Vienna ... Ancient and at the same time infinitely young capital of music and poetry, the focal point of all the most beautiful things that man can create ... Its palaces and parks, cathedrals and bridges, astonishing in their elegance, attract the eye and warm the heart.
Spring Vienna, which appears to the beholder in a new guise, as if awakened from the hibernation of beauty, deserves to be seen at least once in a lifetime, without relying on the words of happy eyewitnesses.
Holidays in Vienna in March: Top pros and cons
Vienna in March holiday reviews describe the Austrian capital as a wonderfully beautiful city at this time of year, warmed by the spring sunshine.
Vienna in March is not about spring slush and damp streets, dull wet branches and frosty nights. Vienna in March is spring taking its rightful place in the old city. It's the aroma of coffee wafting through cafés and sunny afternoons caressing the buds of budding hedges with their warm rays.
But is everything rosy in the Austrian capital in the first month of spring? Every journey has its pros and cons. The question is how significant those downsides are to one traveller or another.
So, if you come to Vienna in March, here are the advantages:
- it's getting warmer, that gives you the opportunity to get out more and explore the city;
- you have a chance to attend one of Vienna's famous balls — the last one of the season;
- you can participate in the music festivals promised by the capital's cultural programme in March.
The main problem for visitors to Vienna in March is the unpredictable nature of the weather. Although temperatures are above freezing on these days, travellers wanting to see the sights in the capital may find their sightseeing plans disrupted by a sudden burst of rain.
On rare occasions, the weather can surprise city dwellers with snow, followed by thaw and icy conditions.
The second disadvantage of travelling to Vienna in March is that prices are significantly higher than in February. Spring brings a new wave of festivals and celebrations that attract many tourists, which in turn affects prices in the city.
Weather in Vienna in March
The weather in the Austrian capital in March and April is incomparable to spring in most of our latitudes. In Vienna, the weather at the beginning of March is more like what we are used to in the second half of April.
In mid-March, the temperature in Vienna ranges from 7 to 15 degrees Celsius above zero, and by the end of the month it reaches +17 degrees Celsius. The weather in Vienna at the end of March can sometimes surprise the city's inhabitants with almost summer-like twenty-degree daytime temperatures.
Air temperature
The temperate continental climate typical of eastern Austria ensures a mild winter with frequent thaws and an early flowering spring. The weather is not yet particularly consistent, but the temperature profile of the month of February is more favourable.
During the day, temperatures tend to average around +10°C and rarely drop below freezing at night.
Air temperature in Vienna in March
The average temperature in Vienna in March is +9.8°C during the day and +3°C at night. The maximum temperature reached in Vienna in early spring is 20°C above zero. The lowest temperature on these days is 0°C.
Amount of precipitation
The rainfall in March is low at 25.7 mm, but it is one of the windiest months of the year. The wind speed in March is the same as in February (4.5 m/s). Given the wet and windy weather in Vienna in early spring, a sturdy umbrella is a must have in your luggage.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
It is difficult to call this month sunny overall, but it beats February in the number of clear days. Sunny weather lasts for 13 or 14 days, while cloudy and rainy days are usually evenly distributed, with 8 to 9 days for the month.
Excursions: the best places to visit in March
If the weather is on your side during your trip to Vienna, don't miss the chance to get a bird's eye view of the magnificent city — or rather, the famous Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, which stands 65 metres tall.
If it's a rainy day, you can still enjoy the attraction. The wheel cabins are so well equipped that you can even celebrate an anniversary with a festive table — not to mention go for a ride on a rainy day. It's located in Prater Park, where you'll find plenty of entertainment and rides for all ages.
Despite the significant warming, the weather in Vienna in March is still not friendly enough for those who want to see the beauties of the city from the outside. For this reason, it is wise to plan family-friendly cultural activities that can be enjoyed by all members of the family, regardless of age, even in bad weather.
- The ZOOM Children's Museum. This museum is open to visitors as young as one year old, but that doesn't mean older children will be bored. There's something for everyone. Want to feel like a sea wolf on board a real ship? You're welcome! Tired of playing mother and daughter with your friends? Try being a real mum in this interactive game. And if you're into art, discover the secrets of creating masterpieces of painting, music and even cartoons!
- Vienna's opera for children. What would Vienna be without its opera? You think you can't enjoy it with children? Think again. Take your little ones to the Children's Opera and see for yourself. The performances for younger audiences are adapted for children from the age of six. They will be enchanted by the participation of children's dancers and musical numbers featuring a children's choir. After such an adventure, the young audience will have no choice but to fall in love with music and make it their friend forever.
- The Vienna Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum). 39 halls with 25 million exhibits await you in this museum. There's a collection of real meteorites, stuffed animals and even a dinosaur which looks just like a real dinosaur, with baring teeth and claws. This is an adventure for children in early school and for teenagers. Mums and dads will also be interested to see how their ancestors lived — the museum has a large collection of sculptures illustrating the development of mankind. And whoever is brave enough to climb onto the roof of the museum will be rewarded with a magnificent panorama of the old city.
Holidays and festivals in Vienna in March
As at any other time of the year, Vienna's March festivities are all about music. At the beginning of March, a new wave of festive excitement sweeps over the capital ―The International Haydn Festival is held.
The opening of the festival coincides with the beginning of spring. The festival is dedicated to the memory of one of the founders of the Viennese Classical School, Joseph Haydn. Visitors to the festival will have the opportunity to enjoy the great composer's works performed by some of the world's most talented musicians.
The festival is an excellent opportunity to visit the Haydn Memorial and House Museum, where the composer lived for twelve years. This can be a family day out with a school-age child, especially if they are passionate about music and learning to play an instrument.
Vienna Blues Spring Blues Festival. The Vienna Blues Spring Festival takes place in mid-March. Traditionally, most of the concerts take place in the Reigen concert hall, but other stages in the Austrian capital are also available.
Blues fans can enjoy a wide variety of blues styles, from classical to boogie-woogie. Performers include bluesmen of international stature as well as some of Vienna's finest singers.
Balls in Vienna in March. The ball season in Vienna lasts until Easter. So even travellers arriving at the end of March still have time to attend one of the most beautiful events for which the capital of music is famous.
It should be noted that attending the ball is not cheap and it is better to prepare in advance. Ball attire can be purchased in your hometown or in one of Vienna's many shops, or it can be rented.
Dress requirements vary from ball to ball, so make sure you know what you will be wearing to your ball before you arrive.
A few dance lessons from a dance school will also be useful. If you didn't have time to study dance in your home country, you can do so when you arrive in Vienna - the local schools are open to visitors of all levels.
However, you don't have to dance the night away when you get to the ball. You can come as a spectator and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Modern balls in Vienna are primarily events that bring together people of a particular profession or interest. The list of Viennese balls varies from year to year, so if you want to attend a particular ball, check the dates in advance.
Traditionally, the following events are held in Vienna during March:
- The Techno Music Lovers' Ball;
- Viennese Czechs and Slovaks' Ball;
- Pensioners' Ball;
- Film Ball;
- Sports Ball;
- Wien Dancer against Cancer Gala Ball.
Cost of vacation
Prices in Vienna are significantly higher in March than in February. In particular, hotel accommodation in Vienna costs up to 80% more than in the previous month.
This is due to the start of the spring musical season in Vienna.
Accommodation prices vary not only by season, but also by day of arrival.
According to experienced travellers, hotel rooms can be cheaper if you check in on a Sunday. There is little to do in the Austrian capital on this day — most shops and entertainment venues are closed and some travel tickets are not valid until Monday.
Despite the price hike, airfares are down almost 20 per cent this month compared to February.
Your holiday costs will also increase considerably if you want to attend one of the balls in Vienna. The average price of a ticket ranges from €100 to €16,000.
This variation in price can be explained by the different levels of privileges available to guests who purchase tickets in one category or another. These include a seat at the gala table and the right to participate in various raffles and entertainment.
You can avoid additional costs for accommodation and flights by booking tickets and hotel rooms well in advance. On our website, in the 'Hotels' section, you will find a wide range of accommodation options to ensure a comfortable stay with children of different ages.
Spring holidays in Vienna with children
A trip to Vienna in March promises many positive experiences for travellers of all ages. The city's attractions are so varied that even the youngest visitors won't get bored.
However, the weather in March is not warm enough to stay outdoors for long, which can make a trip with a child under 5 difficult. With younger children, it's best to choose the second half of March or even postpone the trip until the following month.
If you're travelling as an adult, meaning everyone in your family is over the age of five, don't hesitate to take a trip to Vienna in March.
