Early winter · Weather & things to do
Salzburg in December
Salzburg cools off: highs slip to 38°F (4°C), from 47°F in November, with lows of 28°F (-2°C) and about 3.1 in (79 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 40/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 38°F (4°C)
- Avg low
- 28°F (-2°C)
- Rain or snow
- 3.1 in (79 mm)
- Humidity
- 90%
- Cloud cover
- 75%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 13 min
- Comfort score
- 40/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 38°F (4°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 28°F (-2°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 3.1 in (79 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because nights fall well below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 75%.
Only about 8 h 13 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April & May and September.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 28°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 13 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 53/100 in November to 40/100.
- Our Hallstatt, Salzburg & Vienna route is planned for Late Nov – early Jan, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — December is part of it.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 28°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 3.1 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Salzburg in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Hellbrunner Adventzauber
Advent market in the courtyard of Hellbrunn Palace, with hundreds of lit fir trees and the facade as a giant Advent calendar.
Salzburger Christkindlmarkt
The market fills the Domplatz and Residenzplatz, with stalls of carved ornaments, Lebkuchen and hot punch.
Getreidegasse
Narrow shopping street of wrought-iron guild signs, home to Mozart's birthplace at number 9.
Café Tomaselli
Coffee house on the Alter Markt since the early 1700s; waitresses bring cakes round the room on trays.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 38°F.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
One of Europe's largest medieval castles, on the Festungsberg above the old town, reached by funicular.
Nearby in December
- Hallstatt in December~33 mi · highs 41°F, 3.0 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Munich in December~72 mi · highs 38°F, 2.7 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Cortina d'Ampezzo in December~97 mi · highs 35°F, 2.2 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, drier
- Val Gardena in December~106 mi · highs 35°F, 2.2 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Salzburg in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Salzburg?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 40/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April & May and September. Expect highs of 38°F (4°C) and 3.1 in (79 mm) of rain or snow.
How cold is Salzburg in December?
Average highs are 38°F (4°C) and average lows 28°F (-2°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Salzburg in December?
Some: about 3.1 in (79 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 49.8 in (1264 mm).
What should I pack for Salzburg in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 28°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 3.1 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Salzburg
Routes in season in December
- Hallstatt, Salzburg & Vienna Late Nov – early Jan
Planning Salzburg in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.