Best time to visit · Vienna · Austria
The best time to visit Vienna
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wiener Staatsoper GmbH, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Vienna are April to June and September to October, when the weather is mild, the parks and vineyards are at their best and the music season is in full swing. December is very popular for the Christmas markets; January and February are cold but quiet, with the ball season adding glamour.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- March and November–December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 26°C (79°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 3°C (37°F))
- Rainiest month
- May (~8 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Seasons
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. The Pannonian influence makes it relatively dry and often windy.
March–May
Spring
Cool March turning warm in May, with blossom in the palace gardens, Easter markets and the Wiener Festwochen arts festival.
June–August
Summer
Warm days, open-air festivals and Danube swimming, but the State Opera takes a summer break and July and August are busy.
September–November
Autumn
Mild September and October with the grape harvest and new concert season, turning grey in November when Christmas markets open.
December–February
Winter
Cold with occasional snow, Christmas markets in December, the New Year's Concert and the ball season in January and February.
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 | -2°C | 7 | 8.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 5°C | -1°C | 6 | 10.1 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 10°C | 2°C | 7 | 11.7 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 16°C | 6°C | 6 | 13.6 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 21°C | 10°C | 8 | 15.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 24°C | 14°C | 8 | 16.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 26°C | 16°C | 8 | 15.7 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 26°C | 16°C | 7 | 14.3 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 21°C | 12°C | 6 | 12.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 15°C | 7°C | 6 | 10.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 8°C | 3°C | 7 | 9.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 4°C | -1°C | 7 | 8.4 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | New Year's Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein (1 January); Ball season — dozens of formal balls (January to February) |
| February | Vienna Opera Ball (usually February, before Lent) |
| March | Easter markets at Schönbrunn and Freyung (March or April, depending on Easter) |
| April | Vienna City Marathon (usually April) |
| May | Wiener Festwochen arts festival (usually mid-May to June); Summer Night Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic at Schönbrunn — free, open-air (usually late May or June) |
| June | Donauinselfest — huge free open-air music festival on the Danube Island (usually June); Vienna Pride and Rainbow Parade on the Ringstrasse (usually June) |
| July | Film Festival on Rathausplatz — free open-air opera and concert films with food stalls (July–August); ImPulsTanz dance festival (July–August) |
| August | Film Festival on Rathausplatz continues (until late August) |
| September | Vienna Wine Hiking Day — walking routes through the city's vineyards (usually late September) |
| October | Long Night of the Museums (usually early October); Austrian National Day (26 October); Viennale film festival (usually late October) |
| November | Christmas markets open at Rathausplatz, Spittelberg, Schönbrunn and elsewhere (usually mid-November) |
| December | Christmas markets (until 24–26 December, some until early January); New Year's Eve trail through the old town (31 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 packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; 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 Vienna?
The best times to visit Vienna are April to June and September to October, when the weather is mild, the parks and vineyards are at their best and the music season is in full swing. December is very popular for the Christmas markets; January and February are cold but quiet, with the ball season adding glamour.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Vienna?
Usually in January–February. Cold and often grey, but the ball season is in full swing and museums and coffee houses are cosy and quiet.
+What is the rainiest month in Vienna?
May, with about 8 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Vienna get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 26°C (79°F) and lows of 16°C (61°F).