Autumn is the Viennese favourite: the heat is gone, fewer tourists, Sturm appears, the woods turn colour. These things are especially worth doing.
Heuriger end-of-season
Until the end of October, some into mid-November. Sturm (cloudy, half-fermented must) is only available now, a local speciality. Try Grinzing, Stammersdorf or the Nussberg. More in our Heuriger guide.
City hiking trails
Vienna has 13 officially signposted city hiking trails, six of them through the Vienna Woods. Trail 1 to the Kahlenberg is the famous one, trail 2 through the Lainzer Tiergarten is quieter, trail 4 through the Nussberg-Kahlenberg vineyards is the prettiest in autumn.
Chestnut season
From October the chestnut sellers stand at Stephansplatz, Schottentor and Westbahnhof with smoking carts. Hot roasted chestnuts in straw paper, warm hands, three to five euros.
Museums without queues
End of September to end of November is the quietest sightseeing season. KHM, Belvedere, Albertina without long waits. You see the paintings instead of photographing heads.
Viewpoints with fog drama
The Kahlenberg on a Föhn day in October: the city clear in fog, mountains razor-sharp on the horizon. The Donauturm (252m) or the Sky Bar at the Steigenberger Herrenhof for inner-district views.
What to keep in mind
By mid-October Viennese nights are regularly 8-12 degrees Celsius, days 12-18. Rain is normal. If you hike: a shell jacket and good shoes.
In November the Christmas markets start, but only the smaller ones at first. Karlsplatz and Spittelberg from mid-November, Rathausplatz traditionally the last weekend of November.
Event highlights
- Wiener Festwochen in spring, not autumn.
- Viennale film festival late October to early November, Vienna’s international film festival, popular.
- Long Night of Museums early October: one ticket, many museums open until 1 am.
- Wine harvest festivals in Grinzing and Stammersdorf in September.
Where to sleep
Autumn rates run well below peak season. November often at half of May prices. Boutique houses like Altstadt Vienna, Hotel Motto or Hotel das Tyrol are easier to book in autumn.