10 Things to Do in Vienna in the Summer

There are plenty of things to see and do in Vienna, but even more in summer, when the weather takes a break and the sun makes everything much more pleasant. It's the perfect time to spend the day in the parks, at the markets and on the banks of the Danube, but also to attend the most eagerly awaited festivals of the year.

If you're planning to visit the Austrian capital, in this new article I'm going to give you ten reasons why it's worth organising your trip in summer. Do you want to know them? Take note!

Vienna is a city where all the arts have their place. With an enormous musical and artistic tradition, the capital is a point of reference for the whole of Europe. One of its greatest strengths is dance, and if you come to Vienna in the summer you can enjoy it in a unique and unforgettable way, as during the months of July and August the famous ImPulsTanz takes place, an annual dance festival where the best of this art form is showcased.

If you come along, not only will you be able to attend concerts and performances by some of the country's most renowned dancers, but you can also attend workshops and lectures organised by the masters of the craft. The festival is organised in different venues around the city, some of them outdoors. Whether you want to enjoy beautiful classical dance or shake your skeleton while enjoying the good weather, this festival will be one of your favourite events.

Useful information

• Price: There is no general admission to the festival, but you buy tickets to the different events with prices varying from approximately €10 to €30 depending on the year.
• Venue: The festival has several locations around the city, such as Ghegastraße 1030, where the workshops are usually held.
• Date: From early July to early August.

They say that the best way to listen to jazz is live, to be able to witness the improvised conversations of the instruments and the atmosphere it generates. If you're someone who enjoys a good jazz concert, what better place to go than Jazz Fest Wien in the city of music?

Coinciding with the arrival of summer, Vienna organises a festival dedicated to jazz music every year, although it also makes room for other emerging genres and even some musical legends of opera. For almost two weeks, all kinds of concerts take place around the city.

Each year it is organised by a different collective that tries to bring all the national and international novelties of the year. Music is a language understood by all and if you want to get to know Vienna in a different way, I recommend that you visit one of these concerts and let yourself be carried away.

Useful information

• Price: depending on the performance. Some are free and others range from €10 to €30.
• Venue: The festival organises concerts and workshops in different venues in Vienna, which can change every year, so I recommend you check the programme for each edition.
• Date: From the end of June to mid-July.

One of the most anticipated events of the year in Vienna that brings together music, dance, theatre and even acrobatic circus performances is the famous Kultursommer, a festival that takes place every summer and offers a huge cultural programme for all ages. With more than 1,000 performances, you'll find everything from hip hop concerts to classical music, from dance and theatre performances to the most renowned artists and up-and-coming young talents.

If you're coming to Vienna with children, this festival is also for them, as there are special programmes organised for them to have a great time.

This festival usually lasts around a month and is the perfect opportunity for you to get to know Austrian culture and move to the rhythm of its music and leisurely atmosphere. Are you going to miss it?

Useful information

• Price: this festival is free, you just need to book in advance on the official website.
• Venue: There are up to 40 different locations so I recommend you check each year's programme and make a note of it on the map.
• Date: From the beginning of July to the end of August.

Being able to see Schoenbrunn Palace is a luxury that you can do at any time of the year, but I can assure you that in summer it has a privilege that makes it worth coming at this time of the year. During one of the summer evenings, in the palace gardens, a concert by the Vienna Philharmonic is organised completely free of charge.

This event usually takes place at the end of June to kick off the summer. The huge palace gardens are used to set up a large stage that can expand the acoustics and hundreds of people come to listen live to this impressive international orchestra.

As you might have guessed, everyone wants to attend, so even though it's free, book your tickets early to avoid missing out on this unique Vienna summer event.

Useful information

• Price: free of charge.
• Venue: in the gardens of Schoenbrunn Palace.
• Date: during one of the evenings in the last week of June.

What could be more appealing than taking a dip when the sun is shining? Swimming pools are one of the most popular places to go during the summer months but in Vienna there is a pool that gets all the attention every year as it is built on one of the banks of the Danube and besides being refreshing, it has incredible views of the city.

Every summer, the huge Badeschiff boat, beached on the Danube, opens its pool to enjoy the good weather and only in the summer months is a bar set up so you can accompany your swim with a delicious drink. I can't think of a better plan after a morning of museums in the sun than going for a swim in this entertaining and curious pool in the middle of the city.

Useful information

• Price: around €7 for general admission.
• Location: on the banks of the Danube at Donaukanal 1010.
• Date: The pool is open all year round but is best discovered in the summer season.

When the good weather arrives, one of the most popular things to do is to spend time outdoors and take advantage of the nearby parks and nature reserves. Luckily, there are several parks to discover in Vienna during the summer months and they are ideal for a family picnic.

If you want to get away from the classic baroque and stately parks in the centre of Vienna, I recommend you take advantage of the good weather to go to the famous Laizer Nature Reserve, just an hour from the centre of Vienna.

Buses leave from the Wien Liesing Bahnhof (Wien Liesing Bahnhof) to the gates of the park. This place used to be a hunting ground and today you can still see deer in the wild, especially in the warmer months. You can get a basket of food to take away from a local eatery or bring some sandwiches and enjoy a day out in the fresh air.

If you prefer, you can also check out other day trips near Vienna to make the most of the good weather.

Useful information

• Price: Admission is free, you'll just have to pay for the bus to get there, which can cost around €3.
• Location: The reserve is at Lainzer Tor, Hermesstraße 1130.
• Date: Open all year round but worth a day trip in the summer months.

The public markets are one of the biggest attractions for people who come to visit Vienna as they are a very authentic sample of the Austrian essence, the products they consume and the way they live. Sometimes you learn more about a city by watching the locals buying fruit at the markets than by going to a history museum.

However, although it is quite common to see markets scattered around the city several times a week, it is in the summer that they manage to attract the crowds. While the rest of the year only locals come to buy basic supplies, in the warmer months food stalls are often set up and traders offer tastings to attract the curious. It's a unique, authentic culinary experience, and a great place to grab a bite to eat in the open air as you continue your stroll.

There are several markets that are most crowded in summer, but the two most famous are the Naschmarkt and the Karmelitermarkt.

Useful information

• Price: Access to the markets is free and depends on what you consume and what you spend.
• Location: The Naschmarkt market is near the Kettenbrückengasse metro station and the Karmelitermarkt market is near the Taborstraße metro station.
• Date: Both markets are open in the mornings from Monday to Saturday, but it's in the summer months when the street food stalls are set up.

Can you think of a better plan than a boat trip on one of Europe's most famous rivers? Vienna is bisected by this mighty river and there is an area of its tributary that has become one of the most popular entertainment areas in the city. Called the Alte Donau, this area has food outlets, wooden walkways to stroll along and a small river harbour from which boats often depart for a one or two hour ride.

During the summer months it's ideal for this type of activity as the days are longer and the temperature is pleasant enough to enjoy the trip. And when you finish, you can stay in the area and have a drink and enjoy the coolness of the water. You also have the option of renting a boat yourself.

Useful information

• Price: approximately €15 to €25.
• Location: In the Alte Donau area there are several points where boats leave from.
• Date: Recommended during the summer months to enjoy the high temperatures.

If you've come to Vienna for 3 days or 4 days and want to take advantage of the good weather and clear summer skies to see the city from above, I can't think of a better place to do it than from the top of the Kahlenberg, a hill in the north of the city that boasts a panoramic view of Vienna. If you like hiking and want to enjoy some nice weather, grab your backpack and head to this famous hill for the day.

To get there, just take bus number 38A, which will drop you off next to the car park, from where you can start climbing. This route is suitable for everyone and I can assure you that you will be impressed by the miniature view of the city from the top.

Useful information

• Price: it's free, you only have to pay the 3€ approximately for the bus.
• Location: Kahlenberg Hill, located in the north of Vienna.
• Date: It is best to go from June onwards, when temperatures are warm and pleasant and rainfall is almost non-existent.

Ideally, you should be able to come to Vienna with enough time to see all the sights without rushing. However, it's true that sometimes it's difficult to make time for a holiday and you can only have a short summer break in Vienna. In these cases, don't worry; there's a quick and easy way to see the city in just an hour and a half.

Sightseeing buses offer daily tours of the city's most important areas so you can see the must-see sights without having to walk too far.

This is definitely an ideal plan if you're coming in summer and the high temperatures are starting to make you uncomfortable. The best part? You can go to the top floor, which is open-air, or, if you can't stand the heat, go down to the ground floor, where you can enjoy the air conditioning while a guide tells you interesting facts about the places you pass through.

Useful information

• Price: around €30 for a 1.5 hour tour.
• Location: There are several companies but all of them usually leave from the centre of Vienna.
• Date: These buses operate all year round but are ideal for a few hours' escape from the summer heat.

The summer months are when you can get the most out of the Austrian capital, but they are also the busiest months for tourists. If you're planning to visit Vienna between June and September, you should be aware that there will be a lot of tourists like you, so I recommend you book as much as you can in advance.

Even so, during the summer months, August is the busiest time in Vienna. However, it is always a good option to go in July or September. It will still be crowded but there won't be the long queues in the city centre.

Have I convinced you to come to Vienna in summer? Then don't think twice and book your holiday to get to know Austria's beautiful capital in its best season.