Leslie Massey
The best time to tour Austria depends on your itinerary and preferences. If you're looking to explore larger cities such as Vienna, Graz, Linz, or Salzburg, the shoulder seasons of May, September, and October are ideal, offering pleasant weather and fewer crowds. For outdoor activities like hiking and boating in the mountains or lake districts, summer (June to August) is perfect, with longer days and warmer temperatures. Winter, from December to February, is a magical time to visit, with Christmas markets, the ball season, and winter sports, although days are shorter and temperatures colder. Spring and fall provide milder weather for sightseeing and fewer crowds, making them excellent choices for those wanting to avoid the peak season rush.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to visit cities | May, September, October |
| Best time to visit mountain and lake regions | July, August |
| Best time for winter sports | December to February |
| Best time to avoid crowds | April, early May, September, October |
| Best time for hiking | May, June, September, October |
| Best time for hotel prices | January, after Christmas festivities |
| Best time for wine | September |
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What You'll Learn
Christmas markets and winter sports
Austria in winter is a wonderland of snow-dusted towns and landscapes. The Christmas markets and ball season in February attract many visitors, and the ski resorts are in full swing.
Christmas markets in Austria usually open in late November, with some opening in mid-December, and many close on 23 December. However, some markets continue through the Christmas public holiday period, and one or two may stay open until early January, often in the form of a New Year market.
The "Vienna Magic of Advent" is one of the most well-known Christmas markets. It turns the City Hall Square into a shining fairytale land, with Christmas gifts, tree decorations, sweets, warming drinks, and fun Christmas workshops for kids. The trees of the surrounding City Hall are festively decorated and radiate in a sea of lights. The dates for 2024 are 13 to 23 December.
Innsbruck's Christmas Markets open about four weeks before Christmas, with stalls offering gifts, hot tea, "Glühwein" (hot spicy wine), and Christmas food. In 2024, the dates are 15 November to 23 December.
The Christmas Market on Cathedral Square in Salzburg is another popular option, with origins dating back to 1491. It offers a romantic and magical experience with the Fortress sitting high above the city and the Cathedral serving as a magnificent backdrop for the sales booths. The market usually opens in late November and continues until Christmas Eve.
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Spring and fall for cities
Spring and autumn are excellent seasons to visit Austrian cities. The country's larger cities, such as Vienna, Graz, Linz, and Salzburg, are best visited during the shoulder seasons. May, September, and October tend to be the most pleasant months in the cities, with mild weather and fewer crowds.
In spring, the months of May and June offer a delightful combination of warm weather and fewer visitors than the peak summer months. You can enjoy hiking in the mountains or exploring the cities without the summer crowds. However, be prepared for some rainy days, especially in late May and early June.
Autumn, or fall, is another excellent season to visit Austrian cities. September and October offer pleasant weather and thinner crowds compared to the peak summer season. The vineyards in Lower Austria and the South of Styria are particularly beautiful during this season, with the leaves changing colour. It's also the perfect time to sample some of Austria's best wines in wine-growing regions like Wachau and the South of Styria.
If you're looking for the best deals on accommodation, consider visiting in April, early May, or October, avoiding public holidays. However, keep in mind that April and November tend to be the wettest months in Austria.
Overall, spring and autumn offer mild weather, thinner crowds, and the opportunity to explore Austrian cities and enjoy outdoor activities without the extreme temperatures of summer or winter.
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Summer for hiking
If you're planning a trip to Austria and hiking is on your agenda, summer is the best time to go. The summer months of June, July and August offer the perfect conditions for hiking in the Alpine region, with cooler temperatures. While it can get hot in Austria during the summer, with temperatures in the early to mid-seventies, the mountains are a great place to escape the heat.
The weeks at the end of May and the beginning of June also offer a good combination of warm weather and fewer tourists. You can enjoy hiking in the mountains or by the lakes, as well as exploring the cities, which are busy but not yet crowded.
If you want to avoid the crowds, it's best to avoid July and August, especially in the cities of Vienna and Salzburg, which tend to be busiest during the summer season. However, if you're short on time and want to make the most of your trip, summer is a great time to go as the days are long, giving you the chance to visit several places in one day.
Summer is also the perfect time for nature tourism and water sports, with many flocking to the lakes on weekends or after work to cool off. Rivers like the Danube are also a delight during this time, with pleasant water temperatures.
For those looking to hike in the Austrian Alps, late spring through early fall is the best time to go. The months of May, June, September and October offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds, making it a great time to enjoy the outdoors.
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Wine regions in autumn
The best time to tour Austria depends on your itinerary. If you're planning to visit the country's wine regions, autumn is a great time to go.
Lower Austria, or Niederösterreich, is the country's largest wine-growing region, accounting for 60% of Austria's vineyards. It is characterised by its regional affinity, tradition, and the courage to innovate. In autumn, the vineyards are golden yellow and chestnut brown, with little rainfall. The smell of pressed grapes and ripe apples hangs in the air, and the soft colours of nature submerge the seemingly endless rows of vines. Lower Austria boasts eight wine-growing regions, including the Weinviertel, which translates to "wine quarter", and has slaked Austrian thirst for centuries. The Weinviertel DAC is known for its fresh, peppery Grüner Veltliner, but you can also find Zweigelt, Riesling, and field blends here. Along the Danube, to the west of Vienna, you'll find Wachau, Kremstal, Kamptal, Traisental, and Wagram, where white wines reign supreme. The Wachau Valley, with its steep, southern-facing vineyards, is known for its expressive whites, classified based on the ripeness of its dry whites. To the south and east of Vienna, Carnuntum and Thermenregion offer a range of wine varieties.
In addition to Lower Austria, Burgenland and Steiermark (Styria) are also major wine-growing regions in Austria. The Austrian Wine, or Wein, culture is celebrated in a lively way, with people gathering to celebrate along the Wine Roads in one of the 1,100 cellar lanes. There are hundreds of wine festivals, showcasing 'Heuriger' (local taverns serving young wines) and vineyard tours. The atmospheric cellar lane festivals invite passers-by to sample and enjoy new vintages, while specialist wine shops combine top-quality wines with gourmet food.
While autumn in Austria's wine regions is a beautiful time of year, it's important to note that the weather can vary. The climate in this landlocked corner of Central Europe is deeply continental, with cold, snowy winters, warm summers, and extended, sunny autumns. So be sure to check the weather forecast and pack accordingly!
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Avoiding crowds
If you want to avoid crowds, it's best to avoid visiting Austria during the summer months, particularly July and August, which are the busiest months for tourists in cities like Vienna and Salzburg. The summer is also when music lovers tend to visit, as there are many diverse music festivals, such as Vienna Jazz, the Early Music Festival, and Vienna Music Summer.
If you want to visit during a quieter time, consider going in spring or autumn. May, June, September, and October are the best months to visit Austria's cities, as the weather is mild, and you won't have to deal with the summer crowds. In May and June, you can enjoy hiking in the mountains or exploring the cities without the tourist rush. However, do be aware that it can rain a lot during these months.
For those looking to visit the mountain and lake regions, July and August are the best months to visit, as the weather is hot, and you can cool off in the lakes. However, if you want to avoid the crowds, you may want to skip swimming in the lakes on the weekends, as many locals also flock to the lakes to escape the summer heat.
If you're planning a ski trip, March is a good month to visit for quieter slopes and milder weather. Similarly, if you want to experience the Christmas markets without the crowds, plan your trip for the first week of December. However, keep in mind that accommodation prices tend to be higher during the two-week Christmas holiday period.
Finally, if you're looking for a quieter time to visit the wine regions, consider going in autumn when the leaves are changing colour. The wine harvest takes place in September, and there are also some wine festivals during this month.
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to visit Austria depends on your itinerary.
The best time to visit cities like Vienna, Graz, Linz, and Salzburg is during the shoulder seasons of May, September, and October, when the weather is pleasant and the summer crowds have dispersed.
The summer months of July and August are ideal for visiting Austria's mountain and lake regions, as the weather is warm and sunny, perfect for hiking and swimming in the country's glacial lakes.
The best time for winter sports is between December and February when you can ski or snowboard in the Alpine peaks. If you want quieter slopes, consider visiting in March.
Austria hosts many festivals and events in the summer, including the Salzburg Festival, Vienna Festival, and Rainbow Festival. Vienna also hosts several music festivals, such as Vienna Jazz and the Early Music Festival. For wine-related festivals, September is a good time to visit, as it is harvest season.
