Vienna in December

In December, Vienna averages 4°C (39°F) during the day and 0°C (32°F) at night, with around 10 days of rain (40 mm total).

Off-peak

Conditions are cold — pack winter layers. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear. Snowfall occurs on roughly 4 days.

December in Vienna is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

4°C
Avg high
0°C
Avg low
10
Rain days
40 mm
Rainfall
4
Snow days

How December compares to the rest of the year in Vienna

11th
warmest month of the 12
5th
wettest month of the 12
7%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
8 h 22 min
daylight on the 15th

December is one of the coolest months in Vienna (11th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (5th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 11°C below the annual average (15°C). December runs 4°C cooler than November (8°C) and cools 1°C in January (3°C).

December sunrise & sunset in Vienna

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:38 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
4:00 PM
Day length
8 h 22 min

Times shown for Vienna local time (Europe/Vienna), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Vienna — December

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Vienna's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:38 AM – 7:18 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:18 AM – 8:18 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
3:20 PM – 4:20 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
4:20 PM – 5:00 PM

📅 When to book — Vienna in December

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on December's tier (Off-peak) and Vienna's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
3-6 weeks
Cheapest flights of the year. Last-minute deals are real if you can be flexible.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
2-4 weeks
Last-minute bookings work fine. Some seasonal properties close — call ahead if it's a small boutique or beach resort.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

Crowds & pricing — December in Vienna

Off-peak

This is off-peak for Vienna — the lowest prices of the year and the fewest crowds, but with real trade-offs: some restaurants, hotels, and beach businesses may close for the season; weather conditions can make outdoor activities unpredictable; and a handful of seasonal sights run reduced hours or close entirely. Great if you prefer a quiet local rhythm and don't mind the climate giving you reasons to choose indoor activities.

Why this tier: challenging tourism weather Christmas / New Year travel surge

Sun & mosquito risk — December in Vienna

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
2.9
Low
Minimal sun protection needed for normal activity.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●○○○○
Minimal
Occasional mosquitoes possible near standing water. Repellent rarely needed.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

🌨 Some snow — Vienna in December

Snow days (typical)
4
days/month
Avg low
0°C
32°F
Avg day high
4°C
39°F

Gear: Occasional snow, often slushy by afternoon. Waterproof boots, warm coat, hat and gloves.

Ski regions nearby: Salzkammergut, Schladming — typically in season this month.

Vienna in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 3°C / 37°F -2°C / 28°F 30 mm 9 5
February 5°C / 41°F -1°C / 30°F 30 mm 8 4
March 11°C / 52°F 2°C / 36°F 40 mm 9 1
April 16°C / 61°F 6°C / 43°F 45 mm 9 0
May 21°C / 70°F 11°C / 52°F 60 mm 10 0
June 24°C / 75°F 14°C / 57°F 70 mm 11 0
July 26°C / 79°F 16°C / 61°F 70 mm 10 0
August 26°C / 79°F 16°C / 61°F 65 mm 9 0
September 21°C / 70°F 12°C / 54°F 55 mm 9 0
October 15°C / 59°F 7°C / 45°F 45 mm 9 0
November 8°C / 46°F 3°C / 37°F 45 mm 10 1
December 4°C / 39°F 0°C / 32°F 40 mm 10 4

Other cities with similar December weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Vienna in December →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Vienna in December?

In December, Vienna averages a high of 4°C (39°F) and a low of 0°C (32°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Vienna in December?

December can be fairly wet in Vienna, with about 10 rainy days on average and roughly 4 snow days.

Is December a good time to visit Vienna?

December is cold. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cold weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Vienna in December?

Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full December packing list for Vienna for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Vienna on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.