When is the best time to visit Austria?

1. 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠/𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧: 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐲

It is the best time to avoid city crowds and find cheaper accommodation while enjoying all the sights.

If you visit Vienna, this is one of the best times to see an Opera, the Vienna Boys Choir, or the Lipizzaner Stallions.

In the Alpine regions, you can still find glacier ski resorts open. But some mountain tourist facilities may remain closed- notably Ice Caves and the Großglockner High Alpine Road- all open mid to late May, depending on the weather.

Spring Weather:  In Spring, there is plenty of sunshine. Weather can still be cold and snowy in the Alpine regions. Typically, 6°C (42.8°F) to a high of 21°C (70°F).

2. 𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝑯𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏: 𝑱𝒖𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑨𝒖𝒈𝒖𝒔𝒕

The busiest time of the year is during July and August. At this time, you’ll need to plan well ahead, with hotels often booked as far as a year in advance.

NOTE: Summer visitors should also be aware that the Vienna Boys’ Choir, The State Opera, the Wiener Philharmoniker, and Spanish Riding School, with the Lipizzaner stallions — do not perform in July and August as they are on holidays.

Summer is excellent for experiencing outdoor pools, Prater Park in Vienna, lakes, and heading out into the Austrian Alpine regions for amazing views, hiking, and biking.

Most towns and villages in the countryside host Fest days, like mini-Oktoberfest celebrations.

Summer Weather:   Summer months in Austria are typically hot and dry, with the sun setting after 20:00 (8 p.m.). July and August are the warmest months in Austria. 15°C (59°F) to over 30°C (86°F).  The higher you go into the Alps, you will find fresher air with lower temperatures.

3. 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒏/𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏: 𝑺𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑶𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒃𝒆𝒓

September and October still have pleasant weather with fewer tourists and cheaper accommodation.

If you are visiting Vienna, this is also when you can see an Opera, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna Boys Choir, or the Lipizzaner Stallions.

In Autumn, harvest festivals, such as the Almabtrieb cattle procession, occur in Alpine regions.

Autumn Weather:    The temperature starts to drop, resulting in the vibrant autumn colours across the country. 8°C (46.4°F) and 21°C (70°F)

4. Winter: November to March

Starting mid-November, you can visit the Christmas markets in Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. Most towns and villages have a Christmas Market. Experience a traditional Austrian Christmas and go skiing in the Alps.

In the Alpins Ski resorts, Winter is a high season, and you can expect busy slopes, après-ski bars, and restaurants and high prices. Accommodations tend to be booked a year in advance.

Christmas is also High Season in the cities, with hundreds of thousands visiting the Christmas markets.

February is Ball season throughout all of Vienna. The most famous Ball is held at the Vienna State Opera House.

February is also when all of Europe has school ski holidays and descend on the Austrian Ski resorts, making it the busiest and most expensive period to go skiing in Austria (other than the Christmas/ New Year holiday period).

Winter Weather:   The coldest months are January and February, with the largest snowfalls on average.

In Vienna you can expect range from 5°C (41°F) to -3°C (23°F)

In the Alpine regions, you can expect a range from 0°C (41°F) to -10 °C (14°F), and it can be colder at altitude.

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