Linz is Austria's understated third city: one of the largest baroque squares in the country, a twin-towered pilgrimage church crowning a hill above the Danube, one of the steepest adhesion railways in Europe climbing to it, and a riverfront of luminous modern architecture that turns the water into colour after dark.
1. Hauptplatz
Old town · Map ↗
A vast baroque square with a marble Trinity column, pastel façades and the tram running across one corner.
2. Pöstlingberg church & terrace
Hill above the city · Map ↗
Twin white towers and a terrace looking down the Danube valley — the classic Linz panorama, especially at sunset.
3. The Pöstlingbergbahn
Tram to the hill · Map ↗
A historic mountain tram climbing directly from the main square. Arriving by it is half the pleasure.
4. The Danube banks & Nibelungen bridge
Riverside · Map ↗
Wide promenades, cycle paths and the water reflecting the city lights at dusk.
5. Ars Electronica & Lentos façades
Riverfront · Map ↗
Two museums whose glass skins glow in changing colours after dark — a strikingly modern proposal backdrop.
Old and new in one evening
Few cities let you move so quickly between baroque and futuristic. A session can start on the Hauptplatz in late afternoon, ride the tram up for sunset at Pöstlingberg, then come down for blue hour on the river when the museum façades start to glow.
From Czechia
Linz is roughly two and a half hours from Prague and only 40 minutes from the Czech border at Vyšší Brod — so it combines very naturally with Český Krumlov, which is an hour and a quarter away.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Linz from Prague?
About 220 km, two and a half hours by car. It is also very close to South Bohemia — around an hour and a quarter from Český Krumlov.
Is the Pöstlingbergbahn worth taking?
Yes. It is one of the steepest adhesion railways in Europe, runs from the main square, and the terrace at the top has the best view in the city. Tickets are inexpensive.
When do the museum façades light up?
After dark, so timing depends on the season — around 16:30 in December, after 21:00 in midsummer. Blue hour, just as the sky is still deep blue, is the best moment to photograph them.
Can you combine Linz with Český Krumlov?
Easily. Many couples stay in Krumlov and take a day in Linz, or vice versa — the drive is a little over an hour through pretty border country.