When is the best time to visit Austria? This gem of Central Europe is a year-round destination, with something different to offer in every season.
Austria is known for its grand capital Vienna, quaint smaller cities like Salzburg, and the stunning natural beauty of the Austrian Alps. Whether you’re interested in natural landscapes and outdoor activities or culture and city life – or a mixture of both – Austria offers it all.
From festive Christmas markets and incredible skiing in the winter to long days and warm weather in the summer, there’s no bad time of year to visit Austria, which makes deciding on the best time to visit Austria a bit tricky.
But that’s what we’re here for. Before visiting Austria, we’ll help you decide when to go, taking into consideration weather conditions and what you want to do on your trip.
Let’s take a look at Austria’s climate and weather, and go deeper into each season in Austria to help you determine the best time to visit Austria.
An Overview of Austria’s Climate & Weather
The western part of Austria has an alpine climate, while the eastern part of the country around Vienna has a continental climate. This means that the mountainous western part of the country tends to be colder, but there isn’t too much overall variation across the country.
Winters all across Austria are very cold, with snow being common from December through March. In the western part of the country, cities like Innsbruck regularly see temperatures below freezing during the winter, while Vienna can be several degrees warmer.
Spring brings warmer temperatures across the country, with average highs in the sixties throughout April and May.
In the summer, you can expect warm, pleasant weather across all of Austria. In the western part of the country, average daytime temperatures are typically in the high seventies, while things can heat up a little more in Vienna. However, June, July, and August are also the months with the most rainfall.
The weather starts to cool off in September, with temperatures dropping throughout October and November. The mild weather makes early fall a nice time to visit Austria.
Best Time To Visit Austria: A Season-by-Season Guide
So, when is the best time to visit Austria? Here’s a season-by-season breakdown to help you decide, including the top destinations and things to do in Austria during each season.
Why Visit Austria in Spring (March to May)
Austria starts thawing out at the beginning of spring. In the Alps, ski season winds down at the end of March, while in the eastern part of the country, Vienna is in bloom as warmer weather and longer days return.
This is a great time of year to visit Austria if you want to enjoy fewer crowds and lower prices before the peak season starts in the summer.
Spring Weather & Climate in Austria
Early spring is still quite cold in Austria, with average daytime highs between 52° F and 54° F in March. In the Alps, it’s not uncommon to snow in March. It begins to warm up in April, with average highs between 61° F and 63° F, while May sees average highs between 69° F and 71° F.
Advantages of Visiting Austria in Spring
One of the advantages of visiting Austria in spring is being able to enjoy mild, pleasant weather, especially in late April and May. Spring weather is ideal for sightseeing in major cities, as well as doing outdoor activities like hiking before it becomes too hot.
Spring is the off season for tourism in Austria, so you can also experience the country’s most popular destinations without the summer crowds. It’s also a good time of year to find deals on hotels in Austria before prices pick up in the summer.
Best Places To Visit in Austria in Spring
Vienna is an excellent destination to visit in the spring. The city’s parks and green spaces come alive with spring blossoms, making it a beautiful time of year to stroll around. Vienna is also less crowded in spring since most travelers visit during the summer.
Another city that’s wonderful to visit in spring is Graz. Although it’s located just two hours from Vienna by train, this city is often overlooked by tourists, but it’s well worth visiting.
The Alps are another destination you can visit in the spring. If you’re interested in skiing or other winter sports, March is a good time to head to the mountains. If you want to go hiking or enjoy warmer weather, it’s a good idea to wait until late May.
Why Visit Austria in The Summer (June to August)
Summer is the ideal time to visit Austria for outdoor enthusiasts and culture seekers alike. With long days and warm weather that’s not too hot, it’s the perfect time of year for exploring everything the country has to offer.
Whether you’re interested in hiking, cycling, or soaking up the lively atmosphere of bustling cities and charming towns, summer is the best time to visit Austria.
Summer Weather & Climate in Austria
Unlike the infamously hot summers of destinations like Spain, Italy, or Greece, summer in Austria is much milder. Average highs in June range from 75° F to 78° F. July sees things heating up more with temperatures from 78° F to 82° F, while August is similar with highs from 77° F to 81° F.
Vienna can be hotter during the summer than the more temperate destinations in the Alps, and all of Austria sees higher rainfall in the summer months, so be sure to pack an umbrella.
Advantages of Visiting Austria in The Summer
One of the greatest advantages of visiting Austria in the summer is the number of outdoor activities available. Destinations like Innsbruck or Kufstein in the mountainous Tyrol region of western Austria are an outdoor lover’s paradise in the summer.
You can enjoy hiking or cycling, or relaxing at one of Austria’s many alpine lakes where you can also go swimming or boating.
Cities in Austria come alive in the summer, with outdoor cultural festivals and concerts. It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy an outdoor café in Vienna or a gästgarden (open-air beer garden) in one of the smaller towns.
Although summer is the high season in Austria, the weather and abundance of things to do still make it an excellent time of year to visit Austria.
Best Places To Visit in Austria in The Summer
If you’re looking for a quintessential Austrian summer escape, head to the Alps. The mountains in the western part of the country are a popular summer destination for Austrians and foreign visitors alike. It’s the best time of year to enjoy outdoor activities and relax in nature.
Austria’s cities also shine during the summer, particularly Vienna and Salzburg. Every summer since 1920, the Salzburg Festival has been celebrating music and theater in Salzburg, while in Vienna, the Donauinselfest is the largest open-air music festival in Europe – and it’s free.
Why Visit Austria in The Fall (September to November)
Fall is a serene and beautiful time of year to visit Austria. With cooler temperatures, stunning fall foliage, and smaller crowds, it’s an underrated time of year to discover this country. Whether you’re exploring Austria’s cities or small towns like Hallstatt or the villages of the Wachau Valley, fall is an excellent time to visit Austria.
Fall Weather & Climate in Austria
Things start to cool down quickly in Austria in the fall. September is the warmest month, with average highs of 69° F to 71° F.
October is typically the peak of fall foliage, and this month has cooler temperatures ranging from 60° F to 61° F. November can be very cold, with an average daytime high of 48° F and lows that start to approach freezing.
The first half of fall is moderate and temperate, but November really cools off to signal the approaching winter season. November is also when many of Austria’s world-class ski resorts start to open for the season.
Advantages of Visiting Austria in The Fall
Early fall, particularly September and early October, is an amazing time of year to visit Austria if you want to enjoy moderate weather, fewer tourists, and lower prices. You can often find good deals on accommodation since the peak summer season has ended.
You can also still enjoy outdoor activities like hiking in Austria in the early fall, although you might need to bundle up as things get chillier.
The fall foliage around the country is another highlight of visiting at this time of year, particularly around Salzburg and the Alps.
Best Places To Visit in Austria in The Fall
One of the best destinations to visit in Austria in the fall is the Wachau Valley. This stunning valley filled with rolling hills, vineyards, and picturesque towns is just one hour from Vienna.
Towns in the Wachau Valley like Melk, Durnstein, and Krems are fantastic to visit in the fall. It’s the best time of year to sample wine from the vineyards, and the fall foliage is picture-perfect.
You can also explore the opulent historic abbeys of this region, many of which offer spectacular sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.
Another great place to visit is Hallstatt. This fairytale-like village overlooking a lake and surrounded by mountains is one of the most photographed destinations in Austria, and it looks even more beautiful during the fall.
Why Visit Austria in Winter (December to February)
Winter is the best time to visit Austria if you want to celebrate the holidays with lots of festive Christmas cheer or plan a ski trip. Although the weather in Austria can be very cold and snowy from December through February, you can bundle up and still enjoy exploring this beautiful country during the winter months.
Winter Weather & Climate in Austria
In December, the average high temperature ranges from 39° F to 41° F while the average low regularly drops below freezing. Things are even chillier in January, with average highs dipping to 38° F to 41° F.
February can be slightly warmer, with average highs around 44° F or 45° F, although below-freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall are still common.
Advantages of Visiting Austria in Winter
You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a true winter wonderland when you visit Austria in winter. For winter sports enthusiasts, this is simply one of the best destinations in the world, and nothing can top skiing down Austria’s alpine slopes after a fresh, powdery snowfall.
The month of December is also a very festive time of year in Austria. If you want to see the country’s beautiful Christmas markets, be sure to plan your visit accordingly. Most markets run from late November – more specifically the last week of November – until the day before Christmas.
Best Places To Visit in Austria in Winter
The month of December is all about Christmas markets in Austria. You can find Christmas markets in almost every city and town in Austria, but the best ones are in Vienna and Salzburg.
Vienna is resplendent in December, decked out with festive Christmas decorations and filled with a festive ambiance. Salzburg is magical at any time of year, but this small city feels even more special around the holidays, covered in snow with the twinkling lights of the Christmas markets glowing all around you.
Other well-known Christmas market destinations are Graz, Innsbruck, and Linz. At Christmas markets all around Austria, you can enjoy delicious hot beverages and local food, while shopping for unique souvenirs or Christmas gifts.
Aside from visiting Christmas markets, the main draw of Austria in the winter is skiing and other winter sports. This is the best time of year to visit alpine regions like Innsbruck if you want to try activities like skiing, snowboarding, or tobogganing.
January is a good time for winter sports, as the resorts are less crowded after the holiday season.
See Austria Any Time of The Year With JayWay
After reading this guide, we’re sure you’ll find it easier to choose the best time to visit Austria for you. Once you do, we’ll take care of everything else. As experts in Central Europe travel, here at JayWay, we can craft the perfect Austria itinerary for you.
If you prefer, we can also help you combine Austria with other nearby countries, such as this winter sports trip across Austria and Germany, this private Christmas markets tour of Central Europe, or this quest to discover the most beautiful alpine cities between Venice and Salzburg.
When it comes to the charms of Austria, the sky’s the limit. All you have to do is decide on the best time to visit Austria and we’ll take it from there.
Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s passionate about travel and storytelling, a combination that makes her ideal for her role as our content manager.