Things to Do in Austria in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Austria
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring bloom season means Alpine meadows are absolutely stunning with wildflowers - particularly the Salzkammergut region and Hohe Tauern National Park where you'll find carpets of gentians and alpine roses without the July/August crowds that trample everything
- Shoulder season pricing saves you 25-35% on accommodations compared to peak summer rates, and you can actually book decent places in Vienna or Salzburg with just 2-3 weeks notice instead of the 3-month advance booking nightmare of June-August
- The Vienna State Opera and Musikverein are still running their full season through mid-May (the summer break starts late May/early June), so you get world-class performances at regular season prices before the expensive summer festival circuit begins
- Hiking trails above 1,500 m (4,920 ft) are newly accessible as snow melts, but you avoid the intense heat that makes July/August Alpine hiking genuinely exhausting - temperatures at elevation stay comfortable in the 12-18°C (54-64°F) range during the day
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get 25°C (77°F) sunshine one day and 10°C (50°F) with rain the next, which makes packing annoying and means you need flexible plans rather than booking every outdoor activity in advance
- Higher elevation attractions like the Grossglockner High Alpine Road typically don't open until late May (usually around May 20-25 depending on snowpack), and some mountain huts and cable cars are still closed for shoulder season maintenance
- This is exam season for Austrian universities and schools, so popular student cities like Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck can feel oddly quiet during weekdays - fewer locals out socializing, some favorite cafes running reduced hours
Best Activities in May
Wachau Valley Cycling and Wine Tasting
May is actually the sweet spot for the Danube cycle path through Wachau - the Marillenblüte (apricot blossom) happens late April/early May and the valley is covered in white-pink blooms before tourist season really kicks in. Temperatures are perfect for the 36 km (22 mile) Melk-to-Krems route without the 30°C+ (86°F+) heat that makes July cycling miserable. The Heurigen (wine taverns) have just opened for the season and aren't yet packed with tour buses. You'll catch locals celebrating Maibowle season - white wine with sweet woodruff that's only available in May.
Vienna Coffeehouse Culture and Museum Circuit
May weather in Vienna is variable enough that you'll appreciate having indoor backup plans, and the city's museum scene is at its best before summer tourist season. The Kunsthistorisches Museum and Belvedere are manageable without advance tickets (though booking 3-5 days ahead doesn't hurt), and the traditional coffeehouses like Café Central and Café Hawelka still have tables available without 45-minute waits. Locals actually use coffeehouses in May as the outdoor Schanigärten (sidewalk gardens) aren't fully set up yet, so you get a more authentic experience.
Salzkammergut Lake Region Hiking
The lakes are still too cold for swimming (Hallstätter See sits around 12-14°C/54-57°F in May), but that means you get the stunning mountain scenery without the crowds that descend June through September. The lower elevation trails around Hallstatt, Gosau, and Bad Ischl are snow-free and wildflower season is starting. This is when locals hike because the weather is cool enough for serious elevation gain without overheating. The famous Instagram viewpoint of Hallstatt is actually accessible in early morning without 200 other people in your shot.
Innsbruck and Stubai Glacier Activities
May is the weird transitional month where you can ski in the morning at Stubai Glacier (one of Austria's few year-round ski areas) and do valley hiking in the afternoon. The Nordkette cable car from Innsbruck city center takes you to 2,300 m (7,545 ft) where there's still snow, while down in the city it's 18°C (64°F) and sunny. This is when ski touring and spring skiing are at their best - corn snow conditions and longer days - without the January crowds or expense.
Hohe Tauern National Park Wildlife Watching
May is mating season for Alpine ibex and the best time to see chamois with young kids (the animal kind). The national park ranger-led programs start up in early May after winter closure, and you'll spot marmots emerging from hibernation - they're most active in May/June before the heat of summer. The Grossglockner Road might not be fully open yet, but the lower valleys like Rauris and Mallnitz offer excellent wildlife spotting without needing high-altitude access. This is when Austrian families do nature education trips, so you'll find good infrastructure without international tourist crowds.
Graz Food Scene and Styrian Wine Roads
Graz is Austria's food capital and May is Spargel (white asparagus) season - every restaurant has special asparagus menus and the quality is phenomenal. The Styrian Tuscany wine region south of Graz is gorgeous in May with new vine growth and fewer tour groups than summer. The Buschenschank (traditional wine taverns) open for the season in late April/early May serving cold cuts, spreads, and new wine. Temperatures are perfect for the wine road cycling routes or driving the Südsteirische Weinstrasse without melting in your car.
May Events & Festivals
Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen)
This is Vienna's major international performing arts festival running mid-May through mid-June, featuring avant-garde theater, dance, and music performances across the city. It's a big deal for the local arts scene and brings interesting experimental work you won't see during regular season. The festival uses both traditional venues and unexpected spaces around the city. Tickets range from affordable (20-30 EUR) to expensive (100+ EUR) depending on the production.
Genussfestival Salzburg
Salzburg's food and wine festival typically happens in late May at the Mirabell Gardens, showcasing regional Salzburg and Austrian cuisine, local wines, and craft producers. It's very much a locals' event rather than tourist-focused, which makes it actually interesting - you'll find small producers from mountain valleys who don't normally have retail presence. Entry is usually free with pay-per-item pricing for food and drink.