Austria's Snowy May: Unlikely But Not Impossible

Austria is a beautiful country with varied climatic conditions, attracting tourists from all over the world. The country experiences four distinct seasons, with temperatures ranging from a low of -7°C in the winter months to a high of 24°C in July. Spring in Austria falls under the shoulder season, with temperatures fluctuating between 9°C and 15°C. So, does it snow in Austria during the spring month of May?

May is the last month of spring in Austria

May is a shoulder season for travel to Austria, so you can take advantage of discounted airfare and accommodation before the summer rush in June. While ski resorts won't be full of snow sports enthusiasts, many mountain towns cater to hikers in the summer, so they won't be completely closed.

There are plenty of things to do in Austria in May. You can attend a food festival in Vienna, such as the three-day Vienna Culinary Festival in the Stadtpark, or a classical music concert in Salzburg. You can also go hiking in the mountains from Hallstatt or take a motorcycle trip through them.

If you're in western Austria, don't miss Salzburg, the hometown of Mozart. In May, the city offers the Whitsun Festival, a four-day event focused on Baroque music, including chamber concerts, opera, and ballet.

For food lovers, Vienna is a must-visit in May. In addition to the food festivals, you can try traditional dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, Viennese Apfelstrudel, and Potato Gulasch, as well as sachertorte (chocolate sponge cake) and Viennese coffee in old-fashioned coffee houses.

May is a great time to explore Austria's natural landscapes and cities. The spring season offers pleasant weather, with temperatures cold enough to make it enjoyable but not so cold that you have to stay indoors. The average minimum temperature is around 9°C, and the average maximum is around 15°C. The snow starts melting, and the trees get their leaves back.

If you're looking for specific destinations, Hallstatt is a beautiful Alpine lake-side town in the Salzkammergut region of western Austria. By May, the risk of fog obscuring your view is gone, so you can enjoy the town's 16th-century architecture, the Salzwelten salt mine, and the Lake Hallstatt shore.

In terms of natural landscapes, Salzkammergut, Bregenz, Hoher Dachstein, Styria, and Vorarlberg are some of the best locations in the country, offering scenic lakes, pristine waterfalls, rolling hills, and mountains.

When it comes to cities, Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, and Innsbruck offer terrific experiences through museums, art galleries, and a mix of medieval and modern architecture.

So, if you're planning a trip to Austria, May is an excellent month to go. You'll find pleasant weather, plenty of cultural events, and the opportunity to explore the country's natural and urban attractions without the summer crowds.

It's an excellent time to visit, with a range of activities and events

May is an excellent time to visit Austria, with a range of activities and events to suit all kinds of travellers. As the last month of spring, May offers pleasant weather, with daytime temperatures reaching around 20°C in lower-lying cities like Vienna. The spring season is ideal for exploring both natural landscapes and city life.

For nature lovers, May is a great time to go hiking through the alpine forests and rolling meadows. Hallstatt, a picturesque town in the Salzkammergut region of lakes and mountains in western Austria, is a must-visit. Here, you can enjoy the beauty of the Alpine lakeside town without the risk of fog obscuring your view. Browse the shops and cafes located within 16th-century architecture, take the funicular up to the Salzwelten salt mine, or trek one of the many hiking trails into the mountains.

If you're visiting western Austria, don't miss Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. May (sometimes early June) offers the Whitsun Festival, a four-day event celebrating Baroque music with chamber concerts, opera, and ballet. You can also explore Salzburg's historic Old Town, Fortress Hohensalzburg, and Schloss Hellbrunn, among other attractions.

Foodies will enjoy the culinary delights that Austria has to offer in May. Head to Vienna for the Stadtpark's Culinary Festival, a three-day event where you can sample traditional and modern Austrian cuisine from local producers while sitting in the spring sunshine. Indulge in sachertorte (chocolate sponge cake) and sip on a frothy Viennese coffee in one of the city's old-fashioned coffee houses. The Genussfestival Food Fair in May is another highlight for food lovers, where you can experience classic Austrian delicacies and local village recipes.

For those seeking more active pursuits, May is a great time for motorcycle trips through the mountains. A recommended route is the 21-mile journey in southern Austria between Innerkrems and Ebene Reichenau, which passes through the UNESCO-listed Nockberge Biosphere Reserve, offering scenic mountain roads and forest landscapes.

May also brings May Day/Maypole Festivals nationwide, where you can celebrate the return of spring with maypole dances, singing, and wildflower gathering.

With its pleasant weather, abundance of activities, and lack of summer crowds, May is a fantastic time to visit Austria and take advantage of all it has to offer.

There is a mix of temperatures, from cold to warm, and moderate to heavy precipitation

Austria in May offers a mix of temperatures, from cold to warm, and moderate to heavy precipitation. The weather is generally pleasant, making it an excellent time to visit before the summer crowds arrive. During the day, temperatures can vary from as cold as 9°C in Matrei in Osttirol to as warm as 22°C in Bad Radkersburg. At night, temperatures cool down to 11°C in Bad Radkersburg and drop below freezing in Matrei in Osttirol.

Spring in Austria is usually quite dry, with just a chance of showers. In May, precipitation varies across the country, from moderate rainfall in Herrnbaumgarten, with an average of 69 mm, to heavy rainfall in Weissbach bei Lofer, with 213 mm. The month sees an average of 8.3 days of rain in Vienna, with 61 mm of accumulated precipitation.

The days in May are mostly sunny, with an average total of around 238 hours of sunshine in Vienna. This makes it a great time to explore the country's natural landscapes and cities. The longer days also allow visitors to cover more places in a single day or dedicate more time to each spot.

May is a shoulder season for travel to Austria, and it is a great time to visit as hiking and biking trails are open, and summer crowds have yet to arrive. It is also possible to find discounted airfare and accommodation during this month. While ski resort towns won't be full of snow sports enthusiasts, many mountain towns cater to hikers in the summer season, so they are usually open in May.

May is a shoulder season for travel to Austria, so it's a great time to visit before the summer rush

May is a great time to visit Austria, as it's a shoulder season before the summer rush. The weather is generally pleasant, with temperatures in the lower-lying cities like Vienna reaching around 20°C. The nights are cool, and the days are mostly sunny, with an average of 238 hours of sunshine in Vienna. The spring season is ideal for exploring both natural landscapes and city life.

There are plenty of things to do and see in Austria in May. The Whitsun Festival in Salzburg is a four-day event that focuses on Baroque music, including chamber concerts, opera, and ballet. The historic town of Hallstatt is a beautiful destination, and by May, the risk of fog obscuring your view is gone. You can browse the shops and cafes located in 16th-century architecture, take the funicular up to the Salzwelten salt mine, or stroll along the Lake Hallstatt shore.

If you're looking for outdoor activities, hiking and biking trails are open, and the summer crowds have yet to arrive. You can also take a motorcycle trip through the mountains, with many scenic routes to choose from. The 34km journey between Innerkrems and Ebene Reichenau in southern Austria passes through the UNESCO-listed Nockberge Biosphere Reserve, leading you through scenic mountain roads.

Foodies will enjoy the Vienna Culinary Festival, a three-day event at the beginning of May, where you can sample traditional and modern Austrian cuisine from local producers. You can also indulge in classic Austrian dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, Viennese Apfelstrudel, and Potato Gulasch.

May is also a great time to visit Austria as you may be able to find discounted airfare and accommodation. So, if you're looking for a mix of cultural experiences, outdoor activities, and delicious food, May is an excellent time to visit Austria before the summer crowds arrive.

You can find discounted airfare and accommodation

Finding discounted airfare and accommodation for your trip to Austria in May is possible, and you can save money by booking in advance, being flexible with your travel dates, and comparing prices across different websites and airlines. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you get started:

Airfare

• Keep an eye out for deals and promotions: Airlines occasionally offer special discounts or promotions, especially during the low season. May is considered the low season in Austria, so you may be able to find cheaper flights during this month.
• Compare prices on different websites: Check multiple travel booking websites, such as Expedia, KAYAK, and Skyscanner, to compare flight prices. You can also use Google Flights to set up price alerts for specific routes and dates.
• Be flexible with your travel dates: Flight prices can vary significantly depending on the day of the week. Flying on a Tuesday or Monday tends to be cheaper than flying on a Friday, which is usually the most expensive day.
• Consider using miles or points: If you have accumulated miles or points through a loyalty program, you may be able to redeem them for discounted or free flights.
• Book in advance: In general, booking your flights at least four days in advance can help you find lower prices.
• Look for alternative airports: Consider flying into nearby airports, such as those in neighboring countries, and then taking a bus, train, or rental car to Austria. This can sometimes be a more affordable option.

Accommodation

• Consider visiting during the low season: May is considered the low season in Austria, so hotel prices tend to be lower during this month.
• Compare prices on booking websites: Use websites like TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and Agoda to compare prices and find deals on accommodation.
• Look for special discounts and promotions: Keep an eye out for any special offers, such as early bird discounts, last-minute deals, or package deals that include both flights and accommodation.
• Stay in cheaper areas or consider alternative options: Accommodation prices can vary depending on the location. Staying in areas outside the city center or in nearby towns can sometimes be more affordable. You can also consider alternative options like Airbnb, hostels, or guesthouses, which often offer lower rates.
• Book directly with the hotel: Sometimes, booking directly with the hotel can get you a better rate than booking through a third-party website. Hotels may also offer special discounts or perks for direct bookings.
• Take advantage of loyalty programs: If you're a member of a hotel loyalty program, you can earn and redeem points for free nights or upgrades.
• Consider a vacation rental: Depending on your preferences and the length of your stay, renting an apartment or house through sites like Airbnb or VRBO can sometimes be more cost-effective than staying in a hotel.

By following these tips and doing some careful research, you can find discounted airfare and accommodation for your trip to Austria in May. Remember to book in advance, be flexible with your travel dates, and compare prices to get the best deals.

Frequently asked questions