Ruqayyah Snyder
Austria in March is a sight to behold, with the last snow showers melting away to reveal lush green landscapes. The country experiences a transition from winter to spring, with cool temperatures and occasional rainfall. It is the perfect time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds and high prices of peak season. The temperature varies between 7°C and 15°C, with the third week of March being notably warmer. March is also a festive month in Austria, with celebrations such as Easter and the Vienna City Marathon taking place. It is an ideal time to visit the capital, Vienna, and explore its art galleries, exhibitions, and Easter markets. Beyond the cities, you can still enjoy winter sports in the Austrian Alps or explore the charming village of Hallstatt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season | Spring |
| Weather | Humid and mild, with some rainfall and uncertain snowfall |
| Temperature | 7°C to 15°C, with an average of 10°C |
| Wind | Windy with a gentle breeze |
| Tourists | Less crowded than peak winter months |
| Activities | Skiing, snowboarding, visiting art galleries and Easter markets |
| Places to visit | Graz, Hallstatt, Vienna |
| Events | Vienna City Marathon, Fasching (Carnival) celebrations, Easter markets, Styrian Spring festival, Salam Music festival, Vienna Blues Spring, Foto Wien |
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What You'll Learn
Weather in March: cool, with rain and snow
March in Austria marks the transition from winter to spring, with cool temperatures and the last of the snow. The average daytime temperature is around 7°C to 15°C, but this can vary from 0.5°C to 23°C. Expect rain and snow, especially in the mountains and higher altitudes. The Austrian Alps will still have snow, and conditions are ideal for winter sports.
The temperature in the capital, Vienna, will be slightly warmer, at around 10°C. The city is a great place to visit in March, with fewer tourists and plenty of cultural events, exhibitions, and Easter markets to enjoy. You can also take advantage of end-of-season discounts on accommodation and ski resorts before they close for the summer.
March is a good time to visit the lakeside village of Hallstatt, which is surrounded by snow in the first half of the month and lush greenery in the second half. For skiing, head to Graz, which is surrounded by the Alps and offers a range of skiing opportunities.
Overall, March is a shoulder season for travel to Austria, with pleasant weather and fewer crowds than the peak winter and summer months. It's a great time to experience the country's natural beauty and cultural offerings.
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Easter celebrations and markets
Easter is an important festival in Austria, where Catholicism is the dominant religion. Easter markets are usually set up in Austrian towns and cities a couple of weeks before Holy Week.
Innsbruck is a great place to experience Austrian traditions. The Innsbruck Easter market is held in front of the famous Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) in the heart of the historic old town. Here, you will see Tyroleans in their traditional dress performing Easter dances. The Haller Ostermarkt (Easter market of Hall in Tirol) is a must-visit, even if it is only held over two days. In 2023, it fell on 31 March and 1 April. More than 25 stalls sell handmade Easter decorations in the pretty medieval old town. In the Baroque hall of the adjacent school, artists work on and display their unique Easter egg art.
Salzburg also has an Easter market and hosts the Salzburg Easter Music Festival, where you can listen to opera and classical music performances during Easter week.
Vienna, too, has Easter markets set up throughout the city, usually a couple of weeks before Easter. The Easter market in the forecourt of the Schönbrunn Palace is highly recommended. More centrally located markets are held at the Am Hof and Freyung public squares.
If Easter falls in March, head to the mountains for some excellent spring skiing and to enjoy the last of the snow. If it falls in April, you are better off visiting cities like Vienna, Salzburg, and Tyrol (particularly Innsbruck and Hall in Tirol).
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Skiing and snowboarding
Austria is a dream destination for skiers and snowboarders, offering some of the most spectacular slopes in the world. Nestled in the heart of the Alps, Austria's resorts are renowned for their stunning alpine landscapes, world-class facilities, and charming mountain villages. The ski season in Austria typically runs from early December to mid-April, with March being a popular month due to longer days and milder weather, creating perfect conditions for sun-soaked skiing.
For beginners, the Tiefenbach Glacier ski area offers gentler terrain and slopes for all levels, while the nearby Rettenbach Glacier provides varied conditions for more experienced skiers. The Kaunertal Glacier, located up to 3,100 m (10,171 ft) high, also offers 55 km (34 mi) of slopes for all skill levels. Carinthia, located in southern Austria, is known for its sunny slopes and relaxed atmosphere, making it a popular choice for families. Bad Kleinkirchheim, a resort in Carinthia, offers 103 kilometers of pistes ranging from beginner-friendly slopes to challenging black runs.
For advanced skiers and snowboarders, the Nordkette ski area accessible from Innsbruck offers steep terrain, including the Hafelekar Run, one of the steepest ski runs in Europe. The Arlberg region, including the iconic resort of St. Anton, is also known for its challenging terrain and vibrant après-ski scene, attracting advanced skiers and snowboarders worldwide. The Sölden Glacier World in Tyrol is another popular destination, known for its lively atmosphere and summer skiing options.
If you're looking for quieter slopes and better value, consider skiing in early March before the Easter holidays. Higher-altitude resorts like Hintertux, with its year-round ski area, and Warth-Schröcken, known for its high snowfall, are great choices for late-season skiing. The Salzburg region is also home to family-friendly and scenic resorts, such as Zell am See-Kaprun, which combines lake scenery with glacier skiing.
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Art exhibitions
Austria is host to a wide variety of art exhibitions in March. The Albertina Museum in Vienna, for example, showcases Renaissance master drawings against colourful backgrounds in "Leonardo – Dürer". The exhibition features Albrecht Dürer's "Head of the Lute-Playing Angel" from 1506. The Bank Austria Kunstforum Wien presents "Anton Corbijn", an artist who works with photography, film, and design across different media. The MAK - Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna dedicates its first major exhibition in over 25 years to the 'enfant terrible' of the Wiener Werkstätte, Dagobert Peche, in "Peche Pop. Tracing Dagobert Peche in the 21st Century". The Liechtenstein Garden Palace showcases exquisite porcelain, paintings, and more in "A Marvelous Science. Passion for Porcelain in Baroque Vienna". The Theatermuseum celebrates the Waltz King, Johann Strauss, with an exhibition dedicated to his life and works.
Art Austria is an annual art fair held in Vienna, featuring works by prestigious local and international artists. It takes place in the MuseumsQuartier (MQ), both indoors and in marquee tents in front of the complex. The MQ is a hub for contemporary art and culture, and Vienna's main art museums and venues host numerous public exhibitions at any given time. The Albertina and Albertina Modern museums, for instance, have featured solo exhibitions by renowned artists such as Ai Weiwei, Roy Lichtenstein, and Xenia Hausner.
In March 2025, the Salam Music & Arts Festival (March 28th to April 6th) offered a blend of music and artistic expressions from Arabic regions. The Albertina Modern museum presented an exhibition on the development of colour photography, featuring vintage photos, called "True Colors". The Kunsthalle Wien, Vienna, hosted a group exhibition titled "Radical Software: Women, Art & Computing 1960–1991" until March 23rd, 2025. The Kunsthistorisches Museum presented "Arcimboldo – Bassano – Bruegel. Nature’s Time", shedding light on the interplay between man, nature, and time.
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Hallstatt: a beautiful lakeside village
Hallstatt is a beautiful lakeside village in the Austrian Alps. It is a tiny, picturesque town that has become popular with tourists in recent years, attracting visitors from all over the world. With a rich history dating back thousands of years, Hallstatt holds immense appeal for both younger and older crowds. The town is known for its colourful gingerbread-style houses, set against a gorgeous backdrop of the lake and mountains.
March marks the beginning of spring in Austria, and while it can still be quite chilly, it is a great time to visit Hallstatt. The snow starts to melt, and the calm wind makes for a pleasant atmosphere. The average daytime temperature in March ranges from 7°C to 15°C, and you can expect rainfall, uncertain snowfall, and foggy conditions.
Hallstatt offers a range of attractions for nature lovers and those seeking a tranquil experience. The Friedhof Hallstatt Cemetery, located beside a chapel, features wooden graves with A-frame roofs overlooking the lake and mountains. Lake Street (Seestraße) is a must-see, offering views of the lake, boathouses, a small jetty, and photogenic houses. The town is also known for its unique bone house, the Bone Ossuary, which contains decorated skulls.
Getting to Hallstatt is easy, with public transport options including bus, train, and ferry. The train journey from Salzburg to Hallstatt Bahnhof station, followed by a ferry ride across the lake, allows travellers to capture the town's beauty from the water. Hallstatt can also be reached by bus, which takes approximately 90 minutes. For those with more time, a half-day or full-day tour from Salzburg or Vienna is a great option, providing a chance to explore the town and its surroundings.
While March offers a quieter and more peaceful experience compared to the peak summer months, some attractions in Hallstatt may be closed. The salt mines and the funicular are typically closed until May, and there are only a few shops and hotels open. However, the surrounding nature, including the mountains and lakes, provides ample opportunities for hiking and exploring.
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Frequently asked questions
March in Austria is a transition from winter to spring, with cool temperatures and some rainfall. You can expect the last showers of snow, especially in the mountains, and temperatures range from 7°C to 15°C.
March is a festive season in Austria, with events like the Vienna City Marathon, Fasching (Carnival) celebrations, and Easter markets. It's also a great time to visit Graz for skiing and to experience the culture in the capital, Vienna, with its many art galleries and exhibitions.
Pack for cold and wet weather. Bring winter clothes like a warm coat, gloves, a hat, and waterproof boots. Don't forget essential items like medications, cosmetics, toiletries, and electronic devices.
