Austria in December

Christmas markets in Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck; ski season opens; New Year's concert in Vienna.

December is rated good. These months rate higher:

• JuneGreatLifts reopen, meadows in flower, long evenings; the best all-round month.
• JulyGreatSalzburg Festival starts; lakes warm; afternoon thunderstorms in the Alps.
• AugustGreatPeak hiking and lake season; Hallstatt crowded; book huts and festival tickets early.
• SeptemberGreatClear mountain weather, cattle drives down from the pastures, wine harvest begins.

• Vienna and the east · Vienna, Wachau, Burgenland, Grazcool

  Dry continental climate: hot July–August (up to 35 °C (95 °F)) and cold, grey winters; wine harvest September–October.Dry continental climate: hot July–August (up to 95 °F (35 °C)) and cold, grey winters; wine harvest September–October.

• Salzburg and the lakes · Salzburg, Salzkammergut (Hallstatt, Wolfgangsee)cool

  Salzburg is one of the wettest cities in Austria ('Schnürlregen'); bring a rain jacket in any month. Lakes are swimmable July–August.

• Tyrol valleys · Innsbruck, Kitzbühel, Zillertalcool

  Sunny, dry winters in the valleys; foehn wind makes sudden warm days. Summer afternoons bring thunderstorms.

• High Alps · Ötztal, Arlberg (St Anton), Hohe Tauern, glaciersbest weather

  Ski season December to April ('best' in winter means snow); huts open late June to late September. Many lifts close in May and November.

• Burgenland: Lake Neusiedl and north · Eisenstadt, Rust, Neusiedl am Seecool

  Pannonian climate: hot, dry summers and cold winters. The lake freezes in some winters.

• Burgenland: South · Oberwart, Güssing, Jennersdorfcool

  Slightly milder and sunnier than the Austrian average; thermal spas run year-round.

• Carinthia: Lake basin (Villach, Klagenfurt, Wörthersee) · central Carinthiacold

  Lake swimming peaks July–August; the basin holds summer heat. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August.

• Carinthia: Alpine valleys (Nassfeld, Heiligenblut, Grossglockner) · north and westcold

  High passes and the Grossglockner road are seasonal; snow can close them from October into May.

• Lower Austria: Danube valley (Wachau, Tulln, Krems) · River corridor west of Viennacool

  Wine-hill walking April to October; summer afternoons can pass 30 °C (86 °F).Wine-hill walking April to October; summer afternoons can pass 86 °F (30 °C).

• Lower Austria: Vienna basin and Wienerwald (Mödling, Baden, Klosterneuburg) · Around the capitalcool

  Mild and dry; the woods are the summer escape.

• Lower Austria: Eastern Alps (Semmering) · Southwest edgecold

  Snow and skiing December to March; trails June to September.

• Salzburg: Salzburg city and Flachgau · Northern flat edgecold

  Rain peaks in summer; the city is low enough to walk year-round.

• Salzburg: Alps (Pinzgau, Pongau, Lungau) · Most of the statecold

  Snow at altitude Nov–Apr; high passes and some cable cars shut in the shoulder months.

• Styria: Graz basin · Graz and the Mur valleycold

  Warm, sheltered basin; July and August often 30 °C (86 °F)+ and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms.Warm, sheltered basin; July and August often 86 °F (30 °C)+ and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms.

• Styria: Upper Styria mountains · Schladming, Murau, Dachsteinsnow

  Ski season roughly December to April; hiking season June to early October, with snow possible above 1,800 m in June.

• Styria: South-east hills · Hartberg and the wine countrycold

  Mildest corner of the state; vine rows and spa towns are at their best May–October.

• Tyrol: Innsbruck and the Inn valley · North Tyrol, 570 mcold

  Valley floor is mild; the Nordkette above it can be 10 °C (18 °F) colder. Föhn winds bring sudden warm, dry days.Valley floor is mild; the Nordkette above it can be 18 °F (10 °C) colder. Föhn winds bring sudden warm, dry days.

• Tyrol: High valleys and ski resorts · Zillertal, Arlberg, Ötztal, above 1,000 mcold

  Snow reliable roughly December to early April; summer hiking June to September. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August.

• Upper Austria: Danube valley (Linz, Steyr, Wels) · Northern lowlandcold

  Warm summers around 25 °C (77 °F), cold winters with fog on the river; May, June and September are the pick.Warm summers around 77 °F (25 °C), cold winters with fog on the river; May, June and September are the pick.

• Upper Austria: Salzkammergut (Hallstatt, Bad Ischl) · Southern lakes and mountainscold

  Rainier and cooler than the Danube; snow from November on the passes, lake swimming July–August.

• Vorarlberg: Rhine valley and Lake Constance · Bregenz, Dornbirn, Feldkirchcool

  Mildest part of the state; lake-effect cloud and rain are common. June–September is the reliable window; July–August averages about 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). April–May is shoulder season — check conditions.Mildest part of the state; lake-effect cloud and rain are common. June–September is the reliable window; July–August averages about 68–77 °F (20–25 °C). April–May is shoulder season — check conditions.

• Vorarlberg: Valleys and Arlberg · Montafon, Bregenzerwald, Lechsnow

  Snow from December to March; December daytime highs near 1 °C (34 °F) in the valley. Above 700–1,000 m expect about 100 cm of snow in a normal winter. June–September is the hiking window; April–May is shoulder season — check conditions.Snow from December to March; December daytime highs near 34 °F (1 °C) in the valley. Above 700–1,000 m expect about 100 cm of snow in a normal winter. June–September is the hiking window; April–May is shoulder season — check conditions.

• Vienna4 °C (39 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
• Alpbach4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 13 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 13 rain days
• Amstetten4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Attnang‑Puchheim3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 11 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 11 rain days
• Bad Aussee3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 9 rain days
• Bad Gastein-1 °C (30 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 9 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 9 rain days
• Baden4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Bischofshofen4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 6 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 6 rain days
• Bludenz3 °C (37 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Bregenz5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 11 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 11 rain days
• Bruck an der Mur3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Dornbirn5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 11 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 11 rain days
• Dürnstein3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Ehrwald3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 9 rain days
• Eisenstadt4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Ellmau3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Emmersdorf an der Donau4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Feldkirch4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 11 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 11 rain days
• Fieberbrunn3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Flachau4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 12 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 12 rain days
• Freistadt2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 11 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 11 rain days
• Friesach3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 6 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 6 rain days
• Fügen3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 9 rain days
• Fugging4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Graz3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 10 rain days
• Gröbming3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Güssing4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Hall in Tirol4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 9 rain days
• Hallein4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 11 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 11 rain days
• Hallstatt3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 13 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 13 rain days
• Hartberg5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 13 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 13 rain days
• Heiligenblut3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 12 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 12 rain days
• Hintertux-1 °C (30 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 10 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 10 rain days
• Hohenems3 °C (37 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 12 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 12 rain days
• Igls4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 10 rain days
• Innsbruck4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 9 rain days
• Ischgl3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Kals1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 8 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 8 rain days
• Kapfenberg3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Kaprun-1 °C (30 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 70 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 70 rain days
• Kitzbühel2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Klagenfurt2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 7 rain days
• Kleinarl2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Klosterneuburg4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Knittelfeld3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 7 rain days
• Krems an der Donau3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Krimml2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Kufstein3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 11 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 11 rain days
• Langen am Arlberg3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 9 rain days
• Lech and Zürs am Arlberg0 °C (32 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 7 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 7 rain days
• Leoben3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 9 rain days
• Lermoos2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Lienz3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 14 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 14 rain days
• Liezen3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 9 rain days
• Linz3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• Mayrhofen3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Melk3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Mödling4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Montafon3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Murau4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Nassfeld2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 8 rain days
• Neusiedl am See4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Oberndorf bei Salzburg and Laufen, Bavaria4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 11 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 11 rain days
• Perchtoldsdorf4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Pinswang3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Pörtschach4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Reutte3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Rust4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Salzburg4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 11 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 11 rain days
• Salzkammergut3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Sankt Michael3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Schärding4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Schladming2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Schwaz3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• See-1 °C (30 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 11 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 11 rain days
• Semmering2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 10 rain days
• Serfaus-1 °C (30 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 9 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 9 rain days
• Spielberg4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 12 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 12 rain days
• Spittal an der Drau5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 11 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 11 rain days
• Spitz3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• St. Anton-1 °C (30 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 5 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 16 °F (-9 °C), 5 rain days
• St. Christoph0 °C (32 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 11 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 11 rain days
• St. Johann im Pongau4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• St. Johann in Tirol2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 9 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 9 rain days
• St. Pölten4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Stainz4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 6 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 6 rain days
• Steinfeld2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 7 rain days
• Steyr3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Stubaier Gletscher-1 °C (30 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 12 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 12 rain days
• Tamsweg3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 12 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 12 rain days
• Thermenland4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 9 rain days
• Traun3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 11 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 11 rain days
• Tulln4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 11 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 11 rain days
• Velden3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 6 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 6 rain days
• Villach2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 7 rain days
• Vils in Tirol3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 11 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 11 rain days
• Vöcklabruck4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 11 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 11 rain days
• Warth and Schröcken3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Wattens3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 9 rain days
• Weißenkirchen in der Wachau4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Wels4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Wiener Neustadt4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Wörgl3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 10 rain days
• Zell am See-5 °C (23 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 71 rain days23 °F (-5 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 71 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• All Saints' Day, Immaculate Conception

  1 Nov and 8 Dec

  Holidays; many shops open on 8 Dec for Christmas shopping.

• Christmas big impact

  24–26 Dec

  Markets close on the 24th; restaurants closed on the evening of the 24th.

• Christmas markets

  Mid-Nov to Dec 24 · Vienna

  Rathausplatz, Schönbrunn and other markets fill the evenings; hotels and rail seats sell out at weekends.

Crowds · Austria

High

Prices · Austria

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Austria, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• High Alps

  Best weather of the year (Ötztal, Arlberg (St Anton), Hohe Tauern, glaciers)

• Alpbach

  Best months: Dec–Mar for ski, May–Sep for hiking and lakes

• Attnang‑Puchheim

  Best months: May–Sep (warm, long days); Dec for Christmas markets in nearby Linz and Salzburg

• Bad Gastein

  Best months: Dec–Mar for ski; Jun–Sep for hiking and biking

• Bischofshofen

  Best months: Jan–Mar, Dec–Feb (ski season) and Sep–Oct (mild hiking)

• Ehrwald

  Best months: Jun–Sep for hiking, Dec–Mar for skiing

• Ellmau

  Best months: Jun–Sep (hiking), Dec–Mar (skiing)

• Fieberbrunn

  Best months: Dec–Mar (snow), Jun–Sep (hiking)

• Flachau

  Best months: Dec–Apr (ski), May–Oct (hiking & spa)

• Freistadt

  Best months: May–Sep, Dec (Christmas market)

• Fügen

  Best months: Dec–Mar for ski, Jun–Sep for thermal baths

• Gröbming

  Best months: Dec–Mar for skiing; Jun–Sep for hiking