Ruqayyah Snyder
July is midsummer in Austria, with hot temperatures in the lowlands and milder weather in the Alps. With long days, warm and dry weather, and a host of music and cultural festivals, July is a great time to visit Austria. The country is known for its Alpine mountains and historical heritage, and its compact size means you can cover a lot of ground in a short time. From Vienna to Salzburg, and Innsbruck to Hallstatt, here are some of the best places to visit in Austria in July.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season | Midsummer |
| Weather | Hot temperatures in the lowlands, milder in the Alps; average temperature of 27°C (80°F) |
| Activities | Swimming, hiking, boating, outdoor movie events, water sports, scuba diving |
| Attractions | Grossglockner Road, Hohe Tauern National Park, Lake Wörthersee, Hallstatt, Wachau Valley, Salzkammergut region, Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck |
| Festivals | La Strada, Salzburg Summer Festival, Bregenzer Festspiele, Carinthian Summer Festival, Tyrolean Festival, Innsbruck Festival of Early Music |
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What You'll Learn
- Vienna: Quieter streets, waltz classes and cultural experiences
- Salzburg: Base for hikers and water sports enthusiasts
- Innsbruck: Gateway to the mountains and host of the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music
- Hallstatt: Accessible by ferry from the station
- Grossglockner Road: 30-mile road trip through the Alps
Vienna: Quieter streets, waltz classes and cultural experiences
July is midsummer in Austria, with hot temperatures in the lowlands and pleasant weather in the Alps. Vienna, being a large city, is likely to be warmer than the mountains, with average temperatures of 27°C (80°F). The sun sets after 9 pm, leaving plenty of time for evening walks and outdoor activities.
Despite being peak season, Vienna's streets tend to be quieter as many locals leave the city for their summer vacations. This makes it a great time to explore the city and its cultural offerings. One unique way to do this is by taking a waltz class. Waltz in Vienna and Vienna Waltz School offer immersive experiences that teach you the basic steps of this iconic dance. You can also learn about traditional ball etiquette and enjoy performances by professional dancers and musicians. These classes are a fun way to connect with local culture and meet other travellers.
If you're looking for more things to do in Vienna, you can visit the Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral), and the vast compound of Hofburg, the Habsburgs' former Imperial Palace. Explore the pedestrian boulevards of Kärntner Strasse and Graben, and wander down side streets like Annagasse and Weihburggasse to get a true feel for the city centre.
For nature lovers, Vienna also offers easy access to the Alps. The Grossglockner Road is a 48-kilometre drive through high passes with stunning views of lush valleys and snow-capped peaks. It's a challenging but rewarding route that requires confident driving skills and a suitable vehicle.
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Salzburg: Base for hikers and water sports enthusiasts
Salzburg is a great base for hikers and water sports enthusiasts visiting Austria in July. The city is surrounded by mountains and alpine landscapes, with numerous hiking trails to explore. Nearby hikes to Gaisberg and Untersberg are just minutes away from the city, and you can also discover protected areas like Antheringer Au, which are perfect for nature lovers seeking a peaceful walk.
For water sports enthusiasts, the lakes of the Salzburg region and the Salzkammergut offer a plethora of activities. The four great lakes of Salzburg's lake district—the Wallersee, Mattsee, Grabensee, and Obertrumer See—are just a short drive from the city and provide excellent swimming, sailing, and boating opportunities. The largest lake in Austria, the Binnensee, offers a range of water sports, while the Attersee is a unique spot for diving to see submerged standing stones.
Köstendorf, located on the shores of the Wallersee, is a great option for those seeking a variety of sports and recreation. Here, you can enjoy swimming, sailing, boating, canoeing, or windsurfing. The hiking trail around the lake is also popular, offering picturesque villages and towns along the shore.
Salzburg in July also offers cultural experiences, with the Salzburger Festspiele, a significant classical music event, taking place during this month. The city gets booked up during this time, so early planning is essential. The Grossglockner Road through the Alps is another attraction, offering a 30-mile road trip with stunning views of valleys and snow-capped peaks.
With mild temperatures in the mountains and longer days, July is an ideal time for outdoor enthusiasts to explore Salzburg and its surroundings.
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Innsbruck: Gateway to the mountains and host of the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music
July is the peak season for travel to Austria, so expect higher prices and more tourists. However, the country doesn't tend to get as busy as some neighbouring countries, such as Italy, so crowds may not be too problematic.
Innsbruck is a great place to visit in July. It is a gateway to the mountains and a host of the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, which takes place in July and August. The festival focuses on Baroque music.
Innsbruck is a great base for hikers and water sports enthusiasts. The surrounding area offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, boating, and swimming. The Grossglockner Road through the Alps is a legendary short road trip, with incredible views of lush green valleys and snow-capped peaks. The road stretches 30 miles (48 km) from Heiligenblut in Carinthia to Bruck, near Salzburg.
Innsbruck is also a good option for those who want to experience the mountains and lakes that make Austria so special, without spending too much time in the cities. A day trip to Innsbruck from Salzburg is a popular option. Alternatively, you can take a short train trip down the valley from Seefeld.
If you're looking for a unique cultural experience, Innsbruck also delivers. La Strada is Austria's only festival that collaborates with internationally renowned artists to showcase new forms of expression outside the established theatre.
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Hallstatt: Accessible by ferry from the station
Austria is a beautiful country to visit in July, with warm and dry weather, and plenty of sunshine. The temperatures can reach 35-40 degrees Celsius, so it is the perfect time to explore the lakes and mountains.
One of the best places to visit in July is Hallstatt, a picturesque town nestled in the Alps. To reach Hallstatt, you can take a train to the Hallstatt train station, which is located across a lake from the town centre. The most beautiful route to the region is by rail with the "Salzkammergutbahn". The train station is on the opposite side of Lake Hallstatt, so to get to the town, you will need to take a ferry.
The ferry service in Hallstatt is well-organised and runs in line with the train schedules. It departs almost every hour and takes you to the town centre. The ferry landing stage is located in the centre of Hallstatt, just a short walk from the market square. The ferry ride offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
When you arrive at the train station, head down the path to the left to find the ferry dock. The ferry will take you across the romantic fjord-like Lake Hallstatt to the town. When you are ready to return to the train station, you can catch the ferry from the same spot where you disembarked. The ferry schedule is designed to ensure that passengers do not miss their trains, so it is important to arrive at the dock in advance.
Hallstatt is a great base for hikers and water sports enthusiasts, offering a range of outdoor activities. The town also has a rich history and is known for its 17th-century castle, which was rebuilt over the years by various royals.
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Grossglockner Road: 30-mile road trip through the Alps
July is midsummer in Austria, with hot temperatures in the lowlands and milder weather in the Alps. The Grossglockner Road through the Alps is a legendary 30-mile road trip, perfect for those seeking a short but dramatic adventure. The road twists and turns through 36 hairpin bends, with views of lush green valleys, colourful meadows, and snow-capped peaks. It stretches from Heiligenblut in Carinthia to Bruck, near Salzburg, and reaches a height of 8,215 feet above sea level at Hochtor Pass/tunnel. The route includes lakes, waterfalls, incredible views, a glacier, a museum, and various restaurants, shops, and hotels.
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is the highest paved alpine road in Austria and is only open during the warmer months. It costs 45 euros by car and is well worth the money spent. The road is touted as a "white knuckle ride" and is not for the faint-hearted, but the hairpin turns are easier to drive than expected. It is recommended to wait for good weather before embarking on this journey, as poor visibility or cloudy conditions can make the drive more challenging and reduce the visibility of the stunning scenery.
Along the route, there are plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the views, as well as visit various exhibitions and restaurants. The drive itself takes about one and a half hours without stops, but many people take their time and make a day trip out of it. It is the perfect activity for those doing a full road trip around the Alps and draws 900,000 visitors annually from all around the world.
For those seeking an extended adventure, there are hotels along the route, such as Hotel Wallackhaus, which offers accommodation and meals in a quiet, mountainous setting. The Grossglockner Road trip can also be combined with other activities, such as hiking to Krimml Falls or visiting the town of Zell am See.
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Frequently asked questions
If you want to soak in the culture of Austria, you can visit Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. Vienna is a great place to visit in July as the streets tend to be quieter than usual. You can also take waltz classes and experience Viennese culture. Salzburg is another good option, as it is home to the Salzburg Summer Festival, one of the most prominent classical music and drama events in Austria.
July is a great time to visit Austria for outdoor activities such as hiking and boating. The Grossglockner Road through the Alps is a legendary short road trip, with stunning views of lush green valleys and snow-capped peaks. The Hohe Tauern National Park is another great option, as it is open all year round and offers hiking opportunities. Lake Wörthersee is also a popular tourist destination, offering activities such as canoeing and visiting the famous Griffen Cave.
There are many festivals held in Austria during July, including the Salzburger Festspiele, a significant fixture of the international classical music circuit. You can also check out the Carinthian Summer Festival in Ossiach and Villach, the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, the Salzburg Summer Festival, the Bregenzer Festspiele in Bregenz, and the Tyrolean Festival in Erl.
