Destination
When should you visit Vienna?
Vienna is a city of palaces, coffeehouses, opera and rooftop views, and the right month decides how much of it you enjoy. May and September give the best mix of mild weather and manageable crowds. December is magical but expensive, while July and August are hot and busy. Here is how all twelve months compare for weather, crowds, prices and events.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
My recommendation
September
September combines warm, settled weather with calmer streets after the summer peak. The wine taverns serve the first young wine of the season and the cultural calendar is back in full swing.
Best weather
May & September
Comfortable temperatures for palaces, parks and terraces.
Least crowded
February
Cold, but museums and coffeehouses are easy to enjoy.
Best value
January–February
Some of the lowest hotel rates of the year.
Best for Christmas markets
Late Nov–Dec
Atmospheric but busy and expensive.
September scores
Plan around
What to know before you book
- Christmas markets
- Markets are at their best and busiest on weekends; visit on weekday evenings for smaller crowds.
- Ball season
- Hotels near the main ball venues fill up; the Opera Ball is the headline event.
- Summer heat
- Afternoons can be hot, and some smaller venues close for the summer break.
Mid-November to late December
January–February
July–August
Vienna travel tip
Vienna rewards early starts: Schönbrunn and the Belvedere are far calmer in the first hour after opening. Keep the middle of the day for a long coffeehouse stop, and aim for a rooftop or high-floor view at sunset.
Founder note
“In Vienna, I like to finish the day with a high-floor view: Le Loft at the Sofitel overlooks St. Stephen's Cathedral, and a drink up there at dusk is hard to beat.”
Month by month
All twelve months, at a glance
Tap any month for full scores, temperatures and planning notes.
- Temperature
- 0–4°C
- Cold and often grey, with frost and the odd snowfall; daylight fades around 4:30 pm.
- Crowds
- Low-Moderate
- Fairly relaxed, with busier moments at the headline sights.
- Prices
- €€
- Good-value hotel rates.
Book ball tickets or a Staatsoper evening well ahead; dress warmly for the walk between venues.
- Coffeehouses
- Opera
- Museums
- Temperature
- 1–7°C
- Cold, with a mix of frost, damp and occasional bright winter days.
- Crowds
- Low
- Light crowds, and most sights can be visited without booking far ahead.
- Prices
- €€
- Good-value hotel rates.
Check the Wiener Eistraum and indoor options on the coldest days.
- Museums
- Budget city break
- Temperature
- 4–11°C
- Cool and changeable; some bright days but regular cold snaps.
- Crowds
- Low-Moderate
- Fairly relaxed, with busier moments at the headline sights.
- Prices
- €€
- Good-value hotel rates.
Check the Easter dates before you book; Easter markets bring a crowd and a price bump.
- Museums
- Spring walks
- Temperature
- 9–17°C
- Mild but changeable, with showers and some warm, bright afternoons.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Steady visitor numbers; the main sights are busiest around midday.
- Prices
- €€€
- Mid-range hotel rates.
Carry a light rain layer and take the tram between sights when showers pass through.
- Parks
- Sightseeing
- Easter markets
- Temperature
- 12–21°C
- Warm, bright and mostly comfortable with a few showers.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Steady visitor numbers; the main sights are busiest around midday.
- Prices
- €€€
- Mid-range hotel rates.
Visit Schönbrunn first thing; the Belvedere gardens are lovely in the early evening.
- Gardens
- Walking
- Terrace dining
- Temperature
- 16–26°C
- Warm and sunny with occasional thunderstorms.
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Popular sights fill up at peak hours, so book timed entries ahead.
- Prices
- €€€
- Mid-range hotel rates.
Book the Spanish Riding School and popular restaurants ahead for weekends.
- Open-air events
- Heurigen
- Evenings outside
- Temperature
- 18–27°C
- Warm to hot, with some thunderstorms and humid spells.
- Crowds
- High
- Expect queues at the headline sights and full terraces in the evening.
- Prices
- €€€
- Mid-range hotel rates.
Sightsee in the morning and keep afternoons for museums, cafés or the Alte Donau.
- Open-air film
- Danube island
- Evening dining
- Temperature
- 18–27°C
- Warm to hot and humid, with occasional storms.
- Crowds
- High
- Expect queues at the headline sights and full terraces in the evening.
- Prices
- €€€
- Mid-range hotel rates.
Pair a morning in town with an afternoon swim or a Wachau valley day trip.
- Museums
- Open-air film
- Day trips
- Temperature
- 14–22°C
- Mild to warm, with clear days and cooler mornings.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Steady visitor numbers; the main sights are busiest around midday.
- Prices
- €€€
- Mid-range hotel rates.
Try Sturm in a Heuriger on the city edge, and book dinner on weekends.
- Wine taverns
- Walking
- Museums
- Temperature
- 9–15°C
- Cool and often crisp, with more rain and mist as the month goes on.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Steady visitor numbers; the main sights are busiest around midday.
- Prices
- €€€
- Mid-range hotel rates.
Take a tram to the Vienna Woods for a day when the weather is clear.
- Autumn walks
- Museums
- Concerts
- Temperature
- 5–10°C
- Cold, damp and often grey, with early evenings.
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Popular sights fill up at peak hours, so book timed entries ahead.
- Prices
- €€€
- Mid-range hotel rates.
Visit the markets on weekday evenings for smaller crowds.
- Christmas markets
- Opera
- Coffeehouses
- Temperature
- 1–5°C
- Cold, with frost and occasional snow; daylight is short.
- Crowds
- High
- Expect queues at the headline sights and full terraces in the evening.
- Prices
- €€€€
- Higher rates, especially for central and view rooms.
Book accommodation early and plan indoor stops to warm up between market visits.
- Christmas markets
- Concerts
- New Year
Climate
Vienna weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Precipitation | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C / 39°F | 0°C / 32°F | 38 mm | 8 |
| February | 7°C / 45°F | 1°C / 34°F | 34 mm | 6 |
| March | 11°C / 52°F | 4°C / 39°F | 46 mm | 8 |
| April | 17°C / 63°F | 9°C / 48°F | 40 mm | 6 |
| May | 21°C / 70°F | 12°C / 54°F | 78 mm | 9 |
| June | 26°C / 79°F | 16°C / 61°F | 82 mm | 9 |
| July | 27°C / 81°F | 18°C / 64°F | 80 mm | 9 |
| August | 27°C / 81°F | 18°C / 64°F | 74 mm | 8 |
| September | 22°C / 72°F | 14°C / 57°F | 67 mm | 7 |
| October | 15°C / 59°F | 9°C / 48°F | 48 mm | 7 |
| November | 10°C / 50°F | 5°C / 41°F | 43 mm | 7 |
| December | 5°C / 41°F | 1°C / 34°F | 40 mm | 8 |
Climate data: Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
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FAQ
Planning a trip to Vienna
What is the best month to visit Vienna?
September is the strongest overall choice, with warm weather and fewer crowds than summer. May is a close alternative.
Is Vienna busy in December?
Yes. Christmas markets draw big crowds, particularly on weekends, and hotel prices are among the highest of the year.
When is Vienna cheapest?
January and February usually have the lowest hotel rates, though it is cold and daylight is short.