What To Do In Vienna In Spring

There are few cities as spectacular in Springtime as the Austrian capital.

Vienna comes alive between March and May with its abundant and diverse array of flora, pleasant temperatures, and long hours of daylight.

Moreover, spring is much quieter and less hectic than summer, so you don’t have to worry about long queues or large crowds ruining your vacation.

Thus, there is no better time to visit Vienna’s sights and attractions than Springtime.

Wondering what to do in Vienna in Spring? This guide is for you!

Read on for a breakdown of each spring month, along with the top things to do and see during this blissful season.

Visiting Vienna In Spring

Vienna, in spring, sees the daylight hours increase, and the temperatures begin to creep up.

Here’s what to expect when visiting in March, April, or May.

Vienna In March

The beginning of March is usually still pretty chilly, but it noticeably warms up throughout the month. The average day temperature is 11°, but at night time, it typically drops to 2°.

Even if it’s still cold, you’ll enjoy plenty of sunshine, with the daylight length between 12 and 13 hours (increasing towards the latter at the end of the month).

Rainfall is usually not much of a problem in March, with an average of 7 to 10 rainy days.

March is quiet as there are minimal tourist crowds, but there are no significant events either.

Thus, if you’re looking for a relaxed, peaceful getaway and don’t mind cold evenings and mornings, March can be a lovely time to visit.

Vienna In April

In April, the city continues to warm up, and during the day, you may be able to walk around without a jumper if the sun is out.

The average daytime temperature is 16°, and the nighttime is 6°.

Like March, the days are long, with the sun setting between 7 and 8 pm.

As Easter usually falls in April, you’ll find a lot of fun Easter activities happening in the city, such as the popular Easter markets.

There is usually an excellent concert schedule this month too!

Vienna In May

In May, you can feel summer is on the approach. The average daytime temperature is a welcoming 21°, and even at night, it stays in double figures, around 11°.

The increased sunshine and warm temperatures bring more events and outdoor activities.

For example, Austria’s largest food festival, The Genussfestival Food Fair, takes place along with the Festival Of Joy, an epic music and light display.

Thus, May is one of the best months to visit if you desire to enjoy Vienna in good weather but want to avoid crowds.

Things To Do In Vienna In Spring

There is an excellent balance of indoor and outdoor things to do in Vienna, so you won’t be bored, whatever the weather. Here are our top picks.

Stroll Through The Gorgeous Parks

Vienna is one of the greenest cities in Europe, with many wonderful public parks. As the flowers bloom, taking a few park walks is a must for any spring Vienna vacation.

Stadtpark is the most famous park in Vienna. It was built in the 19th century, with immaculate English-style landscaping, a pretty river, and ornate bridges.

There are also a few monuments dotted around, including one of the legendary musician Johann Strauss.

The palace gardens in Vienna are also stunning, especially Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace.

Next to Schönbrunn Palace is a zoo with botanical gardens, including a Rosarium, a Japanese garden, and huge greenhouses full of exotic plants.

Visit The Easter Markets

If you’ve never witnessed Vienna’s spectacular Christmas markets, don’t worry, as their Easter markets are almost as remarkable.

If you’re in town for the two weeks around Easter, you’ll undoubtedly be in for a treat.

Easter markets are a long-held tradition in Vienna, adored by locals and tourists. There are four main markets, which you can find at Schoenbrunn Palace, Freyung Square, Am Hof Square, and Prater Park.

The market stalls sell wonderfully unique handmade products, so if you’re looking for gifts for your loved ones, this is the place to come.

Moreover, there are always plenty of tasty street food stalls with all sorts of delectable delights.

If your trip doesn’t coincide with Easter, don’t fret, as you can still check out the city’s regular markets.

Naschmarkt is the biggest, most well-known market in Vienna, which dates back to the 16th century.

It is open daily from 6 am to 9 pm, except Sunday. You will find around 120 food stalls and restaurants here, so be sure to come on an empty stomach!

Stroll Around The City Center

With comfortable temperatures and minimal crowds, exploring Vienna’s city center in spring is the most enjoyable.

The most notable sights in the historic center are Stephansdom cathedral (which you can enter part of for free) and Michaelerplatz square with its surrounding historic buildings.

Here you will also find the Hofburg Palace complex, which encompasses various attractions, including Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum, and Imperial Treasury.

If you want to learn more about the history of Vienna’s streets, join one of the many walking tours. Both paid and free walking tours are available, typically lasting around 2 hours.

Take Part In Vienna’s Cafe Culture

Vienna has some of the best cafes in the whole of Europe, such as Café Central, Café Schwarzenberg, and Demal.

Café Central, which opened in 1876, has a rich history and is believed to have been one of Sigmund Freud’s favored spots.

It boasts an extravagant cathedral-like interior and an impressive patisserie selection.

Still, because of its popularity, you’ll likely have to queue to get a table.

Café Schwarzenberg is the oldest café on the Ringstrasse, offering an extensive Viennese coffee menu, mouthwatering hot chocolate, and delicate pastries that melt in your mouth.

Demal, located in the prestigious shopping strip, the Kohlmarkt, is one of the best places to head for traditional Viennese cake, Sachertorte.

The city’s signature dessert consists of a chocolate sponge, dark chocolate ganache, and apricot jam, resulting in an incredibly moreish treat.

Go Wine Tasting

A super fun way to enjoy Vienna’s increasing temperatures and beautiful outdoor scenery is to take a wine-tasting trip.

And with 700 hectares of vines within Vienna’s city limits, there is plenty to choose from!

However, we recommend Weingut Cobenzl for its quality, affordability, and accessibility. They run guided tours through the vineyard, press house, and cellar, with various wine samples along the way.

The wine is delicious, but the vineyard views are beautiful and probably the main attraction.

Weingut Cobenzl’s tour costs just $15 per person, and you can reach the vineyard easily by tram and bus.

Thus, it’s a much cheaper alternative than one of the wine-tasting packages organized by tour companies.

Attend A Concert

Vienna is famed for its operas and classical music concerts, something you should experience regardless of the season you’re visiting.

The most famous concert halls are Musikverein Golden Hall, Vienna State Opera, and Konzerthaus, where you can enjoy Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, and Vivaldi.

Check Out Neubau District

The hip district of Neubau is one of Vienna’s most vibrant, up-and-coming neighborhoods, adored for its galleries, design shops, and eateries.

It’s also an authentic local hang-out spot, giving you a taste of real Viennese life.

Away from the tourist crowds, Neubau boasts a super creative scene with numerous independent galleries and impressive street art.

There’s also an eclectic mix of restaurants, ranging from traditional Viennese cuisine to every international delight you can imagine.

Then, if you’re into shopping, head to the main strip of Neubaugasse.

There is a mix of thrift shops and high-end clothing boutiques, so whatever your style, you’ll surely find some super unique pieces.

Watch The Sunset From The Top Of St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Vienna has no skyscrapers, but you can still enjoy lovely city views. The tower room at St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the city’s highest point, giving spectacular vistas of the old town below.

When you arrive at the 12th-century cathedral, head up the 343 steps of the South Tower.

You’ll need to buy a ticket to enter this part of the cathedral, which currently costs €16 per adult. It’s worth the cost, though, especially if you go for sunset!

Final Thoughts On What To Do In Vienna In Spring

Long sunny days, colorful flowers in full bloom, fun events, and minimal crowds are just some reasons why visiting Vienna in the Springtime is an excellent idea.

We hope this guide to what to do in Vienna in Spring helps you plan an epic trip to Austria’s capital!

If you decide to rent a car during your time in Vienna, it will give you a lot more independence and flexibility to explore the city and its surrounding areas. Although, it’s important to note that parking can be difficult and expensive around Vienna.

You may want to consider getting a public transport pass instead.

Visiting Austria soon? Read one of the following guides:

• Best places to live in Austria
• 2 days in Innsbruck
• How many days in Vienna