The Ars Electronica Center (AEC), the self-styled "Museum of the Future," sits on the Danube in Linz, Austria, and is run by Ars Electronica, a world-renowned institution exploring the intersection of art, technology and society. First opened in 1996 and rebuilt in 2009, its glass shell of around 1,100 LED panels turns the whole building into a color-shifting media facade at night, while inside, hands-on exhibitions on AI, neurobionics, space and robotics sit alongside Deep Space 8K, an immersive room projecting ultra-high-definition 3D imagery across 16 × 9 m wall and floor screens. In 2026 it remains the most-visited museum in Linz, and each September it hosts the Ars Electronica Festival (2026 theme: "Future Begins"), one of the world's largest media-art gatherings. It is best approached as an interactive, experiment-driven visit for families and tech-curious travelers alike.
Deep Space 8K: an immersive theater projecting 8K 3D visuals onto 16 × 9 m wall and floor screens. It runs on a set show schedule, so check the day's timetable on arrival.
The night-time media facade: the entire glass building, clad in around 1,100 LED panels, shifts color like a light show. It is most striking at dusk from the old-town (Hauptplatz) riverbank or the Nibelungen Bridge.
Understanding AI: an interactive exhibition where you can train neural networks yourself and grasp how artificial intelligence works and is applied.
Neurobionics: explores links between biological and artificial systems, including brain-computer interfaces and their potential for neurological rehabilitation.
Kids' Research Laboratory: a hands-on space with 3D printing, coding and robotics, ideal for family visits.
Good to know
RulesThe center is closed on Mondays, and also on Dec 24, Dec 25, Dec 31, Jan 1 and May 1. Check the day of the week and public holidays before you go.
RulesDeep Space 8K runs at scheduled times with limited capacity. Check the day's show timetable right after you arrive and plan the rest of your route around it.
CautionBuy tickets on the official website (ars.electronica.art) or at the on-site box office; be wary of markups or double charges on third-party resellers. LINZ Card holders may enter free, so check eligibility to save money.
SeasonDuring the festival in early September (2026: "Future Begins") exhibits are reorganized and it gets very crowded. Also, parking is unavailable on Aug 21-23, 2026 due to an event, so use public transport.
MannersMost exhibits are interactive and meant to be touched, but do not run in the floor-projection area of Deep Space, and avoid flash or noise that disrupts other visitors' immersion during screenings.
SafetyLinz is generally safe, but keep normal pickpocket awareness in busy spots like Hauptplatz and the trams. On Sundays, a LINZ AG transit ticket gets you a '1 + 1 free' companion discount worth using.
Practical info
The address is Ars-Electronica-Straße 1, 4040 Linz. Take tram line 1, 2, 3 or 4 to Hauptplatz and walk about 5 minutes across the Nibelungen Bridge, or use the Rudolfstraße stop just 3 minutes away. It opens Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00 (closed Mondays); tickets are valid for 24 hours and full adult admission is around €14, but prices and hours can change, so always confirm the latest details on the official website before visiting.
On-site reviews📍 Verified on-site
No reviews yet. If you are here, be the first to leave one.
