Month guide · Innsbruck · Austria
Innsbruck in December
What December is really like in Innsbruck: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bede735c, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Innsbruck. Expect average highs of 3°C (37°F), lows of -4°C (25°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 8.5 hours of daylight. Christmas markets, the start of the ski season and a busy New Year with fireworks over the city.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 3°C (37°F) / -4°C (25°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 8.5 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Innsbruck: days average 3°C (37°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about -4°C (25°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with November (9°C (48°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 3°C (37°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:55
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:25
- Daylight
- About 8.5 hours
Winter (December–February). Snowy, cold and busy, with several ski areas nearby, Christmas markets and the Bergisel ski jumping in early January.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Christmas markets (usually until early January)
- New Year's Eve fireworks over the city (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Castle · Amras
Schloss Ambras
Archduke Ferdinand II's Renaissance castle on the city's southeastern edge houses his Chamber of Art and Curiosities, an armour collection, the coffered Spanish Hall and a Habsburg portrait gallery with works by Titian, Velázquez and Van Dyck.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Outdoors
Religious site · Altstadt
Innsbruck Cathedral
Look up at the painted dome illusions before approaching the altar.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Museum · Wilten
Grassmayr Bell Foundry
A family-run bell foundry operating in Innsbruck for around four centuries, with a museum explaining casting and a sound room where you can ring bells and feel the vibrations.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Landmark · Altstadt
Golden Roof
Come early in the morning or after dark, when the square is quiet and the roof is lit.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 3°C, lows near -4°C and 9 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Innsbruck?
One of the best months to visit Innsbruck, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are January and June–September. Compare every month.
Innsbruck in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Innsbruck?
It is one of the best months to visit Innsbruck. Christmas markets, the start of the ski season and a busy New Year with fireworks over the city.
+How warm is Innsbruck in December?
Average highs are around 3°C (37°F) and lows around -4°C (25°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Innsbruck in December?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.