Urban viewpoints along the Danube

It is a worldwide phenomenon that visitors to a foreign city are virtually drawn to lookout points. The desire behind this is often to get an overview of the foreign city and find orientation.

Linz

From above, you can see the big picture, the system and the dimensions of a city. You take on an observer's role and get an overview of the loud and colorful chaos down there in the streets full of people. Anyone coming to Linz immediately thinks of the Pöstlingberg. Highly visible, it towers over the northern bank of the Danube and promises breathtaking views of the city. But not only a hike up Linz's local mountain is worthwhile, it is also advisable to look at other hills near the city. One of these hills is the Freinberg. As a counterpart to the Pöstlingberg, it stands forested on the south side of the Danube. The shady city park with the Franz-Josefs-Warte offers at least as fantastic views of the Danube city as the Pöstlingberg. So it's worth exploring a city off the beaten path. In Linz, this is made particularly easy for visitors, because more than a dozen well-signposted city walks show the many facets in and around Linz.

Passau

The best way to get a royal view of the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers in Passau is from Veste Oberhaus or the pilgrimage church of Mariahilf. From this vantage point on the Oberhausberg, you can see the entire downtown area of Passau with Passau Cathedral St. Stephen, the historic Old City Hall, the New City Tower, as well as the top of the town and Maria Hilf Hill with its monastery. You can also admire the confluence of the Danube and Inn rivers with their different colors from up here. If this is not enough, you can join a balloon flight after climbing the Veste and experience fantastic views over the Danube valley in Passau Land and Upper Austria. Here you can experience views of the surrounding countryside that would make emperors and kings of yesteryear turn green with envy.

Vienna

Those who enjoy riding the Ferris wheel not only at Dult and Volksfest times will certainly enjoy a ride on the Vienna Rieserad. Built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the throne of Emperor Franz Josef I, it has been thrilling visitors for more than 100 years and is one of the classics for visitors to Vienna. With a magnificent view over the capital of Austria, the imperial splendor of Vienna becomes truly visible. A true classic is the view from one of the two towers of St. Stephen's Cathedral. By the way, nowhere else can you get as close to the magnificent roofs of downtown Vienna as from the viewing platform of the Viennese landmark.