The Viennese waltz still echoes and the splendour of the architecture is impressive. The city lives a measured life, fuelled by drizzle and brushed by the November wind. The flow of tourists slows down considerably during this period, as the city rests after the summer and the first months of autumn, only to welcome thousands of tourists in December, in all its Christmas splendour, eager to experience the New Year's fairy tale. This is the mysterious and sometimes peaceful Vienna of November.
Holidays in Vienna in November: pros and cons
Reviews of holidays in Vienna in November are not based on impressions of the city itself, but rather on reviews of the weather. It is not very pleasant at this time of year, with drizzling rain, temperatures close to freezing and a nasty wind. But there's always something to do if you've planned a city break: there are cosy restaurants and cafes to shelter you from the wind and rain, and museums open their doors to curious visitors, always ready to surprise you with their exhibits.
Austria's capital is beautiful at any time of year, and even a trip to Vienna in November has its advantages:
- If this isn't your first trip to Vienna and you've already been to the parks, it's time to wait out the weather at museums, exhibitions and other cultural events, especially as there are few or no queues this month;
- There are plenty of cosy cafés to warm you up with a cup of delicious Viennese mélange and, if the weather is bad, delicious Viennese desserts;
- With the price of tours, flights and accommodation falling and the hustle and bustle of the streets gone, it's time to prepare for a low-cost, educational break and get to know the Austrian capital from the inside;
- Over the last 5-7 years, November has been unusually warm with temperatures ranging from +15°C to +20°C. There's a good chance you'll experience a late Indian summer in Vienna.
The November trip also has its disadvantages and these, of course, have to do with the weather:
- You can't escape the season and the cold, drizzly autumn rain. Be sure to pack rain gear, an umbrella and waterproof footwear;
- Wind and temperatures around +5°C don't make for a good November holiday either, especially if you're travelling with babies. To make sure the weather doesn't ruin your holiday, pack warm clothes, especially at the end of the month when there are subzero temperatures and wet snow.
Weather in Vienna in November
The weather in November-December is usually cooler than in winter, with wind and rain. The weather in this month, however, can't be definite: some days are sunny, while others are rainy and chilly.
The weather at the beginning of November is still very close to October and the thermometer can reach 15°C during the day.
Vienna gets colder as winter approaches, with temperatures dropping to +2°C at night in mid-November and even lower on windy days. The weather in Vienna at the end of November is the same as in December — it can snow and melt quickly, turning to slush and subzero temperatures.
Air temperature
The temperate continental climate in the Austrian capital clearly separates the four seasons. And if this is the last month of autumn, it means that it is gradually getting colder and the temperatures are approaching those of winter. But Vienna has a peculiarity: Autumn is characterised by frequent spells of warm, dry weather. So if you are lucky, you might find yourself in Vienna during the warm days of November.
Air temperature in Vienna in November
Based on the vagaries of the weather and observations over the past few years, the average temperature in Vienna in November is: +10°C to +12°C during the day and +1°C to +3°C at night. The daytime temperature in Vienna in November is between +12°C and +15°C at the beginning of the month, but drops to between +5°C and +8°C towards the end.
Amount of precipitation
Rainfall in November is very low compared to the summer months — 39 mm, but this is due to drizzle, frequent fog and high humidity. The number of rainy days is around 14. Snow can fall towards the end of the month, but tends to melt quickly and turn to slush.
Sunny, cloudy, overcast days
The ratio of sunny to cloudy days in November is about half: 14 sunny days and 16 rainy, snowy or cloudy days. Bearing in mind the possible surprises of nature, we note that this ratio can vary to one side or the other.
Excursions: Where to go
The weather in early November can be quite tourist-friendly, with sunshine and a quiet day, making these days perfect for walking. A rainy day can be spent in museums and exhibitions, shopping malls or warming up in a cosy restaurant with Viennese delicacies.
On a warm, sunny day, choose Volksgarten or Volkspark for a family walk. Cosy and well maintained, it's always a great place for a photo shoot or activity. Awaiting you are the 100-year-old Triton and Nymph Fountains, a replica of the Temple of Theseus with an exhibition hall, ponds and natural pools, and the white marble statue of Elizabeth of Bavaria.
For a mid-November break from the weather, take the kids to the House of Music. What else is there to do in the waltz and Strauss capital of the world? The five-storey building is full of surprises, exhibitions, interactive games and sound experiments. Not just for children, but for adults too.
Don't forget the Vienna City Card, which is valid for 1 to 3 days in Vienna. It comes in handy at cafés, museums and on public transport, and offers many discounts or free rides.
Located in the heart of Vienna, the Albertina is the most visited gallery in the capital. It houses paintings and unique graphic works. The many palatial rooms with tens of thousands of drawings and hundreds of thousands of examples of prints will leave no one indifferent. It is worth noting that children and young people under the age of 19 have free entry to the gallery. So why not take advantage of this opportunity?
It's rare to find an adult who doesn't love chocolate, and even rarer still to find a child who does. Vienna has a chocolate museum. There's plenty to see and do. The glass walls in the chocolate production hall allow visitors to see the entire process. Antique equipment, such as the first chocolate shakers, illustrate the history of chocolate production. And in a workshop for children and adults alike, you can make your own sweets or create chocolate drawings.
If you're holidaying in Vienna with children at the end of November and the weather is anything but warm and sunny, you should definitely visit the ZOOM Children's Museum. This is a centre with several themed halls and interchangeable interactive exhibits. Kids, older kids and, let's face it, their parents will all have a great time.
Holidays, events and festivals
Holidays in Vienna in November flow seamlessly from one month to the next, ending and beginning. So you won't get bored. Despite the fact that November is not a popular month for tourists, there are plenty of fun and educational things to do.
- If you're in Vienna at the beginning of November, you can still catch the Viennale film festival, which started in October and showcases filmmakers from all over the world.
- Everyone knows that Vienna is the capital of the waltz. November confirms this fact. There are two festivals for dance lovers. The first is the "Everybody Dances!" festival, organised by one of the local dance schools. At this time of year, Vienna is like one big dance floor, where not only professionals, but everyone is dancing. And right after this festival, the ball season begins. Incredibly, there are around 300 balls in Vienna during the ball season! So it's time to buy a ball gown or tuxedo, buy a ticket and get into the fairytale.
- For true gourmets and food lovers, the first half of November — the 11th to be precise — is a good time to get together with friends or family. On this day, the Catholic Church commemorates St Martin. All restaurants serve goose cooked to a special recipe with sauerkraut, dumplings and chestnuts. It's also a popular day to visit the small restaurants on the outskirts of Vienna — the Heurigen — to taste the new wine. The 11th of November is officially the day on which the wine of the new harvest ripens and the wine of the previous year is considered old.
- The month before Christmas begins on the twentieth of November with the Christmas markets. In the last month of autumn you can already feel the festive atmosphere: festive illuminations, entertainment for children and adults, the smell of baked goods, craft fairs and Christmas decorations.
Shopping
Any month of the year is good for shopping, even November. Especially as Vienna has so much to offer! There are malls, shopping streets and districts with a wide range of clothes, shoes and accessories from well-known brands to suit all tastes. November sales are few, with items from the autumn and winter collections still on sale. The shopping mall world is actively preparing for the Christmas holidays with fabulous discounts and sales. In the meantime, you can simply enjoy shopping and the fashion innovations of top designers.
Cost of vacation
As November is not a popular month for active travel, prices in Vienna are also slightly lower in November than in the previous month. Most tourists start planning their December holidays in November. So for travellers looking to save some money on their trip, November is a good time to do so.
Airfares
If you are planning a trip to Vienna in the last month of autumn, you have the opportunity to save some money on airfares. Compared to October, prices are between 7% and 10% lower, and in December prices start to skyrocket due to the holidays and sales.
Package tours
Most tourists choose September or October for their autumn trips, so hotels are free and even a little cheaper in November. Tour prices at this time are lower than in the previous months, becoming 8 to 10% lower.
Food
If you get hungry on your walk, a quick bite of a hot dog or kebab will set you back €3-4,5. A beer or cappuccino will cost you around €3.
Prices in restaurants for locals and restaurants for tourists can be very different. For example, be prepared to pay €15 to €25 for the famous Viennese Schnitzel, but know that you can have it for €10 in a local restaurant. In Vienna's coffee shops, a croissant costs around €1.5, a pastry or scone around €3-7 and a cappuccino around €3.5-4.
And don't miss the authentic Viennese dessert, the Sacher cake. You can sample the original dessert at the café of the same name for just over €8 for a slice.
Tips for holidays with children
As the weather in November can be unpleasant, we recommend that you choose September or early October for a holiday with the little ones, when there are more likely to be warm, sunny days and you can enjoy walks with the stroller.
If you are planning a trip with school-age children and want to make it educational and entertaining with visits to museums, exhibitions and playgrounds, you can safely choose November for the school holidays. All the more reason to take advantage of the lower hotel and airfare prices during this time. However, I don't think it's the best time for long walks in the fresh air.
If you are planning a holiday, you want to have a good time and get away from it all. Then plan your itinerary around the city: museums, exhibitions, cosy restaurants for evenings out, noisy pubs with happy crowds, children's activities and shopping. Don't forget to pack warm clothes and comfortable shoes so you don't get caught out by the treacherous November weather. Then you can enjoy your trip and really relax. And Vienna will not let you get bored and will try to please you with warm November days, a special atmosphere and an unforgettable experience.
