10 Things to Do in Vienna in August

During this time of year, the Austrian city dresses up to welcome tourists in the last month of summer and the hottest month of the year. Many of the locals take advantage of this time of year to get away from Vienna, so the streets abound with a festive, touristy atmosphere.

Almost every museum in Vienna, its squares or Vienna's palaces have some special activity to attract the attention of tourists. And many of the most emblematic destinations have been sold out for months, so it's best to arrive well-prepared. Here's everything you can see and do in Vienna!

Every summer, from the beginning of July until the end of August, the square in front of Vienna's Rathaus town hall is transformed into a large open-air cinema, although in this case it is not films but music that is shown.

The giant screen shows opera productions and concerts of all genres, from jazz to ballet, with impressive architecture in the background. The screenings begin at sundown.

In addition to the impressive sound, visitors can witness an authentic gastronomic tour, as food stalls are set up around the seats for more than just your ears to enjoy. A perfect plan for Viennese evenings, where classical music is a must. Are you up for it?

Practical information

• Where: Rathausplatz
• Price: Free of charge
• Schedule: The screenings start at sunset. Food stalls open between 11:00 am and midnight.

Can anyone think of a better way to start the hot summer days than visiting Naschmarkt, Vienna's largest market? From 6 a.m. the more than 120 stalls are filled with local products of great quality and quantity. This activity has been going on since the 16th century and is very popular with the locals.

Here you can also try typical Austrian dishes such as the legendary Käsekrainer sausages, apple strudel (apple pie) or schnitzel. Apart from local food, there is also oriental and Asian food.

The market is closed on Sundays, so the best time to visit is from Monday to Friday, thus avoiding the large crowds that usually occur on Saturdays.

Practical information

• Where: Wienzeile
• Price: Only what you buy
• Hours: Monday to Friday between 6:00 am and 6:30 pm. Saturday closes at 14:00.

If you like to have fun during your vacation, then the Prater amusement park is a must-visit place to unwind and feel like a kid again. Located on the banks of the Danube River, its inauguration dates back to no less than 1895.

The Ferris wheel (Wiener Riesenrad) is almost 65 meters high and offers spectacular views of the city. Admission to the park is free.

It is certainly a very cozy place full of history, where you can stroll during the summer evenings along the avenues full of attractions.

There are many attractions for the little ones in the family, great if you visit Vienna with children!

Practical information

• Where: Riesenradplatz 2
• Price: Admission to the park is free, but you will have to pay for the rides.
• Hours: Every day from 11:00 to midnight

Located at Domgasse 5, the famous composer lived here from 1784-1787. Throughout his life Mozart had several homes, although this is the only one that has been preserved to this day.

Perfect plan to spend time after lunch, and avoid the hottest hours of the city. Its more than a thousand square meters are full of creativity, art, history, passion, love and even rivalry.

In this house Mozart composed some of his most famous pieces, so its walls are full of his genius. In short, it is a place you must visit, whether you are truly passionate about art and music, or for those who are interested in culture in general.

Practical information

• Where: Domgasse 5
• Price: about 20 € for a combined ticket for the Mozart House and the House of Music
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The summer months are usually very hot and even more so when we do not stop walking around the city, so a small walk along the river is ideal to stop to rest and at the same time continue to know the city.

The Danube river trips include a romantic evening with the best views of Vienna, the trip lasts about three and a half hours approximately.

I can't think of a more romantic plan. If you want to surprise your partner or family during your trip, this is exactly what you are looking for.

Summer is characterized by magical sunsets and this is one of the best places to enjoy them. Like the Mozart House, this religious building is also closely linked to the life of the Austrian genius, as this beautiful cathedral is the place where his wedding and funeral were held.

This church stands out for its high tower which can be accessed by elevator and which has beautiful views of the city. Its interior is a mixture of Baroque and Gothic style and features the Crucified Christ, Pummerin Bell, the Catacombs, the Pilgram Pulpit and the tomb of Emperor Frederick III.

Its opening hours are from 6 am to 10 pm.

Don't let the bars and beaches be the only places to visit this summer, here is a list of the most important museums to visit in Vienna during your trip in August:

The Museumsquartier is located south of the historic city center, where most of the city's museums are located. For art lovers it is a must-see, and these are some of the most important ones:

• The Sigmund Freu Museum: Dedicated to the psychoanalyst Sigmund Fred, it reviews his life and work, if you like psychology you will love this museum, which is considered the most important dedicated to his figure.

• The Natural History Museum of Vienna: For many experts, the best scientific museum in Austria and Europe. It has more than 3 million historical samples such as animal fossils, dinosaur skeletons or precious stones. Its location is in a 19th century palace.

• The Museum of Art History of Vienna: The largest in the country and has mainly paintings and works of European painters. There is also a relevant collection of Egyptian art, antiquities from Greece and Rome. The interior of the museum is decorated with marble and different types of paintings.

A visit to one of Vienna's most important museums is definitely a must if you want to see the impressive works that artists have created over the last centuries.

One of the most unmissable places to visit as it is possibly the biggest tourist attraction in the city. The history of Schoenbrunn Palace goes back centuries and has been the residence of emperors and kings of the Hamburg dynasty.

Around the palace you can also visit the private gardens and the labyrinth. Don't forget your hat and water, because in August it can be quite hot. Still, in any month of the year it is a must visit.

To visit Schonbrunn Palace during the summer it is necessary to buy tickets in advance, as there is a lot of tourist demand to visit this beautiful site at this time of the year.

This palace, along with the Hofburg, is a must-see when visiting Vienna, so get ready to take a walk through another era!

This library built in the 18th century has more than 8 million documents on its endless shelves.

Its impressive baroque architecture makes it one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, with the Imperial room being the icing on the cake of this architectural masterpiece.

There are also two Venetian baroque globes: a terrestrial and a celestial globe. It is certainly a perfect place to take refuge from the heat, take a break and replenish energy before continuing with the rest of the activities. Admission is 8 euros and the library is open every day of the week.

Probably one of the most internationally known sites, if you travel to Vienna you can't miss one of the temples of opera!

In July and August there are hardly any works on stage, so I recommend you to take the guided tour (about 40 minutes) in which you can see legendary corners such as the marble staircase, the Tea Room, the Marble Hall, as well as the great stage and the foyer.

Around the building there is a sort of Hollywood-style walk of fame dedicated to composers.

Remember that August is one of the busiest months, so you need to buy your tickets well in advance. Are you ready to immerse yourself in the world of opera?

August is the warmest month of the year in Vienna, with an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. Highs hover around 27 degrees Celsius, which indicates that, despite the heat, August is a pleasant month to travel to Vienna.

Even so, you should be aware that you may encounter showers on some days, as they are more common at this time of the year. Nothing better than a little water to cool off!

Although it may seem that Vienna is a very expensive city, the truth is that prices are similar to other big cities like Madrid or Berlin, being somewhat more expensive in certain products or services. Being the middle of summer and the busiest month for tourists, I recommend that you buy your tickets in advance, since for some activities (such as guided tours of the Vienna State Opera) there is full capacity for almost the entire month.

In order to save on your sightseeing there is the Vienna Pass, a fixed-price card that allows you free access to 70 of Vienna's most popular attractions, such as the Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Natural History Museum or the Mozart House. It also gives you priority access to many of these attractions.

The price ranges from 88 euros (1 day) to 190 euros (6 days). If you are an active tourist, the Vienna Pass is an excellent option to save on entrance fees and enjoy the city to the fullest.