Austria is a Central European destination that brings travelers from far and wide for its lakes, culture or festivals, and celebrations. Summer or winter, Austria is a prime location for relaxing holidays, skiing breaks, or hiking and trekking.
With a year-round calendar packed full of events, here’s the best time to visit Austria through each season.
Summer: June to August
The time for festival goers, the hot summer months with scoring heat bringing tourists together for music and cultural festivals across Austria. A popular event, Salzburg Festspiele, happens in July and August which leads to crowding in Salzburg and Vienna during this time.
Prices for accommodation during the summer months are the most expensive, as families escape during the school holidays for the sunny areas. If you’re looking to mountain trek in the summer, expect fresher air and lower temperatures as you increase altitude whilst hiking the Austrian Alps, but note that during August it’s more humid so should be trekked by experienced hikers during this time.
Spring & Autumn: April to May & September to October
Shoulder season is the optimum time for wellness travelers and adventurers. Temperatures are mild, and days are mostly sunny but there can be a little rain; however, it’s the perfect weather for hiking, biking or climbing.
Autumn is the ideal time for those who enjoy paragliding due to valley winds. If it does rain, Austria offers lots of indoor entertainment and experiences. Many of Austria’s cities have opera and theatre shows, museums or exhibitions, for various indoor exploration options.
During the shoulder season months, accommodation is most affordable and lots of bars and restaurants stay open to grab the start of the tourist season in Spring or the last of it during Autumn.
Winter: November to March
Winter is the season for those into their winter sports and adventures. The months of November to March bring lots of snow, with temperatures plummeting below zero degrees Celsius.
The hotels, spas and ski resorts are in full swing during the winter, as the draw of winter sports brings visitors from all over Europe and beyond – take cable cars up and down the mountains, stay in ski lodges, or grab some skis and a snowboard for perfect slope conditions.
The winter season also has a ‘high’ season, as December and January bring a festive atmosphere, visitors can expect to pay high prices whilst staying near the Alps with bars and restaurants packed out.
Overview: the best time to visit Austria
If you’re into outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, cycling or other outdoor sports and adventures, Spring, Summer and Autumn should be your choice, based on how much you’re willing to spend (summer is the most expensive) and whether you’re bothered about crowds.
For winter sports, December to February is the best time to experience an authentic Austrian winter with all the snowy mountainscapes and Christmas markets during the festive season.
Those wanting to grab a tan should visit in the summer, as the hot weather makes it warm enough to sit poolside but not too hot that it’s uncomfortable or overbearing.
