Austria in December

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

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

  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)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.

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.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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Rated best or good this month

• High Alps

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