Traveling To Austria In July: What You Need To Know

July is midsummer in Austria, with hot temperatures in the lowlands and milder conditions in the Alps. The sun won't set until after 9 pm, making it ideal for evening walks, parties, and picnics. It is also the peak season for travel to Austria, so expect higher prices and more tourists in many parts of the country. However, Austria doesn't tend to get as busy as some neighbouring countries, such as Italy.

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Austria. However, there are passport validity requirements and other rules that travellers should be aware of.

The weather in July

July is midsummer in Austria, with hot temperatures in the lowlands and milder conditions in the Alps. The average temperature in July is 27°C (80°F), with a daily high of 26°C to 35°C and a low of 15°C to 16°C. The weather is dry and comfortable, with low humidity, and while you may encounter rain showers, they won't be heavy.

The days are long, with the sun setting after 9 pm, which is ideal for evening walks, parties, and picnics. The nights are pleasantly warm, and you can expect a gentle breeze.

July is the peak season for travel to Austria, so expect higher prices and more tourists in many parts of the country. It is a good time to visit Vienna, as the streets tend to be quieter, with locals leaving the city for their summer vacations.

Things to do

July is midsummer in Austria, with hot temperatures in the lowlands and milder weather in the Alps. The days are long, with the sun setting after 9 pm, making it perfect for evening walks, parties, and picnics.

If you're a sun-worshipper, you'll enjoy the average temperature of 27°C (80°F) and nine days of rain. It's the perfect time for swimming, hiking, and boating.

Starkenberger Beer Pools

If you're a beer lover, you can cool off in the Starkenberger Beer Pools. Starkenberger Castle has seven pools, each 4.10 meters deep, and 42,000 pints of beer to relax in.

Swarovski Theme Park

The Swarovski crystal company is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a theme park. The main attraction is the "Forest Room", surrounded by green hills. There are many other rooms in this exhibit, including multiple Swarovski crystals.

Scuba Diving

You can go scuba diving in a lake near the guesthouse and watch the fish swim by.

Riegersburg Castle

Riegersburg Castle is steeped in ancient legends and has been rebuilt many times over the years. It was created in the 17th century under the rule of Baroness Catalina Elizabeth von Wechsler.

Lake Wörthersee

Lake Wörthersee is said to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in Austria. It offers activities such as canoeing, visiting the famous Griffen Cave, and exploring the cathedral. The Villach Automobile Museum is also worth a visit for car enthusiasts.

Imperial Butterfly Park

A unique reserve where you can see beautiful butterflies and enjoy nature. There is also a short film providing information about the butterflies found in the park.

La Strada Festival

La Strada is Austria's only festival that collaborates with internationally renowned artists to discover new forms of expression outside the established theatre. It supports innovative works and Austrian artists at the Pan-European Festival Circuit.

Bregenzer Festspiele

This summertime festival draws crowds with opera and live performances by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. It takes place on the shores of Lake Constance, with the lake and surrounding countryside as the backdrop.

Salzkammergut Lake and Alpine Region

Austria may not have a coastline, but it has thousands of lakes. The Salzkammergut lake and alpine region near Salzburg is a great place for a refreshing swim. Head to the towns of Hallstatt (on Lake Hallstatt) or St. Wolfgang (on Lake Wolfgangsee) for pretty medieval architecture, lakeside walks, swimming, boating, and nearby hikes.

Fieberbrunn

Fieberbrunn, a town in the Kitzbühel Alps, is a great destination for families. In the summer, it transforms from a ski resort to a hiking and mountaineering hub. A major attraction is Timok's Wild World, a summer-only theme park with a high ropes course, inflatables, an assault course on a lake, and a petting area with reindeer and other forest animals.

Grossglockner Road

Take a road trip through the Grossglockner Road, which twists and turns 30 miles (48 km) through high passes in the Alps. You'll be treated to views of lush green valleys and snow-capped peaks.

Music and Arts Festivals

July is a month of summer music and arts festivals in Austria. Check out the Salzburg Summer Festival, the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, the Bregenzer Festspiele in Bregenz, and more.

Where to stay

If you're looking for a lively atmosphere, the cities of Vienna and Salzburg are great options. In July, Vienna is quieter than usual as locals leave the city for vacation. However, it's still a good time to visit as there are various festivals and events taking place. Salzburg, on the other hand, is a popular destination during this month due to the Salzburger Festspiele, a major fixture in the classical music circuit. So, if you're planning to visit Salzburg, be sure to book your accommodation in advance.

For a more relaxed and rural experience, consider staying in the picturesque towns of Hallstatt or St. Wolfgang in the Salzkammergut lake and alpine region near Salzburg. Here, you can enjoy lakeside walks, swimming, boating, and nearby hikes. Alternatively, Fieberbrunn is a great family-friendly destination, offering a summer theme park and easy access to the mountains for hiking and mountaineering.

If you're looking to escape the heat, a road trip through the Alps is a good option. The Grossglockner Road is a legendary short road trip, offering stunning views of lush green valleys and snow-capped peaks.

Austria has a range of accommodation options, from hotels in the cities and towns to lakeside cabins for outdoor enthusiasts.

Getting around

Austria is a relatively small country, so it's possible to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. If you're planning a road trip, the Grossglockner Road through the Alps is a legendary route, with 30 miles (48 km) of twisting and turning mountain roads through high passes, offering views of lush green valleys and snow-capped peaks. This route stretches from Heiligenblut in Carinthia to Bruck, near Salzburg. It's important to note that mountain roads in Austria can be narrow and covered with snow and ice during the winter. Always carry tire chains in your car if you plan to drive on mountain roads.

Public transportation is also an option for getting around Austria. The country has an extensive network of trains and buses that connect major cities and towns. However, be aware that petty crimes such as pickpocketing can occur on public transportation. Always keep your belongings secure and be vigilant of your surroundings.

For a more scenic option, you can consider travelling by boat. Austria has thousands of lakes, large and small, that offer refreshing swims and boating opportunities during the summer months. Head to the Salzkammergut lake and alpine region near Salzburg for a relaxing swim or boat ride.

If you're looking for a more active way to get around, Austria offers plenty of hiking trails, especially during the summer months when the Alps are snow-free. Fieberbrunn, a town in the Kitzbühel Alps, is a popular destination for hiking and mountaineering.

When planning your transportation in Austria, it's advisable to book in advance, especially during the peak travel season in July and August. This is also true if you plan to visit popular destinations like Salzburg during the Salzburger Festspiele, a major classical music festival.

What to eat and drink

Austria's cuisine is characterised by rich flavours and an abundance of meat and carb-dense foods. Here is a list of traditional Austrian dishes and drinks to try in July:

Food

• Wiener Schnitzel – Vienna's signature dish of flattened, breadcrumbed veal cutlet, served with potato salad.
• Tafelspitz – Emperor Franz Joseph's favourite boiled beef dish, served with roasted potatoes, vegetables, and horseradish sauce.
• Gulasch – a paprika-spiced meat stew with origins in Hungary.
• Apfelstrudel – a flaky pastry with apples and raisins.
• Kaiserschmarrn – shredded fluffy pancakes served with a fruit compote.
• Käsekrainer – a legendary sausage filled with tiny cubes of cheese, found at a Würstelstand (sausage stand).
• Knödel – a dumpling that can be both sweet and savoury. The savoury version is served as a side dish or in soups, while the sweet version is made with plums.
• Tiroler Gröstl – a pan-fried dish of potato, chopped beef or pork with butter and onion, topped with a fried egg.
• Käsespätzle – Austria's answer to mac 'n' cheese, made with soft egg noodles and generous helpings of cheese.
• Sachertorte – a dessert of glazed chocolate cake with apricot jam.
• Spargel – a summer dish made with asparagus, served with a hearty dollop of butter and a sprinkle of lemon, or wrapped in prosciutto with hollandaise sauce.
• Belegte Brote – open-faced mini sandwiches with a variety of toppings.

Drink

• Wiener Melange – half coffee and half milk foam.
• Kleiner Brauner – espresso with a side of milk.
• Austrian wine – sip on an Achterl (a 0.125L glass of wine) in Austria's hilltop vineyards, in a rustic Heuriger (wine tavern) in a viniculture village, or in a wine cellar in one of Austria's three major wine-growing regions: Weinviertel in Lower Austria, the Wachau Valley, and Neusiedler See in Burgenland.

Frequently asked questions