The best months to visit Salzburg are June, July, August and September, when average highs sit in the comfortable low-20s and sunshine runs long. June reaches an average high of 23.8 °C with 15 rain days and 11.6 hours of sunshine a day, while September eases to 20.1 °C with just 13 rain days. July and August are peak season, filled with school-holiday crowds and the Salzburg Festival, so June and September offer the same warmth with more room to breathe. Winter is the quiet low season, with highs near 5.1 °C in January and short, dark days.
Best months JuneJulyAugustSeptember
Salzburg month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5.1 °C | -3.6 °C | 15 | 4.8 h |
| February | 8.3 °C | -1.5 °C | 13 | 6.3 h |
| March | 11.4 °C | 0.7 °C | 14 | 7.8 h |
| April | 15.2 °C | 4.1 °C | 13 | 9.2 h |
| May | 18.2 °C | 8.3 °C | 18 | 9.4 h |
| June | 23.8 °C | 13.4 °C | 15 | 11.6 h |
| July | 24.3 °C | 14.5 °C | 18 | 11.4 h |
| August | 24.4 °C | 14.6 °C | 16 | 10.3 h |
| September | 20.1 °C | 10.7 °C | 13 | 8.8 h |
| October | 16.3 °C | 7.1 °C | 13 | 7 h |
| November | 9.6 °C | 1.3 °C | 13 | 5.6 h |
| December | 6.1 °C | -1.7 °C | 15 | 4.5 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
Good for garden walks and fewer visitors, if you can dodge the showers.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Peak warmth and full festival life — ideal if you accept the crowds; June is the sweeter spot.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is a top pick — mild, drier and calmer than midsummer.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Worth it for markets and snow-dusted fortress views, not for warmth.
Notable events
- July–August
- Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele)
- Late November–December
- Salzburg Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt)
- January
- Mozart Week (Mozartwoche)
- September
- Rupertikirtag Autumn Fair
Frequently asked
Is Salzburg too hot in August?
No. August highs average 24.4 °C, warm but comfortable, with 10.3 hours of sunshine a day. The heat is rarely oppressive, though 16 rain days mean afternoon storms are possible.
What is the rainiest month in Salzburg?
May and July are wettest, each with 18 rain days. Salzburg is generally a rainy city, so pack a layer even in summer.
Is winter worth visiting?
For atmosphere, yes. January highs sit at just 5.1 °C with 4.8 hours of sunshine a day, but the Christmas markets and fortress under snow are a draw. For sightseeing warmth, choose June to September instead.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Salzburg area guide →
Areas of Salzburg
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Salzburg — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.