Vienna and Salzburg are close in December. Vienna averages 1–5°C with high crowds; Salzburg -2–4°C with high crowds.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
Vienna and Salzburg
The verdict for December
Peak Christmas market season
+Markets, lights and concerts everywhere.
–Highest prices, crowds and early darkness.
December is Vienna at its most festive, with a dense calendar of markets, concerts and New Year events. It is also expensive and busy, particularly around Christmas and New Year.
Advent markets
+Christmas markets and lights.
–Cold and crowded at weekends.
December is magical, with Christmas markets and carols, but crowds and prices rise.
Scores and crowd levels are my own judgement; temperatures are monthly averages. Higher scores are better: quieter, cheaper and more pleasant.
Another month