Austria

Mauthausen

Mauthausen

Mauthausen is a small town located in Upper Austria, approximately 20 kilometers east of the city of Linz. It is known for being the site o…

Best for you if…

  • A long weekend
  • Exploring with transit or a car
  • Historical tour travelers
  • Memorial visit travelers
  • Visiting in Summer
Recommended stay
2-3 days
Best time
Summer
Walkability
Spread
Guide depth
Deep guide
More about this guide

Mauthausen is a strong pick for historical tour & memorial visit — plan about 2-3 days; group places into half-day loops. Peak season: Summer.

Deep guide guide · about 4 min to read · depth score 90/100 (coverage of intro, tips, and mapped places)

Spread density — Wide area — group nearby places into half-day loops. (≈98.8 km span)

50 Places to explore
2-3 Recommended days
Summer Best season
8 Nearby places

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When to go

High season: Summer

JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC

Best months for lower-cost travel: March · April · October

Weather

Autumn

5°C - 15°C

Spring

10°C - 20°C

Summer

15°C - 30°C

Winter

-5°C - 5°C

How to get there

How to Reach Mauthausen in Austria

Mauthausen, located in Upper Austria, is a small town known for its historical significance as the site of the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp during World War II. Visiting Mauthausen is a powerful and educational experience, providing insight into the atrocities of the past. Here's how you can reach Mauthausen:

By Air:

If you are traveling internationally, the nearest major airport is the Vienna International Airport (VIE), located approximately 180 kilometers east of Mauthausen. From the airport, you can hire a rental car, take a taxi, or use public transportation to reach Mauthausen.

By Train:

Mauthausen has its own train station, making it easily accessible by rail. You can take a train from Vienna or Linz to reach Mauthausen. The journey from Vienna takes around 2 hours, while from Linz it is just a short 15-minute train ride. Once you arrive at the Mauthausen train station, the memorial site is within walking distance.

By Car:

If you prefer to drive, Mauthausen can be reached by car via the A1 Autobahn. From Vienna, take the A23 towards Linz and then merge onto the A1 towards Salzburg. Take the exit towards Mauthausen and follow the signs to the memorial site. There is ample parking available near the visitor center.

By Bus:

There are also bus services available from nearby cities like Linz and Vienna to Mauthausen. Check with local bus operators for schedules and routes.

Local Transportation:

Once you have arrived in Mauthausen, the memorial site is easily accessible on foot. It is situated just a short distance from the train station and can be reached within a 10-minute walk. The town itself is relatively small, so exploring the surrounding areas on foot is also a convenient option.

Visiting Mauthausen is an important step towards understanding the dark history of the concentration camp and paying tribute to the victims. Remember to check the opening hours of the memorial site and plan your visit accordingly.

Getting to know Mauthausen

Mauthausen is a small town located in Upper Austria, approximately 20 kilometers east of the city of Linz. It is known for being the site of the notorious Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp during World War II. The camp was established by the Nazis in 1938 and became one of the largest labor camps in the German-controlled territories.

Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp was designed to imprison and exploit political prisoners, Jews, and other groups deemed undesirable by the Nazi regime. The conditions within the camp were extremely harsh, with prisoners subjected to forced labor, malnutrition, and brutal treatment by the SS guards. Many prisoners died due to exhaustion, disease, or were executed.

The camp was strategically located near quarries, and prisoners were forced to work in these quarries, extracting granite for various construction projects. The work was grueling and dangerous, often resulting in severe injuries or death. The prisoners were also subjected to medical experiments, torture, and inhumane living conditions.

Today, Mauthausen serves as a memorial and museum, reminding visitors of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. The former concentration camp has been preserved as a historical site, and the museum provides educational exhibits about the camp's history and the Holocaust. It serves as a place of remembrance and reflection, honoring the victims and ensuring that the horrors of the past are never forgotten.

Pre-trip checklist

Compiled from local tips, stay length, and season notes.

Local tips

  • Book guided tours in advance
  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking
  • Respect the memorial site and its significance

Places worth exploring

50 places mapped for this destination

0–1
1–3
3–8
8–20
20+

Walking loops

Evening strolls, half-days, and fuller day loops — clustered by proximity.

Suggested 2-day outline

Places ordered by proximity into day buckets. Add what you like to your trip.

Frequently asked questions

Answers compiled from stay length, season, and local tips for this guide.

How many days do you need in Mauthausen?

Most travelers spend about 2-3 days in Mauthausen, Austria.

When is the best time to visit Mauthausen?

High season is typically Summer.

Which months are more budget-friendly in Mauthausen?

Travelers often find better value in March, April, October.

What kind of trip is Mauthausen good for?

Mauthausen suits Historical tour, Memorial visit, Educational trip.

Is Mauthausen walkable?

Wide area — group nearby places into half-day loops.

Any local tips for Mauthausen?

Book guided tours in advance

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Multi-city ideas

Nearby combinations sharing travel styles. See all routes

  • Mauthausen → Langenstein → Sankt Georgen An Der Gusen · ≈5 km
  • Mauthausen → Langenstein → Abwinden · ≈5 km
  • Mauthausen → Langenstein → Luftenberg An Der Donau · ≈6 km

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