What's the best time to visit Vienna?
The best time to visit Vienna is either during the warm, crowd-free early autumn or the festive month of December. You’ll get to enjoy the last bits of summer weather perfect for outdoor adventures in September and October, and then the city transforms into a winter wonderland with dazzling Christmas markets. It’s a win-win for experiencing both Vienna’s natural beauty and its holiday magic.
Vienna, the former capital of the Habsburg Empire, is one of the best cities in Europe to visit. History buffs will get a kick out of visiting the many legacies of Vienna’s imperial history, such as the Hofburg Palace, the Habsburg Imperial Crypt, and imposing St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Art lovers will be able to spend days in the city’s many museums, such as the Belvedere. Vienna also has world-famous pastry shops and cafes, and a vibrant young arts and design scene for when you need a break from the imperial stuffiness.
With clean streets, well-organized public transportation, and parks and bike lanes galore, Vienna is a great place to visit. But what’s the best time to go? We’ll show you this and more below.
The Overall Best Time to Visit Vienna
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The best time to visit Vienna is in the early autumn, when you get all the benefits of the summer high season without the crowds. December is also one of the best times to visit the city thanks to its spectacular Christmas season.
Vienna has a continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summer is the warmest season, but the mild temperatures last well into fall.
September’s average daytime high temperatures are 66 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius), meaning that the weather is still warm enough to enjoy the great outdoors. October is a bit cooler and crisper, with average daytime highs of 57 degrees Fahrenheit (14 degrees Celsius).
The mild weather makes this a great time to get outdoors, and a lot of the best of Vienna is located outside. Besides walking around the streets, you can explore the grounds of the many palaces, especially the massive park surrounding Schoenbrunn.
Another way to enjoy the gorgeous weather is to head to one of Vienna’s parks, such as the very famous Prater.
The Prater amusement park is open all year round, but it’s the nicest when the weather is warm, and it has the longest opening hours during the peak season from mid-March to the end of October.
Autumn is a great time to discover some of Vienna’s hidden gems, including its wine. Many people don’t know that Vienna actually has vineyards within city limits, on the hills surrounding the center—or that Austria is a great wine producer in the first place.
The best time to explore the vineyards is during the autumn harvest season, when there is even an official Vienna Wine Hiking Day. Although the weather is still gorgeous in autumn, the city receives far fewer visitors than it does during the summer peak season.
That means you can also enjoy the indoor attractions, including restaurants, cafes, and museums, without waiting in endless lines. According to some visitors, December is actually the best time to visit Vienna thanks to the holiday season.
The city is one of the quintessential European Christmas destinations and really gets into the spirit of the holiday with glittering decorations and seasonal events such as New Year’s Eve fireworks. The main draws are the famous Christmas markets, which range from traditional to touristy to avant-garde.
Cheapest Time to Visit Vienna
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The cheapest time to visit Vienna is from the middle of winter into spring, January-May, when there are fewer tourists, and you can find good deals on hotels.
January to May mark Vienna’s low season, once the holiday rush is over and before the summer high season begins. Since there are fewer tourists around, many businesses are forced to lower their prices.
Since Vienna isn’t a strictly seasonal destination, you’ll still have plenty of options when it comes to finding a choice in your budget.
The biggest savings during this time happen on accommodation. In January and February, you can find the steepest discounts on hotels. Even in early spring, you can find great deals on hotels, up to 20-25% off peak season prices, even on high-end hotels.
Just be sure to avoid popular holidays such as Valentine’s Day and Easter, when prices briefly rise. The middle of winter is the least expensive time to get to Vienna from North America. Flights tend to cost less in January and February, which is generally the slow season for air travel.
You can find (slightly smaller) discounts on flights into spring, especially from within Europe. For train travel, reserve tickets well in advance to get discounts.
Least Busy Time to Visit Vienna
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The least busy time to visit Vienna is in the middle of winter, but you can also beat the crowds in the spring and enjoy good weather to boot.
January and February are the months when Vienna receives the absolute fewest number of visitors. If you visit then, you may encounter more chilly weather (winter averages in Vienna are only slightly above freezing), but also fewer people around.
If you visit in early January, you can still enjoy the Christmas markets, which stay up until the middle of the month, but with far fewer people.
Spring brings warmer temperatures, and by April many Viennese are back to hanging out in the parks and enjoying the great outdoors. You may encounter some rain, but if you get lucky, your trip will be all sunshine.
However, the crowds of tourists don’t really come until the end of May or June. That makes this period a great time to explore the best of Vienna, indoors and outdoors.
The most popular museums of Vienna can have very long lines in the peak season, but you can have artwork such as Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” all to yourself during the winter and spring.
Spring also brings a lot of events to Vienna’s cultural calendar, including:
- Argus Bike Festival (April)
- Sound.frame Festival (April)
- Donaukanaltreiben (May)
Worst Time to Visit Vienna
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The overall worst time to visit Vienna is in the summer because of the large number of crowds. This time is the most popular time for tourists to visit, and it’s easy to understand why.
The weather is at its best, with average daytime temperatures of 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius). The skies are sunny and it’s a perfect time for strolling through palace gardens or having a beer in the park.
However, you won’t be the only one with the great idea of visiting Vienna in the summer. The entire country of Austria received nearly 4 million visitors in July 2023, and many of these visitors passed through Vienna.
Expect to wait in line for pretty much everything, from tickets to popular museums to a table at popular cafes such as Hotel Sacher, home of the original Sacher torte.
The many crowds make a visit unpleasant because nobody likes spending lots of time waiting in line. However, even if you visit in summer, you can still have a good time. Beat the crowds by visiting museums early in the day and checking out less popular attractions.
Reserve restaurants in advance if you have somewhere you really want to eat. During summer, follow the locals and head outdoors.
You can just lounge in the park or participate in the many events including outdoor film screenings and concerts—most of them for free. Popular events include the Vienna Jazz Festival (June) and Filmfest Rathausplatz (all summer long).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are some additional questions that can help you pick the best time to visit Vienna:
Which month is best to visit Austria?
The best month to visit Austria is September, when the weather is still warm, but the leaves are beginning to change, and the crowds are gone.
How many days is enough to see Vienna?
You should spend at least four days in Vienna to see the main attractions, some of the museums, and explore a neighborhood or two.
Is it better to visit Vienna in winter or summer?
Summer is better if you want to spend lots of time outdoors, but winter is better if you want to beat the crowds.
Is Vienna good in October?
Vienna is great in October because there aren’t that many crowds but there are plenty of amazing cultural events.
When is the least expensive time of year to visit Austria?
Spring is the least expensive time of year to visit Austria as the country transitions from holiday and ski travel to the summer peak season.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Vienna?
For the best all-around experience in Vienna, visit in the fall for the high-season experience without the high season crowds. To save money or beat the crowds, the lull from January to early May is a great time to visit.
So, with so much to see and do and plenty of amazing times to go, what are you waiting for — book your trip today and experience for yourself all that Vienna has to offer. Happy travels!