Lexi Webster
April is a great time to visit Austria. With mild temperatures and dry conditions, it's the perfect weather for a road trip across the country. You can also enjoy the Easter celebrations, including the Easter markets in the two weeks leading up to the holiday, and the Salzburg Easter Music Festival. If you're looking for classical music, head to Salzburg, Mozart's hometown, or to Vienna for the Vienna Blues Spring. If you're a nature lover, you can find wildflowers in the mountains or cherry blossoms and magnolias in Vienna's gardens and parks. For wine lovers, there's wine tasting in the Wachau Valley. And if you're looking for culture, check out the museums, contemporary art, and architecture in cities like Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season | Shoulder season; between winter and summer |
| Weather | Mild temperatures; dry; chance of showers; frost and warm, sunny days; average temperature 10-17°C (50-62°F); 7 days of rain |
| Nature | Flowers bloom; wildflowers in the mountains; cherry blossoms and magnolias in Vienna |
| Attractions | Classical music concerts in Mozart's hometown of Salzburg; Easter markets in Austrian towns and cities; Vienna International Airport is the most affordable airport |
| Activities | Road trip from Vienna to Salzburg; visit Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck; explore Wachau Valley for wine tasting; visit museums and exhibitions in Vienna |
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What You'll Learn
Explore Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck
Vienna
Vienna in April is a great time to explore the city's parks and experience its rich cultural heritage. The Vienna Mozart Orchestra performs at the Musikverein concert hall, a stunning concert hall with excellent acoustics and a rich history. The Vienna Whisky Festival and the Super Bier Fest are also great events to attend in April. The city's many parks, including Schönbrunn, are filled with blooming flowers and are perfect for a leisurely stroll. The Vienna Vintage Photo Fair is another event to check out, with free entry and an array of historical photographs on display.
Salzburg
Salzburg in April is the official start of spring, and the city comes alive with tours and excursions to places that were previously inaccessible during winter, such as mountain peaks. The Easter Festival (Osterfestspiele) is a classical music festival held over ten days around Easter week, initiated by Herbert von Karajan. The birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is considered the music mecca of Austria, with numerous classical music concerts and music festivals throughout the year. The Schrannenmarkt farmers' market, held every Thursday, is a great place to try traditional Austrian foods and experience authentic Austrian culture.
Innsbruck
Innsbruck in April is a great time to explore the Old Town, with its charming historic centre, narrow cobblestone streets, and architectural masterpieces like the Golden Roof. The Town Tower offers a different perspective of the city, and the Cathedral of St. James is a favourite among tourists for its Baroque architecture. The Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, just outside Innsbruck, is a must-see, featuring stunning crystal creations. April is also a great time to explore the scenic Inn River by bike, with comfortable cycling conditions and picturesque backdrops.
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Visit Mozart's hometown for a classical music concert
Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace, is a must-visit for classical music lovers. The city is known for its rich musical history and is home to several notable museums and landmarks dedicated to the famous composer.
The Mozart Birthplace Museum, located at No. 9 Getreidegasse, is a popular attraction for visitors interested in learning more about Mozart's life and work. The museum is housed in the very building where Mozart was born in 1756 and spent his childhood. It offers a glimpse into the composer's early life, showcasing his first musical instruments, portraits, documents, letters, and early editions of his compositions. The second floor of the museum is dedicated to Mozart's interest in opera, featuring the clavichord on which he composed "The Magic Flute."
The International Mozarteum Foundation, which has been curating Mozart's legacy since 1880, also offers guided tours of the house, providing an in-depth look at the composer's life and the history of the building. The foundation's year-round museum features original rooms, an 18th-century middle-class apartment, historical instruments, and a collection of portraits and memorabilia.
In April, Salzburg hosts the Easter Music Festival, making it an ideal time for classical music enthusiasts to visit. The festival features opera and classical orchestral concerts during Easter week, with additional performances held at historic venues such as the Old Town, Fortress Hohensalzburg, and Schloss Hellbrunn.
Outside of the musical realm, Salzburg offers a charming Old Town, scenic mountain roads, and surrounding villages, farms, forests, and castles. The city's mild April weather, with temperatures ranging from 6 to 17°C, makes it pleasant for exploring both the city and the surrounding countryside.
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Enjoy Easter markets and festivities
Austria is a predominantly Catholic country, with other forms of Christianity also being practised, so Easter is an important festival. Easter markets are usually set up in Austrian towns and cities a couple of weeks before Holy Week.
If you're in Salzburg, you'll find the Osterfestspiele (Easter Festival), a 10-day event with opera, orchestral and choral concerts, and chamber music. Salzburg is also known for its Easter Music Festival, with opera and other classical orchestral concerts taking place during Easter week.
In Hall in Tirol, you'll find the Haller Ostermarkt, or Easter market, with more than 25 stalls selling handmade Easter decorations. In the Baroque hall of the adjacent school, artists work on and display their unique Easter egg art.
Innsbruck and Hall in Tirol also host the Tyrol Easter Festival, which presents different art forms under a new motto each year.
In Vienna, you'll find markets set up throughout the city, selling crafts and food, with egg painting and wine tasting. The city also hosts the Steiermark Frühling festival, which celebrates the Austrian province of Styria with apples, beer, wine, pumpkins, and traditional lederhosen dress and crafts like basket weaving.
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Experience the Salzburg Easter Music Festival
If you're in Austria in April, the Salzburg Easter Festival is a must-visit. This classical music and opera festival is an annual event held during Holy Week, in the week leading up to Easter. Founded in 1967 by conductor Herbert von Karajan, the festival has become a highlight of Austria's cultural calendar, known for its exclusive and artistically brilliant performances.
The 2025 edition, taking place from 12-21 April, promises a rich programme featuring three renowned orchestras: the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, and the Mozarteum Orchestra. At the heart of the festival is a new production of Modest Mussorgsky's "Khovanshchina", accompanied by three orchestral and two choral concerts. The "Dance and Electro" programme, introduced in 2023, will also return, showcasing the versatility of the festival.
The Salzburg Easter Festival has a rich history of star appeal, with Karajan conducting every opera and concert performance for nearly two decades. The festival has featured top orchestras like the Berlin Philharmonic, which served as the resident orchestra for most of the festival's history, and the Dresden Staatskapelle, which replaced them between 2013 and 2022. The Berlin Philharmonic is set to return in 2026, under the baton of chief conductor Kirill Petrenko.
The festival is known for its high-quality productions, with sophisticated operas, chamber music concerts, and lied recitals. It has also experimented with diverse genres, including children's concerts, jazz, and contemporary music. Patrons of the festival receive exclusive benefits, including advance purchase rights for tickets, ensuring they can secure their attendance for this much-anticipated cultural event.
When visiting the Salzburg Easter Festival, be sure to explore the beautiful city of Salzburg as well. Take a stroll through the historic Old Town, visit the impressive Fortress Hohensalzburg, or discover the charms of Schloss Hellbrunn. With its musical heritage, stunning scenery, and cultural offerings, Salzburg is a delightful destination to pair with your festival experience.
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Take a road trip from Vienna to Salzburg
April is a great time to take a road trip from Vienna to Salzburg. The weather is mild, dry, and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 17°C. You can expect to see flowers blooming and enjoy the beauty of spring in Austria.
The drive from Vienna to Salzburg is approximately 300 kilometres, and you can reach your destination in about three hours via the A1 motorway (West Autobahn). However, to make the most of your journey, consider taking a more scenic route and stopping at some charming towns and villages along the way. Here are some suggestions for your road trip itinerary:
Day 1: Vienna
Spend the first day exploring the beautiful city of Vienna. Immerse yourself in the rich culture, admire the baroque and gothic architecture, and indulge in the thriving indie art and music scene. Don't forget to try the delicious food and wines that the city has to offer.
Day 2: Hallstatt
On your second day, depart from Vienna and drive towards the storybook town of Hallstatt. Nestled between a mountain range and a lake, Hallstatt offers breathtaking natural scenery. Spend the day exploring the town, and if you have extra time, consider staying for a night or two to enjoy biking and hiking in the surrounding areas.
Day 3: Salzkammergut Region
After Hallstatt, continue your journey to the Salzkammergut region, known for its picturesque lakeside towns. Make short stops in beautiful towns such as St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen, and Mondsee.
Day 4: Salzburg
On the fourth day, arrive in the gorgeous city of Salzburg, nestled in the mountains. Visit the historic Old Town, explore Fortress Hohensalzburg, and stroll through the charming squares. As the birthplace of Mozart, be sure to attend a classical music concert or opera during the Easter Music Festival if your trip coincides with Easter.
You can also extend your road trip beyond Salzburg and continue to Germany or the Czech Republic. Alternatively, you can return to Vienna and explore more of the city, including the Schönbrunn Palace and the blooming gardens in April.
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Frequently asked questions
In April, the average temperature in Austria is 17°C (62°F), with a minimum of 10°C (50°F) and a maximum of 17°C (62°F). There is also an average of seven rainy days in April.
Vienna is a great city to visit in April. You can enjoy the cherry blossoms and other flowers blooming in the city's gardens and parks. There are also many exhibitions to visit, such as the Aut Now exhibition at the MAK, the Angst exhibition at the Jewish Museum, and the Klima Biennale. If Easter falls in April, you can also visit the Easter markets.
April is a great time for a road trip across Austria. You can drive from Vienna to Salzburg, which is a 190-mile (300-km) route that includes high-speed autobahns and tunneled mountain roads. You can also visit Gesause National Park, which offers skiing, hiking, and rafting. Alternatively, you can visit Hohe Tauern National Park, which is Austria's oldest and largest national park.
You can visit the city of Linz, explore the Wachau Valley for wine tasting, and experience the Salzburg Easter Festival. You can also soak in the culture of Salzburg and Innsbruck, and take day trips from there.
April is the shoulder season for travel to Austria, so you can expect milder temperatures and lower prices. However, if Easter falls in April, public holiday closures may disrupt your sightseeing plans. It is also a good idea to pack an umbrella, as Austria tends to have a lot of rain.
