Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, Innsbruck. Both traditional and contemporary music events take place in the towns of Ossiach and Villach throughout July and August. Five weeks of performances, research projects, and workshops occur from early July to August.Ĭarinthian Summer, Ossiach. ImPulsTanz Vienna International Dance Festival, Vienna. Hike past glaciers, mountain lakes, and waterfalls, and keep an eye out for birds and wildlife.

The High Tauern National Park (also called the Hohe Tauern) is Austria's largest national park and has a good network of hiking trails. Alternatively, active travelers may want to hike in the Austrian Alps, and summer is an ideal time to do so, with clearer weather and dry, snow-free trails (watch out for those thunderstorms).

The rivers Inn, Ötztaler Ache, and Isel offer rapids that are suitable for both beginners and more advanced rafters. If you're feeling more adventurous, cool off while whitewater rafting in Tyrol. Head to the Salzkammergut lake and alpine region near Salzburg for a refreshing swim, particularly in Lake Hallstatt and Lake Wolfgangsee. Although the country lacks a coastline, it has thousands of lakes, rivers, and even lidos (a public open-air swimming pool) to suit. The hot temperatures of August make outdoor swimming an appealing pastime in Austria. Innsbruck is a handy base for exploring the Austrian countryside, and it's also a summer destination in its own right. Austria's fifth-largest city has beautiful imperial and modern architecture, a funicular railway that takes you up into the mountains, and plenty of hiking and even mountaineering options nearby. You can take culinary tours on the lake, go sailing or boating, and swim between concerts.Īnd while in the west, the city of Innsbruck is an ideal destination if you're part of a group with varied interests (such as a family) or want a good mix of nature and culture. A floating stage is set up on Lake Constance for the festival. The western city is on the shores of pretty Lake Constance, which also borders Germany and Switzerland. One appealing location is Bregenz, which hosts the Bregenz Summer Festival from mid-July to mid-August. Nevertheless, August is a good time to visit Vienna as it's relatively quiet, with locals leaving the city on vacation.Īustria offers an abundance of entertainment in the summer months, and wherever you travel, you won't be far from a music festival of some sort. Further, three major Viennese institutions shutter in July and August: the Boys' Choir, the State Opera, and the Spanish Riding School. The Salzburger Festspiele in July and August is a major fixture of the international classical music circuit, and the city books up at this time. This is even more important if you want to travel to Salzburg. Austria doesn't get as busy as some neighboring countries, such as Italy, so you may not find the crowds too problematic.īook transport and accommodation as far in advance as possible if you're planning to travel to Austria in August. Many Austrians and other Europeans take their summer vacations in July and August, as do travelers from North America. Crowds & CostsĪugust is the peak season for travel to Austria, so expect higher prices and crowds in many parts of the country, from the cities to the mountains and lake areas. Take shelter and avoid being outdoors if a storm hits-mountainous areas have some of the highest rates of lightning strikes in Europe.Īnother feature of Austrian summers is the long days: the sun won't set until after 9 pm, which is ideal for evening walks, parties, and picnics. And though rainfall isn't high in August, thunderstorms can occur. August is a bit more humid than the preceding summer months, making outdoor activities feel sticky at lower elevations. Expect temperatures of around 80☏ (27☌) at lower altitudes and a few degrees cooler in the mountains, while larger cities, like Vienna, may be hotter. August is the pinnacle of summer in Austria.

August weather in vienna