Best time to visit Austria

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Austria

Best time of year to visit Austria

May through September is by all means the best time to visit Austria. The weather remains dry, warm and sunny which makes it a perfect season for fun-filled activities from mountain biking to hiking. The only drawback is a surge of tourists and higher room rates, so if you prefer to avoid crowds, choose late spring or early autumn.
Winter is appreciated for thermal baths and events like Snowbombing Festival. It is a fantastic period for skiers and snowboarders as well as for those looking for a true Christmas spirit.

38 THINGS TO DO IN AUSTRIA (JULY 25 - AUGUST 03)

Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Grossglockner High Alpine Road

May–October • activity

Experience the curves of the highest road in Austria with great views

5 Fingers in Dachstein Salzkammergut

5 Fingers in Dachstein Salzkammergut

May–October • nature

An extraordinary platform opens a world of amazing views

Prater

Prater

March 15 – October 31 • activity

One of the oldest amusement parks in the world!

Hiking in the Alps​

Hiking in the Alps​

mid-June–September • activity

What can be better than a walk through Europe's most beautiful mountainous region?

Vienna Bike Tours

Vienna Bike Tours

April–October • activity

Explore the city's numerous architectural wonders on two wheels

Alpine Ibex

Alpine Ibex

December–January | May–September • nature

A proud resident of the Alps

Wooden Slides of Hallstatt

Wooden Slides of Hallstatt

April–December • activity

An unforgettable experience on Europe's longest wooden slide

KäseStrasse or the Cheese Trail

KäseStrasse or the Cheese Trail

May–October • food

Discover the secret of cheese making from the real masters in Bregenzerwald

Alpine Marmots

Alpine Marmots

May–November • nature

Meet a fluffy rodent while your hike tours in Alps

Alpenzoo Innsbruck

Alpenzoo Innsbruck

May–October • activity

Visit the highest Zoo in the world and enjoy an amazing panoramic view of Innsbruck

Paragliding and Hang Gliding

Paragliding and Hang Gliding

March–November • activity

Feel like flying? Go ahead! Tyrol is waiting

Ice Caves

Ice Caves

May–October • nature

Walk into the frozen world during warm summer months

Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking

May–October • activity

Start your cycling adventure in the Alps

Edelweiss

Edelweiss

July–September • nature

Witness the blooming of the national flower of Austria

Green Lake Park

Green Lake Park

May–July • activity

Visit Styria during spring to see how a park turns into a lake

Lake Holidays Season

Lake Holidays Season

May–September • nature

Enjoy summertime on the gorgeous Austrian Riviera

Via Ferrata

Via Ferrata

June–November • activity

Experience Alpine climbing in the most spectacular locales Europe has to offer

Fishing

Fishing

April–October • activity

Breathe fresh mountain air and enjoy fishing in clear waters of mountain rivers

Samson Parades

Samson Parades

mid-May–late September • event

A giant figure of Samson dances in the streets.

Alpine Flower Garden Kitzbüheler Horn

Alpine Flower Garden Kitzbüheler Horn

May–October • nature

Check out over 400 species of alpine flowers in a beautiful garden

Timmelsjoch

Timmelsjoch

June–October • activity

A secret Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road in the Ötztal Alps attracts adrenaline-seekers

Lower Austria Grape Harvest

Lower Austria Grape Harvest

August–November • food

Enjoy the taste of fall during the wine season in Lower Austria

Wind- and Kitesurfing

Wind- and Kitesurfing

June–September • activity

Catching a good wind is easy if you know where and when to go

Schubertiade Festival

Schubertiade Festival

April 27–October 6, 2024 (selected dates) • event

Intimate yet significant classical music festival

Gosau Lake Diving

Gosau Lake Diving

May–October • activity

Experience diving and other water activities at Lake Gosau in Salzkammergut

Water Lilies

Water Lilies

May–September • nature

Gorgeous water lilies cover Austrian lakes in the summer

La Strada Street Theatre Festival

La Strada Street Theatre Festival

unconfirmedJuly 26-August 4, 2024 • event

Play your part in the street theatre performance in the city of Graz

Bregenzer Festspiele Festival

Bregenzer Festspiele Festival

July 17-August 18, 2024 • event

Theater and opera performances, orchestra concerts, and numerous other events on a large floating stage

Сanoeing and Kayaking

Сanoeing and Kayaking

May–October • activity

Feel the freedom of canoeing and kayaking on the rivers and lakes of Austria

Apricot Dumplings

Apricot Dumplings

July–August • food

Famous sweet apricot dumplings are a must-try when visiting Austria

Tyrolean Climbing Gardens

Tyrolean Climbing Gardens

May–November • activity

Practice your skills or learn how to climb in the climbing gardens of Tyrol

Danube Boat Trip

Danube Boat Trip

April–October • activity

Experience a boat trip on the waters of the Danube River

White Water Rafting

White Water Rafting

June–August • activity

Austrian rivers offer a great experience for both experts and first-timers​

Rock and Glacier Climbing

Rock and Glacier Climbing

April–October • activity

Check out all the great climbing locations Austria has to offer!

Alpine Golf

Alpine Golf

April–November • activity

Enjoy a round of gold and breathtaking panoramic views

Schönbrunn Palace

Schönbrunn Palace

all year round • activity

Discover the changing tastes of Habsburg monarchs while strolling through magnificent rooms of the imperial palace and surrounding gardens

Horse Riding

Horse Riding

May–October • activity

Mount a horse and enjoy spectacular landscapes on horseback

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

March–September • activity

Be impressed by a huge variety of bird species in Austria and enjoy a great season of birding

51 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

European Bike Week

European Bike Week

out of rangeSeptember 5–10, 2023 • event

Over 100,000 motorcyclists visit Carinthia during Bike Week

Krampus

Krampus

out of rangeDecember 5 • event

Scary evil Santa twin occupies Austria, looking for bad, naughty kids

Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert (Sommernachtskonzert)

Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert (Sommernachtskonzert)

out of rangeJune 7, 2024 • event

An awaited music event in a stunning location—gardens of the Schönbrunn Palace

Ball Season

Ball Season

out of rangeNovember–February • event

Check out one of the most famous traditions of the city

World Bodypainting Festival

World Bodypainting Festival

out of rangeSeptember 26–30, 2023 • event

Take a glance on a live masterpieces of Bodypaint city

Tobogganing

Tobogganing

out of rangeDecember–March • activity

Get some winter fun at the world's longest toboggan run

New Year's Concert (Neujahrskonzert)

New Year's Concert (Neujahrskonzert)

out of rangeDecember 30, 2023–January 1, 2024 • event

One of the most nostalgic traditions and certainly iconic for Vienna

Igloo Building

Igloo Building

out of rangeDecember–March • activity

Build a real winter house and experience life in an igloo village

Skiing

Skiing

out of rangeDecember–March • activity

The Alps make Austria one of the world's top skiing destinations

Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets

out of rangeNovember–January • event

Austrian cities and ski resorts offer some of the most romantic and cozy holiday fairs in Europe

Donauinselfest (Danube Island Festival)

Donauinselfest (Danube Island Festival)

out of rangeJune 21-23, 2024 • event

Check out the biggest open-air music festival in Europe on the Danube Island

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing

out of rangeDecember–March • activity

Amazing winter views and relaxed walks in the untouched mountain top snow

Snowbombing Music Festival in Mayrhofen

Snowbombing Music Festival in Mayrhofen

out of rangeApril 8-13, 2024 • event

Snow and music all week long

Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele)

Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele)

unconfirmedmid-July–late August 2023 • event

An iconic opera festival founded by composer Richard Strauss and other prominent artists

Fasching

Fasching

out of rangeJanuary 28–February 13, 2024 • event

Visit a real carnival in Austria

Long Night of Museums

Long Night of Museums

out of rangeOctober 1, 2022 • event

The entire rich cultural heritage of Austria is on display for one ticket during this special night

Winter Thermal Baths

Winter Thermal Baths

out of rangeDecember–April • activity

Relax and leave behind the everyday routine in one of the many thermal baths or spa centres in Austria

Vienna City Marathon

Vienna City Marathon

out of rangeApril 21, 2024 • event

One of the easiest and most popular marathons in Europe

Heliskiing and Heliboarding

Heliskiing and Heliboarding

out of rangeDecember–March • activity

Bird's eye view of the mountain tops and breathtaking downhill freeriding. Experience heliskiing and heliboarding​ in Arlberg

Hallstatt Christmas Market

Hallstatt Christmas Market

out of rangeDecember 8, 2024 • event

A single-day romantic fair in one of the world's most photographed towns!

Austrian Women's Run (Österreichischer Frauenlauf)

Austrian Women's Run (Österreichischer Frauenlauf)

out of rangeMay 26, 2024 • event

Have you ever seen so many women running?

Aperschnalzen

Aperschnalzen

out of rangelate January–early February • event

A custom of whip cracking used to drive winter away

New Year's Eve in Austria

New Year's Eve in Austria

out of rangeDecember 30–January 1 • event

Austria has prepared several wonderful events for you on New Year's Eve. Don't miss a chance to check them out

Maroni

Maroni

out of rangeDecember–February • food

Try some chestnuts, another great winter food

Knödelfest

Knödelfest

out of rangeSeptember 21, 2024 • event

Try out the best tastes among the variety of dumplings at Knödel Festival

Christmas Markets at Lake Wolfgang

Christmas Markets at Lake Wolfgang

out of rangeNovember 17–December 23, 2023 • event

Feel the magical spirit of Christmas in this beautiful alpine region.

Ice Skating

Ice Skating

out of rangeDecember–March • activity

Experience the variety of ice skating locations in Tyrol

Ballontage Krems Langenlois Hot-Air Balloon Festival

Ballontage Krems Langenlois Hot-Air Balloon Festival

out of rangeAugust 15-18, 2024 • event

You don't want to miss this hot-air balloon festival

Winter Hiking

Winter Hiking

out of rangeDecember–March • activity

What can be as relaxing and fascinating as a hike on a beautiful winter mountain?

Glöckler

Glöckler

out of rangeJanuary 5 • event

A magical ancient tradition in Salzkammergut

Mohnstrudel

Mohnstrudel

out of rangeDecember 24–December 25 • food

One of Christmas must-try sweets with lots of poppy seeds

Winter Horse and Sleigh Ride

Winter Horse and Sleigh Ride

out of rangeDecember–March • activity

Enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh among snow-covered mountains in Salzburg area

Linz Marathon

Linz Marathon

out of rangeApril 7, 2024 • event

Challenge yourself and get ready for one of the easiest marathons in Europe

Schrammel.Klang.Festival

Schrammel.Klang.Festival

out of rangeJuly 5-14, 2024 • event

Spend an amazing weekend in Litschau full of music and relaxation

Crankworx Innsbruck

Crankworx Innsbruck

unconfirmedJune 12-23, 2024 • event

Best mountain bike riders show off their tricks

Feuerzangenbowle

Feuerzangenbowle

out of rangeDecember 24–January 1 • food

Traditional festive drink, served hot from a bowl

The Narzissenfest

The Narzissenfest

out of rangeMay 30-June 2, 2024 • event

Enjoy the beauty of a white sea of flowers during Narzissenfest in Ausseerland

Wine Season

Wine Season

out of rangeNovember • food

Try to make your own wine and taste young wines among Austria's beautiful vineyards​

May Day

May Day

out of rangeMay 1 • event

Labour Day parades or traditional Spring celebrations? It's up to you to decide what this holiday is about.

Molybdomancy (Bleigießen)

Molybdomancy (Bleigießen)

out of rangelate December • event

Magical fortune telling with a help of spoon and silver

Frequency Festival

Frequency Festival

out of rangeAugust 15-17, 2024 • event

The largest and most famous multi-genre music festival in Austria

Salzburg Christmas Market

Salzburg Christmas Market

out of rangeNovember 23, 2023–January 1, 2024 • event

The largest Advent season attraction in the birthplace of Mozart

Innsbruck Christmas Markets

Innsbruck Christmas Markets

out of rangemid-November–early January • event

Enchanting holiday markets in the capital of Tyrol and the fifth-largest city in Austria

Faschingskrapfen

Faschingskrapfen

out of rangeFebruary 21, 2023 • food

The best sweet treat of the carnival season

Goose with Blaukraut and Bread Dumpling (Serviettenknödel)

Goose with Blaukraut and Bread Dumpling (Serviettenknödel)

out of rangeNovember 11 • food

Special dish on St. Martin's Day

Ski Food

Ski Food

out of rangeDecember–mid-April • food

The very best apres-ski specials

Easter

Easter

out of rangeMarch 31, 2024 • event

A time to try traditional dishes, sweets, shop for handicrafts and have fun

Jazzfestival Saalfelden

Jazzfestival Saalfelden

out of rangeAugust 17–20, 2023 • event

A summer weekend in the Alps with great musicians and around 60 concerts

Gebrannte Mandeln

Gebrannte Mandeln

out of rangeDecember–January • food

Burnt sugar almonds are special winter treat associated with holidays

Life Ball

Life Ball

on holdMay 20, 2023 • event

A glamorous party celebrated under the umbrella of solidarity, tolerance, and enlightenment during the AIDS charity event

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