Travel season in Austria: when to visit and what to see

Whether exploring cities or relaxing in the countryside, Austria offers travelers a variety of leisure activities and many interesting discoveries. You can immerse yourself in exploring historical monuments and discover the amazing beauty of nature and the picturesque Alps.

What exactly you can discover in this country depends entirely on the season. Travel + Leisure has researched the best time to visit Austria and what season you can get the most out of your stay in this country.

Visiting in small groups

Austria is usually busiest with tourists in the summer, so for those who want to enjoy a vacation without the bustling crowds, the best time to visit the country is in April, early May, September, and October.

The best weather conditions for tourism in Austria

What constitutes "good weather" in Austria can vary significantly depending on the season and type of vacation. In winter, you can have a great time skiing or strolling through the markets during the holiday season. In general, the temperature in winter ranges from zero with a slight margin of error, but in the mountains it will be much colder than in cities.

If you want to explore the city in warm weather, it is better to plan your vacation in June, July or August. At this time, you can visit outdoor swimming pools or prefer to walk around the city and ride bicycles. However, if you want to focus on in-depth city exploration and museum visits, it is better to do it in the spring or fall.

High and low season

As in any other country, Austria has its own tourist seasons and peak traveler periods, during which prices for accommodation and meals increase significantly. Room rates can be affected by congresses and conventions, which usually take place in September or October. In addition, prices can be significantly higher during festivals, for example, in Salzburg from late July to August, or during the Christmas season for mountain vacations. Thus, prices are significantly reduced in January after the New Year holidays and in summer during peak temperatures.

Time for Christmas markets and skiing

For a winter vacation, you should choose the period from December 1 to early January. At this time, the country hosts some of the best holiday markets in Europe and the ski season opens. In February, Austria's large-scale ball season begins and there are balls that are open to the public, subject to appropriate dress code.