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The best open-air cinemas in Austria to visit this summer

As summer sweeps across Austria, bringing warm evenings, it's the perfect time to enjoy the fun and glamour of open-air cinemas.

Published: 12 July 2023 17:00 CEST
Updated: 2 August 2023 12:05 CEST
A view of the Film Festival at Rahausplatz in Vienna in July 2022.
A view of the Film Festival at Rahausplatz in Vienna in July 2022. Photo: Stadt Wien Marketing/Theresa Wey

Austria is a country of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, and when the summer months arrive, it becomes alive with some fantastic events (many of them for free) taking place outdoors.

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy open-air cinema experiences – and there are many in the Alpine country. Whether a local or a tourist, watching a movie under the stars is a great way to spend warm summer evenings in Austria. 

From historic castles to city rooftops, there are plenty of unique venues. Here are some of the best open-air cinemas in Austria to add to your summer bucket list.

Rathaus Film Festival, Vienna

One of Austria’s most renowned open-air cinemas can be found in the heart of Vienna, within the courtyard of the Rathaus (City Hall). Every summer, the Rathausplatz transforms into a cinema paradise. 

With a colossal screen set against the grand backdrop of the Neo-Gothic City Hall, visitors can immerse themselves in a diverse range of films, especially operas, concerts and ballet presentations. As the sun sets, this iconic venue comes alive with an electric atmosphere surrounded by food stalls and packed with people from all over the world. 

READ ALSO: What you need to know about Vienna’s free summer film festival

Vienna also has several other options for summer open-air cinemas, such as the Wie Noch Nie at Augartenspitz, the Kaleidoskop on Karlsplatz, or the Kino am Dach on the terrace of the Viennese public library.

Das Kino, Salzburg

In Salzburg, Das Kino is embarking on a province-wide tour in collaboration with local event organisers, making several stops within the city. 

From the enchanting Acropolis Bonjour and the captivating Adiós Buenos Aires to the boldly unique Ninjababy and Adrian Goiginger’s heartfelt Der Fuchs and Märzengrund, there is something for everyone. 

Additionally, the programme features a summer classic, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by local legend Max Reinhardt and William Dieterle, dating back to 1935.

Options in Tyrol and Vorarlberg

As always, the Otto Preminger Institute’s open-air cinema is in Innsbruck’s Zeughaus. From the end of July to the end of August, moviegoers can enjoy a selection of arthouse films from the past year. Notable highlights include the highly anticipated Barbie, Aftersun, Banshees of Inisherin, and All the Beauty and the Bloodshed. 

This year’s classics include Věra Chytilová’s Sedmikrásky – Tausendschönchen, Jim Jarmusch’s Night on Earth, and a surprise comedy.

Over in Vorarlberg, the KUB open-air cinema presents a diverse range of films, from Rafiki to Nomadland. At Kino am See in Hard, audiences can enjoy not just one “hard movie,” but seven, including Elvis and the Ukrainian family war metafilm, The Earth Is Blue As An Orange.

READ ALSO: Hugo, Almdudler and Radler: 5 drinks to try in Austria this summer

Open-air cinemas in Lower Austria

The Cinema Summer in Lower Austria presents an impressive lineup of 29 venues. In St. Pölten, Cinema Paradiso’s open-air cinema on Rathausplatz offers a diverse programme, including concerts, current films, and premieres such as Oppenheimer. Classic movies like Hair and Alexis Sorbas will also be featured throughout the 60-day event. 

In Linz, the cinematic experience begins at the Moviemento summer cinema, located high above the Kulturquartier. The programme includes Feminism WTF, featuring a discussion round, as well as screenings of Barbie, a preview of the Austrian music film Vienna Calling, Fellini’s Idlers, the vampire punk film The Lost Boys, and the romantic and witty classic Holiday with Audrey Hepburn.

Options in Upper Austria

During August, the streets of Freistadt in Upper Austria will be temporarily closed to create a unique setting for the summer cinema. This cinematic journey will take audiences to Greece with Thomas Stipsits and feature Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. In the last week of August, the Der Neue Heimatfilm Festival will take over the screen. Surrounding villages such as Alberndorf, Kefermarkt, Reichenthal, and Waldburg will also host special summer cinema performances. 

As a special treat, director Adrian Goiginger will lead a cinema walk to Braunberg Castle before the screening of his film Der Fuchs, providing a perfect opportunity to immerse oneself in the atmosphere of the summer cinema.

READ ALSO: Eight lakes that are definitely worth visiting in Austria this summer

Styria, Carinthia and Burgenland

In the southern region of Austria, specifically at unique venues like the Murinsel in Graz, the Rechbauerkino presents an exciting summer cinema programme. 

Alongside the summer ambience, the screenings feature iconic classics that create a contrasting experience, including Ridley Scott’s masterpiece Alien. 

The programme also pays tribute to Graz actress Marisa Mell through the Diagonale film festival. For an interactive cinema experience, the open-air screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show invites everyone to join in and dance the Time Warp.

Carinthia also has its fair share of summer cinema offerings. Films are screened in the courtyard of the Villach Music School, the Burghof in Klagenfurt, and other locations. 

In Burgenland, summer cinema can be enjoyed at the Waldteich in Bad Tatzmannsdorf and in the Josef-Hölzel-Allee. 

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How to spend a summer afternoon in Austria like a local

Practice Fingerhakeln, prepare some Gurken salat, go hiking or try swimming in a lake. Here are the best ways to enjoy a hot summer afternoon like a true Austrian.

Published: 12 June 2024 15:34 CEST
Updated: 15 June 2024 09:08 CEST
How to spend a summer afternoon in Austria like a local

Summer is here, and while in Austria, you might want to experience a summer afternoon in true Austrian spirit.

Here, we will tell you what you should consider doing to enjoy the sunny weather like a typical Austrian.

Enjoy traditional Austrian games in parks

During hot summer days, spending time in a park can provide some shade and lower temperatures. 

It is also a perfect place for exploring some true Austrian traditions.

For example, you can enjoy practicing the traditional Austrian sport Fingerhakeln. Here, you need two participants to hook their middle fingers into a leather strap and then they need to try to pull the other competitor over a marked line. While this sport is more common at traditional events, it is also an activity that you can enjoy in a park with friends.

Nageln is the name of another traditional game that you can play in a park, although it demands higher motivation since you have to carry some heavy things to the park.

In this game, participants take turns hammering nails into a wooden log using the narrow side of a hammer. The person using the lowest number of hits wins. The game is usually played during traditional festivals but can also be a fun challenge in a park.

While not a game, the traditional Austrian folk dance Schuhplattler is still a perfect afternoon activity in a park. To perform the dance you need to rhythmically stomp your feet and slap your thighs, knees, and soles of your shoes with your hands. You can find a tutorial here.

You can often see people practicing the dance in parks during festivals or cultural events, and then you can just ask to join in.

Fingerhakeln – Finger hooking is an old alpine strength training, mainly in Bavaria and Austria. Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
 
 

Enjoy a picnic with Austrian delicacies 

Even though typical Austrian delicacies such as Germknödel (dough with butter and jam) and Hirn mit Ei (brain with egg) might not be the most suitable options for an afternoon picnic, other Austrian typical snacks definitely are. 

Pretzels and Schinken-Käse-Toast (toast with ham and cheese) are probably the most easily prepared ones, and both are very typical Austrian. If you instead want something healthier and fresher, it is a good idea to make a typical Gurkensalat with thinly sliced cucumbers, onions, and dill, tossed in a light vinegar dressing.

If you have a grill nearby, why not grill yourself a Käsekrainer? This Austrian sausage is filled with cheese, and if you put some mustard on top of it, you have a classic Austrian treat in your hand.

In case you want some comfort food on the picnic, Erdäpfel Salat or Käsespätzle, which is similar to macaroni and cheese, might be your best solutions. These two dishes are also perfect for sharing.

If you search for something more fancy to put on your picnic table, you can create a charcuterie board with Austrian cured meats, such as Speck (smoked ham), Landjäger (dried sausage), and Blunzen (blood sausage). Add some pickles, olives, mustard, and crusty bread, and you can feel like a true Austrian.

 
 
 
 
 
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READ ALSO: Seven ‘weird’ foods in Austria you need to try at least once

Visit a beer garden

Spending summer afternoons at traditional Austrian beer gardens is a must for many people in Austria.

Beer gardens are social hubs where people of all ages come together to relax and enjoy the warmer days. Here, you can have fun in a lively atmosphere and sometimes even listen and dance to Austrian traditional live music.

Austrian beer gardens are great places to spend time with friends and meet new people over a shared appreciation of Austrian beer and snacks such as different sausages, salads with pumpkin oil, bread, and maybe some Leberkäse.

Many beer gardens also offer opportunities to try different brews while learning about Austria’s brewing traditions.

Enjoy a hike 

Hiking has a long tradition in Austrian culture, dating back centuries. It was historically a means of transportation and exploration in the rugged terrain of the Alps. 

When you live in Austria, you are likely to live close to some mountains or at least some hillier areas. This gives you a great opportunity to enjoy a sporty afternoon exploring your beautiful surroundings.

Austria is a country offering hundreds of indicated hiking tracks, even if you live in the less mountainous regions, such as in Vienna and Burgenland. 

Since the summer tends to be hot in Austria, and especially in Vienna, hiking in some forested area can provide shade and lower temperatures.

And remember, even if Austrians like their beer, they also like doing sports.

Hiking can be a good idea to avoid the summer heat. Photo by Jake Melara on Unsplash

Go to a ‘coffee house’

Since Austrian summers tend to be hot, it can be necessary to seek relief in cooler places during the afternoon. This gives you the perfect opportunity to experience the traditional coffee culture.

Inside most coffeehouses,  especially in Vienna, you can find a wide range of classical coffee options prepared by skilled baristas.

Whether you prefer a creamy Wiener Melange (espresso with steamed milk), an Einspänner (espresso with whipped cream), or a refreshing Eiskaffee (coffee with ice), there is usually something to suit everyone’s taste.

READ NEXT: Caffeine, war and Freud: A history of Vienna’s iconic coffee houses

Show your swimming skills at a nearby lake

Do not be surprised if you see sporty Austrians performing intensive freestyle (front crawl) swim training in a nearby lake.

If you cannot swim confidently, then taking up open water swimming can open doors to friendships with the locals. Watch some videos, hire a trainer, or ask someone to show you the techniques.

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