Linz is the capital of Upper Austria and sits on the Danube River between Salzburg and Vienna.

It’s the birthplace of the world famous Linzer Torte. It’s widely considered to be the oldest known cake recipe in the world dating back to 1653. The original recipe is still a closely guarded secret that has been passed down through generations of Linz bakers.

Beneath the Danube is an underwater forest in the heart of Linz. It’s home to an ecosystem of fish and aquatic plants.

While you can’t see it with the naked eye, underwater cameras were installed so you can see it through a live stream at the Lentos Art Museum.

Linz created the world’s first musical highway, and yes that literally means a road that plays music. It’s located on outskirts of the city along a 230m stretch on the B139 highway. It’s been specially grooved to play Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss II when a car drives over it at exactly 60km/h.

One of the clever things of the design is it serves as a speed control measure. Drive too fast or too slow and the music becomes distorted.

Steigl-Klosterhof

Formerly an academic library, Klosterhof is the third largest beer garden in Austria.

The building dates back to 1595. Since 1930 Klosterhof has been a restaurant at the heart of Linz’s food scene.

The beer garden is one of the nicer ones I’ve been in and can accommodate over 1000 people.

When you think of beer gardens, you think of Hofbrauhaus in Munich. Thankfully Klosterhof is much more chilled.

Postlingberg Schloss

We love a restaurant with a view.

Postlingberg Schloss is the place to go to for a sunset view of Linz and the Danube.

The building can be traced back to 1669 and has gone through various changes. It’s been a defensive wall, a hotel and even closed to the public when it was under Russian occupation.

Normally you can get a bus from the centre of Linz. However there was a festival going on and the bus only went halfway there. That meant 2.5 miles of walking up hill.

A man saw me and kindly gave me a lift which cut out half the walk. No matter how much I walked after, it felt like the incline was never ending.

Finally I saw the restaurant and arrived in time for my reservation. All sweaty in shorts and a t-shirt on a warm July day in Linz while the majority of other diners were well dressed.

I was given a table indoors. I asked to go outside because I was too hot from the walk. Although the waiter initially refused, they seem to feel sorry for me. The one table that had the best view became available as I was moved.

The radler and the prawn fettucine was well earnt and worth the effort to come here.

ARS Electronica Centre

Dubbed the “Museum of the future”, the ARS Electronica Centre opened in 2009 hosting technology based exhibitions.

The ARS Electronica society was founded more than 40 years ago and advocate innovative ideas and vision for the future using of art, technology and society.

They embrace the use of technology, not for technological development but for social development.

The focus of the exhibitions is on new technologies and how they change the way we live and work together for the future.

Truth be told, I more admired watching the changing of the colours of the building than actually going in. I made a mental note to visit if I had the chance which I didn’t. It’s filed under to revisit when I make it back here.

Mariendom

The largest Church in Austria, the Mariendom (aka the new Cathedral) can accommodate up to 20,000 people.

The construction of the Mariendom was the longest in Europe at that time. It was financed via public donations from believers.

You can enjoy a view of Linz in the spire or a view of the Church’s interior at a height of 15m on a tour of the Church’s inner gallery.

Mariendom plays a role as a cultural centre in Linz and Upper Austria. It hosts events, concerts and theatre performances amongst numerous events.

One thing I was gutted after leaving was finding out Linz is the street art capital of the world. You can do walking tours and boats tours to see the street art, and even have a go a creating your own piece in a designated area.

Another thing I missed out on due to not knowing about was the old tunnels which once served as air raid shelters, and munition factories for the Nazi regime. Today it serves as an art gallery.

Lastly on the list of things we missed out on is seeing the first ever chocolate making robot. Located in the Zotter Chocolate Theatre, the robot can create custom made chocolate bars in minutes.

The sweetest twist (pun intended) of the experience is you get to play the role of chocolatier. Using a touchscreen, you can select your preferred chocolate type, and add whatever you wish. You can even design the packaging, and watch the robot make your creation and eat it on the spot when it’s finished.

I hope by reading this you won’t miss out when you visit Linz. All it means is an excuse to come back through Linz whenever I get back to Austria.

I can’t recall going to many places that can beat Linz for the community feel.

When I was here, Linz was hosting a festival for locals to exhibit their talents. There were all sorts, from singers, dancers and group performances, to fire displays, magic and anything you can think of.

Linz is good for a weekend getaway. Despite being Austria’s third largest city, you can go at a relaxed pace if you spend more than a day here.