Things to Do in Austria in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Austria
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing drops 20-30% compared to December-February peak - you'll find accommodation deals especially mid-week, and ski resorts offer last-of-season packages before closing in late March
- Extended daylight reaches 12+ hours by month's end after the March 30 time change - sunset pushes past 7pm, giving you genuinely useful evening time for exploring cities like Vienna and Salzburg without that winter 4:30pm darkness
- Alpine skiing conditions remain excellent through mid-March with 150-250 cm (59-98 inches) base depths at higher elevations, while lower altitudes start transitioning to spring hiking - you can literally ski in the morning and hike valley trails by afternoon
- Cultural calendar heats up with Easter preparations, spring concert seasons launching at major venues, and locals emerging from winter hibernation - cafes set up outdoor seating the moment temperatures hit 15°C (59°F), creating that first-sunshine-of-spring energy
Considerations
- Weather unpredictability peaks in March - you might get 20°C (68°F) sunshine one day and wet snow the next, making it frustrating to pack and plan outdoor activities more than 2-3 days ahead
- Ski season winds down after mid-March at lower resorts (below 1,500m/4,921 ft), with some areas closing entirely by month's end - if skiing is your primary goal, early March is essential, late March becomes a gamble
- Mud season hits hiking trails at mid-elevations (800-1,500m/2,625-4,921 ft) as snow melts - trails get sloppy, some mountain huts remain closed, and the landscape looks brown and transitional rather than the lush green of May or white of January
Best Activities in March
High-altitude skiing at Stubai Glacier and Hintertux
March delivers that sweet spot where snow quality stays reliable above 2,000m (6,562 ft) but lift lines shrink as school holidays end. Stubai and Hintertux maintain 200+ cm (79+ inches) base depths through March with guaranteed skiing into May. Temperatures at altitude hover around -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F) - cold enough for good snow, warm enough for comfortable spring skiing. The sunlight intensity at UV 8 means you'll actually get a tan while skiing, which feels absurdly luxurious after gray winter months.
Vienna coffeehouse and museum circuit
March marks when Vienna shakes off winter lethargy - museums extend hours, concert halls launch spring seasons, and coffeehouses set up garden seating during those unexpected 18°C (64°F) days. The 10 rainy days actually work in your favor here - ducking into Café Central or Café Sperl during a 30-minute shower, then emerging to walk the Ringstrasse under clearing skies is quintessentially Viennese. Museums like the Kunsthistorisches and Belvedere see 40% fewer visitors than summer months but maintain full programming.
Wachau Valley wine tasting and Danube cycling
Early-to-mid March catches the valley before tourist season explodes but after the deadest winter months when many wineries close. Temperatures range 8-15°C (46-59°F) - perfect for cycling the Danube path without summer's heat. The vines are bare and landscape looks stark, but that actually makes the medieval towns like Dürnstein and Melk Abbey stand out more dramatically. Wineries start opening tasting rooms on weekends by mid-March, pouring last year's Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.
Salzburg Sound of Music locations and old town exploration
March hits before the Sound of Music tour buses reach summer intensity - you'll still see tour groups at Mirabell Gardens and Leopoldskron Palace, but nothing like the June-August crowds. The city's baroque architecture looks particularly dramatic against those variable March skies - moody clouds over Hohensalzburg Fortress create better photos than flat summer sun. Rain showers (remember those 10 rainy days) give you perfect excuses to dive into Mozart's Birthplace museum or catch a concert at the Mozarteum.
Hallstatt and Salzkammergut lake region day trips
Controversial take - March might be the BEST time for Hallstatt despite what guidebooks say. Yes, some lake activities are closed and weather is unpredictable, but you'll experience the village without the 10,000 daily visitors that plague it May-October. The lake reflects those dramatic Dachstein mountain peaks (still snow-covered in March), and you can actually walk the village lanes without dodging selfie sticks. Temperatures around 5-12°C (41-54°F) mean layering up, but the salt mine tours run year-round.
Thermal spa towns - Bad Gastein and Bad Ischl
March is actually peak season for Austria's thermal spa culture - locals escape unpredictable weather into naturally heated mineral pools. Bad Gastein's Belle Époque architecture looks particularly atmospheric in March mist, and the Felsentherme spa complex (EUR 25-40 for 3-4 hours) lets you soak in 33-37°C (91-99°F) pools while snow still caps surrounding peaks. Bad Ischl offers the Kaisertherme spa and connects to Salzkammergut exploring. The contrast between 5°C (41°F) outside air and 35°C (95°F) thermal water is genuinely therapeutic.
March Events & Festivals
Easter Markets (Ostermärkte)
Easter falls on April 20 in 2026, but markets launch in mid-to-late March across Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. These feel less touristy than Christmas markets - more locals shopping for hand-painted eggs, palm fronds, and Easter decorations. Stalls sell traditional foods like Osterpinze sweet bread and Reindling cake. Vienna's Altwiener Ostermarkt at Freyung and Salzburg's market at Domplatz typically start around March 20-25.
Spring Concert Season Openings
Vienna's Musikverein and Konzerthaus, plus Salzburg's Mozarteum, launch spring programs in March with more contemporary and experimental programming than the traditional winter season. Tickets (EUR 25-80) are significantly easier to get than summer festival performances. The Vienna Philharmonic often schedules subscription concerts mid-March. Worth checking programs 6-8 weeks ahead.
Ski Season Closing Parties
Late March brings Saisonabschluss celebrations at ski resorts - essentially big outdoor parties with DJs, BBQs on sunny terraces, and locals skiing in costumes. Ischgl and St. Anton host the biggest closing weekends (usually last weekend of March) with live concerts. These get rowdy and crowded but capture Austrian ski culture at its most exuberant. Free with lift tickets.