If you want to escape the summer heat, if you are tired of new experiences, if nothing seems to surprise you anymore, you should visit Vienna. The city has something to offer that will surprise you.
The Austrian capital has a magical atmosphere and beautiful architecture. Breathtaking museums will make you forget time, and the festivals here will put you in a light, melodic trance.
The Austrians' gift for tranquillity, combined with their willingness to absorb knowledge from any source, makes for an unforgettable trip.
And Kidpassage will tell you the pros and cons of a trip to Vienna during one of the hottest summer months.
Holidays in Vienna in July: An informative journey
Reviews of holidays in Vienna in July depend on the type of activities the travellers indulged in. They'll either tell you about the fun festivals, or rave about the number of desserts they tried, or list the incredible bargains on offer, or maybe they'll tell you about the majestic beauty of Vienna's buildings.
Either way, they will make it clear that Vienna in July is a bright and memorable holiday for any visitor.
Here are the main advantages of a trip to Vienna in July:
- The amount of rainfall in Vienna in July is about 20% less than in June.
- This month has the longest daylight hours — it's possible to walk around for a long time.
- Vienna has hiking trails with special buses.
- The Vienna Card will give you 210 discounts at museums, restaurants and shops in the city, as well as free travel on public transport for 2 or 3 days.
As well as the obvious benefits, be prepared for some less pleasant surprises on your July trip:
- Although there is little rain, it is one of the wettest months in Vienna, so it is worth taking an umbrella with you to check the weather.
- Hotels should be booked well in advance and away from the festival noise, or better still, find a private apartment for cheaper accommodation.
- During the afternoon sun, instead of taking the kids to explore the city's stone jungle, head for cooler climes - and use the evenings to admire Vienna's architecture.
- The number of tourists multiplies dramatically during the warmer months.
Weather in Vienna in July
The weather in Vienna in July and August is drier than in early summer. But it also rains, with an average duration of about three days.
After a refreshing downpour, don't be tempted to go for too many walks in the sun — especially with young children — as the sun is very active at this time of year, so don't forget to wear sun hats and caps for yourself and your little ones.
The weather in early July is already quite hot, but not as hot as August, the hottest month of the year.
In fact, there is very little rainfall, not even enough to cool the capital down properly. Temperatures in Vienna sometimes reach +36°C in mid-July, which is a lot for a city with a lot of tarmac.
The pavements get so hot that residents and visitors alike feel like they're standing in a hot frying pan. The weather in Vienna at the end of July is even worse, as rain is rare. So it's best to travel here with young children in the first half of the month.
Air and water temperature
In recent years, temperatures in Vienna have been unusually high in July. If you can't stand the heat, don't go out on the streets at lunchtime.
The local climate is similar to ours in that it can get quite hot in the summer, so you will want to spend as much time as possible in air conditioning.
The only way to relax is to visit the sights and museums that Vienna has to offer.
Air temperature in Vienna in July
July is one of the warmest and sunniest months in Vienna. The average day temperature is around +27°C and the average night temperature is +16°C.
In fact, temperatures can exceed +30°C and are balanced by a few cooler days. While the first days of July are around +25°C during the day and +15°C at night, the temperature stabilises in the middle of the month and remains high until August.
Actual temperatures, especially in recent years, often reach highs of +28-30°C during the day and +18°C at night.
Amount of precipitation
July is one of the wettest months of the year, with a total rainfall of around 68mm. That's pretty low compared to most European capitals, but quite a lot for the dry climate of the Austrian capital.
An umbrella can never hurt, especially if you're travelling with children. But you won't necessarily need to use it very often.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
For every three rainy days in Vienna, there are twenty sunny days. This means that July is only a few days behind August in the number of days with clear weather. Residents and visitors can expect overcast skies for only 6% of the month and cloudy skies for a further 26% of July.
On 68% of the days, however, people will want to hide under the air conditioning in the various establishments in the Austrian capital. This is not surprising, as the thermometer reaches unprecedented heights in the sun.
Excursions: the best places to visit in July
Vienna has an incredible number of attractions and things to do. It's impossible to list them all. It's worth mentioning just a few to show the boundless imagination and wealth of the Austrians.
In early July, be patient, stock up on cool water and hats against the sun, and see the symbol of Vienna — St Stephen's Cathedral. It's a majestic structure with carved architecture and a height that rivals its beauty. Its beauty rivals that of the unfinished Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
An equally famous building is the Opera House, which hosts the famous Viennese Ball.
The Austrian capital also boasts three beautiful palaces that are well worth a visit for the curious tourist. The Hofburg is the Habsburg residence, built in the style of the royal family - lots of gold, pomp and plenty of rooms, each more beautiful than the last.
Belvedere — a magnificent baroque palace with a pleasant walk in its gardens in mid-July. Schönbrunn is the third jewel in Vienna's palace collection and, to the delight of children tired of royal chambers, is home to the city's zoo.
The Hundertwasser House in Vienna is a local gimmick that tourists love to photograph. Designed by the architect of the same name, it proves that anarchy of colour and form can be beautiful.
Adjacent to the house is the artist's own museum, where madness and fantasy go hand in hand with the artist's genius.
There are around 80 museums in the city. The most popular of these is the Sigmund Freud Museum, where the scientist lived.
Europe's best is Vienna's Street Art Gallery, which sets the mood with the unimaginable imagination of young artists.
If you're travelling with children, a visit to Prater Park is a must. Open at the end of July, it's not only a great place for a stroll, but also for fun on the swings, merry-go-rounds, modern rides and, of course, the Ferris wheel, which offers a panoramic view of the city.
If Vienna's desserts aren't enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, you can take a tour of the Heindl chocolate factory and meet fairytale characters. At the end of the tour, there is a sweet tasting and a sweet gift giveaway.
A must for kids is the ZOOM Museum, where children of all ages can find something to do, learn and have fun.
In the Technical Museum, children can learn how various machines work and take part in fascinating physical and chemical experiments.
At the House of Music, young tourists can play a variety of existing instruments, conduct sound experiments, conduct an interactive orchestra, listen to recordings of their own voice distorted in different ways and much more.
Holidays, events and festivals
Vienna's July festivities are as musical as the Austrian capital itself. Jazz Fest Wien, which began in June, runs until midsummer.
Residents and visitors to the capital can enjoy jazz music from around the world at this festival. And you don't even have to buy a ticket to attend one of the free open-air concerts near the Opera and City Hall.
The jazz festival is followed by a two-month music film festival. A giant screen is set up on the Town Hall to show music tapes, soundtracks and new releases in the evenings.
There are also stalls selling food from all over the world at affordable prices.
The Viennabiennale, an exhibition of young talent, opens at the beginning of the month and runs until late autumn, where you can discover new trends and insights into the creativity of young people.
In the evenings, the Viennabiennale hosts classical music concerts, with tickets including a complimentary glass of sparkling wine to enhance the performance.
KlangBogen Wien, Vienna's major month-long music festival, begins in the middle of the month. At this festival, music lovers can find their favourite music destination and have fun, combining the enjoyment of music with the delights of the venue.
Shopping
The most popular shopping streets in the city are Favoritenstrasse, Landstrasse, Meidlinger Hauptstrasse and Mariahilfestrasse. Here you will find many well-known brands at more or less affordable prices.
For high-end brands, head to what locals call Vienna's "Golden Triangle" — the streets connecting the Hofburg, Vienna State Opera and St Stephen's Cathedral — Kohlmarkt, Graben and Karntner Strasse.
At the end of June, the summer sales season begins in Vienna. During this time, shops offer discounts of 10-30%.
A popular destination for Viennese is the Shopping City Sud mall. Located on the outskirts of the city, it is rarely visited by tourists, so it is a good place to shop for good clothes without being too crowded.
Cost of vacation
A holiday in Vienna can't be described as budget-friendly: it's expensive at any time of year. But there are ways to save: take advantage of early flight bookings and hotel discounts to save a few hundred euros.
Airline tickets
Fares to Vienna in July are the cheapest of the year — up to 20% lower than average. This is partly due to the fact that midsummer is the most popular time to travel to the southern seaside countries.
Secondly, not every tourist would dare to go sightseeing in the heat of July. Nevertheless, the reduced cost of flights attracts many tourists who have long wanted to visit Austria.
Tour prices
Due to the unpopularity of the period and the reduced price of flights, the price of tours to Vienna also drops by around 10-15%. However, hotel prices increase during the festivals.
If you book your own accommodation, the cost of a hotel room can be quite high. Travelling to Vienna as part of a tour package is probably a better option, as tour operators offer special hotel rates for their package tours.
Food
There are plenty of places to eat cheaply in Vienna. A meal in a restaurant will cost you around €25-30. For a cheaper meal, try Italian pizzerias and Turkish kebab houses — these are the most common places for locals to eat in Vienna, and the bill for lunch will be between €10 and €15.
If you're travelling with children, it's best to look out for national cuisine in restaurants and cafés away from the city's tourist attractions.
Tips for holidays with children
Vienna in July is a good choice for a holiday with children, as long as you don't abuse the sun and sightseeing at lunchtime.
Even adults can feel uncomfortable in the heat, let alone toddlers. So if you are travelling with children, follow basic safety rules: drink as much water as possible, take morning and evening walks, stay in air-conditioned places in the afternoon and wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun when outdoors.
Austria's capital is the perfect choice for the novice traveller and the world-famous traveller alike. It will surprise even those who find it hard to be surprised. Vienna is perfect for a classic sightseeing trip to the heart of Europe, even on the hottest, sweltering days of summer.
