomes you with its simple baroque-classical facade from the late 18th century. Originally built by Capuchins in the late 17th century, this sacred building impresses with its single-nave, barrel-vaulted main hall and distinctive altar area, featuring a magnificent altar that comes from the former Jesuit church in Linz.