Holiday in Upper Austria

What makes Upper Austria special as a destination?

Upper Austria, the fourth largest federal state of Austria, combines the Salzkammergut, the cultural city of Linz, and the idyllic Mühlviertel, offering a variety of landscapes and experiences. In the south, the Salzkammergut shines with its world-famous lakes — Traunsee, Attersee, Hallstätter See — and the UNESCO World Heritage site Hallstatt-Dachstein, making it one of the most photogenic regions in Europe. Linz, the state capital, has undergone a remarkable transformation: from an industrial site to the European Capital of Culture in 2009. The Ars Electronica Center, an internationally leading museum for digital art and future technology, the Lentos Art Museum on the Danube, and the vibrant street art scene showcase the creative side of the city. The main square, one of the largest enclosed squares in Europe, the baroque old town, and the Linzer Torte — the oldest known cake recipe in the world (1653) — represent the traditional side. The Mühlviertel north of the Danube surprises with gentle granite hills, dense forests, a tradition of linen weaving, and a burgeoning craft beer scene. The Schlögen Oxbow, a dramatic river bend of the Danube, and the treetop walkway in Kopfing are spectacular nature experiences. The Dachstein with its ice cave, the Mammoth Caves, and the Skywalk are among the most impressive excursion destinations in the federal state. Upper Austria is also a paradise for cyclists: the Danube Cycle Path, one of the most popular long-distance cycle paths in Europe, runs right through the region.