Exploring Austria In March: Activities And Adventures

what to do in austria in march

Austria in March is a winter paradise, with plenty of activities for visitors of all ages and interests. The weather is slightly humid, with temperatures ranging from 7 to 15 degrees Celsius, making it perfect for exploring the country's well-planned cities and mesmerizing sights. Here are some highlights for things to do in Austria in March:

- Skiing and other winter sports are still possible in March, especially in areas surrounded by the Alps, such as Vienna and Innsbruck.

- Explore the beautiful palaces and their gardens, such as Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace in Vienna, and the Habsburg palace complex in Salzburg.

- Enjoy the art and exhibitions in Vienna, including the works of Gustav Klimt and the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

- Experience the food and culture at the various festivals, such as the Styrian Spring Festival and the Global Cuisine Festival.

- Visit the capital, Vienna, and explore its fine art, architecture, and museums, such as the Wien Museum and the National Library.

Characteristics Values
Weather Humid summer with temperatures ranging from 7 to 15 degrees Celsius
Clothing Woollen clothes, warm coat, gloves, hat, and waterproof boots
Activities Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, trekking, sightseeing
Places to visit Vienna, Innsbruck, Graz, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Styria
Food Global Cuisine Festival
Art and exhibitions Jim Dine exhibition, Adrian Ghenie’s Shadow Paintings, Times of Change exhibition, Erwin Wurm exhibition, True Colors exhibition, Aut Now exhibition, Liechtenstein Garden Palace, Kunstforum Wien, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Heidi Horten Collection, Foto Wien
Palaces Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace, Habsburg palace complex, Gloriette
Gardens Schönbrunn, Belvedere, Lainzer Tiergarten, The Sound of Music garden in Salzburg
Festivals Easter markets, Tricky Women/Tricky Realities festival, International Women's Day, Styrian Spring Festival, Blues festival

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Visit the ski slopes

Austria is a haven for skiers, with about 60% of the country covered in mountains. The ski season in Austria typically runs from late December to late March or early April, with higher resorts staying open later.

March is a great time to visit the ski slopes in Austria, as the density of snow in the mountains gradually starts to reduce, making it an ideal time for skiing, especially for beginners and intermediates. The Stubai Glacier ski area is one of the highest in the country, with skiing available year-round, snow conditions permitting. The resort of Obertauern, located at an altitude of 1750m, is also a great option, with plans to stay open through to May 1. The medieval Tyrolean town of Kitzbühel is one of Austria's most exclusive resorts, with 233km of pistes and the world's longest ski circuit. Flachau is another excellent option, located in the heart of Snow Space Salzburg, with 120km of pistes connecting to other villages.

For those looking for a more relaxed ski experience, the resort of Innsbruck is a great choice, offering an easy hour-long transfer to the Stubai Gletscher. The town of Graz, considered the knowledge hub of Austria, is another excellent option for skiers, with six world-renowned universities and a vintage vibe.

When planning a ski trip to Austria in March, it is important to keep in mind that the weather can vary, with temperatures ranging from 7 to 15 degrees Celsius, and some rainfall and snowfall are also possible. Be sure to pack accordingly, with a mix of layers and waterproof clothing.

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Explore the country's palaces and gardens

Austria is brimming with impressive castles and palaces nestled in picturesque landscapes. Many of these historic buildings are open to the public and offer guided tours, providing a glimpse into the extravagant lives of the nobility. Here are some palaces and gardens to explore during your trip to Austria in March:

Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna

The gardens and sculpted gardens of Schönbrunn Palace are a must-see. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a vivid sense of the imperial past, with panoramic views and surrounding meadows, fields, and forests.

Belvedere Palaces in Vienna

The Upper Belvedere Palace is renowned for its Baroque gardens, ranked among the most beautiful in the world. The Lower Belvedere provides insight into the art of Gustav Klimt, showcasing the methods behind his paintings and impressive reconstructions.

Eggenberg Palace in Graz

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Eggenberg Palace, boasts stunning gardens and a unique history.

Hofburg Innsbruck

The newly renovated state rooms of Innsbruck's Imperial Palace have been meticulously restored to their 18th-century grandeur.

Ambras Castle

Ambras Castle houses the Habsburg Portrait Gallery, featuring over 200 portraits, as well as one of the most extensive glass collections globally and Archduke Ferdinand II's Chamber of Art and Curiosities.

Tratzberg Castle

Tratzberg Castle combines Renaissance architecture with digital innovation. Visitors can explore the castle through guided tours and virtual reality experiences.

Lainzer Tiergarten, Vienna

This managed nature protection area offers free-roaming deer and wild boar, along with walking paths through the woodland, play areas for children, and dining options.

The Alpine Garden

The Alpine Garden showcases a diverse collection of Alpine mountain plants alongside specimens from worldwide locations, including a Bonsai collection.

Vienna's Municipal Gardens

In March, Vienna's municipal gardens burst with spring colours, filling the city's parks and roadsides with tulips, daffodils, and other vibrant flowers.

Mohndorf, Lower Austria

Mohndorf is a small village known for its poppy fields and charming gardens. It offers walking paths, swings, grassy areas, and a pond, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and nature photography.

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Experience the food festivals

If you're looking to relax and enjoy world-class cuisine, Austria in March is the place to be. The Austrian Festival – Global Cuisine Festival is perfect for indulging in the country's culinary delights and unwinding with a cup of perfectly brewed coffee. This festival offers a much-needed break from the regular stress and tensions of daily life.

One of the highlights of the Austrian food festival scene in March is the Genussfestival, which takes place in Vienna. This festival celebrates all things gourmet, from innovative dishes to traditional delicacies. It is held in the restful, green surroundings of the City Park, offering a convenient way to experience the diverse tastes of Austria. Sample the wide range of culinary delights, from Alpine cheese to Styrian pumpkin seed oil and Lower Austrian wines.

For a unique blend of food, music, and culture, head to the hip and distinctive Genussfestival in Rathausplatz, Vienna. This festival showcases the food, wine, and rich cultural traditions of the southeastern Austrian province of Styria. Indulge in pumpkin seed snacks, local cheese and sausage, giant pretzels, and sweet rolls, all while enjoying performances by folk dancers and musicians in traditional costumes.

If you're a music lover, the Ottakringer Vinyl & Music Festival in Vienna is a must-attend event. Held in a working brewery, this festival combines a market, fair, exhibition, and gig into one. It features live acts, well-known DJs, and international artists, offering an authentic and local experience of modern music in Austria. So, whether you're a foodie, a culture enthusiast, or a music lover, Austria's food festivals in March have something for everyone.

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Enjoy the art exhibitions

Austria is a beautiful country to visit in March, with its well-planned cities, mesmerising sights, and a blend of tradition and modernisation. Its capital, Vienna, is particularly dazzling, with numerous art and other exhibitions taking place in March.

For instance, the Albertina Modern is hosting an exhibition on colour photography from its early beginnings in 1839 through to the mid-1950s, called 'True Colours: Colour in Photography from 1849 to 1955'. The exhibition features numerous vintage photos by way of illustration, including a photo of 'A Parrot' by Richard Neuhauss, taken in 1899.

The MAK – Museum of Applied Arts – is also hosting its first major exhibition in over 25 years, dedicated to the 'enfant terrible' of the Wiener Werkstätte, Dagobert Peche. The exhibition, 'Peche Pop. Tracing Dagobert Peche in the 21st Century', features a rainbow fabric panel designed by Peche in 1919.

The Liechtenstein Garden Palace is showcasing a free temporary exhibition, 'A Marvelous Science. Passion for Porcelain in Baroque Vienna', which includes exquisite porcelain and paintings.

The Albertina is presenting 'Leonardo – Dürer', an exhibition showcasing master drawings of the Renaissance against colourful backgrounds. This includes Albrecht Dürer's 'Head of the Lute-Playing Angel', created in 1506.

The Bank Austria Kunstforum Wien is presenting an exhibition on Anton Corbijn, an artist who works with photography, film, and design across different media. Corbijn has significantly shaped the way pop culture has been perceived since the 1970s. The exhibition includes a portrait of Jodie Foster, taken in 1995.

Additionally, the Wien Museum is hosting an exhibition exploring Vienna's sociocultural diversity through history, and the National Library is reviewing the last century of Austrian history through photographs.

If you're looking for a blend of music and art, the Salam Music & Arts Festival, held from 28 March to 6 April, might be worth considering.

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Trekking in Innsbruck

Innsbruck is a dream destination for adventurers, with world-class mountain scenery and some of the best hiking trails in Austria. In March, the density of snow in the mountains begins to reduce, making it an ideal place for trekking. The region offers a wide variety of hiking routes and tours, ranging from leisurely walks to challenging hikes, with lifts and cable cars providing access to the alpine landscape for people of all fitness levels.

One of the most beautiful winter hiking trails in Innsbruck is the Zirbenweg trail between Patscherkofel and Glungezer, which runs at an altitude of around 2,000 meters above sea level through one of Europe's largest stone pine forests. Another classic hike is the Goetheweg trail, which starts from the top of the Hafelekar cable car and leads to the Pfeishütte mountain hut, nestled in the alpine terrain.

Innsbruck also offers panoramic trails that soar above the tree line, providing breathtaking vistas of the valleys and mountains. The Kellerjoch Loop is a relatively easy hike that takes you through lush green meadows to the peak, offering a 360-degree view of the Inntal, considered one of the best in all of Austria. The Wolfsklamm hike is a fun and quick adventure through a narrow canyon along a raging river to an old pilgrimage site.

For a longer and more strenuous hike, consider the Halltal trail, which takes you along a panoramic route and eventually passes one of the most popular mountain shelters near Innsbruck. The Schaflegerkogel Loop is another challenging hike that traverses a beautiful ridge to four different peaks before descending into a wild valley. This trail offers amazing vistas and is known for its lack of crowds.

Innsbruck also has plenty of options for families and leisure hikers. The Zirbenweg trail, mentioned earlier, is a short, family-friendly hike that offers panoramic views of Innsbruck and the Inntal. The Natterer See hike is another short and easy option that takes you through a lovely forest to a beautiful lake, starting directly in Innsbruck. The winter hiking trail in Gries is a relaxing walk in the snow-covered countryside, suitable for families, and the trail in Wildermieming is also suitable for all ages, offering beautiful views of Wildermieming and the Stubai Alps.

Frequently asked questions

There are plenty of fun activities to do in Austria in March, including:

- Skiing in Innsbruck, which becomes an ideal place for skiing as the density of snow in the mountains gradually starts to reduce.

- Visiting the beautiful palace complex in Salzburg, which was made famous by the film The Sound of Music.

- Attending the Austrian Festival-Global Cuisine Festival, where you can enjoy world-class cuisine and relax with a cup of perfectly brewed coffee.

- Exploring the Lainzer Tiergarten, a managed nature protection area with free-roaming deer and wild boar, paths through the woodland, playing areas for kids, and places to eat.

- Experiencing the coffee culture in Vienna, where a single cup of coffee can keep you in a cafe for hours.

March is a shoulder season month for travel to Austria, with temperatures ranging from 7 to 15 degrees Celsius. It is slightly humid, with some rainfall, and there may still be some snow in the mountains.

You should pack some woollen clothes to protect yourself from the cold, as well as waterproof boots. It is also a good idea to bring essential items like medications, cosmetics, toiletries, and electronic devices.

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