If you are looking for a plethora of idyllic locations, alpine forests, rolling hills, majestic structures and buildings and varied climatic conditions, only Austria can provide all this for you. One of the most attractive tourist places, not just in Europe, but the whole world, Austria has something to offer for all kinds of travellers. If you love to spend time marvelling at incredible architecture, indulging in adventure sports like Skiing or snowboarding, or spending quality time in a tranquil resort with beautiful scenic surroundings, Austria is the right place to do it all. Such varied and incredible options make it a country that is definitely worth visiting. 

Due to the geographical location of Austria and its topography, the country has varied climatic conditions with the temperature in the months of January and February going as low as -7°C and rising to 24°C in July. This variation in the temperature and weather conditions have a huge role to play in impacting your vacation, which is why it is essential to know when to visit. Austria does have four seasons and each season gives you a different experience. While the summers offer you the ideal climate for you to visit the whole country, the winters offer you the opportunity to indulge in various adventure sports. The spring season is ideal to explore both, natural landscapes and city life. Finally, the autumn season gives you magical colours of red, brown and golden in the wilderness. 

When it comes to natural landscapes, Salzkammergut, Bregenz, Hoher Dachstein, Styria and Vorarlberg are some of the best locations in the country that will make you want to stop time then and there and just soak up the beauty of scenic lakes, pristine waterfalls, rolling hills and mountains with soft snow on them. Coming to the cities, Vienna, Salzburg, Graz and Innsbruck offer you some terrific experiences through museums, art galleries and the perfect mix of medieval and modern architecture. When in the city, do not forget to try the amazing delicacies from the Austrian cuisine. Wiener Schnitzel, Viennese Apfelstrudel and Potato Gulasch are some of the irresistible dishes that you must definitely try. 

Now that you know how amazing and beautiful Austria is, let us focus on what the right time to visit it is. The weather condition is the number one criterion when it comes to identifying the right time to visit a place. The different festivals and events, as well as the price and availability of the hotel rooms and flight tickets are the other major things you need to factor in. To have a better understanding of how all the logistics work, here is a detailed analysis of everything you need to know with respect to each of the seasons. 

Peak Season: June to August

Off Season: January

Shoulder Season: September-October

Austria has a wonderful summer because of the temperature being consistent throughout the day and hence, this is the most ideal time to visit the country. However, the shoulder season gives wonderful opportunities for you to visit the cities with only a few tourists around. Here is a table to give you an idea about how the weather behaves in Austria throughout the year before we take you through a detailed analysis of each season. 

Spring In Austria (March to May):

Temperature: The temperature during spring in Austria fluctuates between 9°C and 15°C. 

Weather: The spring season in Austria offers a terrific climate for you to travel across the country. It is cold enough to make the climate feel pleasant, but not so cold that you’ll want to stay inside instead of exploring the country. The average minimum temperature hovers around 9°C and the average maximum temperature stays around 15°C. The snow starts melting and the trees start getting their leaves back during this time of the year. 

Significant Events: The Styria village event in the month of April is an event that you would not want to miss if you love cultural festivals. The low tourist count gives you an opportunity to interact with the locals and understand the culture in a much better way. The festivities of Easter are quite popular in Vienna. The Genussfestival Food Fair in May is the best festival in the whole year for food lovers. You get to experience the classic delicacies from the Austrian cuisine in general, apart from the local recipes of the different villages. 

Why you should visit now: The spring season in Austria falls under its shoulder season and you’ll find a myriad of accommodation options within a reasonable budget. Furthermore, this season is the best to visit the incredible town of Hofburg, home to some of the most majestic monuments and palaces in the country. Coming to nature, this is the ideal time for you to go hiking through the alpine forests and the rolling meadows. 

Things to know before the visit: Since it can still get chilly in the month of March, do not forget to carry your woollens. Similarly, you should carry an umbrella or a raincoat in the month of April because of the unpredictable showers during this time of the year. 

Tip: There is no need to stress about not booking tickets in advance as you can get great hotel rooms even after reaching there.

Summer In Austria (June to August):

Temperature: The temperature during summer ranges between 17°C and 22°C.

Weather: During the summer in Austria, there is not much difference in the minimum and maximum temperatures throughout the day. The average minimum temperature during the summer is close to 17°C and the average maximum temperature is close to 22°C. This in itself should give you an idea about how pleasant the climate is during this time of the year. 

Significant Events: The summer in Austria witnesses the maximum number of festivals and major events in the country. Vienna Festival, Rainbow Festival and the Salzburg Festival are some of the most popular festivals in the country. This is also the best time of year for all the music lovers as the city of Vienna hosts multiple music festivals. The Vienna Summer of Music, Vienna Jazz Music and Festival of Early Music attract the most crowds. 

Why you should visit now: The summer in Austria is the ideal time of the year to explore the country because of its beautiful weather. Since you experience longer days in the summer, you can cover a number of places in a single day itself, which is a bonus if you are on a short trip. On the other hand, if you are travelling for a longer period of time, you can explore each location to its fullest by dedicating a more time to each spot. This is also a great time for hiking, swimming and several water sports. 

Things to know before the trip: Even though the temperatures do not go up too high, the days are quite long. Therefore, make sure that you carry summery clothes like shorts and t-shirts. Do not forget to carry your party outfits for the carnivals you wish to attend. Do keep in mind that the hotel rooms can get costly during this time of the year due to the excessive demand.

Tips: Carry a light travel bag with you to keep an umbrella, sunscreen, adequate water and other such amenities, which you would require on a hot day. Make sure that you book your accommodation and flight tickets well in advance because of it being the peak season of the year. 

Autumn In Austria (September to November):

Temperature: The temperature you get to experience in the autumn in Austria is somewhere between 10°C and 15°C. 

Weather: Autumn in Austria is one of the best seasons with respect to the idyllic weather. It is neither too hot nor too cold, with slight passing showers in between, especially in the month of November. 

Significant events: If you love fashion, then the Vienna Fashion Week is certainly something that you would not want to miss. Viennale, the amazing film festival, is another popular festival this time of the year. The month of November is popular for ball dancing in Austria. The Philharmonic Ball and the Bonbon Ball are the most attended in the country. 

Why you should visit now: The months of September and October are best ones to visit Austria in terms of making your tour a budget-friendly one without any compromises in your itinerary due to bad weather conditions. It is also the best time to visit the countryside of Austria, nestled in the hills. The pleasant weather allows you to indulge in outdoor activities like cycling and hiking as well. Furthermore, the red, brown, yellow and golden leaves all around makes the scene visually stunning everywhere you visit. Simply put, the landscapes are nothing short of a painting. 

Things to know before the visit: September and October both part of the shoulder season in Austria. The crowds you see in the summer seasons are not there, allowing you to explore the city and landscapes without feeling claustrophobic. The hotel rooms would be easily available this time of the year at affordable prices. 

Tips: You need not worry about booking flight tickets and hotel rooms well in advance. Do carry at least one layer of woollens as it can get cold during the nights. Since it is a great time to explore the countryside, it would be great for you to start a fitness plan before the trip to get in shape. 

Winter In Austria (December to February)

Temperature: The air temperature during the season of winter fluctuates between -7°C and 5°C.

Weather: Winter in Austria can produce temperatures as low as -7°C during the month of January. The average maximum temperature stays around 5°C. There is heavy snowfall throughout the country and it can get quite chilly due to the close proximity of the Alps. The visibility drops significantly on certain days due to the fog. 

Significant events: During the cold season, there are not many cultural festivals in Austria. However, nothing can top the Christmas festivities during this time of the year. Visit the Tyrolean village of Alpbach for a snowy and white Christmas, while enjoying the local culture of the village. Visiting the medieval village of Feldkirch is another beautiful experience that you should add in your itinerary. 

For all the love birds out there, Vienna is the place to be in the month of February to experience some amazingly romantic nights. A coffee date in a classic restaurant or a romantic date night in an idyllic resort in the countryside can both be a great way to reconnect with each other!

Why you should visit now: Adventure Sports in Austria is a big thing during this time of the year. Skiing and snowboarding are the two sports that you should definitely try your hand at. 

Things to know before the visit: Since the snowfall can be quite heavy in the months of January, make sure that your accommodation is at a place that would not get cut off (by road) from the outside world. If the main purpose for your visit is skiing, book a resort in the hills or mountains. 

Tips: The temperature can drop significantly and you must carry the best possible woollen clothes. Do not forget to wrap yourself in multiple layers of clothing while staying outdoors!

Let the allure of Austria pull you from your door, and across shores. Drop in at the closest Thomas Cook branch or visit our website to book an incredible trip to Austria.