Best time to visit · Salzburg · Austria
The best time to visit Salzburg
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andrew Bossi, CC BY-SA 2.5
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Quick answer
The best months for Salzburg are May, June and September, with mild weather, gardens in bloom and lake trips at their best without festival prices. July and August bring the Salzburg Festival and the biggest crowds, while late November and December are popular for Christmas markets and Advent concerts. January to March is quiet, cold and good value.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–June and September
- Shoulder season
- April, July–August, October and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 25°C (77°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 3°C (37°F))
- Rainiest month
- June (~15 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Seasons
Salzburg has cold winters with snow possible from December to March, and warm summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms. Its position against the Alps makes it one of the rainiest cities in Austria, with persistent drizzle locally called Schnürlregen.
March–May
Spring
Easter markets and festival, flowering gardens and the reopening of Hellbrunn; showers are frequent.
June–August
Summer
Warm days, beer gardens and lake trips, plus the Salzburg Festival; the busiest and most expensive season, with afternoon storms.
September–November
Autumn
Settled September weather, the Rupertikirtag fair and autumn colour, turning grey in November until the Christmas markets open.
December–February
Winter
Christmas markets and Advent concerts in December, then cold, quiet weeks with low prices, Mozart Week and nearby skiing.
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 | -4°C | 11 | 8.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 5°C | -3°C | 10 | 10.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 10°C | 1°C | 12 | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 15°C | 4°C | 12 | 13.6 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 20°C | 9°C | 14 | 15.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 23°C | 12°C | 15 | 16 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 25°C | 14°C | 15 | 15.6 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 24°C | 14°C | 14 | 14.3 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 20°C | 10°C | 11 | 12.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 14°C | 6°C | 10 | 10.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 8°C | 1°C | 11 | 9.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 3°C | -3°C | 12 | 8.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Mozart Week — concerts around Mozart's birthday (usually late January) |
| February | Carnival (Fasching) balls and parades (usually February) |
| March | Salzburg Easter Festival (around Easter, March or April) |
| April | Salzburg Easter Festival (around Easter) |
| May | Whitsun Festival — baroque and opera programme (usually May or June, around Pentecost) |
| June | Whitsun Festival (some years in June) |
| July | Salzburg Festival — opera, drama and concerts (usually late July to end of August) |
| August | Salzburg Festival continues (until late August) |
| September | Rupertikirtag — traditional fair for the city's patron saint (usually late September) |
| November | Christkindlmarkt on Cathedral and Residenz squares (usually from late November) |
| December | Christkindlmarkt on Cathedral and Residenz squares (usually through the Christmas holidays); Salzburg Advent Singing at the Festival halls (Advent weekends); Krampus runs (early December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February, and the sights are quietest in January–March.
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 compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Salzburg?
The best months for Salzburg are May, June and September, with mild weather, gardens in bloom and lake trips at their best without festival prices. July and August bring the Salzburg Festival and the biggest crowds, while late November and December are popular for Christmas markets and Advent concerts. January to March is quiet, cold and good value.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Salzburg?
Usually in January–February. Cold and often grey with occasional snow; quiet streets apart from Mozart Week around the composer's birthday.
+What is the rainiest month in Salzburg?
June, with about 15 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Salzburg get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 25°C (77°F) and lows of 14°C (57°F).