Springtime Delights: May In Austria

May is a great time to visit Austria. With the summer season just beginning, the snow on the Alps starts to melt, revealing lush green pastures and vegetation. The weather is warm and pleasant, with temperatures of around 68°F (20°C) in lower-lying cities like Vienna, and the summer crowds have yet to arrive. May is also a shoulder season for travel, meaning you can find discounted airfare and accommodation. There are plenty of activities to do in May, from hiking in the mountains to visiting museums and palaces. The foodies can enjoy the three-day Genussfestival Food Fair in Vienna, while music lovers can attend the Summer Night Concert hosted by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Enjoy the warm weather and sunshine

May is a great time to visit Austria and enjoy the warm weather and sunshine. The country is known for its friendly people, stunning alpine landscapes, and clean cities. The weather in May is pleasant, with daytime temperatures reaching around 20°C in lower-lying cities like Vienna, and cooler temperatures at higher altitudes. It's the perfect time to explore the outdoors and take advantage of the many hiking and biking trails that are open. The summer crowds have not yet arrived, so you can enjoy the sights without the peak-season rush.

• Hiking and outdoor activities: May is a great time to explore Austria's renowned natural beauty. The snow has melted, revealing lush alpine greenery. Hallstatt, a picturesque town on a lake in the Salzkammergut region, offers stunning views and a range of outdoor activities, including hiking trails, a funicular ride to the Salzwelten salt mine, and strolling along the lake shore. Other recommended hiking destinations include Dachstein, with its good hiking trails and Five Fingers overlook, and the Salzkammergut region, known for its lakes and mountains.
• Food festivals and culinary delights: May is a great time to indulge in Austria's culinary offerings. The Stadtpark in Vienna hosts the Vienna Culinary Festival, a three-day event where you can sample traditional and modern Austrian cuisine. You can also enjoy delicious treats such as sachertorte (chocolate sponge cake) and Viennese coffee in the city's old-fashioned coffee houses.
• Concerts and cultural events: As the weather warms up, outdoor concerts and cultural events become more frequent. The Vienna Blues Spring, a prominent blues festival, continues into May. The Summer Night Concert, hosted in the gardens of the Schonbrunn Palace, features the renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Exploring Renaissance architecture: May is a great time to admire the beautiful architecture of Austria. The Schloss Ambras in Innsbruck, a palace surrounded by picturesque gardens, is worth a visit. Archduke Ferdinand II transformed this Renaissance-era fortress into a stunning palace.
• Waterfalls and nature walks: Krimmler Wasserfälle, a spectacular waterfall, offers a three-hour walk along a trail that weaves up the hills towards its origin. You'll be treated to panoramic views of Krimml from the peaks.
• Mountain biking: If you're feeling adventurous, May is a great time for mountain biking. The 21-mile route between Innerkrems and Ebene Reichenau in southern Austria takes you through the scenic Nockberge Biosphere Reserve, offering stunning views of the mountains and forests.

With its pleasant weather, May is an excellent time to visit Austria and take advantage of the warm sunshine. The country offers a range of outdoor activities, cultural events, and culinary delights that are best enjoyed in the spring and early summer months.

Explore Vienna's culinary delights

May is a great time to visit Austria, with warm and pleasant weather, and the perfect opportunity to explore Vienna's culinary delights before the summer crowds arrive.

Viennese Coffee Culture

Viennese coffee houses are an integral part of the city's culture and history. Visitors can sip on frothy Viennese coffee while savouring delicious pastries such as the Sachertorte, a chocolate sponge cake.

Traditional Cuisine

For a true taste of traditional Viennese cuisine, head to a Beisl, a traditional eating establishment serving classic dishes. Here, you can indulge in the famous Wiener Schnitzel, a tender, juicy, and crispy delight, typically served with a variety of sides. Another classic dish is Tafelspitz, boiled beef served with roasted potatoes, horseradish sauce, or creamy spinach.

Fine Dining

Vienna also boasts world-class gourmet restaurants, with innovative chefs creating modern interpretations of Austrian cuisine. Steirereck, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, offers contemporary Austrian dining at its finest. For vegetarian cuisine, TIAN, awarded a Michelin star, showcases the talents of star chef Paul Ivic, who creates refined dishes using organic and fairly produced ingredients.

Food Festivals

In May, the Stadtpark hosts the Vienna Culinary Festival, a three-day celebration of traditional and modern Austrian cuisine. It's the perfect opportunity to sample a variety of dishes from local producers while enjoying the spring sunshine.

Naschmarkt

Naschmarkt, a bustling market with a variety of food stalls, is a great place to start your day. You can enjoy a light breakfast here before exploring the rest of the city.

Wine Culture

Vienna is the only metropolis in the world with significant viticulture within its city limits. The city has numerous vineyards, and its wine culture is recognised as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Visitors can enjoy fine wines produced from these vineyards, such as Riesling and Weissburgunder, while taking in the romantic atmosphere of the city's wine taverns.

Cooking Classes

If you want to try your hand at creating some Viennese dishes, there are cooking classes available, such as Nabiel's Vienna Cooking Class, where you can learn to make the famous Wiener Schnitzel.

Food Tours

For a more comprehensive exploration of Vienna's culinary scene, there are various food tours available, such as the Tastes of Vienna Food Tour, which offers an introduction to Austrian cuisine, or the Food Tasting Tour in Hidden Gems of Vienna, where you can discover the city's hidden gems and savour its culinary treasures.

With its rich culinary traditions, innovative chefs, and vibrant food culture, Vienna offers a delightful gastronomic experience for all types of food lovers.

Visit Mozart's hometown, Salzburg

May is a great time to visit Salzburg, Mozart's picturesque hometown. As one of Austria's prettiest destinations, Salzburg is a beautiful city in any season.

May is the last month of spring in Austria, so you can expect warm and pleasant daytime temperatures of around 68°F (20°C). May is a shoulder season, so you'll be visiting before the summer rush and the crowds arrive. This means you'll be able to enjoy Mozart's birthplace without the tourist rush.

The Whitsun Festival, a four-day event focusing on Baroque music, usually takes place in late May or early June. You can enjoy chamber concerts, opera, and ballet.

Outside of the festival, you can visit the historic Old Town, Fortress Hohensalzburg, and Schloss Hellbrunn. Wander the streets and imagine a young Mozart doing the same.

If you're an active traveller, May is a great time for hiking and biking, as the trails are open and the summer heat hasn't kicked in yet.

So, if you're planning a trip to Austria, don't skip Salzburg in May. Enjoy the weather, the sights, and the sounds of Mozart's music!

Go hiking in the Alps

May is a great time to go hiking in the Alps in Austria. The snow has melted, leaving the trails snow-free, and the weather is warm and pleasant, with temperatures of around 68°F (20°C) in lower-lying cities. Spring is usually dry, with just a chance of showers, and the forests and nature are in full bloom.

There are numerous hiking trails in Austria, with something to suit all abilities. If you're looking for an easy hike, try the Salzkammergut region in western Austria, which offers beautiful views of lakes and mountains. Alternatively, the Wachau valley is perfect for wandering through grape-filled terraces, with the Danube flowing through. For something more challenging, the Stubaier Höhenweg route in the Stubaital Valley is one of the most beautiful, but most challenging, high-altitude hiking trails in the Eastern Alps. This route takes you past 8 huts and over 5,000 altitude meters in just under 90 kilometres.

If you're looking to spot some wildlife, May is a great time to hike at lower altitudes, as ibex and chamois come down to enjoy the warmer temperatures and fresh grass. And with the average temperature at 2000 meters at 12°C, you'll want to make sure you pack accordingly!

Take a road trip through the mountains

May is a great time for a road trip through the mountains in Austria. The weather is pleasant, and the summer crowds have yet to arrive. Here is a suggested itinerary for a road trip through the Austrian mountains in May:

Day 1: Vienna to the Wachau Valley

Start your trip in Vienna, and head west towards the Wachau Valley, a scenic stretch of the Danube River Valley in Lower Austria. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to castle ruins, historic abbeys, wine villages, and terraced vineyards. Spend the day exploring the valley, visiting Dürnstein village and Melk Abbey, and enjoying the local wine in a traditional wine tavern.

Days 2-3: Ramsau am Dachstein and Filzmoos

On your second day, make your way to Ramsau am Dachstein, a village located on an elevated plateau in Styria. Take in the sweeping views of the limestone Dachstein South Wall and go for a hike—the 5 Huts Trail or the shorter Bachlalm to Neustadtalm circuit trail are great options.

From Ramsau am Dachstein, continue to Filzmoos, a lovely base for exploring the Northern Limestone Alps. Go for a hike in the surrounding mountains, such as the challenging Rötelstein Peak hike or the Hofpürgl Hut to Sulzenalm circuit trail.

Day 4: Grossglockner High Alpine Road

On day 4, drive the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, a 48-km paved serpentine road that takes you through the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park. This road offers stunning views of the park's wildlife, including ibex, golden eagles, and alpine marmots. Make sure to stop at the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe observation deck for unbeatable views of the Grossglockner peak and the Pasterze glacier.

Days 5-6: Mayrhofen and the Zillertal Alps

After spending the night in the town of Matrei in East Tyrol, continue your journey to Mayrhofen, a charming and lively alpine town in Tyrol. Mayrhofen is the perfect base for exploring the majestic Zillertal Alps. Go for a hike to Olpererhütte or Plauener Hütte, and enjoy the town's lively atmosphere.

Days 7-8: Lake Achensee

On day 7, make your way to Lake Achensee, the largest lake in Tyrol. Take some time to relax by the lake and go for a swim or a hike. There are several exciting hiking trails around the lake, including the Bärenkopf, Seekarspitze & Seebergspitze Ridge Hike, and the Hochiss trail.

Days 9-10: Ehrwald and Lake Drachensee

From Lake Achensee, drive to Ehrwald, making a detour to visit Grosser Ahornboden, Mittenwald, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen along the way. Spend two nights in Ehrwald, and take a full day to hike to Lake Drachensee in the Mieming Range.

Days 11-12: Lech am Arlberg

Continue your journey to Lech am Arlberg, a famous ski resort town in Vorarlberg. Lech is surrounded by the Lechquellen Mountains and the Lechtal Alps, offering easy access to several cableways and seasonal buses. Go for a hike, such as the Lake Fomarinsee to Lake Spullersee trail, or explore the town's scenic village.

Day 13: Brandnertal and the Rätikon Alps

On day 13, head to Brandnertal, an alpine valley in Vorarlberg. Take the cableway up to Lünersee, one of the most stunning mountain lakes in the Alps. Hike the circuit trail around the lake, or combine it with a detour to a panoramic peak, such as Schafgafall Peak or Gafalljoch saddle.

Day 14: Silvretta High Alpine Road and Innsbruck

Drive the Silvretta High Alpine Road, which connects Tyrol's Paznaun Valley to Vorarlberg. This road takes you through a swath of peaks and ends at the lakeside Silvretta-Bielerhöhe apex. Park here and explore the recreational area, with options for alpine fishing, hiking, and light art installations.

From here, continue to Innsbruck, the capital of Tirol. Spend some time exploring the architectural splendor of the Altstadt (Old Town).

Day 15: Return to Vienna

It's about a 6-hour drive from Innsbruck back to Vienna. You can break up the trip with a stop in Salzburg, or spend the night in Vienna to explore the city's attractions, such as the State Opera and the historic coffee houses.

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