Best Time to Visit Austria

No matter when you visit Austria, this beautiful country won’t disappoint. However, it’s important to know what you can expect in every season for the experience you’d most like to enjoy. For many, summer is the best time to visit Austria. With lush, green landscapes, wildflowers in bloom, and stunning clear views of the Alps. But winter is just as breathtaking, an ideal time to enjoy the snow-capped mountains and world-class slopes for skiing. The “shoulder” seasons of spring and fall can be a wonderful time to travel to Austria too, but as with just about everything, each season has its pros and cons to consider.

Spring/Shoulder Season: April and May

Spring brings plenty of sunshine to Austria, although it can be a bit chilly, with average daytime temperatures in the 50s (Fahrenheit) in the cities, and often closer to freezing in the mountains, which means you may really need to bundle up for a hike. Visit later in the season, around mid- to late-May, and the mercury may rise to the low 70s. You’ll need to bring a light rain jacket or umbrella, but spring is a great time if you’re hoping to find discounted accommodation rates, lower airfare and fewer crowds. If you plan to visit Vienna and the surrounding area, April is a perfect time for enjoying those classical music festivals hosted in concert halls and monasteries.

Summer/High Season: June through August

If you visit Austria in the summer, you can expect many others to be heading here during this season too. This is the peak of the tourist season, with lovely temperatures, typically anywhere from the low to upper 70s. There will be an abundance of sunshine, with the dramatic mountains often enjoying a backdrop of bright blue skies, ideal for peaceful strolls through charming towns and scenic hiking trails where the fragrance of wildflowers wafts through the air. June is the wettest of the summer months, but it also hosts the most festivals, like the Midsummer Night Celebration. July is the most pleasant month of summer weather wise, mostly dry without being too hot, while August sees the temperatures rise the highest of the year, to 80 or above, making it a great time to swim in beautiful lakes like Lake Hallstatt and Lake Plansee. The downside is that summer brings the crowds and the highest prices of the year – you’ll need to plan well ahead, with hotels often booked as far as a year in advance.

Autumn/Shoulder Season: September and October

September and October will be chillier than summer, with temperatures dipping slightly in September, plunging further the later you go in the season, ranging from the low 50s to mid-60s, and lower in the mountains. Unlike spring, the weather will be drier and the skies clearer, making this a great time for hiking and biking, with the mountains and valleys blanketed in glorious shades of yellow, orange and red. The second half of September may be the most ideal, with the summer crowds gone, the weather mild and the leaves beginning to turn.

Winter/Low Season: November through March

November through March is generally the low season, but as Austria is a popular skiing destination, around the resorts it will feel more like high season, with the high prices to go along with it, especially around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. If you stay in the smaller mountain towns or cities, you may find some discounts on accommodations. Temperatures in the cities are usually above freezing during this period, in the mid-40s to low 50s, so you’ll want to pack your warm winter clothing.