Lyla Lindsey
Austria is a mesmerizingly beautiful country to visit in September. The fall season is one of the most beautiful times of the year to explore the landscape, with the temperature being just right for cycling, trekking, hiking and adventure sports. It is also the perfect time to visit the countryside and cities like Graz, Vienna and Innsbruck. There are also several festivals and fairs, including St. Rupert's Day Fair, the Ars Electronica Festival, and the Wiener Wiesn-Fest, where you can sing, drink and celebrate all things Viennese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average temperature | 10°C to 15°C |
| Season | Fall |
| Activities | Cycling, trekking, hiking, adventure sports, skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing, winter hiking |
| Festivals | Ars Electronica Festival, St. Rupert's Day Fair, Wiener Wiesn-Fest, Eggenburg's Mediaeval festival, Rathaus Music Film Festival, Harvest Festival |
| Cities to visit | Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Kaprun, Zell am See, Bad Ischl, Linz |
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What You'll Learn
Explore the countryside and natural scenery
With its mix of diverse landscapes, the Austrian countryside is a sight to behold in September. The pleasant weather in September makes it a great time to explore the natural scenery and engage in outdoor activities such as cycling, trekking, and hiking. Here are some places to explore:
Wachau Valley
Take a trip down the Wachau Valley, a picturesque destination with stunning views.
Salzkammergut
The Salzkammergut area, with its large and interesting landscapes, is worth exploring. The region boasts rolling meadows, rugged peaks, and vast stretches of pear orchards, offering a mix of diverse landscapes that will take your breath away.
Innsbruck
Innsbruck, known as the Capital of the Alps, is surrounded by the majestic Nordkette mountains. Take a cable car up to the Nordkette range, or visit the old town with its winding alleys and traditional restaurants serving classic Tyrolean cuisine.
Hohe Tauern National Park
Hohe Tauern National Park is the largest nature reserve in the Alps, home to the tallest waterfalls in Central Europe, the Krimml Waterfalls. The park also offers rafting in the Enns River, as well as scenic viewpoints and the Laufernbauern Bridge.
Dachstein Glacier
Covering Styria's highest mountain, the Dachstein Glacier is a stunning sight. Take a panoramic cable car up 3,000 feet to witness the transformation of the scenery into misty clouds and sheer cliffs. At the glacier, you can walk on the "Staircase to Nowhere" skywalk and look down through a glass panel at the Dachstein ridge.
Wörthersee
Located near the Slovenian border, Wörthersee is one of Austria's largest lakes, known for its green-blue colour and warm waters. It is a popular holiday destination, offering swimming and public beaches alongside private villas.
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Visit Graz, Austria's second-largest city
Graz, Austria's second-largest city, is a charming and historic place to visit in September. The city is easily accessible by train from other Austrian cities, with a journey time of approximately two hours from Vienna and three hours from Linz.
Graz has a rich historical heritage and a vibrant cultural scene. The city played a significant role during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, particularly as an administrative and military centre for the powerful Habsburg royal family. The University of Graz, founded in 1585, is one of the oldest in Austria. The city also boasts impressive architecture, including the Schlossberg with its Clock Tower, the Styrian Arsenal, and numerous palaces built by Italian craftsmen.
The centrepiece of Graz is the Rathaus, located at one end of the Hauptplatz. The Alte Galerie, part of the Universalmuseum Joanneum, features impressive old master paintings. The Schloss Eggenberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases the unique cultural panorama of Styria, with its combination of Baroque interiors, magical gardens, and impressive collections.
Graz offers a range of activities for visitors. The Graz Card provides access to public transport, the funicular to Schlossberg, free admission to museums, a guided tour of the historic centre, and various discounts. The city is also known for its street food stalls, offering a variety of cuisines.
September is an ideal month to visit Graz and the surrounding countryside, as the fall season brings mild temperatures and beautiful scenery. It's the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities such as cycling, trekking, and hiking.
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Attend the Ars Electronica Festival
If you're visiting Austria in September, the Ars Electronica Festival is a must-attend event. This renowned festival, held annually since its inception in 1979, offers a unique blend of art, technology, and culture. Here's why you should attend and what you can expect from this extraordinary festival:
A Celebration of Art, Technology, and Ideas
The Ars Electronica Festival is not just about entertainment; it's a platform for critical discourse and a showcase of the intersection between art and technology. The festival has consistently explored the Digital Revolution and its impact on our lives, scrutinizing potential futures. It brings together artists, scientists, developers, designers, and activists to discuss and exhibit works that shape our technological progress.
Diverse Programming and Venues
Each year, the festival is dedicated to a new theme, with organizers selecting interesting venues across the city. From subterranean tunnels to monasteries and former industrial spaces, the festival breaks free from conventional conference rooms, creating unique atmospheres for cultural and scientific encounters. The diverse program includes exhibitions, concerts, performances, DJ sets, talks, lectures, and conferences, ensuring there's something for every taste.
International Artists and Renowned Speakers
The festival attracts over 1,000 artists and scientists from more than 40 countries, along with renowned speakers and media representatives. You'll have the opportunity to discover up-and-coming artists and witness the works of established names in the media art scene. The Prix Ars Electronica Exhibition showcases the best media art works of the year, honored by an international jury.
Music for Every Taste
Music is central to the Ars Electronica Festival, with a diverse range of genres represented. From classical to digital music, and even traditional Austrian folk music, the festival reflects the rich tapestry of sounds that make up the Austrian cultural experience.
A Festival for the Community
Ars Electronica recognizes the importance of community engagement and actively involves the public in its discourse. The festival attracts thousands of visitors, creating a vibrant atmosphere where old friends and new faces come together to celebrate and discuss the future.
Mark your calendars for the next Ars Electronica Festival, taking place from September 3-7, 2025, in Linz, Austria. Immerse yourself in this extraordinary festival that blends art, technology, and community, providing a platform for critical thinking and creative expression.
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Go to a traditional Almabtrieb cattle drive
If you're visiting Austria in September, one unique experience you can have is going to a traditional Almabtrieb cattle drive. This is a centuries-old tradition in Austria and other European Alpine regions, where cows are herded from their summer mountain pastures to the lower valleys for the winter. The few farmers who still take part in this UNESCO World Heritage tradition walk with their cows for miles, from dawn to dusk, back to their farms. The cows are elaborately decorated with flowers, ribbons, and other ornaments, and wear bells and heavy headgear. The farmers and cows are welcomed by onlookers when they enter the village, and the cow bells add to the festive atmosphere.
Almabtriebe are usually held on Saturdays in the last two weeks of September, in villages across Austria. The exact dates vary by region, but they typically take place in the period from mid-September to early October. The most accessible and impressive Almabtriebe are held in the eastern parts of Tyrol, between the ski resorts of Kitzbühel, Kufstein, and Jenbach. The cattle drive in Reith im Alpbachtal, a picturesque village in Tyrol, is one of the biggest, attracting thousands of visitors. The festivities start early on Saturday morning with a farmers' market, and the cattle drive takes place in the afternoon.
In the Salzburg, Styria, Carinthia, and Upper Austria regions, the customs and headgear are different. In Montafon (Vorarlberg), the cattle drives are called Alpabtrieb, and cows are decorated with medicinal mountain plants like juniper and rosemary. The night before the downward cattle drive is known as the Gru-Nacht, and farmers get up early to decorate the cows.
If you plan to attend an Almabtrieb, it's recommended to stay in or near the town to avoid parking issues. These events attract many visitors, so it's best to plan your accommodation accordingly.
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Try Austrian food and drink at Wiener Wiesn-Fest
September is a wonderful time to visit Austria, as the country offers a range of exciting events and activities during this month. One of the most unique and enjoyable experiences is the Wiener Wiesn-Fest, a celebration of Austrian culture, food, and drink. This festival is a highlight of the autumn calendar and offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in traditional Austrian hospitality.
The Wiener Wiesn-Fest takes place in Vienna and is an annual event that usually runs for about three weeks from mid-September to early October. It is inspired by the famous Oktoberfest in Munich and brings a similar vibe, but on a smaller and more intimate scale. The festival is a great opportunity to sample Austrian cuisine and beverages, with an emphasis on traditional, regional produce. Visitors can expect to find a wide variety of food and drink options, including many that are unique to Austria.
The festival grounds are transformed into a Bavarian-style village, with decorated tents, wooden benches, and a cozy atmosphere. Live music and entertainment add to the festive vibe, with folk bands, brass ensembles, and traditional dancing. It's a wonderful setting to enjoy a meal and a drink, and you'll feel like you've stepped back in time. The festival also features a funfair with rides and games, as well as a market area where you can purchase Austrian crafts and souvenirs.
Now, let's delve into the culinary delights you can expect. Austrian cuisine is hearty and flavorful, with a strong emphasis on meat, potatoes, and seasonal ingredients. At the Wiener Wiesn-Fest, you'll find a range of traditional dishes, including schnitzel, goulash, and sausage specialties such as Käsekrainer (cheese-filled sausage) and Wiener Würstl (Vienna sausages). These are often served with a side of crispy roast potatoes or a fresh bread roll. For those who enjoy their meat, there's also the famous 'Tafelspitz', a boiled beef dish served with apple horseradish and chives. If you're feeling adventurous, try the 'Beuschel', a traditional Viennese dish of calf's lung and heart cooked with onions and vinegar.
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Frequently asked questions
The average temperature in September is between 10°C and 15°C, so it's a good time to visit if you don't like it too hot or too cold.
The pleasant weather in September makes it a great time to enjoy the outdoors. You can go cycling, trekking, hiking, and even tobogganing or snowshoeing if there's snow.
There are lots of amazing festivals and fairs in Austria in September, including St. Rupert's Day Fair in Salzburg, the Ars Electronica Festival in Linz, and the Wiener Wiesn-Fest in Vienna.
You can visit the country's castles, fortresses, and palaces, many of which are open throughout the winter. There are also plenty of museums and galleries to explore, such as the full-scale art exhibition inside the Votivkirche, featuring reproductions of frescoes by Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni.
