Northern Europe › Austria › Linz
Linz, Upper Austria, Austria
Austria's third city surprises visitors with a Baroque main square, cutting-edge museums, and the birthplace of the world's oldest cake recipe — all steps from the Danube pier.
Austria's third city surprises visitors with a Baroque main square, cutting-edge museums, and the birthplace of the world's oldest cake recipe — all steps from the Danube pier.
Ships dock directly on the Danube quays — no tenders needed, and the Old Town is a flat, easy walk.
💡 Pro move: If you have the Linz Card (~€18/day), tram rides and most museum admissions are included — worthwhile if visiting two or more museums.
Linz is a straightforward docked port — river cruise ships tie up along the Donaulände quays with the city immediately accessible on foot.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Scenic, Tauck, Uniworld, Emerald, A-ROSA, CroisiEurope, Travelmarvel, Riviera Travel, Saga, TUI | Donaulände, south bank of Danube, Linz📍 | Docked |
| Some departures (north bank) | Donaupark, Urfahr, Linz📍 | Docked |
Linz offers everything from hilltop tram rides and futuristic museums to easy rail day trips to Salzburg or the Salzkammergut lake district.
Ride one of the world's steepest adhesion railways — and Austria's steepest — from Hauptplatz to the top of Pöstlingberg. The twin-towered pilgrimage church and panoramic views over Linz and the Danube are the reward.
Find Linz city tours →A world-renowned museum exploring AI, biotechnology, and digital art. The Deep Space 8K projection room alone is worth the visit. Located right on the north riverbank.
Find Ars Electronica tours →Explore one of Central Europe's largest enclosed urban squares, dominated by the Baroque Trinity Column. Walk up to Linz Castle for free panoramic terrace views over the Danube.
Find Linz walking tours →The world's oldest cake recipe was born here. Visit Café Jindrak on Herrenstraße for the definitive Linzer Torte, then relax at the historic Café Traxlmayr coffeehouse with a Melange.
Find Linz food tours →Salzburg is just 90 minutes by train from Linz Hauptbahnhof. On a long port day, it's a viable excursion to see Mozart's birthplace and the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
Find Salzburg day tours from Linz →Linz's working industrial port hosts one of Europe's largest outdoor graffiti galleries, with 300+ massive murals painted on warehouse walls. Boat and walking tours available.
Find Mural Harbour tours →Linz's Old Town and riverfront are completely flat and highly walkable — the pier to Hauptplatz corridor is one of the most rewarding short walks on the Danube.
Walk west from the Donaulände pier along the river promenade, passing the Lentos Art Museum's glass facade. Cross into the Old Town to reach the Hauptplatz with its towering Baroque Trinity Column, then explore the Mariendom cathedral.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Cross the Nibelungenbrücke to the north bank, walk along the riverside to the striking Ars Electronica Center, continue past the Donaustrand riverfront, then cross back via the bridge.
Climate normals for Linz, Upper Austria, Austria (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39°F / 4°C | 29°F / -2°C | 13 | 7:49 AM | 4:35 PM |
| Feb | 45°F / 7°C | 30°F / -1°C | 9 | 7:09 AM | 5:24 PM |
| Mar | 52°F / 11°C | 34°F / 1°C | 10 | 6:16 AM | 6:08 PM |
| Apr | 60°F / 16°C | 41°F / 5°C | 11 | 6:13 AM | 7:53 PM |
| May | 66°F / 19°C | 49°F / 9°C | 16 | 5:23 AM | 8:35 PM |
| Jun | 77°F / 25°C | 58°F / 14°C | 13 | 5:01 AM | 9:05 PM |
| Jul | 79°F / 26°C | 61°F / 16°C | 13 | 5:18 AM | 8:58 PM |
| Aug | 78°F / 26°C | 61°F / 16°C | 12 | 5:57 AM | 8:16 PM |
| Sep | 70°F / 21°C | 54°F / 12°C | 10 | 6:40 AM | 7:14 PM |
| Oct | 60°F / 16°C | 46°F / 8°C | 10 | 7:22 AM | 6:13 PM |
| Nov | 49°F / 9°C | 37°F / 3°C | 10 | 7:10 AM | 4:23 PM |
| Dec | 41°F / 5°C | 31°F / -1°C | 12 | 7:47 AM | 4:08 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Cruise ships dock along the Danube, often within easy walking distance of Linz's historic Hauptplatz and city center. Most key sights are reachable on foot.
LINZ AG LINIEN operates an extensive tram and bus network. A MAXI 24-hour ticket (€5.60) covers unlimited travel and includes up to four children under 15.
Regulated metered taxis; base fare ~€6.40 daytime. The port to city center is a short ride, typically €10–€20 depending on exact drop-off and time of day.
Both Uber and Bolt are available in Linz. Book via app for transparent pricing; rates are generally comparable to or slightly below metered taxis.
The Linz City Express is a road train offering a 25-minute narrated tour of city highlights — a good intro before exploring on your own. Departs from Hauptplatz.
Upcoming cruises that call at Linz, Upper Austria, Austria. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other cruise ports within about 250 km.