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What to wear in Austria (Vienna, Salzburg, The Alps and Beyond)

What to wear in Austria (Vienna, Salzburg, The Alps and Beyond)

Are you wondering what to wear in Austria? This guide tells you what you should pack for Austria in Winter, Summer, Spring and Fall, for Vienna, Salzburg, the Alps or beyond.

Important Note: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Austria Dress Code Rules

Woman in yellow t shirt on street in Vienna Austria
What to wear in Austria (Vienna, Salzburg and beyond)

Like most European countries, Austria doesn’t have strict dress code rules for everyday. However there are a few places where dress codes are enforced.

Firstly people in Austria do tend to dress for dinner. So if you want to go to some of the more fine dining establishments you may want to add one smart casual outfit into your travel capsule wardrobe.

Another popular thing to do in Vienna specifically is to attend the Vienna Opera. Now depending on the event you are at will depend on the dress code requirements. For many shows there will not be a dress code, especially in the standing area. However most people will opt for a smart casual outfit.

However if you are going to the Operaball or any opening show or premiere then you may want a more formal outfit.

What to wear in Austria in Summer (June, July and August)

couple sat on a fence next to lake in the austrian alps
What to wear in Austria (packing list and outfits)

Austria in Summer is classified as June, July and August and has fairly moderate summer weather. Usually the average high temperatures on the lowlands such as Vienna are 80°F /27°C) but they can get up into the mid 30°Cs.

While in the highlands and mountains of the Alps the temperatures will be a few degrees cooler.

As such we would recommend putting the below on your Austrian summer packing list:

Maxi Dresses and Maxi Skirts.

Because of the combination of moderate weather and a local fashion styles steering away from short dresses and skirts we recommend packing a mix of maxi or midi dresses and skirts for the cities and mountains.

We recommend selecting items made of natural fabrics as opposed to man made fabrics. These are more breathable and will reduce sweat when outside.

We also recommend selecting items that are more loose and flowing as opposed to tight fitting as these are better for heat and dress code adherence.

Loose Trousers

We tend to avoid jeans in Austrian summers as it can be too warm for them. Instead we recomend loose trousers and linen trousers.

However if you plan on going hiking in the Alps you may also want some convertible hiking trousers with you.

Blouse

A loose blouse is another good pick for visiting religious sites and for evenings in Austria. Personally I like plain white linen shirts as they are very easy to use as part of a capsule wardrobe.

Click here to shop blouses

T Shirts

T Shirts are a great base for Austria no matter what season you are visiting. For Summer I like to pack a short sleeve t-shirts and style-wise, I tend to stick to a plain or lightly patterned t-shirt instead of neon, graphic or slogan tees as they work better in a capsule wardrobe.

Click here to shop t shirts.

Layers

Although Austria can be warms in summer we recommend packing a couple of top layers like a light hoodie, smarter sweater and waterfall cardigan for evenings.

Click here to shop layers for Austria

Waterproof Jacket

Austria in summer is actually pretty rainy with around 13 days seeing rain in each of the summer months. Therefore if you plan on spending time outside be sure to have a waterproof with you.

Pashmina

I never travel anywhere in Europe without a pashmina. These are perfect for chilly mornings and eveningse, and are great for making outfits more modest especially when visiting religious sites.

PJs or Nightie, Underwear and Socks

Goes without saying.

Hat

Hats are the perfect instagram accessory so if you plan on taking some insta snaps this is a good addition to your packing list.

Sunglasses

It is bright during the summer months in Austria so don’t leave the sunglasses at home.

What to wear in Austria in Winter (December, January and February)

Woman in the Hofburg courtyard in Vienna Austria in Winter
What to wear in Austria in Winter (Vienna, Salzburg and beyond)

Austria in Winter is a magical destination especially with the Christmas Markets in the cities like Salzburg and Vienna. However it can be a tricky season to pack for. Winter throughout Austria is classified as December, January and February and it is not uncommon to see snow and ice on your Austria Winter vacation depending on where you are heading.

If you are in the cities you can expect that the average temperature is around 1C/33.8F. However on higher ground the average is likely to fall to around -3.5C / 25.7F.

You can also expect to see about 13 days of rain during each of these months so it is worth being prepared with some some waterproof wear.

So what should you wear to cope with the Winter weather in Austria?

Layers

And lots of them! I’m talking thermal base layers, shirts, hoodies as well as warm coats.

It is better to have too many layers and be able to remove some than find yourself shivering while wandering around the markets.

Hat, Scarf and Gloves

As I mentioned above it definitely does snow in Austria in Winter, (How much and how often depends on where you are going and in what month),and you will absolutely be wanting all the normal regular Winter accessories with you.

Beanie hats are a good choice. We also recommend taking gloves that allow you to use your phone while still wearing them as this will stop faffing in the cold.

You may also want to a pair of earmuffs for a particular cold snap.

Jeans / Trousers

Jeans are a great choice for Winter in Austria as they are thicker than other trousers. We also recommend picking fleece lined jeans for extra warmth.

But you will also want some trousers that are more comfortable for walking in, especially for walking in the rain in.

Coat

A coat is absolutely a necessity during Winter in Austria no matter whether you are in cities like Vienna, Salzburg or heading out into the Alps.

We recommend something warm like a down parka. However we also recommend picking a coat that has some water resistance or waterproof coating to cope with the rainy days in Austria.

Hiking Socks

For me there is nothing worse than cold feet so you will want hiking socks with you for out of trails and in the outdoors.

We also recommend merino wool socks for thinner socks that are still insulating.

Dress and Tights

If you want to wear a dress for smarter evenings out we recommend slecting a warmer jumper / sweater style dress and pairing it with thick tights.

Shoes with Good Sole

We talk about shoes more in the best shoes for Austria later in this post, however it is worth pointing out here that is is essential to have shoes with a good sole for Winter in Austria due to cold, snow and ice are being likely weather during the season.

What to wear to Austria in Spring and Fall (March, April and May and September, October and November)

Woman in yellow jacket next to horse and carriage in Vienna Austria
Austria Packing List

The shoulder seasons in Austria are one of the best times to visit for both crowds and weather. Depending on the month you are traveling in will depend on whether your list should lean more towards the summer or the winter packing list.

Generally speaking however, for March and November I would consider packing more layers as they are closer to Winter. And for April, May, September and October I would add more summer wear but still have layers with me.

I recommend adding the below to the Shoulder season packing lists

Hoodie / Sweater / Jumper / Poncho

You will definitely want top layers with you during this period. For May and September you can probably get away with a lighter weight hoodie. However for the Winter adjacent months you will want thicker and more layers with you.

For November you may also want a heavy weight coat.

Sunglasses

Great no matter the month you visit Austria.

Pashmina

Again this is perfect as an additional layer for cooler periods and is great for making outfits more modest.

Best Shoes for Austria

Sneakers

My number one shoe for Austria at any time of year is a sneaker. Sneakers cope well with the historic centres where you will find uneven surfaces and cobblestone strets.

However we recommend having looking for some waterproof sneakers due to the amount of rain you get in Austria year round.

My favorite waterproof sneaker is the Ecco Soft Seven.

Ankle Boots (Winter)

For Winter and part of the shoulder seasons we recommend having some waterproof leather ankle boots with you. We recommend flat boots over thin heels as they cope better on historic streets.

What to Pack for Austria – non clothing

Woman in white summer outfit next to horse and carriage in Vienna
What to wear in Austria (Vienna, Salzburg and beyond)

As well as clothing you may be wondering what to pack for Austria that isn’t clothes.

Well we recommend adding the below to your Austria Packing List no matter the season:

  • Crossbody Bag  – unfortunately any tourist site attracts pickpockets and Austria is no different. A crossbody bag with lots of zips is the best way to protect your belongings.
  • Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
  • Travel adaptor
  • Power Pack / battery packs
  • Sun screen
  • Compact Umbrella – year round.
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera
  • Travel First Aid Kit
  • Blister plasters
  • Toiletries – for our essential toiletries packing list click here. However toiletries should be easy to buy in Austria if you want to big them on arrival.
  • Lipbalm  – absolutely an essential in Winter to protect your lips from cracking in the cold.
  • Moisturiser – needed to protect your skin from drying out in the cold weather.
  • Hand Warmers – as the weather is so cold in Austria in Winter we recommend packing a plentiful supply of hand warmers with you to add into your gloves.
  • Ice Scraper (optional depending on car hire) – If you are renting your own car then you may want to bring an ice scraper / deicer with you. This way you can clear your windows and head off early in the morning.

FAQs about What to wear in Austria

What is the Spanish Riding School Dress Code?

The Spanish Riding School is a must for any Vienna bucket list. And I know many people worry about the dress code however the good news is that there isn’t a formal dress code at the Spanish Riding School.

So if you plan to see the horses the at the Spanish riding school feel free to wear whatever you are most comfortable in.

What to wear in Vienna?

The above packing list is perfect for visiting Vienna. However if you want to head out into the countryside nearby we recommend taking some hiking attire too as well as at least one smart casual outfit for restaurants in the capital.

What to wear in Salzburg?

Our Austria packing list is perfect for Salzburg but if oyu plan on heading out into the countryside then be sure to have appropriate outdoor attire.

Can I wear leggings in Austria?

Yes you can wear leggings in Austria. In Winter these are a great additional layer for when you are spending lots of time outside in the cold.

Do you have any questions about packing for Austria? Drop us a comment below and we get back to you as soon as we can.