Best time to visit · Austria
The best time to visit Austria
Austria's seasons differ by place. Here is the best time for each destination, month by month.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Superbass, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May–June and September suit most of Austria. Vienna is at its best in April–June and September–October; Salzburg is at its best in May–June and September; Innsbruck is at its best in June–September and December–January.
Key facts
- Best months overall
- May–June and September
- Destinations compared
- 4
Best months by destination
| Destination | Best months | Warmest month | Wettest month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna | April–June and September–October | July (26°C) | May (8 days) |
| Salzburg | May–June and September | July (25°C) | June (15 days) |
| Innsbruck | June–September and December–January | July (26°C) | June (15 days) |
| Hallstatt | May–June and September | July (23°C) | June (17 days) |
Austria month by month
| Month | At its best | Usually avoided |
|---|---|---|
| January | Innsbruck | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | Vienna | — |
| May | Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt | — |
| June | Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Hallstatt | — |
| July | Innsbruck | — |
| August | Innsbruck | — |
| September | Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Hallstatt | — |
| October | Vienna | — |
| November | — | Hallstatt |
| December | Innsbruck | — |
What the seasons are like
- Vienna: Vienna has a central European climate with cold winters around freezing, warm summers that can reach the low 30s °C in heatwaves, and pleasant springs and autumns.
- Salzburg: Salzburg has cold winters with snow possible from December to March, and warm summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms.
- Innsbruck: Innsbruck has a continental Alpine climate: cold, snowy winters, warm summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and the warm Föhn wind that can bring sudden mild, dry days.
- Hallstatt: Hallstatt has a wet Alpine climate: cold winters with snow, mild summers with frequent rain and thunderstorms, and the mountains shading the village from the sun for much of the winter day.
Crowds and hotel prices
Relative levels from our destination research: when each place is busiest, and when rooms usually cost least.
| Destination | Busiest | Quietest | Lowest hotel prices | Warm & dry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna | December | February | January | August |
| Salzburg | July | February | January | September |
| Innsbruck | January | October | April | September |
| Hallstatt | July | February | January | September |
Events worth timing a trip around
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- Vienna, January: New Year's Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein (1 January)
- Vienna, January: Ball season — dozens of formal balls (January to February)
- Salzburg, January: Mozart Week — concerts around Mozart's birthday (usually late January)
- Salzburg, February: Carnival (Fasching) balls and parades (usually February)
- Innsbruck, January: Four Hills Tournament ski jumping at Bergisel (usually early January)
- Innsbruck, February: Carnival (Fasching) events (February)
- Hallstatt, June: Corpus Christi — boat procession on the Hallstätter See (May or June)
- Hallstatt, August: Kaiserfest in Bad Ischl — celebrations for Emperor Franz Joseph's birthday (around 18 August)
Questions travellers ask
+When is Austria cheapest and quietest?
Vienna: January; Salzburg: January; Innsbruck: April; Hallstatt: January.
+What is the best month to visit Austria?
June, when 4 of the 4 destinations in this guide are at their best.