Celebrate the Magic of Vienna: A 3-Day Holiday with Sights and Christmas Markets
It’s never too early to plan for Christmas!
As you know Europe holds a very special place for us and the time has come to do an experiential European Christmas market tour!
So we started our journey by researching the best European markets to visit. We decided to spend Christmas in Vienna and Prague for a week and it was absolutely MAGICAL!!
We can’t wait to share our journey with you and inspire your next getaway to Europe! Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, you have to experience the European Christmas market joy! The city comes to life amid the cold and there is a warm cozy feel all around.
Sneak Preview
Day 2: Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere, and Christmas Markets
Day 3: Hofburg Palace, Kunsthistorisches, and Christmas Markets
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Here is our December Vienna Guide complete with all our favorite Christmas Markets!
Vienna
Vienna is the capital of Austria filled with beautiful architecture, music, and charm! It is even more beautiful and dazzling with Christmas Markets.
What is a Christmas Market?
From mid-November until Christmas, Vienna’s most beautiful squares transform into magical Christmas markets. The air fills with the scents of freshly baked treats, hot punch, and roasted chestnuts. Festive lights adorn the Old City and shopping streets, spreading holiday cheer across Vienna. It’s essentially an outdoor celebration where you can eat, drink, shop, and connect with friends—old and new!
Most markets open between 10 and 11 a.m. and stay lively until around 9 p.m. (check for any updates on hours online). With a good pair of walking shoes and Vienna’s convenient public transport, market hopping is a breeze. Let’s dive in!
Mug Rental
Each market has its own unique souvenir mug with a special design. When you buy a drink at any stall, you pay a small deposit for the mug. You can then reuse it at other stalls, paying only for the drink itself.
Once you've had your fill, simply return the mug to any stall to get your deposit back. Or, keep it as a souvenir—you’ve already paid for it!
This system is both seamless and sustainable. While mulled wines are popular, there are also plenty of non-alcoholic and creative drink options to keep you warm outdoors.
Food
Our goal was to check out all the markets we could and try all the local and special holiday seasonal foods!
Check out the food post here! Also, most places take credit cards even in the markets but always a good idea to have cash just in case.
Day 1: Walking Tour of Vienna, St. Stephen Cathedral, and Christmas Markets: Stephansplatz and Rathausplatz/ Rathaus Kriskindlemart
Flight In, Check in, and relax.
As always, we recommend staying centrally and located near public transport. We have a special few days planned for you!
Vienna Walking Tour
We love walking tours and it really is the best way to get oriented to a city. Tours usually last about 2-2.5 hours. The one we really enjoyed is a free walking tour (pay at end) by Good Vienna Tours about Old Town. Other great alternatives include:
1) Historic Center of Vienna Walking Tour
2) Vienna Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride with Sparkling Wine and Food
If you skip the walking tour, just wander the city on foot and soak up the charm of the streets and Christmas markets! Or, since it’s the holidays, why not take a festive carriage ride around town?
Must check out places on your walk around Vienna:
The Bow Street
Walk northeast down Kartner Strasse towards Graben. Both streets are decorated with thousands of string lights and Graben has magnificent chandeliers strung between the buildings. Come see this at night and day!
Vienna State Opera House
You could even consider a music show in the capital of music, home to the famous Mozart! A concert her or any of the beautiful venues in Vienna is great experience! Check out our recommendations below:
1) Vienna Classical Concert at St. Peter’s Church
2) Concerts at Mozarthouse Vienna - Chamber Music concerts.
Albertinaplatz
Great hidden gem view from the rooftop. Simply take the escalators up next to the building and admire the city from above for free. If you want you can also check out the museum of course.
Justizpalast
This is the Palace of Justice and a very beautiful building! You will need to plan though since it’s only open for limited hours. We suggest you start your day with this.
Coffeehouse
Vienna is known for its majestic coffee houses. After your walk around town, it’s time to warm up with iconic stops for coffee and desserts! The coffee shops are majestic and definitely worth a visit, every day if you ask us!
We recommend Demel for its extensive coffee and dessert menu. Be sure to try the famous sachertorte -which is a chocolate cake or torte created in Vienna in the 1830s(see our food post!). There is usually a long line that tends to move quickly, however, you can also make reservations ahead of time.
Now we will take a short walk over to the next stop.
St. Stephen Cathedral
Famous for its majestic towers, this spot offers several ways to enjoy panoramic views from the top—well worth the small fee!
Climb the south tower’s 383 steps for city views, or take the elevator up the north tower. You can also explore with an audio guide or join a tour, including one through the catacombs.
Once you explore the Cathedral it’s time for Christmas Market food time! Right outside the church, you will be rewarded with the Stephansplatz Christmas Market which opens at 11 am. Take your time to explore the shops/stalls and try all the delicacies and drinks your tummy desires!
If you plan this around sunset time, you can capture the sunset at the cathedral and then enjoy the lights and vibes of the market transitioning from day to night.
Rathausplatz/ Rathaus (City Hall) Kriskindlemart
On night one we must go to the main and largest Christmas Market in all of Austria! Be sure to check out ice skating, a light show at night, and beautiful stalls filled with food, drinks, and things to buy.
We found this market more for beautiful lights, decor, and drinks. The food at the other markets were much more diverse. But this is definitely a Welcome to Vienna Market, and must do!
Dinner
Consider making reservations ahead of time or at least checking the hours (given holidays) to ensure you have a wonderful dinner spot. While you can munch on delicious food and drinks in the markets, you definitely should check out the unique culinary cuisine in Austria too!
Day 2: Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere, and Christmas Markets
Schönbrunn Palace
This was the main summer home of the Habsburg rulers and is quite elegant and beautiful. Highly recommend taking an audio guide tour to bring the stories to life and learn about the Habsburg dynasty! Most people spend about 1-2 hours here exploring the palace and the grounds.
For a guided experience check out: Vienna: Skip-the-Line Schonbrunn Palace & Gardens with Guide.
It is about 30 minutes away from the city via public transport, so we recommend starting your day here and grabbing lunch at our favorite Christmas market!
Schönbrunn Christmas Market
Christmas market that begins at 10 AM.
This is one of our favorite markets! The market has a grandiose backdrop with wonderful delicacies! Best of all lots of vegetarian and vegan options were available here. This market was filled with a variety of food and drink options for all. We truly could spend all day here! It makes a great place for lunch.
Österreichische Galerie Belvedere + Museum
Next up, we’re heading indoors to warm up a bit. In winter, we’ve found that mixing outdoor markets with indoor activities makes for a cozy day. Our destination is a museum about 40 minutes away by public transport—and the surrounding outdoor area is beautiful, too!
The must-see masterpiece includes Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss. Guides are available to enhance your visit, and most people spend about 2-3 hours exploring.
For winter, consider the Upper Belvedere ticket to see the main highlights, or the Belvedere 21 ticket if you're interested in contemporary art.
Christmas Village - Belvedere
A charming, smaller market—after the morning options at Schönbrunn, this one felt more compact. Still, it’s a perfect stop, conveniently located just outside the Belvedere Museum and worth a browse.
Dinner -try some traditional Austrian fare!
Day 3: Hofburg Palace, Kunsthistorisches, and Christmas Markets
Hofburg Palace-Sisi museum
If you are familiar with the Netflix Show, The Empress (it is based on Sisi). She had a strong personality and this museum will introduce you to her personality!
A fantastic museum to explore the history of the empress and the Hofburg. We highly recommend using an audio guide for a more immersive experience. The square surrounding the museum is full of statues and historical landmarks, making it a great spot for a stroll.
Hofburg Christmas Market
By now you know the theme:
1) Go to the museum ( stay warm!)
2) Be rewarded with a Christmas Market Outdoors!
3) Repeat!
Museum: Kunsthistorisches
Be sure to visit this beautiful museum/art gallery if you are interested in artwork. Audioguides make the experience so meaningful!
Also has beautiful photo spots and an amazing beautiful grand café inside! The cafe visit requires a ticket to the museum, so be sure to check it out!
As always, check the hours before going.
Christmas Market: Maria Theresien Square
A great place to browse for more drinks, food, and shopping surrounded by beautiful architecture. This is a nice central market as well filled with snacks, drinks, and shopping in cute wooden stalls!
Naschmarkt
If you are looking for lunch at an outdoor market that is not a Christmas Market, be sure to check out the Naschmarkt. It’s an open-air market filled with 100+ stalls of food. There are some great falafel places here if you are fan!
Now back to the Christmas Market Hopping….
Spittlebach Market
Narrow side streets filled with Christmas cheer and stalls. Try some famous Viennese delicacies here! It’s fun walking along winding streets discovering more and more with each step.
Old Viennese Christmas Market
A Small and cozy market for a homey feel!
Am Hof Christmas Market /Weihnachtsmarkt Am Hof
This one was also a cute market filled with arts and crafts and some amazing drinks! Very cool handmade crafts here that make great gifts/souvenirs! We loved the warm Aperol spritz to keep us warm!
Dinner
End the night with dinner in a warm indoor dining place!
Modifications/Tips:
Looking for more to do in Vienna?
If you have more time: check out the Schlumberger Winery and the Ferris Wheel at sunset; all close together. Followed by the Winter Market in the Prater at Riesenradplatz Christmas market next door.
If you are looking for more Christmas markets -check out the Art Advent at Karlsplatz
Have an extra day and looking for a fun daytrip? -There are some amazing cities in the area!
Hallstatt Day Trip from Vienna With Skywalk- This is a must-visit destination!
Budapest Small-Group Day Trip from Vienna-another country and city!
Salzburg Small-Group Day Trip from Vienna- a must visit destination in the alps!
Where to stay?
Stay centrally or in Old Town for holiday charm.
In between the use of your feet and public transport, you will be able to get around pretty easily. In the wintertime, it can get cold so to minimize walking outdoors it does help to stay centrally.
Transport- With a mix of walking and public transport, getting around is easy. However, winter’s chill can make outdoor walking less appealing, so it’s helpful to stay centrally located to minimize time spent outside.
Be sure to pack a winter coat, gloves, and hats to stay warm. You can always layer for your optimal temperature.
Check out our Christmas Markets Food and Drinks for more inspiration! And our post on Exploring Prague: A 3-Day Winter Wonderland!
Thank you for reading!
