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August is a great time to visit Austria, with warm weather and sunny days, and the country has plenty of activities to offer. From music and cultural festivals to outdoor swimming in its lakes, rivers and lidos, there's something for everyone. The month is also a peak season for travel, with tourists flocking to experience the lush greenery and enjoy the comfortable temperatures, which average around 19°C to 24°C. So, if you're planning to visit Austria in August, here's a guide to help you make the most of your trip.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weather | Sunny, warm, and humid with temperatures of 19°C on average, 24°C at the highest, and 14°C at the lowest |
| Tourist Season | Peak season for travel |
| Attractions | Music and cultural festivals, open-air cinemas, outdoor swimming, hiking in the Alps, museums, concert halls, historical buildings, and local food |
| Festivals | Salzburg Summer Festival, Carinthian Summer Music Festival, Electric Nation Graz, Bregenz Summer Festival, Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, Grafenegg Music Festival |
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What You'll Learn
Explore the natural environment, from mountains to lakes
Austria is known for its natural beauty, and there is plenty to explore in August. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a great way to experience this. The road is quite far from major cities, so it's best to take a 5-day break in Klagenfurt to make the trip easier. Along the way, you'll find several viewpoints with breathtaking sights, including the Franz-Josefs-Hohe viewpoint, where you can see Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner, and the Pasterze Glacier.
If you're looking for a mix of adventure and natural beauty, the Hohe Tauern National Park is perfect. As the largest national park in the Alps, it offers hikers of all levels the chance to explore crystal-clear streams, green meadows, and towering peaks. Some trails even lead through small alpine villages, where you can enjoy traditional Austrian meals and immerse yourself in the local culture.
For a day trip from Salzburg, the Eisriesenwelt is a fantastic option. It's a natural wonder thousands of years in the making, with stunning ice formations to discover. Be sure to arrive early and wear sturdy shoes and warm layers, even in summer.
If you're looking for a more relaxed natural experience, the Mirabell Gardens offer free promenade concerts in the mornings and illuminated fountain concerts in the evenings. From mid-June to August, the Hedge Theatre in the gardens hosts performances by local dance groups, vocalists, musicians, and folk artists.
For animal lovers, the Schonbrunn Zoo in Vienna is a must-see. It's the oldest existing zoo in the world, combining the natural world with its rich history. The zoo is home to over 700 species, including giant pandas, tigers, orangutans, koalas, and elephants.
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Attend music festivals, like the famous Salzburg Summer Festival
If you're visiting Austria in August, you're in for a treat. The country is known for its music festivals, and you'll be spoiled for choice! One of the most famous and longest-running music festivals is the Salzburg Summer Festival, which usually takes place in July and August. This festival has been running since 1920 and celebrates opera, music, and drama. The beautiful city of Salzburg becomes one big stage, with performances taking place across various venues. The programme includes classics and world-renowned artists, as well as special shows for young people. In 2024, the festival ran from 19 July to 31 August, with around 222,500 tickets available for opera, drama, and concert performances. The 2025 programme includes Peter Sellars' staging of Gustav Mahler's 'Der Abschied', 'The Last Days of Mankind' by Karl Kraus, and a celebration of Pierre Boulez's 100th birthday. The festival opens with the baroque opera 'Giulio Cesare in Egitto' by George Frideric Handel.
If you're looking for a festival with a stunning lake setting, then the Carinthian Summer Music Festival at Lake Ossiach might be for you. This festival showcases performances by some of the finest classical musicians in the world. You can also explore the beautiful gothic church of St. Martin in Feldkirchen, Glanegg Castle, and the Ossiach Abbey.
For fans of electronic music, Electric Nation Graz is a one-day EDM festival that usually takes place on the first of August.
In addition to these music festivals, Austria also offers a range of other cultural experiences in August. You can enjoy open-air cinemas, night markets, and food and wine festivals. The weather in August is typically warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 14°C to 24°C, making it an excellent time to explore all that Austria has to offer!
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Visit museums, concert halls, and historical buildings
Austria is a great place to visit in August, with plenty to see and do. The country's museums, concert halls, and historical buildings are particularly worth exploring.
Museums
Start your trip in Vienna, where most of the city's museums are located in the historic city centre, south of the Imperial Palace. Here, you'll find the Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK), which is a must-visit for contemporary art enthusiasts. The Technisches Museum Wien is another excellent option for those interested in technology and the Natural History Museum is highly recommended for its impressive collection of gemstones and crystals, as well as dinosaur exhibits. If you're an aviation enthusiast, Hangar-7 in Salzburg offers a unique experience with its collection of planes, helicopters, and race cars, alongside a fine dining experience.
Concert Halls
For a truly immersive experience of Vienna's music scene, the Vienna Musikverein is a must-visit. This concert hall combines tradition with exceptional sound quality, and its "Golden Hall" is renowned for its acoustics and opulent decor. The annual New Year's Concert, performed by the Vienna Philharmonic, is a highlight for many, with tickets available at the beginning of the year.
Historical Buildings
Austria has a wealth of historical buildings to explore. In Vienna, the Postsparkasse building, designed by Otto Wagner in 1903, is a revolutionary example of modern architecture. Maria Am Gestade, a Gothic church, is another notable site. Outside of Vienna, Melk Abbey, with its Baroque architecture, library, and church, is well worth a visit. The Salzburg Cathedral, where Mozart was baptised, is also a significant historical site with a rich history.
With its mix of museums, concert halls, and historical buildings, Austria offers a culturally enriching experience for visitors in August, providing a unique insight into the country's art, music, and architectural heritage.
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Try Austrian dishes, such as Käsekrainer sausages and apple strudel
Austria is a beautiful country to visit in August, with warm sunny days and a rich history and culture to explore. One of the best ways to experience Austrian culture is through its cuisine, and there are two iconic dishes you should definitely try: Käsekrainer sausages and apple strudel.
Käsekrainer sausages are a type of cheese-filled sausage that is a staple of Viennese cuisine. They are typically made with pork and studded with Emmenthaler cheese, then smoked over apple wood. When cooked, the cheese melts, creating a distinctive texture and taste. The escaping cheese often forms a crust across the outside, and the sausages are usually served with a white or dark bread roll, mustard, and ketchup. You can find Käsekrainer sausages at sausage stands, football stadiums, and markets like Naschmarkt, Vienna's largest market.
Apple strudel is a traditional Austrian dessert made with puff pastry, apples, and raisins. The pastry is key to this dish, and the best kind is a frozen, ready-made puff pastry that is buttery, flaky, and light. The butter is worked inside the dough, folded, and rolled out multiple times before freezing, creating light, delicious layers. Granny Smith apples are a popular choice for the filling due to their tartness, which balances the sweetness of the brown sugar. Some recipes also include cinnamon, nutmeg, walnuts, or rum for a richer flavor. Apple strudel is best eaten fresh, as the pastry can become soggy if stored for too long.
In addition to these dishes, Austria has many other culinary delights to offer, and its music festivals, scenic train rides, and beautiful architecture make it a wonderful place to visit in August.
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Go hiking in the Alps or whitewater rafting in Tyrol
Austria is a beautiful country to visit in August, with its sunny days and warm temperatures. If you're an adventure-seeker, you may want to consider going hiking in the Alps or whitewater rafting in Tyrol.
Hiking in the Alps
Hiking in the Alps is a great way to explore the stunning natural scenery of Austria. With the snow melted, you can enjoy the sound of music in the many music festivals that take place during this time, as well as explore the mountains. The Austrian Alps offer a range of hiking trails for all levels of experience, from beginner to advanced. You can choose to hike through lush green valleys, up rugged mountain peaks, or along scenic riverbanks. The choice is yours!
Whitewater Rafting in Tyrol
Tyrol is known for its spectacular rivers and streams, making it the perfect place for whitewater rafting adventures. The region offers a variety of rafting options, from gentle rivers for beginners to more challenging whitewater routes for advanced rafters. Here are some of the popular spots for rafting in Tyrol:
- Imst Gorge: This is one of the most famous whitewater stretches in Europe, known for its large waves and strong currents. It offers an exciting and thrilling experience for rafters.
- Ötztaler Ache: Starting in the village of Oetz, this river provides 13km of huge waves, long rapids, and large boulder slaloms. It is considered one of the most action-packed and best rafting sections in the Alps.
- Tösen Gorge: Together with Ötztaler Ache, this river offers exciting challenges with its raging water passages.
- The Inn: This river offers a mix of calm passages and action-packed waves and rapids. It is a great option for those who want to enjoy the beautiful landscape while also experiencing the thrill of whitewater rafting.
- Isel: This glacier river offers varying degrees of difficulty, making it a good option for both beginners and experienced rafters.
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Frequently asked questions
August is the height of summer in Austria, with warm sunny days and average temperatures of 19°C. The average high can reach 24°C, while on cooler days, the temperature can drop to 14°C.
In August, Vienna is relatively quiet as locals tend to leave the city for their vacations. However, there are still plenty of things to do, such as:
- Visiting Naschmarkt, Vienna's largest market, which has been running since the 16th century.
- Exploring the city's museums, concert halls, historical buildings, and cafes.
- Attending the open-air Music Film Festival on Rathausplatz.
- Visiting the Schönbrunn Palace gardens.
- Enjoying summer activities at Old Danube.
- Taking part in the Gürtel Nightwalk, which highlights the urban regeneration of a stretch of the Gürtel road that has become a popular spot for clubs, bars, and venues.
- Going to the Kino am Dach film festival, which has screenings on top of the main city library.
Austria has a rich tradition of music, and there are many music festivals across the country in August, such as:
- The Salzburg Summer Festival, one of the biggest classical music and drama events in the country, held in Mozart's hometown.
- The Bregenz Summer Festival, which takes place on the shores of Lake Constance, with a floating stage set up for performances.
- The Grafenegg Music Festival, an international festival close to Vienna that is renowned for its open-air acoustics and stunning scenery on castle grounds.
- The Carinthian Summer Music Festival, which features performances by world-renowned classical musicians in various venues in Carinthia.
- Electric Nation Graz, a one-day EDM festival.
In addition to music festivals, other activities to do in Austria in August include:
- Outdoor swimming in the country's thousands of lakes, rivers, and lidos.
- Hiking in the Austrian Alps, especially in national parks like High Tauern National Park.
- Attending the Old Timer's Parade in Vienna, a gathering of vintage cars that takes place annually in August.
