Spread across lush rambling countryside peppered with pretty villages and lively towns, Upper Austria (Oberösterreich) encapsulates Austria’s true essence. Get active at world-class ski resorts atop soaring mountains, on magnificent lakes and over miles of biking and hiking routes. Find culture at centuries-old castles, state-of-the-art museums and superb concert halls. Upper Austria, one of the nation’s northernmost provinces, is traversed by the grand Danube.
The city of Linz is famous for its Brucknerhaus and Landestheater Linz concert halls and its delicious Linzer torte dessert. Enjoy cultural experiences at the New Cathedral, Castle Museum, LENTOS Art Museum and Ars Electronica Center. Watch street performers at Hauptplatz and shop along Landstraße. A short drive from the city are the striking Baroque monasteries of Sankt Florian and Kremsmünster.
Discover castles, monasteries and unforgettable views while exploring the Danube. Note its winding loop known as Schlögener Schlinge. The Donausteig is a 280-mile-long (450-kilometer) riverside hiking route stretching from the German border town Passau across Austria toward the Black Sea. Bike along sections of the Danube Cycle Path. Marvel at the Trappist Engelszell Monastery, rococo-style Wilhering Cistercian Monastery and 12th-century Neuhaus Castle.
Rejoice in the natural beauty of the Salzkammergut region. Sail, swim and fish on some of the 76 lakes, including Attersee, Hallstätter See, Mondsee, Traunsee and Wolfgangsee. Walk in the alpine foothills on endless miles of paths. Ski at Dachstein West, find family-friendly snow sports at Feuerkogel and explore off-piste slopes at Dachstein Krippenstein.
Tour the Habsburg-era imperial palaces and relax in thermal spas at Bad Ischl. Admire a harmonious blend of architectural styles in Steyr. Wander the atmospheric streets of Schärding, the former home of the regal Wittelsbach family. Gaze up at dramatic limestone peaks and spot lynx in National Park Kalkalpen.
Reach Upper Austria by flying to Blue Danube Airport Linz or catching a train from Graz, Salzburg, Vienna or Munich. Appreciate more of the region’s heritage at Christmas markets and year-round antique fairs and farmers markets.
