Austria in August

Peak hiking and lake season; Hallstatt crowded; book huts and festival tickets early.

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

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

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

  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, Zillertalbest weather

  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.

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.

• Salzburg Festival big impact

  Late Jul – end Aug

  Salzburg hotel rates double; opera and theatre tickets sell out months ahead.

• Assumption

  15 Aug

  Public holiday at the height of summer.

• Summer stage and Film Festival at Rathausplatz

  Late Jun–Aug · Vienna

  Open-air films and food stalls at the Rathaus each evening; noisy but free.

Crowds · Austria

High

Prices · Austria

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

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Rated best or good this month

• Salzburg and the lakes

  Best weather of the year (Salzburg, Salzkammergut (Hallstatt, Wolfgangsee))

• Tyrol valleys

  Best weather of the year (Innsbruck, Kitzbühel, Zillertal)

• High Alps

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