Destination
Salzburg is compact, musical and surrounded by mountains. Summer brings the Salzburg Festival and the highest prices, December brings the Christmas markets, and the city is wetter than many visitors expect. May and September give the best mix of green hills, comfortable temperatures and calmer streets. Here is how all twelve months compare for weather, crowds, prices and events.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
My recommendation
September
September offers warm, settled weather, clear views of the Alps and fewer visitors than the festival weeks of July and August. It is a good month for the fortress, the gardens and day trips to the lakes.
Best weather
May & September
Mild and green, with long daylight.
Least crowded
February
Cold, but museums and coffee houses are easy to enjoy.
Best for music
Late July–August
The Salzburg Festival.
Best for Christmas markets
Late Nov–Dec
Atmospheric but busy.
September scores
Plan around
July–August
June–August
Late November–December
Salzburg travel tip
The old town is small enough to walk in a morning, so start early, ride the funicular up to the fortress and finish with a coffee house stop. Rain is common in summer, so keep a museum or concert as a backup.
Founder note
“My favourite place to look at Salzburg is the Mönchsberg, just above the old town. Walk up in the evening and watch the light fade over the rooftops and the fortress.”
Experience Salzburg
Travel around
The old town is best on foot. The Festungsbahn funicular climbs to the fortress, a lift reaches the Mönchsberg, and the Salzburg Card bundles public transport with many sights.
Best period
Year-round
Check the card's validity and what it includes before you buy.
CFV founder tip
Take the lift up the Mönchsberg in the evening. The whole old town, the river and the fortress sit in front of you, and the walk back down is calm.
Month by month
Tap any month for full scores, temperatures and planning notes.
Book Mozart Week concerts ahead and bring proper winter boots.
Warm up with a Konditorei stop between sights.
Check the Easter dates; they affect hotel prices.
Book Easter accommodation well ahead.
Pack a light rain jacket; showers are common.
Book restaurants for weekends ahead.
Book festival tickets and hotels months in advance.
If you only want the sights, come in September.
Take a day trip to the lakes of the Salzkammergut.
Take the Mönchsberg lift for a view over the colours.
Book for the Advent weekends early.
Visit the markets on weekday evenings.
Climate
| Month | High | Low | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°C / 37°F | -4°C / 25°F | 59 mm |
| February | 6°C / 43°F | -3°C / 27°F | 53 mm |
| March | 10°C / 50°F | 1°C / 34°F | 87 mm |
| April | 16°C / 61°F | 4°C / 39°F | 78 mm |
| May | 19°C / 66°F | 8°C / 46°F | 115 mm |
| June | 23°C / 73°F | 13°C / 55°F | 151 mm |
| July | 24°C / 75°F | 14°C / 57°F | 158 mm |
| August | 24°C / 75°F | 14°C / 57°F | 164 mm |
| September | 20°C / 68°F | 10°C / 50°F | 112 mm |
| October | 14°C / 57°F | 6°C / 43°F | 73 mm |
| November | 9°C / 48°F | 1°C / 34°F | 72 mm |
| December | 4°C / 39°F | -2°C / 28°F | 72 mm |
Climate data: Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Can't decide?
Keep exploring
Other places I’d time carefully — and when I’d go.
If you want…
…the best weather
Go in May or September.
…music at its peak
Go in July or August, and book tickets months ahead.
…the fewest crowds
Go in February or November.
FAQ
September is the best overall choice, with settled weather and fewer crowds than the festival weeks.
It runs through July and August. Check the official programme for exact dates.
Summer is the wettest season, so plan an indoor option for each day.
