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 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, square or palace in Vienna has a special event to attract the attention of tourists. And many of the most iconic destinations have been sold out for months, so it's best to arrive well-prepared. Here's what to see and do in Vienna!

Every summer, from the beginning of July until the end of August, the square in front of Vienna's Rathausplatz 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, against an impressive architectural backdrop. The screenings begin at sundown.

In addition to the impressive sound, visitors can witness a real gastronomic tour, as food stalls are set up around the seats for more than just your ears. 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
• Opening hours: The screenings start at sunset. Food stalls open between 11am 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. onwards, the more than 120 stalls are filled with local produce 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. In addition to 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, avoiding the large crow ds on Saturdays.

Practical information

• Where: Wienzeile
• Price: Only what you buy
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday between 6am and 6.30pm. Closes at 14:00 on Saturdays.

If you like to have fun during your holiday, 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 metres high and offers spectacular views of the city. Admission to the park is free.

It is without a doubt a very welcoming place full of history, where you can stroll along the avenues full of attractions during the summer evenings.

There are many attractions for the youngest members of the family, great if you are visiting 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. Mozart lived in several houses during his lifetime, but this is the only one that has survived to the present day.

It is the perfect place to spend time after lunch and avoid the hottest hours of the city. Its more than a thousand square metres 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, this is a place you must visit, whether you are truly passionate about art and music, or if you 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.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, between 10:00 and 18:00

The summer months are often very hot and even hotter when you're walking around the city, so a short cruise on the river is the ideal way to take a break and get to know the city at the same time.

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

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 characterised by magical sunsets and this is one of the best places to enjoy them. Like Mozart's 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 took place.

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

The opening hours are from 6am to 10pm.

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

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

• 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 one 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 exhibits such as animal fossils, dinosaur skeletons or precious stones. It is housed in a 19th century palace.

• The Vienna Museum of Art History: The largest museum in the country and has mainly paintings and works of European painters. There is also an important 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 a must to see the impressive works of art that artists have created over the centuries.

One of the must-see places to visit as it is possibly the biggest tourist attraction in the city. The history of Schönbrunn Palace goes back centuries and it 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, as it can get quite hot in August. Still, any month of the year is a must.

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 without doubt the perfect place to take refuge from the heat, take a break and recharge your batteries 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 performances, so I recommend you take the guided tour (about 40 minutes) where you can see legendary places 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 are around 27 degrees Celsius, which indicates that, despite the heat, August is a pleasant month to travel to Vienna.

However, it is worth bearing in mind that you may encounter showers on some days, as they are more common at this time of year - nothing better than a little water to cool you down!

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

To save money on your sightseeing, there is the Vienna Pass, a fixed-price card that gives you free admission 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.

Prices range from 88 euros (1 day) to 190 euros (6 days). If you are an active tourist, the Vienna Pass is a great way to save on entrance fees and enjoy the city to the fullest.