Lienz

Lienz is the main town of East Tyrol (Osttirol), a picturesque market town of 12,000 residents at the confluence of the Isel and Drau rivers. Surrounded by the Lienz Dolomites and the Schobergruppe mountain ranges, Lienz enjoys over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually — one of the sunniest spots in Austria. It is the cultural and economic capital of East Tyrol, a region that is part of Tyrol but geographically separated from North Tyrol by a strip of Salzburg and Carinthia.

The town has been settled since Roman times (the Roman settlement Aguntum was 4 km east). Lienz's medieval centre clusters around the Hauptplatz, anchored by the Liebburg castle (now the town hall) and the onion-domed St. Andrä Church. The Bruck Castle, a Renaissance palace on the Isel River, houses the Museum of East Tyrolean Folk Culture. Lienz is a base for hiking, skiing at Zettersfeld and Hochstein, and the annual Dolomitenmann endurance relay.

By Plane

Klagenfurt Airport (KLU) is 150 km south (2 hr by car via the A2 and B100). Innsbruck Airport (INN) is 160 km north (3 hr via the Felbertauern Tunnel).

By Train

Lienz station is on the ÖBB Drautal Railway, with regional trains from Innsbruck via the Felbertauern line (3 hr), from Spittal an der Drau (1 hr), and from Klagenfurt (2 hr). Connections to Venice via Udine are possible (change at San Candido). The East Tyrolean railway is one of Austria's scenic routes.

By Car / Road

From Innsbruck, take the A12 to Wörgl, then B169/B161 over the Felbertauern Toll Road (€14) to Lienz (3 hr). From Klagenfurt, take the A2 to Spittal, then the B100 Drautal Road (1.5 hr). From Italy, cross the Passo di Monte Croce Carnico (Strada Statale 52bis).

Lienz is walkable. Local buses serve the Zettersfeld and Hochstein gondola bases and surrounding villages. A free ski bus (winter) runs from the station to the ski lifts. Bicycles can be rented at the tourist office.

• Bruck Castle (Schloss Bruck) — A 13th-century castle above the Isel River, housing the Museum of East Tyrolean Folk Culture (€9). Exhibits include Alpine farming tools, the Lienz city Model, and paintings by East Tyrolean artist Josef Baur.

• Hauptplatz — Lienz's elongated main square with pastel-coloured burgher houses, the Baroque Liebburg castle (now Rathaus), and the Dreifaltigkeitssäule (Trinity Column, 1714).

• St. Andrä Church — The Gothic parish church (1508) with a striking onion dome, a winged altar (1515), and the Romanesque crypt.

• Aguntum Roman Museum — Excavated foundations of the Roman settlement Aguntum (1st century AD), with a museum displaying mosaics and daily life artefacts. Entry €7. 4 km east of town.

• Trinitatiskirche — A Gothic church in the suburbs, with frescoes and a 15th-century winged altar.

• Dolomitenblick — Several viewpoints around town offer classic views of the Lienz Dolomites.

• Dolomitenmann (September) — The world's toughest team relay race, combining mountain running, paragliding, mountain biking, and kayaking.

• Skiing at Zettersfeld — A family-friendly ski area above Lienz with 30 km of slopes and a funicular. A day pass costs €38.

• Hiking the Lienz Dolomites — The Dolomitenrundweg trail circles the limestone peaks in 6–8 days.

• Cycling the Drau Cycle Path — The 366 km path along the Drau River from Toblach (Italy) to Maribor (Slovenia) passes through Lienz — 45 km to the Italian border.

• Swimming in the Isel — The Isel River is one of Austria's cleanest; designated swimming spots are near the Bruck Castle.

• Winter hiking on Hochstein — Panoramic trails with views over the Lienz basin.

• Gasthof Traube (Südtiroler Platz 12) — Traditional East Tyrolean cuisine. Known for Lienzer Schlipfknödel (bacon dumplings). Mains €10–15.
• Restaurant Schloss Bruck — Fine dining in the castle. Tasting menus from €50.
• Pizzeria Corso — Italian restaurant with stone-baked pizzas. €8–13.
• Café Rudiferia (Hauptplatz) — The institution of Lienz, run by the same family since 1846. Famous for its coffee, cakes, and Lienzer Mohren im Hemd (chocolate pudding).

• Gartenhotel Winkler — Roof terrace with views over the Hauptplatz and Dolomites.
• Café City (Hauptplatz) — A popular bar with live music on weekends.
• East Tyrol produces apple juice (Most) and herbal schnapps — try Edelbrände at the Gasthof Traube.

• Budget: Hotel Hofer — Basic hotel near the station. Doubles from €55.
• Mid-range: Hotel Traube — 3-star family hotel on Südtiroler Platz. Doubles from €85.
• Upscale: Parkhotel Tristacher See — 4-star lake resort north of Lienz. Doubles from €140.

Local shops offer regional products, handicrafts, and everyday necessities. Markets may be held weekly in the town square.

• Matrei in Osttirol (30 km north) — Village at the foot of the Grossglockner, gateway to the Hohe Tauern National Park.
• Grossglockner High Alpine Road (40 km west) — Scenic toll road to Austria's highest peak.
• Defereggental (25 km south) — Scenic side valley with the St. Jakob pilgrimage church and skiing at St. Jakob im Defereggental.
• Sillian (30 km east) — Border town with the Sillianer Alm ski area and access to the Drau Cycle Path.
• Dolomites, Italy (40 km south via the Sillian – Innichen – Toblach route) — UNESCO World Heritage mountain range.