Things to Do in Austria in October
October weather, activities, events & insider tips
October Weather in Austria
Is October Right for You?
Advantages
- Fall foliage peaks in early October across alpine valleys and wine regions - the Wachau Valley and Salzkammergut turn spectacular shades of gold and crimson, creating perfect conditions for hiking without summer crowds or winter ice
- Wine harvest season (Weinlese) means you can actually participate in grape picking, attend Sturm festivals where new wine flows freely, and visit cellar doors when winemakers are most enthusiastic about sharing their work - prices for tastings run €8-15 and you'll find events nearly every weekend
- Shoulder season pricing kicks in after October 15th when most hotels drop rates 25-40% compared to summer, while museums and concert halls launch their autumn programs with fewer tourists competing for tickets to the Vienna Philharmonic or Salzburg Mozart performances
- Alpine hiking remains accessible through mid-October before heavy snows close high passes - trails around Hallstatt, Grossglockner High Alpine Road (open until late October, weather permitting), and Innsbruck's Nordkette offer stunning views with cable cars still running on regular schedules
Considerations
- Weather becomes genuinely unpredictable - you might get 18°C (64°F) sunshine one day and 5°C (41°F) rain the next, which makes packing difficult and means you'll need to build flexibility into outdoor plans rather than committing to full-day mountain excursions
- Daylight shrinks noticeably throughout the month, from roughly 11 hours at the start to 10 hours by month's end, meaning those 5:30pm sunsets arrive earlier than most visitors expect and cut into afternoon sightseeing time
- Some alpine attractions begin closing for the season - mountain huts shut down after mid-October, certain cable cars switch to weekend-only schedules, and the Grossglockner Road typically closes by early November depending on snowfall, so your window for high-altitude experiences narrows considerably
Best Activities in October
Wachau Valley Wine Tasting and Harvest Experiences
October is the only month when you can actually participate in grape harvests at family-run vineyards between Melk and Krems. The Grüner Veltliner and Riesling grapes come off the vines throughout the month, and many wineries welcome visitors to pick alongside workers before enjoying tastings of both finished wines and fresh Sturm (partially fermented grape juice that's only available September through November). The valley looks spectacular with autumn colors, and the Danube cycling path is still pleasant without summer's heat - temperatures typically sit around 12-16°C (54-61°F), perfect for biking between villages. Crowds thin out significantly after October 10th when German and Italian tourists head home.
Vienna's Autumn Concert and Opera Season
October marks the full launch of Vienna's serious music season after the summer break - the State Opera, Musikverein, and Konzerthaus all return to regular programming with the Vienna Philharmonic, and ticket availability is actually decent compared to the December holiday crush. Standing room tickets at the Staatsoper cost just €10-15 if you're willing to queue 90 minutes before curtain, while seated tickets run €40-200 depending on your sight lines. The weather makes evening performances more appealing than summer sightseeing, and you'll find far fewer tour groups competing for same-day tickets. The Musikverein's golden hall hosts Sunday morning concerts that are easier to access than evening performances.
Salzkammergut Lake Region Hiking and Photography
The lake district around Hallstatt, Wolfgangsee, and Gosausee becomes absolutely stunning in October when beech and larch forests turn golden against the limestone peaks, and you'll have trails largely to yourself after mid-month. Water levels in the lakes sit low after summer, revealing interesting shoreline features, and the famous Hallstatt village reflection photos work better in October's softer light without the harsh summer glare. Temperatures range 8-15°C (46-59°F) at lake level, though it drops 5-8°C (9-14°F) higher up, so layering is critical. Most cable cars around Bad Ischl and St. Wolfgang run through October 20th before switching to reduced schedules.
Innsbruck and Stubai Glacier Early Season Skiing
By late October, the Stubai Glacier (30 minutes from Innsbruck) and Hintertux Glacier typically open for skiing while valley temperatures remain comfortable for sightseeing - you can literally ski in the morning and explore Innsbruck's old town in a light jacket by afternoon. Snow conditions are obviously limited compared to January, but lift tickets cost €48-54 versus €60+ in peak season, and you'll find almost no lift queues. The Nordkette cable car from Innsbruck city center reaches 2,256m (7,402 ft) for spectacular views over the Inn Valley, and hiking trails around Hafelekar remain accessible until snow accumulates in early November.
Thermal Spa Experiences in Styria and Burgenland
October's cooling temperatures make Austria's thermal spa towns genuinely appealing rather than sweltering - places like Bad Blumau (Rogner Bad Blumau with Hundertwasser architecture), Bad Tatzmannsdorf, and the Therme Wien in Vienna itself offer indoor-outdoor pools where you can soak in 34-38°C (93-100°F) thermal water while autumn rain falls around you. Day passes run €25-45 depending on the facility, and the combination of hot mineral water plus sauna complexes works perfectly after a day of walking Vienna's streets in 10°C (50°F) weather. Many thermal hotels offer midweek packages in October that include accommodation, spa access, and meals for €90-140 per person.
Graz Old Town and Styrian Pumpkin Harvest Routes
Graz becomes particularly worthwhile in October when Styria's famous pumpkin seed oil harvest peaks and farms open their doors for tastings and purchases of the dark green oil that's central to regional cuisine. The Styrian Tuscany region south of Graz offers cycling and driving routes through pumpkin fields and vineyard-covered hills with far fewer visitors than the Wachau Valley. Graz itself has Austria's best-preserved Renaissance old town (UNESCO listed), excellent museums including the Kunsthaus contemporary art museum, and restaurant prices 20-30% lower than Vienna. October weather sits around 12-17°C (54-63°F), perfect for walking without summer's heat.
October Events & Festivals
Viennale Film Festival
Austria's most important film festival runs for two weeks in late October across multiple Vienna venues including the historic Gartenbaukino and Stadtkino. It focuses on international art house cinema and premieres, with directors often attending screenings for Q&A sessions. Tickets cost €11-14 per screening and typically go on sale 10 days before the festival starts, though some screenings sell out quickly for major premieres.
National Day (Nationalfeiertag)
October 26th is Austria's national holiday commemorating the 1955 declaration of permanent neutrality. Most shops and businesses close, but museums offer free entry and the Austrian military opens its barracks for public tours. Vienna's Heldenplatz hosts ceremonies and demonstrations of military equipment that are surprisingly well-attended by locals. It's actually a decent day to visit major museums without paying entry fees, though expect crowds at the Kunsthistorisches Museum and Belvedere.
Sturm and Wine Harvest Festivals (Weinlesefest)
Throughout October, wine regions across Austria host weekend festivals celebrating the grape harvest with fresh Sturm (partially fermented grape must), roasted chestnuts, and traditional music. The largest festivals happen in Rust (Burgenland), Poysdorf (Weinviertel), and throughout the Wachau Valley. These are genuine local celebrations rather than tourist events, with entry typically free or €3-5 and wine sold by the glass for €3-5. Dates vary by village and depend on harvest timing, so check regional tourist office websites in September for specific schedules.