Vienna is somewhere worth visiting year-round but, in my opinion, it really comes into its own at Christmas Time. Vienna at Christmas Time hosts some of Europe’s best Christmas Markets, along with plenty more to do. So, if you’re looking for a winter getaway, or perhaps have already booked yourself a trip, read on to find out more about what you can do in Vienna at Christmas Time.
The Best Things to do at Christmas Time in Vienna
Christmas Markets
If you’re visiting Vienna at Christmas Time, the likelihood is that you are planning to visit the Christmas Markets. The Viennese markets have been running for centuries, since 1298 in fact! Nowadays there are 12 key Christmas Markets in Vienna, most located in the Old Town or along Ringstrasse, which circles the Old Town. There are also some lovely smaller markets located in the city’s different neighbourhoods, each with their own charm and atmosphere. Here are my favourites:
Stephansplatz Christmas Market
Double up on a spot of sightseeing with a trip to the Christmas Market at Stephansplatz. I absolutely love this market as it is held in such a picturesque location, in the shadow of the dramatic Stephansdom. Whilst the market itself is not huge, there are around 40 stalls offering edible goodies (and Glühwein ofc) along with products from across Austria.
Open daily from 11am to 9pm. Entry is free.
Christmas World at Vienna City Hall
In my opinion this could be my favourite Christmas Market in Vienna, if not in Europe. The only down side is that everyone else likes it too so it’s always pretty busy, especially in the evening. The atmosphere here is so magical with the illuminated city hall, wooden huts and delicious smelling food and drink. There are over 150 stalls here so you’ll be kept busy browsing and you can also go for a festive skate on the 3,000m² ice rink.
Open daily from 10am to 10pm. Entry is free.
Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market
You’ll have to venture out of the city centre for this one (take the U4), but Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market is worth it. If you’ve not visited Vienna before I would also recommend combing your trip to the Christmas Market to the palace itself. It is seriously impressive, and you could easily spend a half day here exploring the Palace and grounds. I would personally recommend checking out the markets here in the evening as the atmosphere is just so special when everything is lit up!
Open daily from 10am to 9pm. Entry is free.
Feeling Inspired? Check out my recent post on the best Christmas Markets in Austria.
Winter Market Riesenradplatz
If you’re travelling with children you might want to check out the Winter Market Riesenradplatz located in Prater. Perhaps this market isn’t quite as magical as the others but you do have the chance to ride on the famous giant Ferris wheel and this market is open into January if your stay extends into the New Year.
Open weekdays 2pm to 9pm and 11am to 9pm Saturday and Sunday. Entry is free.
Art Advent Karlsplatz
Another great market for children (and big kids too) is the Art Advent Karlsplatz. This is also in a spectacular location and you can enjoy the backdrop of the Baroque Karlskirche whilst sipping on your mulled wine. You will also find organic food stalls, a petting zoo and arts crafts tents featuring amazing work by local artists.
Open daily from 12 noon to 8pm. Entry is free.
Old Viennese Christmas Market
If you’re looking for something especially authentic, look no further than the Old Viennese Market on Freyung. This claims to be the oldest and most traditional market in the city, apparently dating back to th 18th century.
Open daily from 10am to 9pm. Entry is free.
If you’re still looking for more markets, then fear not there are still more. The beautiful Belvedere Palace hosts a small Christmas market, well worth visiting for the setting alone. Local craftsmen also show off their skills at Christmas Village Altes AKH on Alserstrasse/Spitalgasse. For a more local experience head to the Christmas Market Spittelberg in the district of Neubau and enjoy the stalls set up on Spittelberggasse, Schrankgasse, Gutenberggasse. More recently a rather hip market experience has been set up in the Museum Quartier and features LED projections, DJ and plenty of places to treat yourself to (another) hot punch!
See the Christmas Lights
Vienna sure puts on an excellent Christmassy display in December. From the window decorations (check out the beautiful sugar creations in Demel’s windows) to some fantastic Christmas lights across the city, you will have plenty to enjoy.
Check out the opulent and sophisticated chandeliers along Graben before heading to see the most instagrammed Christmas lights in Vienna at the Popp & Kretschmer department store on Kärntnerstrasse.
Relax with a Festive drink
At Christmas time the aptly named Christmas punch terraces offer the perfect spot for a festive experience, cosied under a warm blanket (or heated lamps) sipping on a nice warm glass of punch.
My favourites are the terrace at the Ritz-Carlton (Schubertring 5-7) which offers a more authentic atmosphere or Badeschiff (Schwedenplatz/Urania) if you’re looking for something a little more unique. Most of the punch terraces are open from 4pm.
Go Ice Skating
I am absolutely rubbish at ice skating, yet I do love an ice rink at Christmas time. In December Vienna has a number to choose from. The most festive is the ice rink in front of City Hall which is open 10am to 10pm and costs EUR 8 for adults. If you need to rent skates add skate rental for EUR 7.50.
Away from the city hall another ice rink can be found between the Konzerthaus and the Stadtpark. Tickets here are a little more expensive at EUR 9 and skates cost EUR 7-9 to rent.
Warm up inside one of Vienna’s Coffee Houses
Whatever time of year you visit you cannot miss a visit to one of Vienna’s Coffee Houses. There are loads around the city, some more famous than others so you won’t be hard pushed to find somewhere for a caffeine-refuel.
Some of the best known include Cafe Sacher, Café Central and Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker. I personally am a sucker for a trip into Demel for a slice of cake and to see the talented bakers at work.
If you’re looking for something less grand, Kaffemik (Zollergasse) is a cool place to stop and the novel Vollpension (Schleifmuehlgasse) is also cute to check out. Here the baked goods are tried and tested family recipes baked by the grannies and grandpas in the cafe’s kitchen.
Attend a Concert or Show
During December there are many concerts that take place. Consider attending an Advent concert at Stephansdom or spend a night at the Opera. There are also plenty of classical concerts around the city. For example the Mozart Concert at the Golden Hall or the Classic Ensemble Vienna in St. Peter’s Church.
If you are planning to head to a concert or a show, be aware that the dress code for most venues is formal, so pack appropriately!
Check out World-Class Museums
To escape the cold, consider some of Vienna’s amazing museums. There are over 100 in the city so I’m positive that you’ll find something suited to your interests.
If history is your thing head to the Sisi Museum to find out more about the Emperess’ tragic story. Or, for psychology buffs, why not dive into a spot of psychoanalysis at the Sigmund Freud Museum.
If you love art, I’d recommend the Kunsthistorisches Museum, or the wonderful Albertina Museum, or to see a Klimt original head to the Belvedere Museum.
For something a bit different, I would highly recommend the experience at Dialog im Dunkeln, a moving interactive experience which raises awareness of the daily difficulties the blind face.
Therme Wien Spa
After all of the Christmas Markets it could be that you just want some time to rest your legs and relax. The Therme Wien Spa is a short journey out of the city on the underground U1 to Oberlas. For just €29.50 you can enjoy an evening (admission after 6pm) of relaxation away from the busy city centre.
Open Monday to Sundays 9am to 10pm.
Visiting for New Year’s Eve?
If you are visiting Vienna in December for the New Year’s Celebrations be prepared for much of Vienna to be shut down. A lot of restaurants and businesses also stay closed between Christmas and New Years. As well as this some of the markets will also close shop.
That said, Vienna is still a great place to see in the New Year. Alongside the fireworks displays, and general festivities, the main event is the Silvesterpfad. This is essentially a New Year’s Eve trail, covering a combination of activities and events taking place around the city. This all kicks off at 2pm on 31st December and runs until 2am on New Year’s Day. Expect music shows around the city, free waltz lessons on the Graben, and an operatic highlight reel projected by the State Opera.
It’s fair to say that the Viennese put on quite a party!
Further afield
Head to the Slopes
If you’ve got a bit more time to spend in Vienna, you could consider a trip to the Austria alps. Under 2 hours by car you can be on the slopes, or slightly closer to the city you can get to Stuhleck Resort. Stuhleck promises snow all winter, thanks to snow machines, and is open 8.30am to 4.30pm every day.
Take a trip to Bratislava
An hour by train or by boat will take you across the border into Slovakia. Here you can enjoy what this compact capital city has to offer in December, from its own Christmas Markets to the imposing castle perched on the hill above the city.
Final Thoughts | Vienna at Christmas Time
Vienna at Christmas time has to be one of my all-time favourite destinations. Whether you are after amazing food or just an incredible experience, you really cannot go wrong with a festive trip to the Austrian capital.
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Other posts that may help you:
- 5 Reasons To Visit Vienna in December
- Staying at the Intercontinental Vienna
- Things to do in Vienna
- The Most Instagrammable Spots in Vienna
Thank you for reading and I hope I have inspired you with a few ideas for Christmas Time in Vienna. If you have any questions about the items on my list or the city in general, please do get in touch in the comments below.
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Happy exploring,
Love Victoria X
