Because the Viennese Christmas Market at the Rathausplatz is easy to access via public transportation, you can really stay anywhere in the heart of Vienna. Best time of year to visit . You can’t go wrong with whichever one you choose as they’re sure to warm you right up. Due to a second lockdown in November, most markets will likely open in … It was mouth-meltingly hot and exactly what I needed after being out in the cold. I’ve been fascinated with Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace Christmas market (that’s Weihnachtsmarkt Schönbrunn to my Austrian readers) ever since watching my favorite curmudgeon, Anthony Bourdain, visit the market on an episode of his travel … There are several markets in town, but the one in front of the city hall is by far the best Christmas Market in Vienna. Fair warning – the most popular mug designs get snatched up early, so by the time we visited on Christmas Day, they were down to almost 100% somewhat boring angel designs that apparently weren’t particularly beloved. It’s also the biggest market … The line for a photo was really long, so we skipped it during the Christmas Market opening times, but we stopped by after it closed and took some pictures without having to wait. On my European River Cruise onboard Crystals Cruise, I explored the greatest Christmas markets of central Europe, and the ones in Vienna were some of my faves! And the food looks amazing! Whether you plan to experience the Austrian capital’s famous musical heritage or shop for artisanal Christmas gifts, these are the best things to do in Vienna … The Karlsplatz Market is the most special of them all. I had a delicious “ice cream cone” full of crème filling called schaumbecher that was actually better than real ice cream. Just walking around the market admiring the Vienna Christmas lights was magical. *. Pro tip: The ones hanging in front of the booth are for display. My brother and his girlfriend rode the Ferris wheel there and got a nice view of the lights from above, though it wasn’t quite tall enough to take them above the trees. Bring lots of cash. Vienna. Other stands were selling a variety of sausages or pretzels if that’s more your speed. It’s open from 10-10 on December 7th, 10-6 on Christmas Eve (December 24th), and 11-9:30 on Christmas Day (December 25th) and December 26th. Vienna is a beautiful city any time of the year, but with all the Christmas lights, it is just magical. Christmas time is fast approaching now, and one of the main features of the period leading up to this big holiday is Christmas markets – beautiful festive fairs … Your email address will not be published. It’ll keep you from blowing your budget at the first three stalls and then finding something you really want while walking down another aisle. We opted to stay at the Hotel Regina just a couple of blocks away for a quick walk to the market and had one of the best breakfast buffets of our whole trip. The evenings – particularly on the weekends – are also when crowds are at their highest, so be prepared to not have a lot of space to maneuver. Choose April to May and September to October as the best time to visit Vienna.In spring, the weather and room rates are moderate, and tourist season is just kicking off. Best Time to Visit for Shopping: The best time to visit Vienna for shopping is when the Christmas markets are open, between mid-November and Christmas Eve. The vendors at the Viennese Christmas market offered a wide variety of goods from handmade crafts to mass produced items. One of my favorite parts of any Christmas market is the gluhwein. This market … I got this for my boyfriend, but the dog ended up stealing it and devouring every last crumb. Didn’t even remember until I saw your photo. The aroma of Christmas bakery items and hot … I wasn’t exactly looking forward to skating in Vienna because I often find that boring and the last thing I wanted to do was injure myself on day 3 of a two-week trip. It was perfect for us because we spent Christmas in Vienna and were able to have something fun and Christmas-y to do in the evening when pretty much everything else was closed. Karlsplatz Art Advent | The best Christmas Market in Vienna for kids, hands down, and one of my personal favorites. While all four seasons in Austria's capital have their charms, for most people, the best time of year to visit Vienna is probably mid-summer to early fall, or during the winter holidays. I’d recommend grabbing some gluhwein when you first arrive and then sipping it while you make a lap of the booths to scope out what everyone is offering. Best way to navigate around the city is by foot or by public transport. Viennese Christmas Market, Vienna, Austria. Visit the Wiener Christkindlmarkt, Rathausplatz, Vienna. I prefer a, Warm walking shoes. Point out the one you want or tell the vendor which inscription you want and they’ll grab one from the back. I use some of these earnings for my monthly charitable donation. ). Make sure you check event schedules as times can change. We missed out on the lights, but it was better than spending half an hour in line. I’m SO mad! Several stands sold knit hats, but then we saw the exact same ones for less money at tourist stores the next day. Make sure you come stocked with Euros if you plan on doing a lot of shopping (or eating). Gluhwein #1. Love the pictures. In my defense, I did the whole trip with a sinus infection, but still. Thanks for the information. Learn how your comment data is processed. Here, you’ll find traditional handcrafted items and Christmas decorations at more than 40 festively decorated stalls. Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) 2021. Known for pricey accommodation, a warm and dry period between June and August is the most popular to explore Vienna… And if you want to find the lovely chandeliers in the photo captioned " Vienna City Centre, close to … Some of the areas of the course even have a little bit of a downhill slope so you can pick up some effortless speed. It’s served in a specially decorated mug, and you pay an extra deposit that’s refunded when you return your cup – or you can keep it if you think it’s cute like the boot I ended up with. The Best Christmas Markets in Vienna. Share. I took my time looking for well-made goods and left with a couple of Austrian Christmas ornaments for my collection as well as a cheap one that reminded me of my little white husky mix at home. By splitting off into pairs or solo, we each got to move at our own pace and do what was the most important to us. Vienna’s largest and best-known Christmas market is the Wiener Chriskindlemarkt und Weihnachtstraum in front of the Neo-Gothic Rathaus (town hall).. Gluhwein or not, you’re going to want one of these to stay warm. My dad didn’t quite get it, but his picture was my favorite out of all of ours. Christmas Markets in Vienna are free to visit. Great post. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had ice skating, and I’m so glad that we did it. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Listen to an advent concert. Which leads me to…. With an unbeatable setting, plenty of gluhwein to drink, tons of booths to shop at, and a fun ice skating rink, it has everything you could ever ask for from an Austrian Christmas market, and it’s indeed one of the top things to do in Vienna in winter. Loved this guide! Bonus points if it has a, A warm coat. The evenings – particularly on the weekends – are also when crowds are … There is a special room in the Rathaus for children’s activities. Loved by locals and tourists alike, the Viennese Christmas Markets are a must-see if you are in Vienna during the holidays. I honestly felt like the Belevedere Christmas Market was the best market to visit of all the Viennese markets as well as the prettiest Christmas Market in Vienna and definitely the best market to visit … The Christmas Market includes some small carnival rides for both kids and adults. With those colorful holiday markets comes the snow that gives the city an especially magical look. I spent Christmas in Vienna once and it was totally amazing. Try some of these special Christmas concerts. I have been to the Vienna Christmas markets a couple of years ago and am heading out there again this year for a weekend with mum. There aren’t a lot of spots to sit down and take a break, so plan on being on your feet for a while. Furthermore, the market is known for its variety of sausages and ham, along with hot baked potatoes, … During these crowded times, lodging and airfare rates will be very high; for both mild weather and mild crowds, visit Vienna during spring or fall. They really go all out with the decorations and the twinkling lights are absolutely delightful. And to conclude. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. We had seven adults and in less than ten minutes of doing nothing but trying to locate other members of the family as we were pulled in various directions, we determined that splitting up was the best way to enjoy the market. I just got home from there this week and it was my absolute favorite. You can bring your own skates if you have them, but there are also plenty available to rent. The best time to visit is the evening when the Vienna Christmas lights can be viewed in all of their glory. Keep reading to find out why I loved it so much. Wien has a well-developed public transport network. Even better if they’re. Vienna Town Hall and park decorated for Christmas. Find a detailed map of the itinerary here. Fortress Hohensalzburg: Salzburg’s Top Attraction, Skiing in the Alps at Hinterstoder, Austria, 45 Bucket List-Worthy Things to Do in the Southwestern United States, Fifty Bucket List-Worthy Things to Do in the Southeastern United States, See the Best of the Midwest with this Ultimate Bucket List, 46 Bucket List-Worthy Things to Do in France. NOTE: According to the Vienna City Council, the Vienna Christmas markets will take place during the Corona pandemic. I had an amazing baked potato with cheese and ham from one of the stands that was legitimately one of my favorite meals that I had on our two-week trip. I’m not a great skater, but I can hold my own and I’ve been to plenty of open skates where you just sort of go around in circles for an hour. I’m not going to lie, eating at the Viennese Christmas Market was one of my favorite parts of my visit. I was determined to find one of what I deemed to be the cute ones and my brother spotted one at the gluhwein booth by the skating rink toward the end of the night. Mid and end of November is actually the best time to visit Vienna’s Christmas markets… I’ve yet to see a white Christmas in my lifetime and I’m determined to make it happen. I’d love to have a white Christmas in Vienna! The best time to visit … It’s also important to factor in what I like to call “transportability” in your purchasing decisions if you’re not a local. Don’t mind me, I’m just sipping gluhwein AND eating dessert with only one hand. There were tons of great sweets available, from gingerbread to cakes. December is one of the best times to visit Vienna. Once you’re nearby, just follow the smells and twinkling lights that seem to define Christmas in Austria and you’ll find your way in no time. We had to fly home with whatever we bought so I had to pass on a gorgeous blown glass tree full of tiny ornaments that I really wanted because I just couldn’t figure out a way to get it through two more weeks of road tripping and then a long flight home to the US. Note: This post contains affiliate links, and should you choose to make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you’re visiting with a large group, try splitting up. Beware of pickpockets. It’s traditionally made from red wine, though there were other sweeter options to choose from at the Vienna Christmas market. Kids can warm up indoors and enjoy some stories and crafts. Some of them are open on … When we visited, there was an “Instagram wall” type thing with light up angel wings. The Rathaus Christmas Market is Vienna's largest and busiest, but also most touristy and crowded. Many of them were in English, but I went for the German ones since we were in Austria and it seemed appropriate. Check out more great things to do in Austria here: Don’t forget to save this post about the best Christmas Market in Vienna to Pinterest! Christmas markets in Austria are a top draw for holiday travelers, and the Viennese Christmas Market at the Rathaus in Vienna is one of the best. Pack your heavy winter clothing and plan for shorter days; sunrise is at 7:45 a.m. and sunset is at 4:09 p.m. on December 31st. Seeing the town hall lit up at night would be worth a visit even without the market. The most popular time to visit Vienna is summer, for its pleasant weather and many wonderful festivals. There are also bus stations at several different locations within a couple of blocks of the Rathausplatz. Updated: March 2, 2020. The best time to visit Vienna to experience its unique and magical atmosphere is during the Christmas season. Allowing for a complete and unique experience than most Christmas markets in Vienna. We were trying to get it from another angle we saw but it wasn’t as good. Required fields are marked *, By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. From 18th November to 26th December 2020 From mid-November to Christmas, Vienna’s prettiest squares transform into magical Christmas markets. You are happy with it majority of transactions at Christmas markets in Vienna for kids hands... Spot for kids and adults ll grab one from the back the booth for. Of transactions at Christmas markets seem to take a break which inscription you want and ’. Shots of the Christmas market in Vienna selling cheap manufactured goods, so be sure to check those too. Excited to hit the ice skating after we ’ d love to a. 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