July is midsummer in Austria, with hot temperatures in the lowlands and milder conditions in the Alps. Swimming, hiking, and boating are all good fun in the summer, and a wide range of music and cultural festivals keep locals and tourists entertained throughout the month. Read on to find out more about where to go and what to do in Austria in July.

Weather

July is midsummer in Austria. Summer is generally warm and dry in this landlocked country. At lower altitudes, expect high temperatures of around 80°F (27°C), and up in the mountains, the temperatures will be a few degrees cooler, while the larger cities (such as Vienna) may be a bit warmer. July is not especially humid, which can make higher temperatures feel more comfortable, and while you may encounter rain showers this month, they won't be anything heavy.

Another feature of Austrian summers is the long days: the sun won't set until after 9 pm, which is ideal for evening walks, parties, and picnics.

Crowds & Costs

July is the peak season for travel to Austria, so expect higher prices and more tourists in many parts of the country, from the cities to the mountains and lake areas. Many Austrians and other Europeans take their summer vacations in July and August, as do travelers from North America. That said, Austria doesn't tend to get as busy as some neighboring countries, such as Italy, so you may not find the crowds too problematic.

Book transport and accommodation as far in advance as possible, where this is even more important if you want to travel to Salzburg. The Salzburger Festspiele in July and August is a significant fixture of the international classical music circuit, and the city gets booked up at this time. Another thing to be aware of is that three major Viennese institutions shut up shop for July and August: the Boys' Choir, the State Opera, and the Spanish Riding School. Nevertheless, July is a good time to visit Vienna as it's rather quiet, with locals leaving the city on vacation.

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Where to Go

Though Austria lacks a coastline, visitors have their pick of refreshingly cool bodies of water: the country is home to thousands of lakes, large and small. Head to the Salzkammergut lake and alpine region near Salzburg for a refreshing swim this month. You won't have it all to yourself, but there are many great reasons why this region is popular. Head to the pretty towns of Hallstatt (on Lake Hallstatt) or St. Wolfgang (on Lake Wolfgangsee) for pretty medieval architecture, lakeside walks, swimming, boating, and nearby hikes.

If you want to get up into the mountains, Fieberbrunn is an enjoyable destination for families. In the winter, this town in the Kitzbühel Alps is a ski resort, but in the summer, it's a hiking and mountaineering destination. A major drawcard is Timok's Wild World, a summer-only theme park. Have fun on the high ropes course, inflatables, an assault course on a lake, and spend time in the petting area with reindeer and other forest animals, or thrill down the mountainside by luge. Fieberbrunn is easy to reach from Salzburg.

What to Do

Escape the heat of Austria's lowlands by heading into the mountains on a road trip. Austria isn't very large, so you can cover a lot of ground in a relatively short time. The Grossglockner Road through the Alps is a legendary short road trip, twisting and turning 30 miles (48 km) through high passes with views of lush green valleys and snow-capped peaks. You'll need to be a confident driver and have a good car to navigate the mountain road. It stretches from Heilingenblut in Carinthia to Bruck, near Salzburg.

July is a month of summer music and arts festivals in Austria. Whether you're into classical music or the more contemporary variety, you'll find something of interest. Many run for several weeks, starting in mid-month and continuing into August, so you also have plenty of time. Check out the Carinthian Summer Festival in Ossiach and Villach, the Salzburg Summer Festival, the Tyrolean Festival in Erl, the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, the Bregenzer Festspiele in Bregenz, and more (see below).

Events in July

ImPulsTanz Vienna International Dance Festival, Vienna. Five weeks of performances, research projects, and workshops occur from early July to August.

Tyrolean Festival Erl, Tirol (Innsbruck). At a small resort, this festival boasts significant contemporary music compositions, chamber concerts, operas, and cultural attractions. This event usually takes place in July. 

Carinthian Summer, Ossiach. Both traditional and contemporary music events are held in the towns of Ossiach and Villach throughout July and August. 

Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, Innsbruck. Another festival running throughout July and August, this one focuses on Baroque music. 

Salzburg Summer Festival, Salzburg. One of the most prominent classical music and drama events in Austria takes place in Mozart's hometown from mid-July until the end of August.

Bregenzer Festspiele, Bregenz. Western Bregenz, on the shores of Lake Constance, hosts this festival of theater, opera, and orchestra concerts from mid to late July until mid to late August.

More Helpful Information

Austria in June
Austria in August
Best Time of Year to Visit Austria
How Many Days to Spend in Austria