So you’ve made the decision to spend Christmas in Vienna? Congratulations! You’ll spend a lovely time there. Christmas Markets in Vienna are well known beyond the cities boundaries, we do our best to bring some extra joy with our citylights and pride ourselves in knowing how to celebrate with good food. Are you ready for an extra dose of Christmas? We’ve compiled everything you need to know before you go. From christmassy hotels in Vienna to Christmas Markets and what to pack.
What should I pack for a trip to Vienna in December?
Will there be snow in Vienna around Christmas Time? An answer you’ll hear often here in Vienna is: It depends. No matter what the question, it’s an answer that always fits. When it comes to what you should pack for a trip to Vienna in December it’s even more true. We’ve seen cold, frosty weather with snow (even though these days are getting rarer), we’ve had a cold beer at the Christmas Markets instead of hot punch as it was sunny and 75. And we’ve had our fair share of rainy Holidays. We recommend the good old layering technique. Don’t forget that it can feel colder as soon as you’re standing in one spot outside. Here are some essentials you should pack for your winter trip to Vienna:
- Waterproof shoes that are warm and comfy
- Gloves
- Umbrella
- Warm coat
- Hoodies or sweaters
- Pants
- Thermo shirt or skiing underwear
When do Christmas Markets in Vienna 2024 open?
There are around 20 official Christmas Markets throughout the whole city. Their exact opening dates vary from market to market and from year to year. As for now these official opening dates for Christmas Markets in Vienna 2024 were confirmed:
- Christmas Market Rathausplatz: Nov 16th – Dec 26th
- Weihnachtsdorf Stephansplatz: Nov 8th – Dec 26th
- Christmas Market Schönbrunn: Nov 8th – Jan 6th
- Spittelberg: Nov 16th – Dec 23rd
- Wintermarkt Prater: Nov 16th – Jan 6th
- Belvedere: Nov 15th – Dec 31st
- Am Hof: Nov 15th – Dec 23rd
- Weihnachtsdorf AKH: Nov 15th – Dec 23rd
- Weihnachtsdorf Maria-Theresien-Platz: Nov 13th – Dec 31st
- Altwiener Christkindlmart Freyung: Nov 15th – Dec 23rd
- Christmas Market Karlsplatz: Nov 15th – Dec 23rd
Christmas Market Info
Most of the Christmas Markets do have a lot of similarities. Such as punch and the typical food. They vary in their vibe and location. It is for sure no exaggeration if we say that there’s a Christmas Market for every taste in Vienna. What else is there to know about Christmas Markets in Vienna? Well, in most of them, most vendors and food stalls do accept card payment. There are some, however, who are cash only. It’s for sure a good idea to bring some cash. Usually you’ve got to deposit € 2,− for your mug if you get a hot beverage. You’ll be refunded your deposit as soon as you return the mug. You don’t have to return it at the exact vendor you got it from. Sometimes the mugs are really beautiful though and do make a good souvenir.
Which food should I try at the Christmas Markets in Vienna?
Every vendor sells it’s own version of Christmas punch. Spelled “Punsch” in German. There are creations such as “Apfelstrudel Punsch” (tasting like apple strudel with cinnamon and vanilla), Beerenpunsch (berry punch), orange punch and so on. Most of them are on the sweeter side and a mixture of alcohol (mostly rum, sometimes gin or vodka) and juice or tea. Be careful when it comes to “Turbo Punch”. These come with a double dose of alcohol. The opposite would be Kinderpunsch. It’s punch without alcohol, so basically sweet tea or hot juice. One speciality would be Jägertee or Jaga Tee. It’s black tea with rum and usually not as sweet (and artificial tasting) as punch. Glühwein, available in a red and white version, is mulled wine.
When it comes to typical Christmas Market food prepare yourself for some incoming calories. We love sausages in all versions, for example Käsekrainer. It’s a bratwurst filled with cheese. Some other classics are potato wedges or Maroni (chestnuts). If you get the chance to try the sweet Bauernkrapfen somewhere you should definitely go for it. Those are sweet treats similar to doughnuts but without a whole and not as super-sweet. Kaiserschmarren is an Austrian classic anyway and also available at some Christmas Markets in Vienna.
Hotels in Vienna close to Christmas Markets
Vienna is such a small city that most of the Christmas Markets lie within walking (or public transport) distance. If you want to get most out of your stay you could choose one of the hotels along Ringstraße. They are usually luxurious and have high service standards. Everything within the first district is also fine (and usually expensive). Parts of the third, sixth, the seventh, eighth and ninth district are very close to the city center as well. As long as your hotel is close to an U-Bahn or a tram you’ll be fine as well. We’ve had wonderful stays at:
- Boutique Hotel Das Tyrol: Very stylish, prime location in one of Vienna’s shopping streets, within walking distance to Ringstraße and first district. Lovely owner, excellent breakfast: das-tyrol.at
- Almanac Palais Vienna: Located across Stadtpark, the “green lung” of the city and directly at Ringstraße, but in a more quiet part of it; walking distance to the city center, wonderful rooms, Spa; almanachotels.com
- 25hours Hotel MuseumsQuartier: Even though it’s adress says 7th district, it’s very close to the Christmas Markets, especially Rathausplatz and Maria-Theresien-Platz, quirky rooms, very cool rooftop bar: 25hours-hotels.com
- The Leo Grand: Located across St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom); if you’re lucky you have views of the cathedral from your room; unique design: theleogrand.com
24th of December in Vienna
In Austria, the evening of December 24th is the most important part of our Christmas Holidays. Most shops close around 2pm, supermarkets usually are open until 4pm. The 25th and 26th are also bank holidays, as well as the 1st of January. Most museums, sights, bars, cafés and restaurants will be closed as well. Means of public transport have a special schedule with longer intervals. These locations are local’s favourites when it comes to going/dining out on the 24th of December:
- Thell: One of the best places to be in Vienna, no matter when. It’s a legend, a restaurant, bar and club all in one with glamouros decoration, amazing food including a vegan selection, and amazing cocktails. Reservation recommended: thell.restuarant
- Meissl & Schadn: Eat wonderful Schnitzel in different varieties; we recommend the typical Viennese garnish (including lemon and anchovy). On the 24th they usually offer a special 3-course Christmas Menu: meisslundschadn.at
- Café Bellaria: It’s mostly overseen by tourists, even though it’s the oldest coffee house in Vienna: Bellaria. It opened 1870 and has hosted its fair share of poets, artists, movers and shakers. We recommend their pizzas and their breakfast: cafebellaria.at
Why you shouldn’t take a day trip to Hallstatt from Vienna
Even though Vienna is a great city and offers enough cool things to spend a lifetime here, we do understand that visitors would like to make the most of their time here and therefore want to explore a little further. Salzburg and Hallstatt are on most bucketlists. Salzburg is a relatively big city (for Austrian standards) and about three hours away (by train). There are a few Christmas Markets and historic sights worth visiting. Still, we do not recommend to take a day trip as you’ll spend the bigger part of your day traveling. There are a lot of things you’d miss when only visiting for a few hours. We recommend to stay at least one night.
Hallstatt however is a little more complicated to reach. You’ll have to calculate with about eight hours traveling time in total. Also, there’s a massive overtourism problem in Hallstatt. It’s a small village that’s overrun by thousands of tourists. They come, take pictures, leave their trash and make living there really hard for locals. Don’t be a part of the problem; either stay one or two nights or stay away. Yes, the image “everyone has” is beautiful. But we’ve all seen it by now.
Things we love to do during Christmas Time in Vienna
- Take a walk along Donaukanal (danube canal), enjoy the quiet and marvel at the numerous grafittis
- Pop by Ikea at Westbahnhof. Seriously. They have a tiny Christmas Market on their rooftop with amazing views of the city. It’s usually not crowded.
- Shop quirky and unique Christmas Ornaments at Pomp & Gloria
- Visit MuseumsQuartier and their modern interpretation of a Christmas Market
- Attend a Christmas Gospel Concert in Karlskirche
- We absolutely love Christmas Cookies and making them. Of course we use our own kitchen but when you are a tourist in Vienna around Christmas you can attend for example the Christmas Cookie Baking Course by Kruste und Krume
- Marvel at the Christmas Lights! You won’t miss them while simply wandering around the inner parts of the city and the mayor shopping streets. You’ll find chandeliers dangling over Graben, for example. And Rotenturmstraße has huge red balls hanging from above. The “Herzerlbaum” (Heart Tree) in Rathauspark is a local legend too. You’ll find kitschy heart-shaped Christmas lights in one of the trees. During the last years there was even an official photo spot installed in front of it
- You might still need some unique souvenirs or some quirky Christmas decorations. We highly recommend heading to Lerchenfelder Straße 92. Here you’ll find Pomp & Gloria with some of the most unique ornaments in town.
