Best things to do in Linz

In a palatial building, Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien exhibits the Habsburgs' extensive art collection, which was amassed over centuries. Designed by architect Gottfried Semper, the museum is mirrored by an identical building on the opposite side of the Ringstrasse, which houses the Naturhistorisches Museum. Discover works by artists like Vermeer and Rembrandt, as well as a large collection by Pieter Brueghel the Elder. An audio guide offers an in-depth exploration of close to 600 works in the museum, including commentary on the building itself. In addition to the masterpieces on display, the museum includes a reference library of more than 256,000 manuscripts, maps, and historical prints relating to art and cultural history.

Ringed with historic buildings, cafes, and shops, Hauptplatz sits at the heart of Linz and is one of the largest town squares in Austria. As the city grew in importance during the medieval period, the importance of the main plaza also increased, and eventually saw the construction of the town hall during the early 1500s. You'll find a classic Germanic clock, several examples of Baroque and neo-Baroque facades and decorations, and the sizable cathedral boasting twin bell towers. Afterward, kick back with a drink or snack at one of the nearby eateries, bars, or coffeehouses. Don't miss getting an up-close look at the statue of the Holy Trinity, topped with golden angels and saints, set in the center of the square.

Intricate in design and architecture, St. Stephen's Cathedral is a cultural icon and symbol of Austrian identity. With a multicolored tile roof and tall Romanesque towers, it has become one of the most recognizable images of the city. Consecrated in 1147, the cathedral stands on the remains of former versions, which were destroyed by fire, siege, and World War II. The cathedral's repairs and rebuilding can be seen today in the mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Join a guided tour to learn more about the iconic building's history. Separate tours lead you through the main cathedral, the catacombs, the treasury, or up one of the towers for a view of Vienna from above. Choose an inclusive tour to see all of the parts of this site.

A famous monastic site, Melk Abbey contains the remains of several members of the first Austrian dynasty and the tomb of St. Coloman of Stockerau. This Benedictine abbey was founded in 1089, although the current Baroque building was built between 1702 and 1736. You can take time to appreciate the abbey's frescos by Johann Michael Rottmayr and browse the library of medieval manuscripts. Located above the town with a view of the Danube, the abbey is surrounded by a large park. Join a guided tour to learn about the abbey's history as a school for young monks.

Built among the mountains, Old Town serves as a huge archaeological site for very old salt mines, some of which are active to this day. Descend underground to see the salt lake and pay a visit to the prehistoric mummy of a miner frozen in salt. The village glows with baroque ornaments on colorful buildings--it sits alongside the lake and is ripe with cafes and restaurants.

The Pöstlingbergbahn (German pronunciation: [ˈpœstlɪŋˌbɛʁkbaːn] (listen)) is a narrow-gauge electric railway, or "mountain tramway", in Linz, Austria. It connects the main square in the centre of Linz with the district of Pöstlingberg, located at the top of a hill (or small mountain) at the northern end of the city. Opened in 1898, for 110 years the metre-gauge railway ran from a terminal station in Linz's Urfahr neighbourhood, located across from the terminus of urban tram route 3, to Pöstlingberg. In 2009, service was extended from Urfahr to the city centre. To permit this change, the railway was regauged from 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge to 900 mm (2 ft 11+7⁄16 in) and a track connection to the Linz tram network was built. Service was suspended from March 2008 until May 2009 for this work. With a maximum grade of 11.6%, the Pöstlingbergbahn is one of the steepest adhesion railways in the world. There are steeper grades on at least one other tram system, that of Lisbon, but the Pöstlingbergbahn is still among the world's steepest adhesion railways and has the steepest grade of any in Austria.

Take a journey into a country of creative architecture that stands in harmony with nature at Hundertwasserhaus. Austrian painter Hundertwasser conceived this House for Human Beings and Trees, which opened in 1986. See how the artistic vision came to life in architectural features: undulating floors, indoor trees with limbs extending from windows, and roof gardens. Have a drink in the cafe in front of this expressionist landmark of Vienna. The stores across the street offer artist- and house-related souvenirs. This is one of Vienna's most visited buildings and a part of Austria's cultural heritage.

Explore creative work from hi-tech laboratories from around the world at Ars Electronica Center, which presents technology's latest advancements to visitors. The top floor, known as the Sky Media Loft, is a coffeehouse and bar with a panoramic view of the city. Other exhibits include a space where machines will translate your voice and words into virtual symbols or colors, and Pingpongplus, a ping pong game on a desk with virtual water on its surface. Make your own music, get your designs printed on a 3-D printer, and watch a 3-D show about space science in the future.