Vienna in November: Travel Tips & Things to Do [2024]

Although November is probably one of the least popular travel times around, visiting Vienna in November can well be worth it. Culture lovers can benefit from low hotel prices and enjoy popular museums almost crowd-free. Below, we have compiled some practical information for you as well as the best things to do in Vienna in November!

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Vienna Weather in November

The November weather in Vienna can be rather uninviting. Expect highs around 47°F (8°C) and lows around 37°F (3°C) as well as wet weather. Even if it doesn’t rain during your visit, it is quite likely that you will have overcast skies.

Keep in mind also that Vienna is a rather windy city, bringing down the temperatures even more.

What to Wear in Vienna in November

Expect November to be rather cold and wet. We would definitely recommend a warm jacket or coat. A water-resistant jacket would do the trick if you want to be practical. Otherwise, pack an umbrella just in case.

We’d also recommend a hat, scarf, and gloves. November is definitely not sneaker weather in Vienna – opt for boots instead, preferably water-resistant.

Practical Information for Visiting Vienna in November

The gloomy weather aside, November is actually not that bad a time to visit Vienna. It is more affordable than during summer or during December (when the Christmas market season is in full swing).

It is also significantly less crowded than during those times. What’s also good is that there are hardly any public holidays in November that you would need to plan around. The only expectation is November 1, All Saint’s Day, when you should expect shops to be closed.

Where to Stay in Vienna in November

Hostel: Wombats Naschmarkt, a popular hostel in Vienna, within walking distance of the city center

Budget Economy: B&B Hotel Wien-Meidling, great budget option close to Wien-Meidling station

Budget Plus: Motel One Wien Hauptbahnhof, an unpretentious choice within 2 minutes of Vienna Central Station

Mid-range: Mercure Secession Vienna, a reasonably-priced 4-star hotel in the city center

Splurge: Hotel Sans Souci Wien, one of the city’s most prestigious hotels, the glamorous Sans Souci features trendy rooms and deluxe furnishings

Best Things to Do in November in Vienna

Below find an overview of events and festivals to check out during November in Vienna. Pick one or two and combine them with dozens of other fun things to do in Vienna.

Check out the Christmas Markets

If you assumed the Christmas markets in Vienna would only open in December, you (and I) would be wrong. Because most of them open already in November! Personally, I think this is fantastic news for visitors as Austrians only tend to crowd the markets from late November and early December.

Here are some of the Christmas markets that we KNOW will be open in November:

• Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace (from November 18)
• Christmas Market at Spittelberg (from November 16)
• Wintermarkt Riesenradplatz (from November 18)
• Christmas Market in front of City Hall (from November 11)

Attend the Opening of the Vienna Ball Season

Vienna has been known as the capital of ballroom dancing for hundreds of years. The ball season traditionally starts on November 11 with the Ball of the Viennese Chimney Sweeps at Palais Ferstel. A ticket without a table costs about 40 EUR per person.

If you plan to attend any of the balls in Vienna, this will require a little bit of planning ahead on your side. Most importantly, Viennese balls are black-tie events. While women would get away with wearing a lightweight silk dress, men are definitely expected to wear a suit.

Check out Wien Modern Festival

Although perhaps hard to imagine, in the eighties, classical music was not at the forefront of everybody’s mind in Vienna. That’s when Wien Modern came to be as a way of revitalizing classical music in the city. 

Young composers and experienced composers alike are given the stage. Events take place throughout the city throughout the month and the full program is usually published in September. Get more information here.

Listen in during Voice Mania

Voice Mania is one of many music festivals hosted by Vienna. In this case, it is a festival dedicated entirely to acapella music. The concerts are usually spread across a handful of venues.

For more information and tickets check out their website.

Attend a Performance of the Lipizzans at the Spanish Riding School

What animal comes to mind when you think of opulence and royalty? For me, it’s always horses. Truly, no animal embodies royal Vienna better than the Lipizzan horses.

Once an important organ of the royal court, today, the riding school is committed to preserving classical dressage and the Lipizzan breed and is a very popular tourist attraction. 

The shows take place on Saturday mornings and tickets start from 40.50 EUR for standing places. If you love horses or dressage and want a really good look, though, we recommend seats in the first gallery. >> Book now

If you don’t find time to attend a full performance or if you would like to know even more about the horses and the riding school, you can also attend a guided tour of the premises or one of the training sessions (which are much cheaper than the official performances).

Put aside Time for a Full-Fledged Museum Day

Who cares about the gloomy weather when you can spend the day at the museum? Vienna is a city blessed with several world-class museums, out of which the Art History Museum (Kunsthistorisches Museum) stands unequivocally above the rest. 

However, other great places to visit are Hofburg, Albertina, Belvedere Palace, and many more. You can make the most of your time by buying a Vienna Pass ahead of time which includes entrance to the museums mentioned above and dozens more.

Discover Hidden Treasures at the Art & Antique Fair

Usually taking place at the end of October or the beginning of November, Art & Antique Vienna takes over halls at Hofburg Palace and turns them into a playground for antique sellers and art collectors alike.

Visit their website for more information on opening hours and tickets.

Attend the Krampuslauf at Prater

If you haven’t grown up in central Europe, there is a good chance that you have never heard of the so-called Krampus. In folklore, Krampus is a creature described as “half-goat, half-demon” and genuinely frightening.

He is the companion of St. Nicholas and as opposed to his benevolent associate, Krampus punishes children who have misbehaved.

To get face-to-face with a Krampus as a tourist, it’s best to attend a traditional Krampuslauf. It’s a procession of several young men dressed in traditional costumes, roaming the streets. Sometimes you may see so-called Perchten, a local variation of the Krampus (but equally as terrifying).

While these processions are mostly an alpine tradition, you can find them also in Vienna, the biggest taking place in Prater at the end of November.

Geek out at Comic-Con

If you are into all things pop culture, a visit to Vienna Comic-Con is well worth your time. Of course, it’s a fairly popular event and you need to buy your ticket well ahead of time. 

Ticket sales generally start in June. Find more information on the official website.

This Human World Festival

This Human World is Austria’s first festival devoted to the subject of Human Rights and one of Vienna’s largest film festivals.

This Human World offers a platform for debate and a space for conversations, allowing attendees to understand the films in their socio-political context.

The range of films in terms of topics, but also geographies and languages is wide. Thankfully, films are shown with English subtitles. Tickets for a single screening cost 8.5 EUR. Check out their website for this year’s line-up.

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Now, what do you think? What is your favorite time of the year to visit Vienna? What else is there to do in Vienna in November? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!