Best time to visit Austria
Imperial palaces, soaring alpine peaks, and a legacy of classical music
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May through September is the prime window for exploring imperial cities, hiking alpine trails, and enjoying lakeside retreats. The summer months offer extended daylight and a peak season for world-renowned music festivals in Salzburg and Vienna. For those preferring quieter paths, September provides mild temperatures and lush landscapes with fewer tourists. From late November, the arrival of winter turns the country into a premier destination for mountain skiing and historic Christmas markets.
Roman Karin
Travel expert for Austria
Updated on 02/27/2026
When is the best time to visit Austria?
Austria is a country of imperial elegance, soaring alpine peaks, and a legacy of classical music. From the grand palaces of Vienna and the Baroque streets of Salzburg to the emerald slopes of the Tyrolean Alps and the crystal-clear lakes of the Salzkammergut, you can experience Austria at its best when you choose the right time to travel.
While Austria is a year-round destination, the period from May to September is especially popular for outdoor and cultural pursuits. During these months, you’ll enjoy pleasant weather for exploring urban hubs like Vienna, Salzburg, or Innsbruck, as well as alpine regions such as the Arlberg, Styria, and Carinthia. Immerse yourself in Austria’s rich history, savor hearty regional cuisine, and soak up the unmistakable Gemütlichkeit.
Longer days, mild to warm temperatures, and relatively low rainfall in the valleys make a trip to Austria between late spring and early fall a memorable experience. Depending on your interests—from hiking and cycling to attending world-renowned music festivals—summer and the surrounding shoulder seasons are often the best times to visit.
Recommended travel time: May – September & December – March
Activities: The best time to visit varies significantly by activity. Late spring and early autumn are ideal for city breaks, road trips, and valley hiking with comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds. The summer months are perfect for high-altitude trekking, lake swimming, and the famous Salzburg Festival. Alternatively, winter is the premier time for world-class skiing, snowboarding, and visiting traditional Christmas markets.
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Austria features four distinct seasons, defined by a blend of alpine and continental climates. Winters are crisp with reliable snow in the mountains, while summers are warm with plenty of sunny days throughout the lower valleys. Austria is a destination you can explore year-round, though the periods from May to September and December to March are especially popular. Late spring and early fall are ideal for city tours and valley hikes, while summer brings vibrant lake resorts and world-class music festivals. The best time to visit Austria ultimately depends on your interests and whether you seek mountain adventures or imperial history.
Austria in spring
Austria awakens in spring with mild, refreshing weather and noticeably longer daylight hours. From April onward, you can enjoy pleasant temperatures, increasing sunshine, and the sight of blooming orchards from the Wachau Valley to the Styrian hills. For your trip to Austria, this means you can seamlessly combine imperial city breaks, scenic lake drives, and relaxed meadow walks in one journey. Spring is perfect for exploring Vienna and Salzburg before the peak summer crowds, discovering the famous wine regions as the vines turn green, or embarking on gentle cycling tours along the Danube.
Austria in summer
Summer in Austria truly flourishes in June, as temperatures rise and the country enters high season, particularly around the Alpine lakes and mountain resorts. Warm days often reaching the upper 70s to mid-80s°F, consistent sunshine, and inviting water temperatures draw both locals and travelers to the shores of Lake Wolfgangsee, Wörthersee, and Attersee. This is the prime time for high-altitude hiking, vibrant outdoor music festivals, and dining al fresco in historic city squares or traditional mountain huts.
Austria in fall
In early fall, especially September, many regions of Austria still enjoy comfortably warm temperatures, and the alpine air is exceptionally clear for hiking. As October approaches, the landscape transforms into a canvas of gold and crimson, and temperatures gradually begin to cool. A trip to Austria in fall is incredibly rewarding; with daytime highs often ranging from the mid-50s to low 70s°F, it is an ideal season for harvest festivals, wine tastings in the Heuriger taverns, and scenic drives through the Salzkammergut or the Grossglockner High Alpine Road.
Austria in winter
Austria is a world-renowned destination in winter, offering a magical atmosphere and diverse activities. While the valleys are cool, the mountains become a premier playground for snow sports. In the Arlberg, Tyrol, and Schladming regions, you will find legendary ski resorts with world-class conditions for skiing and snowboarding. Simultaneously, city breaks to Vienna, Salzburg, or Innsbruck are enchanting, with the air filled with the scent of roasted chestnuts and the glow of traditional Christmas markets. With daytime highs in the cities often around the 30s to 40s°F, you can explore grand museums, baroque churches, and cozy historic coffee houses in comfort.
Best time to visit Vienna
Spring and fall are the ideal seasons to visit Vienna, especially from April to June and September to October. Mild temperatures and long daylight hours make it effortless to explore the Ringstrasse, imperial palaces, and historic coffee houses on foot. Summer offers vibrant outdoor film festivals and lively Prater energy, though with larger crowds. Winter brings a magical dusting of snow and world-famous Advent markets, making it a wonderful time for ballroom season, museum hopping, and cozying up in a traditional Beisl. Your best time to visit Vienna depends on whether you prefer the blooming gardens of Schönbrunn or the festive winter lights.
Best time to visit the Austrian Alps (Tyrol & Arlberg)
The best time to visit the Austrian Alps is divided into two peak seasons: June to September for hiking and December to March for snow sports. Summer provides lush green pastures, crystal-clear alpine air, and perfect conditions for trekking to high-altitude huts. Winter transforms the region into a premier global destination for skiing and snowboarding, with reliable powder and a legendary après-ski culture. Late spring and early fall are perfect for travelers seeking solitude and dramatic photography of the jagged peaks without the peak-season bustle.
Best time to visit Salzburg & The Lake District (Salzkammergut)
From May to September, Salzburg and the surrounding Lake District offer spectacular conditions for exploring Baroque architecture and emerald-blue waters. July and August are prime months for the world-renowned Salzburg Festival, though these months are also the busiest. Spring brings blossoming meadows ideal for cycling, while summer’s warm weather is perfect for swimming in Lake Wolfgangsee or Lake Fuschl. September provides crisp air, golden larch forests, and fewer visitors—an excellent time for boat tours, Alpine pasture hikes, and relaxed sightseeing in Mozart’s birthplace.
Best time to visit Styria & The Wine Regions
The best time to visit "Austria’s Green Heart" is from May to October, when the region experiences its mildest and most stable weather. Pleasant temperatures and rolling vineyard landscapes make wine tastings and cycling along the South Styrian Wine Road especially enjoyable. While spring is ideal for seeing the apple blossoms, autumn (September and October) is the most atmospheric season, coinciding with the grape harvest and traditional Thanksgiving festivals. This is the perfect time to enjoy local pumpkin seed oil specialties and roasted chestnuts at a rustic Buschenschank tavern.
Wine Tasting
Austria is home to some of Europe’s most sophisticated white wines and rare reds. From the terraced vineyards of the Wachau Valley to the rolling "Styrian Tuscany" and the unique urban vineyards of Vienna, each region offers its own distinct character. Late spring through fall provides ideal conditions for wine tasting, with warm days and open cellar doors. The harvest season in September and October is particularly atmospheric, as travelers can participate in Heuriger traditions, autumn wine festivals, and tastings of the season's first press. Whether you prefer a crisp Grüner Veltliner or a deep Blaufränkisch, Austria’s wine regions offer a journey of high-quality viticulture and rustic charm.
Visiting Imperial Palaces & Castles
Austria’s historic palaces make it a premier destination for lovers of art, music, and Habsburg history. Vienna’s Schönbrunn and Hofburg palaces, along with Salzburg’s Hohensalzburg Fortress, offer manicured gardens, gilded halls, and centuries of imperial stories. The best time to explore these estates is from April to October, when mild temperatures and longer days bring the expansive gardens and fountains to life. However, visiting in December offers a different kind of magic, as many palace courtyards transform into majestic backdrops for traditional Christmas markets, blending architectural elegance with festive nostalgia.
Exploring Alpine Villages
Nestled among dramatic limestone peaks, Austria’s Alpine villages offer a perfect harmony of adventure and tradition. In summer, world-famous destinations like Hallstatt, Alpbach, and St. Anton welcome travelers with flower-bedecked balconies, emerald lakes, and sunny mountain meadows. Daytime temperatures are pleasantly warm, making it easy to explore both high-altitude trails and ancient salt mines. From December to March, these regions transition into world-class winter sports hubs, offering premier skiing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and cozy wood-paneled taverns. No matter the season, the Austrian Alps provide a unique blend of outdoor intensity and genuine Gemütlichkeit.
Lake Escapes & Water Sports
Austria offers exceptional conditions for lake activities, centered around the crystal-clear waters of the Salzkammergut and the warmer southern lakes of Carinthia. With drinking-water quality and dramatic mountain backdrops, lakes like Wolfgangsee and Wörthersee become the country's "summer coastlines." From June through early September, the water temperatures are ideal for swimming, sailing, and electric boating. The steady thermal winds on Lake Traunsee and Lake Neusiedl also attract windsurfers and sailors from across Europe. Experiencing Austria from the water is an unforgettable way to appreciate its pristine nature and elegant lakeside villas.
Family vacation
Austria is a playground for families, offering everything from interactive salt mines and fairytale castles to alpine slides and lakeside lidos. The best time for a family getaway is generally from June to September. During these months, the weather is warm enough for swimming in the Carinthian lakes and the days are long enough to fit in both a mountain cable car ride and a visit to a village petting zoo. If your family prefers the snow, January and February are peak times for ski schools and tobogganing. Spring and autumn are quieter and more budget-friendly, ideal for exploring the Tiergarten Schönbrunn or the giant ice caves in Werfen without the mid-summer queues.
City break
For a classic Austrian city break—whether in Vienna, Salzburg, or Graz—the most pleasant windows are April to June and September to October. These shoulder seasons provide the perfect temperature for walking tours and sitting in historic coffee houses without the sweltering heat of July or the biting winds of January. You’ll experience the cities' parks in full bloom or vibrant autumn gold, making for stunning photos of the Baroque architecture. However, many travelers find December to be the ultimate city break month; despite the cold, the atmosphere created by the world-famous Christmas markets and festive concerts is incomparable.
Road trip
Austria is a driver's dream, featuring the legendary Grossglockner High Alpine Road and winding routes through the Salzkammergut. The optimal time for an Austrian road trip is from late May to October. This ensures that high-altitude mountain passes are free of snow and fully accessible. Early summer offers views of bright green pastures and snow-capped peaks, while autumn provides stable weather and clear visibility for those dramatic valley lookouts. Driving during these months allows you to stop at lakeside villages and mountain taverns at your own pace, enjoying the moderate temperatures and extended daylight.
Romantic escape
For those seeking a romantic retreat—perhaps in a lakeside suite in Hallstatt, a vineyard estate in Styria, or a grand hotel in Vienna—the most enchanting times are May, June, and September. Spring brings a sense of renewal with blooming rose gardens at the Volksgarten, while the early fall offers a golden, intimate light perfect for evening strolls and wine tastings. If your idea of romance involves cozy fireplaces and snow-covered cobblestones, a December or January trip to Salzburg or a remote Tyrolean chalet provides a quintessential "winter wonderland" setting that feels straight out of a storybook.
