Best time to visit · Innsbruck · Austria
The best time to visit Innsbruck
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Hafelekar, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Innsbruck has two seasons: June to September for hiking, alpine huts and cable cars, and December to March for skiing, Christmas markets and the Four Hills Tournament. September is a good all-round month with stable weather and fewer visitors. April, May and November are quieter between seasons, when some lifts and huts close.
Key facts
- Best months
- June–September and December–January
- Shoulder season
- February–March and October
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 26°C (79°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 3°C (37°F))
- Rainiest month
- June (~15 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- April–May and October–November
Seasons
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. Temperatures on the peaks are far lower than in the valley.
March–May
Spring
Spring skiing at altitude in March, then a quiet, changeable shoulder season with green valleys and some lifts closed for maintenance.
June–August
Summer
Warm valley days, open huts and cable cars for hiking, mountain biking and festivals, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
September–November
Autumn
Settled September hiking, golden larches in October and quiet weeks before the Christmas markets open.
December–February
Winter
Snowy, cold and busy, with several ski areas nearby, Christmas markets and the Bergisel ski jumping in early January.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°C | -6°C | 8 | 8.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| February | 6°C | -4°C | 7 | 10.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 11°C | 0°C | 9 | 11.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 16°C | 4°C | 10 | 13.5 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| May | 20°C | 8°C | 13 | 15.1 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| June | 24°C | 11°C | 15 | 15.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 26°C | 13°C | 15 | 15.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 25°C | 13°C | 14 | 14.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 21°C | 9°C | 10 | 12.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 16°C | 5°C | 9 | 10.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| November | 9°C | 0°C | 9 | 9.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 3°C | -4°C | 9 | 8.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Four Hills Tournament ski jumping at Bergisel (usually early January) |
| February | Carnival (Fasching) events (February) |
| June | Midsummer bonfires on the mountainsides (Herz-Jesu-Feuer, usually June) |
| July | Innsbruck Festival of Early Music (Festwochen der Alten Musik, usually July–August) |
| August | Innsbruck Festival of Early Music continues (usually until late August) |
| September | Almabtrieb — cattle drives down from alpine pastures in surrounding valleys (usually late September) |
| November | Christmas markets open in the old town and other squares (usually mid-November) |
| December | Christmas markets (usually until early January); New Year's Eve fireworks over the city (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in April–May and October–November, and the sights are quietest in April–May and October–November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Innsbruck?
Innsbruck has two seasons: June to September for hiking, alpine huts and cable cars, and December to March for skiing, Christmas markets and the Four Hills Tournament. September is a good all-round month with stable weather and fewer visitors. April, May and November are quieter between seasons, when some lifts and huts close.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Innsbruck?
Usually in April–May and October–November. Changeable spring weather; ski season ends and some cable cars pause for maintenance between seasons.
+What is the rainiest month in Innsbruck?
June, with about 15 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Innsbruck get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 26°C (79°F) and lows of 13°C (55°F).