LINZ

Linz is Austria's biggest industrial city, but the Old Town and in the surroundings have preserved a lot of their original charm. Within the present boundaries of Linz there used to be a fort already during Roman times, and the Emperor Frederick III used to live her from 1489 to 1493. Linz is situated in the Linzer Becken. Krnberg Forest and the Eferdinger Becken run along the city's boundaries in the west, the Mühlviertel in the north, and the Danube in the east.

Linz is the only big city in Austria that offers almost twice as many jobs as the city's population needs (for those who like figures: there are about 157,000 jobs). Consequently, this surplus attracts a lot of commuters from the surrounding area and the Mühlviertel. This, in turn, leads to a great lot of traffic.

Linz's most famous cultural event is the Klangwolke that takes place every year during the Brucknerfest. Another flagship is the Ars Electronica with its festival for art, technology and society, and the Pflasterspektakel always attracts a lot of visitors, too. In 2009, Linz is going to be the European Capital of Culture.

Airport
Blue Danube Airport Linz is situated outside the city in Hörsching. Buses go at regular intervals between the city and Hörsching, one ride costs € 2.40. www.linz-airport.at

Car traffic
Linz is an important traffic junction. The Westautobahn A1 (an expressway) that connects Vienna and Salzburg runs in the south of the city. Another expressway, the Mühlkreisautobahn A7 is, together with the Mühlviertler Schnellstraße (a highway), an important connection to the Czech Republic.
Going into the inner city by car should be avoided because it is partially a pedestrian zone, and many one-way streets make it hard for non-locals to move forward. You don't really need a car, anyway, because the inner city is easily accessible by tramway and bus.

Public transportation
The company Linz Linien runs numerous bus lines and three tramway lines. A short-distance traffic hub was put into operation on December 5, 2004. Its heart are underground tramway tracks between the stops Bulgariplatz and Goethekreuzung. It also makes a direct connection to the main station possible. A one-day ticket for all Linz Linien vehicles costs € 3.20, www.linzag.at

Alter Dom (Old Cathedral)
In this baroque cathedral, the most notable pieces are the high altar out of marble, the Krismann organ and the carved pews. Anton Bruckner used to be the organist here for ten years.
Domgasse 3, tel. 08 66-0; 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., mass Mon - Sat 7.30 and 9 a.m., Sunday 7.30 and 9.30 a.m.

Ars Electronica
An adventure museum about the virtual life and the computer-dominated future.
Hauptstr. 2, tel. 72 72; Wed - Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sat and Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., closed Mon and Tue, entrance fee € 6.00, www.aec.at

Landhaus (the Cottage)
This cottage is the headquarters of the Upper Austrian government. The tower of this Renaissance palace was built on 1568; in the middle of the arcade-yard is “The fountain of planets� by Peter Guet, which is covered with various emblems. During summer occasionally concerts take place here. Klosterstr. 11, Tel.: 70 70-1777

Hauptplatz (Main Square)
The Hauptplatz is 220 m long and 60 m wide. The many baroque and rococo fronts make it one of the most beautiful places in Central Europe. The baroque Dreifaltigkeitssäule (Holy Trinity Column, Linz's primary landmark) is located in the center, opposite the Old City Hall from the 16th century.

Parks
Danube Park is situated in the inner city along the Danube. With its sculptures is one of Linz's most beautiful parks. During the warm summer months, many young people playing the drums and the guitar frequent the upper part of the park. On the opposite side, in Urfahr, there is a big skater park and a bicycle park at the railway bridge. The Danube bicycle path is continued here. Also notable is the Castle Park behind the Linz Castle. There is a magnificent view over the Danube to Urfahr and the Mühlviertel from there.

City tour
During a tour with a professional guide you can learn everything about Linz's history, culture and sights. From April 28 to October 7, a tour including the Old Town, Landhaus, Neuer Dom, Bischofstraße and Landstraße starts at 11 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. every day (except for Mondays) at Old City Hall. The tour takes about one and a half hours and costs € 8 for adults.
More information at Tourist Information Linz, Hauptplatz 1, tel. 70 70-1777

Donautal
This family establishment is famous for its good cuisine and the beautiful view over the Danube and Lentos Museum of Modern Art.
Obere Donaulände, tel. 79 55 66; closed Friday noon and Sunday evening, www.tiscover.at/donautal-linz

p'aa
This establishment is considered to be the best vegetarian and/or vegan restaurant. It is also suited for those who like their food coming from certified organic cultivation.
Altstadt 28, tel. 77 64 61, closed on Sundays www.paa.cx

Bärenstub'n
This Heuriger (a traditional Austrian wine tavern) serves traditional indigenous dishes in a cozy atmosphere. The restaurant is a popular cultural venue frequented by artists and international guests. It is located in the house where tenor Richard Tauber was born. We recommend the Richard-Tauber-Pfandl, but also the Heurigenbuffet (for at least 20 people).
Herrenstraße 9–11, tel. 77 24 77; opening hours Monday through Friday 4 p.m. - 1 a.m. (warm food served 4 - 11.45 p.m.), closed on Saturdays and Sundays, web.utanet.at/nelljoyy/site/rest.htm

Gasthof Hotel Zum Grünen Wald
This family establishment has been in business for four generations and is located at the edge of the city, surrounded by nature. It serves Mühlviertel cuisine!
Prager Bundesstr. 12, tel. 504 00; double room from € 40.00 per person, www.wolfsegger.at

Nibelungenhof
This city hotel has a central location and 35 comfortable rooms.
Scharitzer Str. 7, tel. 65 60 47; double room from € 110.00, www.hotel-nibelungenhof.at

Jugendgästehaus Linz
This hostel is located close to the city center. Every room has a bathroom and a toilet of its own.
Stanglhofweg 3, tel. 66 44 34; from € 17.00 per person

Spitz Hotel
This five star hotel is located right in the city center. Its 73 rooms are decorated in a modern style. There is also a sauna and a gym.
Fiedlerstr. 6, tel. 73 37 33; double room from € 120.00, www.spitzhotel.at

Gästehaus Spallerhof
The hotel is located in the quiet but still quite central district Spallerhof. Glimpfingerstr. 59, Tel.: 34 34 05; DR starting at € 33,– www.gwl-linz.at

Beluga Clublounge
This hip club is housed at Arcotel in Brucknerhaus. International live acts often perform. No admittance for people under 21 years of age. Dress code: stylish.
Untere Donaulände 9, tel. 78 55 55; opening hours Thursday through Saturday from 9 p.m., www.beluga-club.at

Posthof
Linz's biggest event venue offers concerts or theater performances almost every day. Entrance fees differ according to the kind of event and the performing artists.
Posthofstr. 43, tel. 77 05 48 0, www.posthof.at

Lennox Bar
This classic American Bar specializes in international cocktails. Friday and Saturday, house and club music is played starting at 11 p.m.
Marienstr. 2a, tel. 944 20 19; opening hours Tuesday through Saturday, 6 p.m. - 4 a.m., www.lennox.at

Landstraße
Numerous shops and shopping passages make this shopping street and its side alleys a perfect place for window-shopping.

The arcade at Taubenmarkt
Shopping passage with about 35 stores.
Landstr. 12, tel. 79 38 07; opening hours Monday through Friday 9.30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Passage Linz
Fashion, jewelry, foods - you can buy almost anything here.
Landstr. 17–25, tel. 798 18-0; opening hours Monday through Friday 9.30 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. www.passage.at

Südbahnhof Market
Offered products include fresh fruit and vegetables, beef and sausages as well as international specialties. There are also a tailor's shop, a florist and a tableware store.
Marktplatz 9, www.suedbahnhofmarkt-linz.at

Atrium City Center
About 30 specialist stores for many different lines of business.
Mozartstr. 7, tel. 77 02 17-0 ; opening hours Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Satuday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Linzer Torte
Linz's citizens claim that the Linzer Torte is the world's oldest pie. Most importantly, it was of course invented in Linz. New research reveals that this kind of pie was probably first baked in Vienna. It doesn't really matter - what counts is that it is delicious. Linzer Torte consists of a shortcrust, a layer of red currant jam and a pastry grid on top.
The pie can be bought, for example, at the pastry shop Jindrak, Herrenstr. 22-24, tel. 77 92 58, www.linzertorte.at

Gmunden Pottery
Gmunden Pottery originally comes from the Salzkammergut, but it can also be bought in some stores around the Landstraße in Linz.

Paloma
You will definitely find a souvenir for your loved ones back home in this shop: t-shirts, plates, cups, badges, bags and a number of other things.
Hauptplatz 12, tel. 70 70 17 77

Oberösterreichisches Heimatwerk
Among other things, you can buy Sandl Behind-Glass Paintings here.
Landstraße 31, tel. 773 37 70; opening hours Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.