Upper Austria combines small historic towns and impressive limestone formations at the Kalkalpen National Park with technology and modern design in Linz.
Marked by rolling hills, the landscape of Upper Austria transitions from the plains of Lower Austria to the rugged Alps in the west.
The capital, Linz, is an alternative to the Imperial city of Vienna or the Baroque city of Salzburg, which has allowed it to experiment with technology and modern design more freely, as with the impressive Ars Electronica Center.
While in Upper Austria visit small towns like Medieval Steyr, Baroque Schaerding and Imperial Bad Ischl. On your way to Salzburg make sure to stop in quaint villages of the Salzkammergut region, such as Hallstatt.
Upper Austria is like a well-stocked speciality shop where you can find everything that Austria is famous for in condensed form – and this incredibly beautiful corner of the world covers just 11.983 km2. One example is its crystal-clear lakes, and that invigorating feeling of being alive when you dive in. Mountains and forests that awaken the wild in us. Cities that show us today and point the way to tomorrow. Foods that nourish both body and soul. Bubbling thermal baths that warm and revitalise us. Routes that are well-loved but still off the beaten path. Upper Austria is shaped by its many farms but also a successful business location: Fischer brand skis, steel from Voest, and motors made by BMW are sold all over the world.
In other words, Upper Austria is a speciality shop where you’d like to take as many things along with you as possible. Such as the fresh summer air in the Salzkammergut region, like sparkling wine that never goes flat. The view from the hills of the Mühlviertel region and the towering peaks of Pyhrn-Priel. And cycling along the beautiful curves of the Danube or the charm and contemporary vibe of Linz, the Capital of Culture.
In the Salzkammergut region, mountains and lakes come together to form an inspiring backdrop. Then there’s the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut. And imperial history. Refreshing summer retreats experienced by Gustav Klimt and others. The holiday region of Pyhrn-Priel stages its mountains as a sports arena, from the World Cup ski region of Hinterstoder in winter to hiking, climbing and adventure in summer. Feel history in every nook of the Danube Valley. Castles and ruins tower atop mountain ridges, pointing the way for wayfarers on the Danube Cycle Trail. And in the midst of it all, the regional capital of Linz, seated on the banks of the Danube. Voted European Capital of Culture in 2009, this UNESCO City of Media Arts pulses with a contemporary culture scene. The highlands of the Mühlviertel promise vast expanses and restorative pleasure. Old artisan crafts and tradition flourish here, constantly reinventing themselves.
Gastronomy
Upper Austria and beer – that is a long love story. There are two regions in Upper Austria that are internationally renowned for the excellent reputation of their beer connoisseurs: the Mühlviertel and the Innviertel. The land and traditions of the art of brewing finds its expression in the characteristic taste of the beer.
In the Mühlviertel, the water comes from the granite bedrock, which gives the beer a special note. In addition, high-quality hops are also grown north of the Danube. Hence, a decisive raw material for beer production grows right outside the door. In the brewing tradition of the Mühlviertel, the Bohemian beer culture has also left its mark with its note of hops.
The Innviertel beers, on the other hand, have been influenced by the brewing traditions of Bavaria. It’s no surprise, since Upper Austria’s youngest quarter was part of Bavaria until the eighteenth century. In light of that, it is no surprise, either, that the Innviertel is the region in Austria with the highest density of breweries. The “Beer Region Innviertel“, a joint project of breweries and restaurants, includes seven different breweries, which produce a total of 60 different beers.
The “Mühlviertel” (mill quarter), an arboreous region of soft hills in the Northeast of Upper Austria, is especially famous for its cultivation of hop. The female hop plant grows up to 12 inches per day and reaches an eventual height of up to 23 feet. It needs a sunny climate with rather cool nights and ample precipitation, which is why it only grows between the 35th and 55th parallel of the northern and southern hemisphere. Hop is, of course, mostly used for the production of beer.
Especially south of the Danube, where the “Eferdinger Gemüselandl” spreads in a climatically benefited region, the cultivation of vegetables is a cherished tradition. Farmers especially hold pride in the fact that their products are organic and cultivated under strict guidelines. More than 70 different vegetables are grown on approximately 3.9 square miles: lettuce, radish, turnip cabbage, and asparagus in spring, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumber, peppers, sun-ripened tomatoes, and many others in the summer. The potatoes from this region also enjoy a very good reputation.
Cheese from Upper Austria has been recognized in the past for its outstanding quality and popularity. The “Salzkammergut”, for example, a beautiful region full of mountains and lakes, has a longstanding tradition of cheese production that goes back to the 14th century. Especially the dairy factory of the picturesque village of Gmunden on the shores of lake Traun is well-known for producing some of the best cheeses of Austria. Raw milk of the highest quality from one of the many dairy farms in the region are at the heart of the deliciousness of the creamery’s creations, such as the “Gmundner Berg” (mountain of Gmund), the “Traunstein König” (King of Traunstein), “Gosauer Jausenkäse” (Gosauer snack cheese) and many others. The popularity of these cheeses has long crossed the borders of Austria. In 2006, for example, the “Traunstein König“ was voted World Champion in the Wisconsin Championship Cheese Contest and in 2010 the “Gmundner Berg Premium” too was honored in this contest.
Climate
Due to the warmer temperatures the best time for traveling is from May to September.
Spring: April – May: Temperatures between 5°C and 15°C.
Summer: June – August: Temperatures between 10 – 25°C.
Autumn: September – October: Temperatures between 5°C and 15°C.
Winter: November – March: Temperatures between -5°C and 5°C.