Damon Mcknight
February is mid-winter in Austria, and the country is known for its skiing and snowboarding. However, if you don't ski, there are still plenty of options for travellers. The cities of Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz offer cultural, historical, and architectural attractions, while smaller towns in the Salzkammergut lake district close for the season. February is a great time to visit Vienna, as it's relatively quiet, and you can explore the city's famous coffee houses, museums, and palaces. Salzburg is another must-see, with its impressive Baroque buildings, Mozart's Residence, and the last remaining castle in Europe, Hohensalzburg Fortress. For those seeking outdoor activities, Innsbruck offers a world-famous ski resort, as well as bungee jumping and cable car rides. The Wolfgangsee area is also worth considering, with its sleigh rides, hiking trails, and scenic views.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to visit for outdoor activities | June to August |
| Best time to visit for winter sports | December to February |
| Average temperature in February | 0°C-3°C |
| Average temperature in summer | 20°C-25°C |
| Places to visit in February | Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, Wolfgangsee, Bad Ischl, Gosau, Semmering, Hallstatt, Konigssee, St. Johann in Tirol, Lackenhof, Hochkar |
| Activities in February | Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, hiking, exploring ice caves, visiting Christmas markets, sightseeing, coffee tasting, museum tours, classical music concerts |
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What You'll Learn
Vienna: Coffee and culture
Vienna is a famous romantic destination, and February is a great time to visit one of its renowned coffee houses. The average temperature in February is 4 °C (39 °F), so it's the perfect weather to warm up with a hot drink.
The city is known for its coffeehouse culture, which has become an integral part of what it means to be Viennese. The coffee houses are known for their relaxed atmosphere, where you can sit for hours with a single cup of coffee, reading newspapers, writing, or simply watching the world go by. This tradition has attracted writers, artists, musicians, intellectuals, and revolutionaries over the years, including Beethoven, Klimt, Freud, and Trotsky. The term "Kaffeehausliteratur" (coffee house literature) describes the many literary works written or inspired by conversations in these coffee houses.
The history of Viennese coffee house culture dates back to the end of the Siege of Vienna in 1683. Legend has it that the first coffee house was started by a Polish-Habsburg army officer, Jerzy Franciszek Kulczycki, who obtained coffee beans left behind by the Turks. However, recent research suggests that the first coffee house was opened by an Armenian businessman, Johannes Theodat, in 1685. Over the years, the coffee houses have faced challenges, such as the seizure of Jewish-owned coffee houses by the Nazis in 1938 and the rise in popularity of Italian-style espresso bars in the 1950s. Despite these setbacks, the tradition has persisted, and in 2011, Viennese coffee house culture was recognised by UNESCO as part of Austria's intangible cultural heritage.
In addition to its coffee culture, Vienna offers a wealth of cultural experiences in February. You can stroll through the beautiful Ringstraße, admire the architecture of the Hofburg Royal Palace, Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere Palace, and St. Stephen's Cathedral, or enjoy classical concerts at the Karlskirche church. The Wiener Eistraum, or "Vienna Ice World," provides an outdoor ice skating experience in the heart of the city, along with food and drink stalls offering vegan and vegetarian options. For those looking to warm up, the Schwerelos Floating Centre and the spa baths complex at Therme Wien offer relaxing experiences.
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Salzburg: Mozart and mountains
Salzburg is a must-see place in Austria, with its stunning natural scenery and rich cultural history. Known for being the birthplace of Mozart and the filming location for The Sound of Music, Salzburg is a popular travel destination all year round.
February is a great time to visit Salzburg for winter activities and to experience the city's unique musical atmosphere. The city hosts the annual Mozart Week, a festival celebrating the world-renowned composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, around his birthday on 27 January. The festival, organised by the Mozarteum Foundation Salzburg, features orchestra and chamber concerts, recitals, and opera performances by international artists. The 2026 edition will run from 22 January to 1 February and will include a performance of Mozart's "The Magic Flute".
Salzburg is surrounded by high mountains and picturesque landscapes, offering various winter activities. The Wolfgangsee area, close to Salzburg, provides opportunities for sleigh rides, skiing, and hiking. The Edtalm Hut, accessible via a well-marked hiking trail, offers fantastic views and a unique dining experience. For a quiet and scenic experience, the nearby village of Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts stunning pastel-coloured houses, the underground Salzwerten salt lake, and the Dachstein ice caves.
The Old Town of Arsten, with its impressive Baroque buildings, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site worth exploring. The Hohensalzburg Fortress is another notable attraction, standing as the last remaining castle in Europe. The Tyrolean Folklore Museum, one of Europe's finest regional heritage museums, offers insights into the region's rich cultural history.
With its combination of musical celebrations, winter activities, and cultural attractions, Salzburg is an ideal destination for a February getaway.
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Innsbruck: Adventure sports
Innsbruck is a magical place to visit in Austria during winter. The region is known for its sports on snow and ice. With 13 ski resorts to choose from, you can carve down perfectly groomed slopes, explore alpine landscapes on winter hikes, or try out speedy toboggan runs.
For those seeking more extreme sports, Innsbruck has plenty to offer. Ice climbing on frozen waterfalls is a popular activity for those who want to push their limits. The nearby Sellraintal valley has several icefalls suitable for climbing, such as the Gasthausfall Lüsens and the hanging gardens. If you're looking for a unique skiing experience, try "Figln in the gully" at the 70-degree steep gully of Hafelekar. Firn gliding, or short carving, is a special sport where you can whiz downhill on the soft mud using short metal skis.
The Innsbruck Nordkette is a challenging route that will test your technical, physical, and mental skills. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try hang-gliding at the Seegrube launch site and soar like the locals who fly headfirst through the tourist crowds. Fatbiking is another option, where you can learn to roll down the mountain under the guidance of the Appi.at school.
For a more relaxed pace, the Olympiaworld sports facility offers indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks. You can also take a cable car ride up the Nordquet and explore Innsbruck's vibrant nightlife. After a day of adventure sports, you can use the Welcome Card for free access to various attractions and discounts, as well as free public transport in the region.
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Graz: Old Town charm
Graz, Austria's second-largest city, is a charming city with a unique experience for travellers seeking discovery and authenticity. With its rich historical heritage, cultural scene, and panoramic views, Graz is an essential destination for exploring Austria. The city is easily accessible by train from other Austrian cities, such as Vienna and Linz.
Graz has a human-scale feel to it, and you can easily get around on foot or by streetcar. The Hauptplatz, or main square, is a great place to start your exploration, as all the main attractions are within walking distance from this central hub. Here, you'll find the beautiful St Giles Cathedral (Grazer Dom), erected in the 1400s by Emperor Frederick III. The understated exterior of the cathedral gives way to a spectacular interior, with a combination of Gothic architecture, Baroque furnishings, and high vaulted ceilings.
The city also boasts numerous museums, striking Baroque and Renaissance buildings, and unique wooded hills that offer panoramic views. The Schlossberg with its Clock Tower and the Styrian Arsenal are testaments to the city's historical importance. Graz was named the European Capital of Culture in 2003 and was awarded UNESCO City of Design status in 2011, recognising the juxtaposition of old and new, traditional and modern, elegance and quirk.
For foodies, Graz offers a variety of dining options, from street food stalls in the main squares to cosy cafes and restaurants serving traditional Austrian cuisine. And for those looking to explore beyond the city, the nearby Styria wine region is a great option, offering a taste of the South Styrian wine road.
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Semmering: Skiing for beginners
February is the main month for skiing in Austria, and the Semmering alpine ski resort is a great option for beginners. It is just over an hour's journey from Vienna, making it an ideal day trip.
The Semmering Ski School offers skiing and snowboarding lessons for all skill levels, including beginners. You can book private lessons, group courses, and specialised programs for children. Pre-registration is required for all courses. The Zauberberg Schneesportschule also offers lessons for beginners, where you can ski on the easy Family run from the mountain down to the valley.
The Alpincenter ski rental provides all the equipment you need for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ski touring, or tobogganing. They can also assist you in booking a ski course or guided ski tour with the Semmering Ski School. Sport Puschi, another sports shop and rental station, is located at the top of the pass, next to the valley station of the cable car.
If you're looking for a relaxing indoor activity after a day of skiing, you can visit the Schwerelos Floating Centre, where you float in a tub of saltwater. You could also spend a day at the spa baths complex at Therme Wien, where hot water from thermal springs feeds its various pools, and spa treatments are available.
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Frequently asked questions
Skiing is a popular activity in Austria in February. You can visit ski resorts in the Austrian Alps, such as Innsbruck, which offers a cable car that takes skiers from the city into the mountains. Zauberg Semmering, near Vienna, is also a good option for beginner and intermediate skiers.
February is a great time to visit museums and art galleries in Austrian cities like Vienna and Salzburg. You can also attend Vienna's famous ball season, but be sure to book tickets in advance.
Lake Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed village, is known for its pastel-coloured houses, underground salt lake, and ice caves. Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, is another popular destination, featuring Baroque buildings, the Hohensalzburg Fortress, and the Old Town of Arsten, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you're an adventure seeker, you can try snowshoeing, bungee jumping on the European Bridge, or exploring ice caves and salt mines. For a more relaxed experience, you can visit Vienna's coffee houses or enjoy a spa day at the Therme Wien.
The Mozart Week/Festival is held in Salzburg in late January and early February, celebrating classical music, theatre, and culture. The Tiroler Kaslauf, a cross-country ski race, takes place in St. Johann in Tirol in early February.
