The rolling hills north of the Danube Valley, the alpine lake district Salzkammergut and many historical towns. Upper Austria is an exciting mix of diverse landscapes and delightful cities and towns.
Cross-country skiing in Böhmerwald, bicycling along the Danube, visiting the dentist museum in Linz, or enjoying the historical old town of Schärding. These are just a few of the numerous attractions available in Upper Austria.
Danube Valley
The mighty river divides the state into two, and hardly any other part of the state changes its appearance more often than the Danube Valley. Bicycle and hiking trails follow the river from the border of Germany to the border of Lower Austria. Along the way, you pass Linz, the cultural hotspot of Austria and the state capital.
Salzkammergut
The Salzkammergut region attracts most tourists who visit Upper Austria, but you can also find many lesser-known holiday gems scattered around the state. With its 76 small and large lakes, the Salzkammergut is a holiday mecca and offers countless opportunities for activities or quiet places to relax. In Bad Ischl, a historic small town, you can visit the imperial villa of Emperor Franz Joseph, who spent a lot of time here. For cake lovers, visiting the legendary Konditorei Zauner is a must.
Mühlviertel
The northern region of Mühlviertel occupies the rolling hills between the Danube and the Czech border. Although predominantly farmlands, large swaths are still forested, and you find fabulous hiking trails in the region. Moreover, historical towns, idyllic villages, and medieval castles are found all over the area, making it an interesting holiday destination. With its intact medieval city walls, the historic town of Freistadt is well worth a visit. Surrounded by a landscape of rolling hills, with a mixture of forest and cultural landscape, it is perfect for hiking and horseback riding.
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Innviertel
This region borders German Bavaria and is probably the least known part of the state. Nonetheless, it also has a few gems that deserve a visit. Despite its less dramatic nature than the rest of the state, the region features Austria’s largest moor landscape, the Ibmer Moor. The Innviertel region has some lovely historical towns, such as Braunau, Schärding, and Ried, which are known for their unique Baroque buildings.
The Alps
Upper Austria also has a small slice of the backbone of Austria, the Alps. Plenty of ski resorts will keep you busy during the winter, and mile after mile of hiking routes will take you through breathtaking scenery. In the very south of the state, you find picturesque villages such as Hallstatt and St. Wolfgang, in addition to the imperial town of Bad Ischl.
Linz
The State Capital is often seen as an uninteresting industrial city. Sure, there are huge industrial complexes at the city’s outskirts. However, Austria’s third largest city, with 204.000 inhabitants, has a charming historical centre. It has a long history, and the Celts already had a settlement here when the Romans arrived and made Lentia an important trading and military post by the river. It’s known as Austria’s cultural hotspot, after being chosen as the European Capital of Culture. Its location on the banks of the Danube makes it an important stopover for river cruises.
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Check out these links, for more info:
Innviertel Tourism
Mühlviertel Tourism
Danube Region Tourism
Linz Tourism
Upper Austria Tourism
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The contrasts in the Salzkammergut region are significant not only because the landscape alternates between massive mountain ranges, glaciers, lush valleys, and many lakes. But also because the region offers a rich cultural landscape characterized by more than 5,000 years of human activity. The Salzkammergut holiday region covers 58 municipalities in three states (Salzburg, Upper […]
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The city’s main attraction is the so-called “Silberzeile” (silver row) at the Stadtplatz. Rows of colourful houses surrounding Schärding’s main square are its main attraction. In stark contrast to lively summer days, arriving here on a sunny serene November day was a highlight. The mellow light from the low-hanging sun softens the bright colours without […]
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Lake Mondsee is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Austria. No wonder! Mountains surround the turquoise lake, and the countryside along its shoreline is dotted with pretty villages. We recommend you start exploring the region with a visit to the historic town of Mondsee. The historic town of Mondsee As much as the […]
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The lovely town at the foot of the Alps in Upper Austria has one of Austria’s best-preserved historical centres. Located where the rivers Steyr and Enns meet, the market town celebrated its 1000th anniversary in 1980. As a result, Steyr is a cosy and vibrant town. North of the city, the almost flat landscapes of […]
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The village occupies a strip of land at the water’s edge, and the houses hang on the steep rock face. Hallstatt is small, and exploring even the back alleys will not require more than a couple of hours, including a cake and coffee. Nonetheless, take your time and enjoy the place. World Heritage Hall is […]
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Almtal is a real gem. Not a big secret, but still not discovered by everyone. I guess that there are not any massive ski resorts or other mass tourism facilities in place. However, this does not mean that the area is lacking attractions. On the contrary, I found plenty of activities to keep me busy […]
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Its historic centre (Altstadt) has by no means lapsed into a tourist trap but still functions as a place where people live. Furthermore, you find lots of shops, restaurants, patisseries and other businesses to keep you busy for a few days. Although I have been here numerous times and know the town well, I never […]