Christmas in Vienna

Last Updated on 30th December 2025

Getting There & Staying

There were two reasons that I booked a flight-and-hotel package through British Airways. First, the price; the bundle was genuinely cheaper than booking everything separately. Second, I’d enjoyed the ease of a package break the previous Christmas and wanted the same low-stress experience again.

This year I was marginally more organised, booking two months in advance instead of my usual two-week scramble. That small improvement shaved almost £400 off the cost, even though I stayed an extra day. Being able to pay a deposit and settle the balance later was another bonus, as was using my AVIOS points to save an extra £100.

My package included a stay at The Hoxton Vienna, housed in a 1950s modernist building beside Stadtpark that once belonged to the Austrian Chamber of Commerce. Slightly outside the old town but well connected, it was a 10-minute walk to Wien Mitte (with a direct 18 minute train to the airport) and an easy stroll to Belvedere Palace. Rathusplatz was about 30 minutes on foot, a walk I happily turned into sightseeing. With a supermarket next door, good transport links, and a clam, stylish room, it made a comfortable and convenient base for a festive stay in Vienna.

Christmas in Vienna: What to Expect

Vienna at Christmas is the quintessential European festive experience; famous for its many markets, glittering light displays, classical music events, and rich culinary traditions. The city transforms into a winter wonderland, which makes it an incredibly popular time to visit.

Walk along the Graben in the evening to see the giant chandeliers twinkling overhead. Catch a Christmas concert at St Stephen’s Cathedral or one of the city’s concert halls. Sip a warm Weihnachtspunsch as you wander the markets, and sample local favourites like the Sachertorte, a hotdog from one of the city’s famous Würstelstands, or Weiner Schnitzel from Figlmüller, the birthplace of the schnitzel (you need to book well in advance).

Before you go, make the Christmas pages on the Visiting Vienna website your first stop. They’re full of helpful details about events, activities, and what to expect over the festive season.

What’s Open on Christmas Day

I spent my Christmas Day at Schönbrunn so I didn’t notice much of what was open in central Vienna. However, there are at least four Christmas markets open on the 25th, and several major attractions operate with reduced hours.

• Restaurants – Some open on Christmas Day, but you must book in an advance.
• Markets –
  • Christkindlmarkt: 10am -10pm
  • Stephansplatz: 11am – 7pm
  • Maria-Thereien-Platz: 11am – 7pm (closed in 2025)
  • Schönbrunn Palace: 10am – 7pm
  • Belvedere Palace: 11am – 8pm
• Shops – A few touristy souvenir shops may open briefly but don’t rely on it. Some supermarkets in the tourist areas may also be open.
• Attractions – A selection of major sites open, generally with reduced hours:
  • Stephansdom Cathedral
  • Belvedere Palace
  • Schönbrunn Palace (note: outdoor paid areas like the Privy Garden, Orangery Garden, and Maze are close for winter)
  • Schönbrunn Zoo
  • Sisi Museum, Hofburg
  • MUMOK and Kunsthalle
  • Spanish Riding School
  • MAK Museum
  • Riesenrad
  • Albertina and Albertina Modern
  • Kunsthistorisches Museum
  • Haus der Musik
  • Kunst Haus Wien
  • Leopold Museum
• Events – Check Visiting Vienna’s Christmas events page for concerts and carol services

Christmas Markets

Vienna has some of the most legendary Christmas markets in Europe; glowing stalls, the scent of cloves and roasted chestnuts, and soundtrack of carols echoing between baroque façades. I’ve only included the markets I personally visited during my stay – there were far too to fit into one trip – but Visiting Vienna has excellent information on all the markets, including opening times for the current year.

The markets I visited were the only ones open on Christmas Day in 2024 and 2025.

My top tips for the markets

☕️Glühwien & Punsch: Part of the price includes a deposit for the mug. Return the mug to get your deposit back. Keep it and you’ve got yourself a lovely little souvenir
☃️Snow Globes: Wiener Schneekugel, the inventors of the snow globe, have stalls at most of the markets. Hunt them down to buy one of Vienna’s most treasured souvenirs. Andif you have the time, their snow globe museum is well worth a visit.
💶Bring cash: Some stalls take card, but many are cash-only – always handy to have a few euros in your pocket.

🎄Christkindlmarkt

Christkindmarkt is Vienna’s biggest Christmas market, with nearly 100 stands it was enough to overwhelm me within about five seconds flat. I had best orangenpunsch of the whole trip here, warming and glorious. I tried to return for a second time but the market closes on the 26th December and I had a lot of my itinerary. I was thrilled to find a vegan hotdog stand, finally letting me try one of Vienna’s famous hotdogs. There’s also a large rink if you fancy a gliding into the festive spirit.

🕒Open from mid November to 26 December
🎅🏻Open Christmas Day 10am-10pm.🎅🏻

🎄Stephansplatz

With the gothic Stephansdom as its backdrop, this market has over 40 stands. My advice is to go close to the opening time. Its location next to one of the main pedestrian shopping streets means it gets crowded fast.

🕒Open from early November to 26 December.
🎅🏻Open Christmas Day 11am-7pm.🎅🏻

🎄Schönbrunn Palace

I absolutely loved the market at Schönbrunn Palace! It’s where I spent my Christmas Day. Located in the outer suburbs of Vienna, the market is in the palace courtyard, and was easy to get to by public transport, even on Christmas Day. The atmosphere was truly magical; people were relaxed and happy and the stalls were filled with traditional crafts and culinary delights. If I ever spend Christmas Day in Vienna again, it is for this market.

🕒 Open from early November to early January
🎅🏻Open Christmas Day 10am-7pm.🎅🏻

🎄Belvedere Palace

The Belvedere market easily rivals Schönbrunn Palace for the most beautiful Christmas market setting. I recommend visiting in the evening, just as the sun is setting over the palace. The sunset is gorgeous from any direction, but the most stunning view is from the south side with the Christmas lights from the market glowing across the lake in front of the palace.

It was at this market that I finally got to try Käsespätzle – Austrian comfort food made with eggs noodles smothered in cheese and topped with crispy fried onions.

🕒 Open from mid November to New Year’s Eve
🎅🏻Open Christmas Day 11am-8pm.🎅🏻

🎄Maria-Theresian-Platz

The Maria-Thereien-Platz Christmas market is closed for 2025 due to construction work – check the Weihnachtsdorf website for 2026 opening times.

This market is set in a square in the Museum Quarter, flanked by the Kunsthistorisches museum and the Naturhistorisches museum. It’s an ideal spot to combine a day at two of Vienna’s most iconic museums with a visit to a Christmas market. I wasn’t wowed by the food here, but I did manager to spend a small fortune at the arts and crafts stalls.

🕒 Open from mid November to New Year’s Eve
🎅🏻Open Christmas Day 11am-7pm.🎅🏻

Opening Hours & Tips

• Christmas Eve: Most places close between 2pm and 4pm. It’s the main celebration day in Austria, when families gather for dinner and gifts from the Christkind.
• Markets Closures: Some markets finish before Christmas Eve. If you want to visit as many as possible, plan early.
• Public Transport: U-bahn and bus services run on Christmas Eve and Day, though with limited hours – not that I noticed, as the service felt frequent for a holiday. Check the Wiener Linien website for up-to-date timetables. Trains within Austria and international services also continue running.
• Weather: Expect surprises! During my visit it was brutally cold on most days – the kind of cold where it feels like your nose might freeze right off. There were moments when it was surprisingly bearable. Just don’t assume you’re guaranteed snow.

How I Spent Christmas Day in Vienna

I was excited about my plans for Christmas Day; a slow, leisurely morning doing very little, followed by a trip to Schönbrunn Palace for the market with an evening concert in the Palace orangery.

Schönbrunn Palace was the main summer residence of the Habsburgs and is now open to the public. On Christmas Day, most areas of the palace remain open, including the zoo and the large Christmas market in the courtyard. After exploring the palace and enjoying the delicious food at the market, you can round off the day with a concert in the palace’s historic Orangery.

A Royal Christmas (Market) Lunch at Schönbrunn Palace

I ate like a queen at the Market; Erdäpfelknödel filled with mushrooms (so many people asked where I’d brought it), vanilla brandy liqueur (by Wiener Gigant) served in a chocolate covered ice-cream cone, berry glühwein, and then, for dessert, kaiserschmarrn with cherry compote.

After filling my belly with the best Christmas market food I’ve ever had, I wandered around the craft stalls trying desperately not to spend a fortune. Until I came across a stall selling linocut prints. I was absolutely taken by a print of a Vienna’s famous Graben street in the rain. I circled past the stall a few times, just to be absolutely sure that it was the I wanted, and it was. It now has a treasured place on my art wall.

A Wander Around Schönbrunn Palace Grounds and Sunset Over Vienna

It was brisk, cold afternoon, but the sun was out, making it a beautiful walk through the grounds. I wandered past majestic foundations and follies before making my way up the hill to the Gloriette, a structure built in 1775 (and restored in 1947 after being destroyed during WWII) as a focal point and lookout for the gardens. I stayed there watching the sunset over Vienna before sprinting back down the hill for the Orangery concert.

The palace and its grounds are opened on Christmas Day. The palace opens at 8:30am, with last entry at 3:15pm – tickets can be purchased from the official ticket website. The park is open until 5:30pm, however the Privy Garden, the Orangery Garden, and the Maze, close for winter.

The palace grounds are huge, so allow plenty of time to wander. I mistakenly thought an hour would be enough before my concert, only to find myself at the Gloriette completely absorbed in the sunset; and suddenly with only five minutes left to sprint to the Orangery, a 15 minute walk away.

Christmas Concert at Schönbrunn Palace Orangery

The venue was beautiful, with chandeliers cascading from the ceiling. I didn’t have the best seat in the house, but the acoustics were incredible, allowing me to sit back and let the music swirl around the room. Tickets aren’t cheap, my ‘cheap seat’ ticket was €65, but it was worth every euro.

The concert featured a mix of operetta arias and classical pieces by Mozart and Strauss. The evening ended with a sing-along Christmas carol before we all went merrily on our way.

Exploring Vienna Beyond the Christmas Markets

Walk the Ringstrasse (and Visit a Few Iconic Landmarks)

The Ringstrasse is a 5.3 km street encircling the city centre. Along it you’ll pass many interesting of Vienna’s most important, as well as several central Christmas markets (some with a slight diversion). This is why I decided to combine my Ringstrasse walk with exploring the markets.

Walking the full loop takes around 2-3 hours, but you can easily explore it by tram (lines 1, 2, D, 71). You can start anywhere, I began at Stadtpark as my hotel was just down the road.

Here are some of the highlights along the Ringstrasse:

• Stadtpark – A beautiful historic public park famous for its statues of Viennese artists and composers, especially the gilded Johann Strauss monument
• Minervabrunnen – A wall fountain with a glass mosaic of the goddess Minerva, originally created for the 1873 World Fair.
• Regierungsgebäude – Built in 1913 for the Ministry on War, designed by Ludwig Baumann in a late Historicist style.
• Urania – An Art Nouveau observatory building designed in 1909 by Max Fabiani, a student of Otto Wagner.
• Schützenhaus – A lock keeper house designed by Oscar Wagner, now home to the Otto Will Meer restaurant.
• University of Vienna – One of the oldest universities in the German-speaking world.
• Liebenberg Monument – Honouring Johann Andreas von Leibenberg, former mayor of Vienna, for his leadership during the Ottoman Siege.
• Votivkirche – A Neo-Gothic church built as a monument of gratitude after Emperor Franz Joseph survived an assassination attempt.

• Rathaus 🎄- The 1883 Neo-Gothic town hall, home to the city government and the famous Christkindlmarkt.
• Burgtheater – Austria’s national theatre
• Austrian Parliament Building – Designed by Theophil Hansen in a Greek Revival style, with the iconic Pallas Athena Fountain at the front.
• MuseumsQuartier 🎄- Vienna’s cultural hub, hosting six major museums within easy walking distance.
• Hofburg – The former principal imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty.
• Palmenhaus – A beautifully restored greenhouse by Friedrich Ohmann, now home to Brasserie Palmenhaus and the Butterfly House.
• Vienna State Opera – The world-renowned opera house, opened in 1869 with Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Holds performance on Christmas Day.

A quick note about the Vienna State Opera and tickets

I work in the performing arts, so I was honestly taken back by what I saw outside the Opera House – touts pretending to be official sellers. I overheard one trying to convince a group of tourists that the opera was open for tours on Christmas Eve. It wasn’t. I had checked, because I wanted to one myself.

Please buy tickets directly from the Vienna State Opera. That way you know your money is supporting the institution, and you can avoid any disappointment. They do resales, so if you can’t find tickets for a performance, keep checking – you might get lucky.

Explore Vienna’s Coffee Houses and Go on a Sachertorte Mission

Sachertorte is a chocolate sponge cake coated in chocolate glaze, with a layer of apricot jam running through it. The cake was invented by Franz Sacher, and in 1876 his son Eduard opened the Hotel Sacher, where the cake soon appeared on the menu and has remained there ever since.

Then along comes Demel. Eduard had completed an apprenticeship at there, during which time he developed his own version of his father’s cake. Demel began selling it as the “Original” Sachertorte.

In the 1934, Eduard’s son (also called Eduard) took up employment at Demel and granted the bakery sole distribution rights for the “Eduard-Sacher-torte”. Four years later, the infamous “Cake Wars” began when the new owners of Hotel Sacher started marketing their version as The Original. Demel argued that Eduard had given them the rights, while Hotel Sacher based its claim on family lineage.

Hotel Sacher won the initial court case in 1938, but the dispute resurfaced in 1963 – this time also arguing how many layers the cake should have: – one layer (Demel) or two layers (Hotel Sacher). Hotel Sacher ultimately won the ownership of the name, while Demel won the argument on layers, supported by eyewitness accounts that Hotel Sacher, under the Sacher family, originally served the cake with a single layer with no marmalade.

Naturally, I wanted to try these “original” Sachertortes for myself. Unfortunately, both Demel and Café Sacher had queues for miles. So I set off on a mission to find an alternative Sachertorte.

Spoiler alert: I gave up after three. I genuinely don’t know how food influencers do it; after four days of excellent Viennese baked goods, I physically could not eat another morsel.

Gerstner

Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker is a historic Imperial and Royal Court confectioner housed in Palais Todesco, directly opposite the Vienna State Opera. Known for its grand interiors and decadent cakes and chocolates, Gerstner began life as a confectionery in 1847, gaining international acclaim for its creations. It soon caught the attention of the Austrian imperial family, particularly Empress Elisabeth, who favoured their candied violets. Today, Gerstner is a popular coffee house, serving beautiful desserts and selling confectionery from its ground floor shop.

I came across Gerstner immediately after my disappointment at seeing the queues at Demel and Café Sacher. As the café was about to close, I decided to take a slice of their Sachertorte back to my hotel room.

While waiting to be served, I was completely transfixed by a beautiful white cake called the Sisi cake. Created in tribute to Empress Elisabeth, this chocolate cake is covered in blueberry marzipan, filled with currant jam, and finished with Massa Ticino, a high-quality sugar paste. It was truly decadent and, honestly, I preferred it to the Sachertorte!

Vollpension

Just like their grandmas used to bake, Vollpension set out to establish a coffee house that brings back a sense of nostalgia. But Vollpension is more than a place for good coffee and slice of cake; it’s a social enterprise that creates an intergenerational workspace, fostering understanding and connection between the generations while helping to combat loneliness amongst older people. By employing pensioners, it also gives them the opportunity to earn additional income on top of often insufficient pensions.

There are two Vollpension cafés in Vienna, Johannesgasse and Schleifmühlgasse. I chose the latter, as it was on my way to Naschmarkt. It had a wonderfully cozy grandma’s living room feel, and I felt very much at home. I loved being there and wished I had discovered it on day one.

The grandpa who greeted me was a little grumpy, as grandpas often are, but he soon had me seated with one of the best coffees I had in Vienna, alongside a delicious slice of Sachertorte. It was excellent, and easily the best of the three Sachertortes I tried during my visit. Ten 🍰 out five 🍰

Café Korb

Café Korb opened in 1875 on Tuchlauben, founded by Adolph Korb after falling on hard times. It moved to its current location on Brandstätte in 1904.

The café was packed when I arrived, so much so I didn’t expect to get a table, but the waiter quickly cleared one that had just been vacated. This quirky 1960s style café has a local, bohemian feel; the kind of place where the people come to discuss art and politics without it feeling pretentious.

I ordered a slice of Sachertorte and a Maria Theresia coffee, laced with Cointreau and topped with whipped cream. The coffee was dangerously moreish. The Sachertorte was good, but I still preferred the one at Vollpension.

Naschmarkt

Running for approximately 1.5 kilometres along the Wienzeile, Naschmarkt boasts around 120 stalls selling everything from local Viennese produce to goods from far-flung corner of the Middle East.

As I visited during the festive period, some of the stalls were closed, but it was fascinating to wander through and see what was on offer. Fresh vegetable and exotic fruit I’d never seen in London, alongside butchers and fishmongers. There were stalls selling food from over the world – freshly cooked falafel, halva, olive oil, honey, hummus, cheese… something to suit very taste. If I lived in Vienna, you wouldn’t be able to keep me away from this market.

KunstHausWien & Hundertwasserhaus

Viennese visual artist Friedensrich Hundertwasser was world-renowned for his vibrant, organic style and radical opposition to the “straight line,” which he considered “godless and immoral”. Although he began his career as a painter, he later turned his attention to what he called “healing architecture”. His architectural works can be found from Austria (the Spittelau Incinerator) to New Zealand (the Kawakawa Public Toilets), where he emigrated in 1970 and spent rest of his life living and working close to nature.

In Vienna, you can explore his works at the KunstHausWien, a building designed by the Hundertwasser himself. It houses the world’s only permanent exhibition of his work, alongside temporary exhibitions by other artists. The building is unmistakably Hundertwasser; wavy, undulating floors, and a deliberate absence of straight lines, and an abundance of colour and greenery. An uneven, winding staircase (which admittedly freaked me out a little) leads to the main exhibition spaces.

Less than half a mile way is the Hundertwasserhaus, an apartment block also designed by Hundertwasser and completed in 1985. Located in the Landstraße district, it is home to residents living across 53 apartments, with around 250 trees and bushes growing in and around the building.

Given the crowds at the Hundertwasserhaus, most people seem to skip the museum; but they really shouldn’t. I spent quite a long time there, completely in awe Hundertwasser’s work and that of the other artists on display, and it’s the only place you can properly experience being inside a Hundertwasser building.

Sigmund Freud Museum

Located in Sigmund Freud’s former home and workplace at Berggasse 19, this is where he lived and practiced for 47 years, and where psychoanalysis was born. The museum preserves his private and consulting rooms in their original layouts, displaying personal objects and family photos.

It offers a fascinating insight into Sigmund Freud’s life in Vienna before he was forced to flee to London following Nazi occupation, fearing persecution due to his Jewish heritage and beliefs.

Belvedere Palace

With time to spare before my flight back to London, I decided to “waste” some time at Belvedere Palace. But if there’s one thing Belvedere Palace isn’t, it’s a waste of time.

The Belvedere is a historic Baroque palace complex that was once the summer residence of Prince Eugene Franz of Savoy, and is now home to one of Vienna’s most important art galleries. It’s particularly famous for its collection of Austrian art, The Kiss. The complex is consists of two palaces, a contemporary art gallery, and beautifully landscaped gardens that you’re free to wander:

• Upper Belvedere – home to the main art collection, with works by Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, Claude Monet, and Vincent van Gogh.
• Lower Belvedere – used for temporary exhibitions.
• Belvedere 21 – a contemporary art space across the road in the Schweizergarten.

I only had time to visit the Upper Belvedere, and spending my morning immersed in art felt like exactly the right decision.

The only downside was the influencers and their Insta-boyfriends conducting unofficial photoshoots in the Baroque galleries; and getting visibly irritated with anyone who dared to enjoy the artwork around them.

After seeing The Kiss I escaped upstairs to the quieter second floor, where the post-1920s works are displayed, and where you’ll find the most beautiful views over the gardens and Vienna skyline.

After a morning of art and very good coffee from the gallery cafe (the Sachertorte was tempting, but I simply couldn’t face more cake), I took a leisurely walk through Vienna until I found myself in the Jewish Quarter, ready for lunch. Nearby was Mel’s Diner, which was perfect, especially as I still hadn’t tried any local craft beer. And try I did, with a Green Lizard NEIPA from Bevog Brewery, a craft brewery located in Bad Radkersburg.

Reflections

Vienna wasn’t a long-held dream or a bucket-list destination for me, it was a simple recommendation from someone I met while travelling, which turned out to be one of the most rewarding Christmas trips I’ve taken.

What I loved was the contrasts Vienna had to offer. Even as its busiest, there were always quieter lanes to duck into, grand cafés to linger in, and moment of calm between the Christmas sparkle. Christmas Day itself felt unhurried and intentional, a day build around culture, food, and atmosphere.

Travelling solo at Christmas can sometimes feel like a bold choice, but Vienna made it easy. I never felt out of place dining alone, wandering museums, or lingering over coffee. If anything, it felt like a city that rewards those who slow down and pay attention.

Would I return at Christmas? I’m not entirely sure. I’d love the time to explore Vienna in more depth, and at my own pace, without the Christmas crowds. And to try a few more slices of Sachertorte! At the time, I thought, that’s Vienna done, on to the next. But as I wandered the streets of my next Christmas destination, Antwerp, memories of Vienna kept resurfacing. Perhaps it does deserve a second Christmas visit.

Happy & safe travels

L x 🩴