Tourism In Lienz
Lienz is a popular tourist destination, especially for domestic and European guests who enjoy its sunny and mild temperature, its picturesque old town and its varied and beautiful landscapes. Official figures from the East Tyrolean Tourist Association show that in 2020 Lienz recorded 1,057,820 overnight stays, a decrease of 13.5% compared to 2019 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This nevertheless represents more than the annual average of 1,012,240 nights over the last ten years. The average length of stay was 3.2 nights, slightly less than the national average of 3.4 nights.
With 59.8% of the total, domestic visitors spent the majority of overnight stays in Lienz; German visitors follow with 25.6% of the total. Italy (3.4%), the Netherlands (2.9%), Switzerland (1.9%) and Belgium (1.3%) were the other main source markets. Other European countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Poland and the Czech Republic, as well as other continents, including North America, Asia and Australia, accounted for the remainder of the overnight stays .
The season and type of accommodation affect the visitor profile in Lienz. Generally speaking, visitors to Lienz are middle-aged, educated and wealthy people, looking for a mix of leisure, culture and environment. Instead of campsites or farms, they prefer to stay in hotels, guesthouses or holiday apartments. Rather than flying, they usually drive, take the bus or train. They want to see the city and its surroundings, visit historical and cultural sites, admire picturesque views and outdoor activities, and taste local cuisine and specialties.
The seasonality and trends of tourism in Lienz
Lienz’s tourism is marked by strong seasonality with two main peaks: summer and winter. From May to October, the summer season is the most sought-after time to visit Lienz since it presents the best weather and the most diversity of activities. With most counts in July and August, the summer season accounted for 60.7% of all overnight stays in 2020. The sunny and warm temperature, the verdant surroundings, and the chances for swimming, boating, hiking, biking, and climbing mostly draw the summer visitors.
From November to April, the winter season is the second most often visited time to visit Lienz since it provides the best snow conditions and the most festive mood. With most numbers in December and January, the winter season accounted for 39.3% of the total overnight stays in 2020.The snowy and cosy scenery, the Christmas market and the Advent calendar, and the chances for skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and ice skating draw the winter visitors mostly.
Over the past ten years, Lienz’s tourism trends show a consistent and modest increase with occasional fluctuations brought about by outside events including the COVID-19 epidemic, the refugee crisis, and the economic crisis. From 2010 to 2020, overnight stays in Lienz grew generally at 4.5%, more than the national average of 3.8%.The rise in domestic and German visitors, the improvement in the quality and variety of the lodging and services, the creation of fresh and creative products and packages, and the marketing and promotion of Lienz as a sunny and appealing location were the main causes of this development.
The economic and social impact of tourism in Lienz
For the economy and society of Lienz, tourism is a major industry because it generates income, jobs, tax revenues and local quality of life. A study by the Austrian Institute for Economic Research shows that in 2019, tourism in East Tyrol accounted for 14.6% of GDP, 15.8% of employment and 16.4% of tax revenue. These figures show East Tyrol’s high dependence on tourism as they exceed the national averages of 8.9%, 9.5% and 9.9% respectively. Lienz, the capital and largest city in East Tyrol, accounts for a significant share of these donations, especially in the retail, hotel and catering sectors.
The social impact of tourism in Lienz is also favorable as it improves local well-being, social cohesion and cultural heritage. In addition to natural beauties like the Dolomites and the Hohe Tauern National Park, tourism supports the preservation and promotion of historical and cultural sites, including castles, churches and museums. Additionally, among the city’s different communities and groups, tourism promotes social interaction and the sharing of values and ideas among residents and guests. Since it provides residents with income, jobs, services and free time, tourism also contributes to improving their quality of life and their level of happiness.
Tourism In Lienz - Highlights
Surrounded by the Dolomites and renowned for its sunny climate, Lienz is a historic city in the Austrian state of Tyrol. Considered the capital of the Lienz district, which extends throughout East Tyrol. Since the Bronze Age and under the influence of the Celts, Romans, Bavarians, Franks and Habsburgs, Lienz has a rich and varied past. Lienz is today a vibrant and culturally rich center that offers a range of events and attractions for guests of all interests and ages. Lienz has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for adventure, history, culture or the environment. How to get there, where to stay, what to see and do, where to eat and drink, where to shop and what to expect from the local culture and customs, this travel guide will have everything you need to plan your ideal trip. in Lienz. Besides some of the most beautiful events and celebrations that you can enjoy throughout the year, you will also discover some of the hidden treasures and secrets of Lienz. While you are surrounded by the breathtaking Alps, Lienz invites you to explore its secrets and appreciate its beauties. Lienz is a sunny gem in the middle of the mountains, so it’s a city worth visiting and experiencing.
Getting to Lienz
Lienz is easily accessible by car, train, bus and plane. Where you are coming from will determine the most scenic and convenient route to Lienz. Here are some choices:
- Driving to Lienz offers magnificent views of the Alps and the Dolomites. From Salzburg or the A12 motorway from Innsbruck you can access the A10 motorway and then the B100 road to Lienz. Alternatively, you can take the A2 motorway from Vienna or the A23 motorway from Italy and then take the B107 road to Lienz. Lienz has several parking lots near the city center where you can leave your car and explore on foot or by bike.
- Taking the train to Lienz is a pleasant and calming method of transport since you can reverse and admire the views of the mountains and countryside. From major Austrian cities, including Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Graz, take an ÖBB train to Lienz; then change to Spittal-Millstättersee or Villach. From Munich or Trenitalia (Italian Railways) trains from Venice, you can also take DB (German Railways) trains from Fortezza to Lienz. Within walking distance of the city center, you can reach two train stations Lienz Hauptbahnhof (main) and Lienz Südbahnhof (south).
- With direct connections from many cities in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, taking the bus to Lienz is a convenient and economical means of transport. From Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Zurich or Milan, the Flixbus arrives at Lienz ZOB (central bus station), close to the Lienz Hauptbahnhof. From Innsbruck, Klagenfurt or Bolzano, postal buses also serve Lienz Postplatz in the city center.
- Flying to Lienz is the quickest and most convenient way to travel, especially if you’re coming from afar. From the nearest airports (Innsbruck Airport (180 km), Klagenfurt Airport (150 km), Salzburg Airport (200 km), Venice Marco Polo Airport (230 km), then take a shuttle bus, train or rent a car for Lienz From Lienz-Nikolsdorf Airport, a small regional airport located 12 kilometers from Lienz, you can then take a taxi or bus to the city center.
Attractions in Lienz
Lienz is a city with a strong feeling and a rich cultural background. The historic center of Lienz is full of charming squares, graceful churches and brightly colored townhouses. Rising above the main square, Hauptplatz, the Renaissance building known as Liebburg Castle, which houses a Christmas market in winter, serves as the town hall. Cafés and restaurants around the square allow you to taste regional cuisine and specialties including Schlipfkrapfen, a type of ravioli stuffed with cheese and potatoes. The Gothic chapel known as the Antonius Chapel in the square houses a priceless wooden altar from the 15th century.
From Hauptplatz, a small square housing St. Mary’s Column, a Baroque monument erected in 1713 to mark the end of the plague, a short walk leads to the Franciscan Monastery, a 13th-century complex comprising a church, cloister and museum , also resides on the square. Paintings, sculptures and manuscripts, among other items, make up the collection of religious art and relics housed in the museum. Dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, the church has stuccoes and frescoes and houses the tomb of Leonhard, the last count of Gorizia.
Rising on a hill above the town, the medieval fortress known as Bruck Castle is one of Lienz’s most obvious sights. Built in the 13th century by the counts of Gorizia, the castle was later expanded and restored by the Habsburgs. Featuring exhibits ranging from prehistory to the present day, the castle is today a museum honoring the history and culture of Lienz and East Tyrol. Exhibitions and special events, including concerts and celebrations, are also organized by the museum. Connected to the center by a footbridge crossing the River Isel, the castle offers a panoramic perspective on the city and the surrounding mountains.
Lienz is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and environmentalists in addition to a cultural destination. The Hohe Tauern National Park, the largest nature reserve in the Alps, and the grandiose Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surround the city. Hiking, biking, climbing, skiing and other outdoor activities abound on the grounds. Starting from Val Pusteria, Val Defereggen and Val Virgen, each with a unique character and appeal, Lienz also provides a common base for exploring the neighboring valleys and communities of East Tyrol.
From Lienz, the Iselsberg Pass, a mountain pass connecting Lienz with Winklern in Carinthia, is among the most scenic and easiest trails available. At 3,798 meters, the pass offers breathtaking views of East Tyrol’s highest peak, the Grossglockner, among the Lienz Dolomites. Numerous hiking trails, including the Zettersfeld Panorama Trail, a circular path leading to the Zettersfeld ski area and offering panoramic views of the Lienz Basin and the Hohe Tauern, also start here. About 8 kilometers from the city, Lake Tristacher is a natural lake located at the foot of the Lienz Dolomites. In summer, the lake is popular for swimming, boating, and fishing; in winter, ice skating.
