The hot sun has been replaced by a chill, there are still warm days, but the air is crisp and filled with the subtle scent of fallen leaves — it's all October. Baroque architecture illuminated by the soft rays of the autumn sun, yellow and red trees against the ancient walls — that's Salzburg in autumn.
Holidays in Salzburg in October: pros and cons
It's hard to be negative about going to Salzburg in October — there's plenty to see at any time of year. But let's try to weigh up the pros and cons and see why you should or shouldn't plan a trip at this time of year, and how good it is for a family trip with children or a loved one.
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So, our pros:
- The crisp autumn air and still warm sunshine will make walking a pleasure.
- There is not much rain.
- One of the sunniest months of the year.
- Salzburg continues to celebrate its harvest festival in October, and the city celebrates its major holidays at the end of the month.
- The historic sights are good at any time of year, but autumn gives them a special flair.
It's also worth bearing in mind the peculiarities of this time of year to make your holiday as comfortable as possible. October brings chilly and rainy days and the weather becomes less and less suitable for walking, especially if you're travelling with a baby and stroller. Despite low rainfall and sunny days, the weather can be quite windy, which is not very comfortable for walking with small children.
Weather in Salzburg in October
October and November tend to be cooler, but if it doesn't rain on the day you plan to go, you can still enjoy the crisp October air and warm sunshine.
Of course, the weather at the beginning of October isn't much different from September, but towards the end of the month it's the coolest feeling of autumn. The average temperature in Salzburg in mid-October is around +14°C during the day and +4°C at night.
Leave your T-shirts and light clothes at home and remember to bring a warm jumper or jacket for a comfortable walk in autumn in Salzburg.
Air temperature
It's relatively warm in Salzburg at this time of year: temperatures are not yet below freezing, there are plenty of sunny days and not much rain, so it's possible to enjoy a mildly hot and pleasant trip.
Air temperature in Salzburg in October
Salzburg's humid continental climate is mild and unlikely to leave you cold. Temperatures at the beginning of the month don't vary much from September: +14°C to +16°C during the day and +4°C to +6°C at night. Temperatures in Salzburg in mid-October drop slightly to +11°C to +13°C during the day and +3°C to +5°C at night. The weather in Salzburg at the end of October is even cooler, remaining at +10°C to +12°C during the day and down to +2°C at night.
Amount of precipitation
October is not the wettest month of the year. Rainfall averages around 70mm, which is 7% of the annual norm. There are also relatively few rainy days in October — about five.
Paradoxically, October is the driest month of the year. There is little rain and many sunny days.
This means that showers or drizzle are much less likely to ruin your walk, so you can still plan long walks outdoors.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
October is one of the sunniest months of the year, with about fifteen clear days and only five cloudy days. The rest of the time the cloud cover is variable. So it's a good month for outdoor activities.
What not to miss: Where to go
With comfortable, dry and rather pleasant weather conditions, you don't have to worry about the quality of your time in Salzburg in October. If autumn is your favourite season, this is the city for a real autumnal, sunny, fresh atmosphere. Catch the still warm rays of the October sun in these places:
- Mirabell Palace and its park is one of the most beautiful baroque parks in Europe. In early October, it's still warm and you'll have the chance not only to enjoy the beautiful views, but also to take some great photos. The roses in particular are in bloom until November.
Residenzplatz square. Here you can admire the fifteen metre high fountain, the highest in Europe. The fountain has a nautical theme, with different water features and the strongest flow is upwards. There are also many souvenir shops and small cafes on the square, and the atmosphere is enhanced by musicians playing in the streets.
Old town. There's a concentration of monasteries, churches and abbeys. Walking through the narrow cobbled streets and touching the old stone walls you can feel the medieval atmosphere. Even the chill at the end of October doesn't dampen your spirits.
Monument to Paul Fürst. Located on Kapitelplatz, the square famous for Salzburg Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace and the beautiful castle. The monument is in the form of a huge golden ball, symbolising the famous Mozartkugel sweets, with a small, simple-looking confectioner's figure on top. The sweets are definitely worth a try, and the monument is worth taking a picture of.
The Makartsteg is the bridge over the Salzach and all footpaths lead over it. In 1967 it was replaced by a suspension bridge, nicknamed the "swinging bridge" because it was driven by the pedestrians crossing it. However, due to the large number of pedestrians crossing from one part of the city to another every day, it quickly fell into disrepair and was replaced.
If you are travelling with children at this time of year, be sure to visit the House of Nature (an interactive natural history museum), the Toy Museum and the Mozart House Museum. They are all close to each other and indoors.
Holidays, events and festivals
If you're planning a trip to Salzburg, don't assume you'll be bored - there are festivals in October too. Here are the most popular ones.
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October is known as 'pumpkin month' in Salzburg. During this time, there are numerous food festivals and agricultural exhibitions dedicated to the vegetable. So there's plenty for pumpkin lovers to enjoy.
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If you love jazz and are planning a trip to Salzburg in October, you've come to the right place. That's when the Jazz in the City festival takes place, attracting tens of thousands of jazz fans from all over Europe. Around fifty venues are open to the public free of charge.
Don't forget the Salzburg Card, which offers great discounts on tours and free public transport. It costs from 27 euros/day.
3. Salzburg's harvest festival continues throughout October with farmers' markets, folklore festivals and exhibitions. It starts in October. So there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the local delicacies in the city during this time.
4. 26 October is a public holiday in Austria — the National Day of the Republic of Austria. When planning your trip, be aware that most museums are open on this day, but public institutions and shops are not.
Shopping
In October, Europe's shopping centres are still selling new collections, and Salzburg is no exception. So if you're looking for the latest fashions, there's still time to get them. Sales are sparse and peak at the end of November and December.
Cost of vacation
The off-season is not a popular time for shopping, but it can be a very lucrative time for holidays. Although prices in Salzburg are always high, it is possible to catch special offers from hotels.
Tour packages
Prices in Salzburg are lower in October than they are in September, so if you want to get to know the city better, it's time to plan a trip to Salzburg in October.
Airfares
Airfares in October are almost the same; in general, they stay pretty much the same during the autumn months, with only slight variations depending on special offers from airlines. There are no significant discounts or price reductions in October — on the contrary, the average price of an air ticket has increased by 5% compared to September.
Food
Now that you're in Austria, how can you not try the traditional dishes? The most famous, of course, is strudel. You can get a delicious and delicate dessert for around five euros.
In the Fürst shops you can buy Mozartkugeln, the famous chocolates, for just over a euro each.
Breakfast at a café will cost you around €11-15, a street meal of sausages, which are cooked everywhere in large quantities, will cost you up to €5, and a regular burger set at McDonald's around €6.50.
Tips for parents travelling with children
October is the best time for sightseeing — it's not too hot, there's still plenty of fresh air and all the museums are open, so it's a good time to explore the city, even in late October and during the autumn holidays.
For babies and mums with pushchairs, we recommend sunny September, although if you don't mind windy weather, October is good for strolling with a pushchair.
If you're planning a trip to Salzburg in October, weigh up the pros and cons and think about what you're going for. Travelling at this time of year is perfect if:
- You like to hike,
- You want to do a lot of sightseeing,
- You'd like to experience the atmosphere of the city in autumn colours,
- You aren't afraid of the windy and chilly weather.
We are sure that this month will be an unforgettable experience for you and that you will remember a beautiful and truly autumnal Salzburg in October for a long time to come.
