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 watching videos and looking at the best European markets to visit. We decided to spend Christmas in Vienna and Prague 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!
Sneak Preview
Day 2: Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere, and Christmas Markets
Day 3: Hofburg Palace, Kunsthistorisches, and Christmas Markets
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 are once again transformed into magical Christmas markets. The aroma of Christmas baking, hot punch, and toasted almonds wafts through the air. The Old City and shopping streets are decorated with festive lights that spread the Christmas cheer in Vienna. Basically an outdoor party to eat, drink, shop, and catch up with old friends and new ones! Most markets open at 10-11 am and are open until about 9 pm (of course check any updated hours). With the help of your feet and public transport, it is very easy to go market hopping! Let’s get started!
Mug Rental
Each market provides its unique souvenir mug with a cool design. You pay a deposit when buying a drink at any stall, served in these special mugs. You can then reuse the mug at other drink stalls and only pay for the drink itself. After enjoying your heart’s content of drinks, return the mug to any stall for a deposit refund.
You can also keep it as a souvenir since you've already paid for it! This process is both seamless and sustainable. While mulled wines are popular, non-alcoholic, and creative drink options are also widely available. A great way to stay 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. We highly recommend the free walking tours where you pay what you like at the end of the tour. It’s a great start to figure out where you want to spend more time later and learn about the city and cool recommendations from locals! Tours usually last about 2-2.5 hours. The one we really enjoyed is Good Vienna Tours about Old Town.
If you choose not to take a walking tour, go explore the city on foot and get lost in the beauty of the streets and the wonderful Christmas Markets there! Or since it is Christmas time, take a 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!
Albertinaplatz
Great view from the rooftop. Simply take the escalators up next to the building.
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!
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
Known for its majestic towers, many options to climb the towers and see views from the top. Worth it for the small fee! Climb the south tower to see the city (about 383 steps). The North Tower even has an elevator. There is also an audio guide available to explore the church and various tours if you are interested including 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 belly 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.
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.
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 our favorite market! Such a grandiose backdrop with wonderful delicacies! Lots of vegetarian and vegan options too! 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
Our next activity is going to be indoors to warm up a little bit. In wintertime, we found mixing outdoor markets with indoor activities makes for a warm and cozy day! We will make our way to this museum which is about 40 minutes via public transport.
The famous art gallery has many must-see works and guides available to help you explore. Most people tend to spend 2-3 hours here.
Christmas Village - Belvedere
A good small market- we loved the options in the morning at Schönbrunn, so relatively speaking this one seemed smaller. However, makes for a great stop as is located right outside the Belvedere Museum.
Dinner -try some traditional Austrian fare!
Day 3: Hofburg Palace, Kunsthistorisches, and Christmas Markets
Hofburg Palace-Sisi museum
A wonderful museum to learn about the empress and the Hofburg history. We highly recommend an audio guide for a guided experience on the grounds. The Square around the area is filled with statues and history making for a great stroll.
Hofburg Christmas Market
By now you know the theme:
1) Go to the museum.
2) Be rewarded with a Christmas Market.
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! 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.
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.
Now back to the Christmas Market Hopping….
Spittlebach Market
Narrow side streets filled with Christmas cheer and stalls. Try some famous Viennese delicacies here!
Old Viennese Christmas Market
A Small and cozy market!
Am Hof Christmas Market /Weihnachtsmarkt Am Hof
This one was also a cute market filled with arts and crafts and some amazing drinks! We loved the warm Aperol spritz to keep us warm!
Dinner
End the night with dinner in a warm indoor 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
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- We recommend getting a public transport pass for your stay to allow you to seamlessly use the system and get from one part of town to the next. It is also cost-effective!
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!
Thank you for reading!
