Lexi Webster
Austria in May is a great time to visit, with the snow beginning to melt and the alpine greenery of the mountains coming to life. The weather is generally pleasant, with daytime temperatures of around 18 to 20°C, making it perfect for hiking and exploring the country's beautiful natural landscapes. It's also a lean season in terms of tourism, so you can expect cheap travel and accommodation options, as well as fewer crowds. From food festivals and classical music concerts to picturesque towns and stunning natural wonders, here is a guide to what you can see and do in Austria during the month of May.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weather | Mild temperatures, occasional rain, warm and pleasant daytime temperatures of 18-20°C in lower-lying cities, cooler at altitude |
| Nature | Alpine greenery, melting snow on the Alps, waterfalls, lakes, mountains, hiking trails |
| Cities | Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Graz, Innsbruck, Seefeld in Tirol, Berchtesgaden, Munich |
| Attractions | Ambras Castle, Eisriesenwelt Cave, Museum Quartier, Dachstein Caves, Schonbrunn Palace gardens, State Room of the Austrian National Library, Admont Library, St. Florian Library |
| Activities | Food festival in Vienna, classical music concert in Salzburg, hiking, motorcycle trip through the mountains, cable car trips |
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Go hiking in the mountains
Austria is a hiker's paradise, with about 60% of the country being mountainous. The Austrian Alps have been inhabited for thousands of years and are made up of three principal mountain ranges: the Northern Limestone Alps, the Central Alps, and the Southern Limestone Alps. Each principal range comprises 15-25 sub-ranges, providing a plethora of hiking options.
May is a great time to visit Austria as the summer season begins, and the snow on the Alps starts to melt, revealing lush alpine greenery. The hiking season in Austria usually lasts from mid-June to mid-late September, with July, August, and September being the best months to hike. However, some low-lying lodges may open their doors in May, and the weather in May is perfect for trekking through the green pastures and alpine vegetation.
The Karwendel Mountains, part of the Northern Limestone Alps, offer a range of hiking options. The Karwendel Nature Park, the largest protected area in Tirol, is a must-visit. It encompasses 727 square kilometres and includes the popular multi-day hike, the 6-stage Karwendel High Trail. The Grosser Ahornboden, a secluded valley with 2,300 sycamore maple trees, is another beautiful destination within the Karwendel Mountains. This valley is only accessible via a toll road open from May to October.
The Zillertal Alps, accessible from the Zillertal Valley in Tyrol, offer quintessential alpine scenery with glaciated peaks, mountain huts, lakes, and sweeping vistas. The Berlin High Trail and the Peter Habeler Route are popular hut-to-hut hiking trails in this region. Mayrhofen, a town in the Ziller Valley, is a great base for day hikes, with easy access to various hiking trailheads by bus or car.
The town of Seefeld in Tirol, above Innsbruck, is another hiker's dream. It sits at an elevation of 4,000 feet and offers over 100 hiking routes of varying lengths and difficulty levels. The train ride between Seefeld and Innsbruck is a scenic 36-minute ride, passing through stunning mountain landscapes.
Austria's mountains are dotted with rustic mountain huts, where hikers can take a break, enjoy regional specialties, and soak in the breathtaking views. These huts, managed by the Austrian Alpine Club, offer a unique culinary and cultural experience with traditional Austrian food and drinks like beer, schnapps, and local wine.
So, if you're looking for an adventure in May, Austria's mountains provide the perfect opportunity to explore nature, indulge in local cuisine, and create unforgettable memories.
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Visit Hallstatt
Hallstatt is a picturesque town in Austria, surrounded by stunning natural beauty. It is located by a lake, with the towering mountains of the Alps as its backdrop. In May, the snow on the Alps begins to melt, revealing lush alpine greenery. This makes it an excellent time to visit Hallstatt, as you can enjoy the scenery without the peak season crowds.
Getting There and Getting Around
Hallstatt is best visited as a day trip from Salzburg, the closest city, which is easily accessible by public transportation. If you are staying in Vienna, you can also take a bus tour to Hallstatt. To avoid crowds, it is recommended to visit Hallstatt in the off-season months, and to arrive in the morning or evening.
Attractions
Hallstatt offers a range of attractions, including:
- The Hallstatt Skywalk and Observation Deck: This scenic spot provides panoramic views of the mountains and the lake. It also includes a historic salt mine tour and a cable car ride.
- The Hallstatt Museum: This museum showcases the history of the area, with a focus on the Hallstatt Era from 800 to 400 B.C. It also covers the Celts and Romans who inhabited the region, its flora and fauna, and the town's evolution during the Romantic Age.
- The Lutheran Church: Located in the centre of town, this church stands out due to its steep spire. It features a portrait of Martin Luther and an old picture of Hallstatt shortly after the church was built in 1865.
- Market Square: This bustling square sits in the heart of Hallstatt and is a great place to grab a bite to eat or do some shopping.
- Badestrand: This is the swimming and bathing area of Hallstatt, offering beautiful views of the Old Town across the lake. For even better views, you can rent a boat and explore the lake.
- Dachstein Caves: These caves, formed by two separate caverns spread across icy hollows, can be reached by cable car. Each cave offers guided tours that last about an hour.
- Salt Mines: Hallstatt is known for its salt mines, which have been in operation for over 7,000 years. A tour of the mines will take you through their history and show you how salt is mined.
With its stunning scenery, rich history, and variety of attractions, Hallstatt is a must-see destination when visiting Austria in May.
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Explore caves
May is a great time to visit Austria, as the country is sandwiched between spring and summer, offering good food, clean cities, great natural beauty, cheap travel and accommodation, and Renaissance architecture. It is also a good time to explore the country's many caves, which are mostly located in the Northern Limestone Alps, in the geographical region of Salzkammergut and in the Totes Gebirge.
One of the most popular cave systems is the Dachstein Caves, formed by two different caves spread across icy hollows of 80km. The two caves, Mammuthohle and Rieseneishöhle, are separated by a distance of about 1km and can be easily reached by cable car. Individual tours of each cave last about an hour and can only be explored on guided tours. The area also offers amazing views of waterfalls and steep cliffs, which can be crossed via bridges and tunnels.
The Lurgrotte is another large cave system with two parts to visit. The second entrance has a larger dome and a greater number of stalactites and stalagmites, including the largest stalactite known so far. This tour involves a small hike where you walk up and down a gorge with a waterfall.
For those looking for a more off-the-beaten-path experience, the Tischofer cave is known for its Stone Age bone finds, including tools and spear tips. It is approximately 40m long, 20m wide and 9m high, and can be reached after a one-hour hike from the car park by the tennis court in Mixnitz. Visitors are advised to bring a headlamp and no torches are allowed.
Finally, the Einödhöhle cave is accessible in May and offers a beautiful climb from the car park. It is known for its bizarre royal cave, which was already inhabited and can be explored with a cave guide in the winter.
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Attend a festival
Austria is known as a land of music and festivals, with events catering to all tastes. May is a great time to visit Austria, as the summer season begins, the snow on the Alps starts to melt, and alpine greenery emerges. This period is also lean in terms of tourist numbers, so you can take advantage of cheap travel and lodging options.
One festival you can attend in May is Austria's largest food festival, which takes place in Stadtpark, Vienna. Over 200 food stalls showcase the full diversity of Austria's regional cuisine. You can sample Austrian sourdough bread, gnocchi with poppy seeds, and Vorarlberg cheese Knopfle, among other delicacies. Local bakers and farmers also exhibit their work traditions.
If you're looking for a festival that combines music and nature, consider the St. Margareten Opera Festival, which takes place every summer. Guests can enjoy monumental opera productions in one of Europe's most impressive open-air arenas. The medieval walls become the stage for impressive productions at Austria's largest unamplified opera festival.
For those interested in a more diverse range of musical styles, the Grafenegg Music Festival, the world-famous Salzburg Festival, and the Saalfelden Jazz Festival offer everything from classical music to avant-garde experiments and jazz. The Salzburg Festival, in particular, draws visitors from all over the globe to the city of Mozart each summer.
If you're looking for a festival that offers more than just music, consider the Long Night of the Stages in Linz. This marathon of the arts features nearly 200 events across 30 venues, including theatre performances, dance shows, art installations, and interactive stagings. With tickets priced at only €12, the festival aims to make culture accessible to all.
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See Vienna
Vienna in May is a great time to experience the city's culture, food, and outdoors. The weather is pleasant, and the tourist crowds are relatively low, making it an excellent time for leisurely exploration. Here is a list of things to see and do in Vienna during this month:
Explore the City's Rich History and Culture
Vienna has a vibrant cultural scene, with various events and exhibitions showcasing its artistic and historical heritage. Visit the Albertina art museum to admire works by Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Dürer. Check out the Wien Museum's "Controlled Freedom" exhibition, which explores how international culture shaped Austria's character post-World War II. Art enthusiasts can also attend the Affordable Art Fair at Marx Halle or the Art at the Park high-end art fair at the Park Hyatt hotel.
Indulge in Vienna's Culinary Delights
May offers several food festivals that celebrate Austrian cuisine and local produce. The Stadtpark hosts the Genuss Festival, showcasing the best of regional and small-scale food production. The Waldviertelpur festival highlights the cuisine of the Waldviertel region, famous for its poppy seed specialities. The European Street Food Festival brings together international food trucks, offering a diverse array of culinary delights. Don't miss the chance to sample traditional Austrian dishes, like sourdough bread, poppy seed gnocchi, and Vorarlberg cheese.
Experience Vienna's Vibrant Music Scene
Music is an integral part of Vienna's cultural fabric. The Vienna Blues Spring festival continues through May, filling various venues with soulful tunes. The #wienliebe festival at Rathausplatz celebrates all things Viennese, including music and performances across different genres. If you're a classical music enthusiast, book a classical concert experience or attend the Summer Night classical concert in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, where the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs for free.
Discover Vienna's Green Spaces
Take advantage of the pleasant May weather to explore Vienna's beautiful green spaces. Stroll through the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace or visit the International Orchid Show at Hirschstetten Gardens. Wander along the Ringstrasse, soaking up the city's architectural beauty. And don't forget to relax in one of Vienna's famous cafés, such as Café Central, with its stunning domed ceilings and delicious pastries.
Special Events
May also hosts several unique events, such as the Long Night of the Churches, where you can participate in activities and tours in Christian institutions. The Vienna COMIX expo celebrates comics, anime, sci-fi, gaming, and fantasy. If you're feeling active, join the ASICS Austrian Women's Run or the Vienna Marathon.
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Frequently asked questions
The weather in Austria in May is pleasant and warm, with temperatures of around 18 to 20°C during the day. It gets cooler at night, with temperatures dropping to 9 to 11°C. It occasionally rains, but it is generally dry.
May is a great time to go hiking or trekking in the mountains. You can also take a motorcycle trip through the scenic mountain roads in southern Austria between Innerkrems and Ebene Reichenau, which passes through the UNESCO-listed Nockberge Biosphere Reserve.
There are several festivals and events to enjoy in Austria during May. This includes the Whitsun Festival in Salzburg, which celebrates Baroque music, opera, and ballet. You can also attend the Vienna Culinary Festival, a three-day food festival in Stadtpark, and the Vienna Festival of Arts and Music, which celebrates creativity and innovation through various art forms.
Some popular places to visit in Austria in May include Hallstatt, a beautiful Alpine lake-side town, and Innsbruck, where you can find Ambras Castle, a Renaissance fortress with stunning gardens and exhibits. You can also visit the Eisriesenwelt Cave, the largest ice cave in the world accessible to humans, or take a cable car ride to the Dachstein Caves.
May is a great time to visit Austria as it is the shoulder season before the summer rush, so you can find discounted airfare and accommodation. It is also a good time to explore the country on a rail pass, which offers unlimited travel at a cheaper rate.
