Yes, Vienna is absolutely worth visiting at Christmas; it transforms into a magical, fairy-tale city with numerous enchanting Christmas markets, beautiful lights, festive decorations, cultural events, and iconic Viennese treats, offering a quintessential European holiday experience. The main Rathausplatz market is a huge draw with its stunning backdrop, but other markets like Schönbrunn Palace and Art Advent offer unique atmospheres, from regal to artisan-focused, making it a top European Christmas destination.
You'll find some ornate churches and cathedrals in Vienna, and they become even more atmospheric at Christmas. Visit the Votive Church to see its towering spires and decorative altar. St. Stephen's Cathedral dates back to the 12th century and has a unique multicoloured roof.
I would do 3 fays Vienna, 1 day Salzburg and 4 days Munich but that is because I love Munich and find Vienna itself just meh. The minimum I recommend in Vienna for their 30+ markets alone is 4 full days. More for day trips or general sightseeing. For Munich, the minimum I recommend is 3 full days for their 20+ markets.
If you're traveling to the Vienna Christmas Markets, chances are, the city is going to be busy. This is one of the busiest times of year to be visiting Europe. I recommend traveling with extra patience and remembering to keep the spirit of the holidays with you, even when it's crowded.
Where is the best place to spend Christmas in Austria?
St Wolfgang is famed as Austria's advent town -- the most festive place in the whole country. And that's some boast. Alongside Germany, Austria has some of the most popular Christmas markets in the world and Salzburg and Innsbruck are thought to be the most spectacular.
How to spend Christmas in Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹 | Magical Markets, Historic Wonders
Is it better to go to Salzburg or Vienna for Christmas?
However, despite the cold, Vienna with its Christmas lights and markets is magical in December. The best time to visit Salzburg is in late summer and autumn as this is when the crowds have tapered off and you can enjoy the beautiful gardens in comfortable temperatures.
When I visited, the prices at Vienna Christmas markets were quite similar to what I've experienced in the UK. Food was around the £8 – £12 mark and mulled wine cost just under £5. The activities too, were reasonable, and there are plenty of areas to explore and take in for free!
If you're visiting Vienna for the Christmas markets, both Hotel Sacher and Rosewood Vienna are great for families. Sacher is the historic, old-world choice right across from the Opera, while Rosewood is more modern and sits on Petersplatz—literally surrounded by market stalls.
3 days in Vienna: This is ideal for discovering Vienna's essential attractions in more detail. You'll have more time for its museums and to soak in the city's atmosphere, perhaps sampling some famous coffee houses in Vienna's city center, or taking a guided tour.
In Vienna, DO greet people politely ("Guten Tag"), respect quietness on transport, validate transit tickets, embrace the slow cafe culture, stand on the right on escalators, and carry cash, while DON'T be loud in public, jaywalk, eat on the subway, expect fast service in cafes, or forget to separate your recycling. Be mindful of personal space and the strong local etiquette for politeness and efficiency, especially regarding greetings and public transport rules.
If you've lived in Vienna long enough, you've probably noticed that there's no shortage of ways to say hello and goodbye. From Grüß Gott and Hallo to Griaß di, Hawidere, Pfia di, Ciao, Tschüss, Babaa, and Servus—the list is long, and each phrase carries its own charm. But among them, Servus stands out.
Yes, you certainly can drink the water that comes out of the taps or use it to clean your teeth. In fact, you never realize how bad the tap water is back home until you experience the Viennese equivalent; Vienna's water supply comes almost exclusively through two direct pipelines from the Alps mountains.
While "most beautiful" is subjective, Hallstatt is widely considered Austria's most picturesque village, famous for its fairytale setting on a lake with colorful houses and alpine backdrop, but Alpbach is officially voted Austria's most beautiful for its traditional wooden architecture and floral displays, while Dürnstein (Wachau Valley) and Heiligenblut ( Großglockner) are also top contenders for charm and stunning scenery.
Which Christmas market is better, Salzburg or Vienna?
Salzburg: Although I loved the Advent Markets in Vienna, Salzburg is a cute, romantic town, in the middle of the Austrian Alps with cobbled stone streets, narrow lanes and cozy cafes in the backdrop of snow-covered peaks which makes the markets here a lot more magical and romantic.
