Adventures in Upper Austria
Where outdoor meets city fun

By plane:
Ryanair flies to Linz from London-Stansted twice a week.

By train/bus:
Take a direct train to Linz from Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich or Frankfurt (Germany). From Linz, it's just a 30-minute journey to Vitalwelt (Bad Schallerbach).

By car:
From Salzburg and Vienna: A1 motorway, exit Linz/Zentrum (centre).
From Prague and Freistadt: A7 motorway, Linz/Hafenstraße exit.
From Regensburg and Passau: A8 motorway to the A1 motorway, Linz/Zentrum exit or toll-free along the Danube on the B 127.

Linz makes an excellent family city break with the Grottenbahn (Dragon Express) and the Zoo Linz just two of the highlights. The Ars Electronica Center invites kids aged 4 to 8 to their dedicated children's research laboratory, while Linz' music and theatre venues offer special programmes for children. Families can visit the Castle Museum free of charge every first Sunday of the month.

Outside of the city, families will love the IKUNA Nature Resort in Natternbach with over 90 play stations on 200.000 square metres. Equally worth checking out is the Kopfing treetop walk in the Innviertel region where you walk up to 15 metres above the forest and can enjoy a bird eye's view from the 40-m-high viewing tower.

In Salzkammergut, family-friendly activities such as leisurely hikes and bike tours await. There are also 76 lakes to dip in and chill.

Looking for a family-friendly home away from home? Dilly in Windischgarsten and luxury Dachsteinkönig in Gosau are among the most popular.

Linz has plenty of sights to keep you busy. Here are some of the must-visits:

• Ars Electronica Center

  A futuristic museum exploring art, technology, and society with interactive exhibits on AI, robotics, and digital life.

• Pöstlingberg hill

  For the best views over Linz and the Danube, reached by one of the world’s steepest adhesion railways.

• Lentos Art Museum

  An outstanding collection of modern and contemporary art, especially strong in Austrian artists.

• Linz Old Town & Main Square

  One of Austria’s largest main squares, surrounded by Baroque buildings, cafés, and historic streets leading up to Linz Castle.

• Linz Castle & Museum

  Overlooking the Danube, this museum showcases Upper Austria’s cultural and natural history and offers beautiful views.

Outside of the city, these are some attraction highlights:

• Kaiservilla (Imperial Villa) Bad Ischl

  Check out for yourself where Sisi spent her summers. The villa is surrounded by a spacious park perfect for walks and home to Sisi's former tea house (Marmorschlössl).

• Greinburg Castle

  Built between 1488 and 1495, this is the oldest residential castle in the whole of Austria. It is owned by the Sachsen-Coburg and Gothas. Their most prominent family member: Britain's Queen Victoria!

• Schlögener Schlinge oxbow

  Experience the power and beauty of nature at this dramatic bend in the Danube River, which was formed millions of years ago. The panoramic views are well worth the short hike.

• Salzkammergut

  Mondsee (a shooting location of "The Sound of Music!), Sisi's favourite summer resort Bad Ischl, Lake Traunsee and more: The Salzkammergut region is famous for its rugged mountains, picturesque lakes, traditional villages and Imperial sights.

Upper Austria is a paradise for outdoor lovers, combining dramatic alpine scenery with lakes, rivers, and gentle countryside. Hiking, biking, watersports, health and wellness, you name it, the region has it all.

The Salzkammergut region is especially popular for hiking and mountain biking, with trails around lakes such as Hallstätter See, Wolfgangsee, and Attersee. In summer, visitors can swim, kayak, paddleboard, or sail in some of Austria’s cleanest lakes.

The Danube Valley adds a different kind of adventure, ideal for cycling the Danube Cycle Path, one of Europe’s most famous long-distance bike routes, as well as river cruises and hiking near highlights like the Schlögener Schlinge oxbow.

• Best for: Lake holidays, hiking, biking, culture, spa breaks and relaxed city getaways

• Best time to visit: Year-round, with lake and mountain experiences in summer and cultural events, wellness and winter activities in the colder months

• Ideal trip length: 4–7 days for a varied holiday combining nature, culture and culinary experiences

• Perfect for: Outdoor enthusiasts, culture lovers, foodies and travellers looking for a mix of city life and Alpine landscapes

• Unique highlights: Upper Austria combines the lakes and mountains of the Salzkammergut, the Danube region and creative city life in Linz

• Cultural experiences: Discover UNESCO World Heritage sites, festivals, museums and innovative attractions such as the Ars Electronica Center

• Outdoor activities: Hiking, biking, trail running and water sports are possible throughout the region during the warmer months

• Getting there: Easy access from the UK with direct Ryanair flights from London Stansted to Linz twice a week