LiveShareTravel’s writer Lisa Robinson tells us of her recent festive experience of Linz, the third-largest city of Austria. Happy Christmas to all our readers!
The chill of winter swept across my face and my fingers tingled from the cold. But after one sip of my steaming mug of gluhwein, I began to feel the festive warmth inside. I was in Linz, Austria, stood in its endearing Volksgarten Christkindlemarkt – one of three Christmas markets in the city.
The sweet smell of spices filled the air as I wandered through a sea of wooden huts, stumbling upon stalls of decorative gingerbread and traditional handicrafts. A frost-filled wind swirled around me but the atmosphere in the Volksgarten was electric. Groups of friends gathered beneath the glow of twinkling lights, keeping warm with plates of bratwurst and gluhmost, or mulled cider.
Finishing my drink, I strolled the city’s cobblestone streets in search of Hauptplatz – home to another of Linz’s Christkindlmarkts. I enjoyed the city’s striking mix of old and new – the main square’s baroque architecture sitting against the Lentos Museum and futuristic Ars Electronica Center whose colourful reflection danced on the River Danube.
Eager to see more, I ventured into the mountains on the Pöstlingberg tram. Upon reaching the mountain’s peak, I paused to enjoy the calming isolation, and my eyes were drawn to the Neuer Dom – Linz’s gothic cathedral. And as the sun began to set, I watched the bright lights of the city come to life in the distance.
Linz truly encapsulates the spirit of Christmas, but aside from the Christmas market, a visit just isn’t complete without enjoying a slice of the oldest-known cake in the world, the Linzer Torte, which I learned to make at K.u.k. Hofbäckerei. As the evening came to a close I started my festive time there as I began, this time at Wärmepol, an open-air bar serving some of the best gluhwein in the city.
How to get there: Fly direct to Linz from London Stansted with Ryanair, in less than two hours.
Where to Stay in Linz: Hotel am Domplatz, a 4-star boutique hotel in the centre of Linz. The Domplatz is full of quirky design features and plenty of modern amenities can be found in each room, plus there’s a relaxing SPA area for guests to enjoy. For dramatic views, request a Superior Room overlooking the St. Mary’s Cathedral (Nueur Dom).
Where to Eat in Linz: Paul’s on Herr Street is a laidback restaurant offering hearty selection of regional and international dishes. For a more formal affair, book a table at Schlossbrasserie at the Castle Museum – fine-dining mixed with panoramic views across Linz.
All words and photos by Live Share Travel’s writer Lisa Robinson. Lisa is passionate about travel and nothing excites her more than exploring new countries. She loves reading, warm summer days and eating Marmite (which she always packs in her suitcase). Lisa is currently making plans to travel the world.
20 Comments
Shikha (whywasteannualleave)
27 December, 2014 at 9:27 pmLovely post from Lisa! It’s quite easy for me to go from Stansted so this is a great tip for a Christmas break next year perhaps! I loved the markets of Vienna and Salzburg so I have no doubt I’d enjoy this too – the photos are just stuning and it all feels so magical and festive 🙂
Catherine
27 December, 2014 at 6:43 pmWhat a wonderful place to spend Christmas – if a town has three separate Christmas markets, you know you’re in the right place for this time of year! Hope you had an amazing time, and all the best for the New Year!
Reza
24 December, 2014 at 7:11 pmI will be here within 3 months to pursue my studies in Linz university, i couldn’t be lucky more, so excited 😀
Thank you for this beautiful post, i knew you gonna post something about Linz in Christmas 😀
Merry christmas by the way.
Becky Moore
24 December, 2014 at 7:40 pmHey good luck with your studies Reza and Happy Christmas to you too!
Reza
25 December, 2014 at 1:10 pmDanke 😀
Agness
24 December, 2014 at 1:15 pmYou took such beautiful pictures! They are all so breath-taking! What was your favourite memory from the place? Wishing you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! XxX
Becky Moore
24 December, 2014 at 3:13 pmThanks Agness sadly I can’t take the credit for these as they were taken by the lovely Lisa from Live Share Travel but Happy Christmas to you too! 🙂
Mike
24 December, 2014 at 3:56 amGreat guest post, Lisa, and being there at Christmas time would be absolutely picture perfect! Merry Christmas to and also a very Merry Christmas to Becky and Graham! 🙂
Becky Moore
24 December, 2014 at 3:14 pmThanks Mike, Happy Christmas to you too! Looking forward to reading more of your blog posts in the New Year 🙂
Emma
23 December, 2014 at 11:24 pmLooks so pretty! What a great place to get into the Christmas mood!
Becky Moore
24 December, 2014 at 3:20 pmYes we agree looks like they had a very special trip 🙂
Scott
23 December, 2014 at 11:22 pmWouldn’t mind going to one of Austria’s Christmas markets one day, looks very atmospheric!
Pixie
23 December, 2014 at 2:19 pmWonderful pictures, would love to visit Linz .
Becky Moore
24 December, 2014 at 3:21 pmSame here, it’s really inspired us to take a trip there next winter!
Dana (@WantedAdventure)
23 December, 2014 at 12:22 pmLiving in Munich, some of these things are present here (or similar) as well, but then of course we don’t have those beautiful, decadent Linzer torts! I worked in a French bakery back in America for some time and when it was my dad’s birthday, the chef helped me create a HUGE Linzer tort cookie the size of a sheet cake 😀 It’s my dad’s favorite type and he loved it!
Becky Moore
24 December, 2014 at 3:22 pmSounds delicious Dana, I hope you have a very Happy Christmas in Munich!
Sun Dance
22 December, 2014 at 4:44 pmOh my God, Austria looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! now i have to go!
Becky Moore
24 December, 2014 at 3:22 pmWe agree! Hope you make it over there soon!
Jess @UsedYorkCity
22 December, 2014 at 3:05 pmI would love to visit the Christmas market with mulled cider, this looks so picturesque and lovely!
Becky Moore
24 December, 2014 at 3:31 pmAustria sure looks pretty at Christmas 🙂 Hope you have a lovely Christmas in New York!