Linz

The capital of Upper Austria is a working river city with a strong modern arts scene; it was European Capital of Culture in 2009. The Hauptplatz is one of the largest town squares in Austria, the neo-Gothic Mariendom is the country's largest church by capacity, and a steep tramway climbs the Pöstlingberg for the view. Many cruise passengers use Linz as the base for a day in Salzburg or Český Krumlov.

Good to know

• European Capital of Culture in 2009.
• The Mariendom (New Cathedral) is the largest church in Austria by capacity, holding around 20,000 people.
• The Pöstlingbergbahn climbs to the 539-metre Pöstlingberg in about 20 minutes and is one of the steepest adhesion railways in the world.
• Home of the Linzer Torte, said to be the oldest known cake recipe in the world.