A Magical Week in Vienna at Christmas 🎄Vienna is a magical place during the Christmas season. There are countless Christmas markets to visit, an endless array of traditional holiday treats to taste, and so many seasonal concerts to enjoy! Here's what to do on your trip to Vienna during the holidays. Frohe Weihnachten!AuthorsSteller
DestinationsViennaItinerary

Day 1

Radatz Wiener Würstelstand
When in Austria, you gotta visit a sausage stand. Try the Käsekrainer (a cured and smoked version of a brat) or have the Bratwurst, of course.
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Vienna State Opera
Start here on an evening walk and admire the holiday lights as you stroll down Kärntner Straße to Stephansdom cathedral, then along the Graben and up Kohlmarkt to the Hofburg palace complex.
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Hofburg
Michaelerplatz is home to the k.u.k. Weihnachtsmarkt (k.u.k. stands for kaiserlich und königlich, which in English means imperial and royal. It's a regal setting for a Christmas market, and definitely worth checking out, especially for it's unique white booths. (Tip: Best at night!)
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Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
After your stroll, head to this museum for...dinner. Inside, under the great dome, there is a cafe-restaurant that makes for the most romantic dining experience!
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Maria-Theresien-Platz
Another of Vienna's biggest Christmas markets and in a beautiful location between two 19th-century museums and below the monument of Empress Maria Theresa.
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Day 2

Freyung
Head to Freyung Square for one of Vienna's best Christmas markets and enjoy holiday eats, warm treats, and seasonal gifts. Be sure to try Lebkuchen (similar to gingerbread) and warm Weihnachtspunsch (Christmas punch).
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Am Hof
This large central square hosts a Christmas market that is popular with the locals. The imposing Kirche am Hof in the background dates back as far as the 14th century!
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Palais Niederösterreich
For two days only during the Christmas season, numerous stalls occupy the courtyard, ceremonial hall, and other rooms of this stunning 16th-century palais. Dates for 2024 are Nov. 29th and 30th.
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Day 3

Campus der Universität Wien (Hof 1)
This college campus holds the Altes AKH Christmas market, which featured top regional foods from across Austria.
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Vienna Ring Tram Sightseeing
The best of Vinna is situated alon Ring boulevard circling the old town (where the best Christmas decorations are!). Walk the Ring, take a hop-on hop-off bus, or catch a Ring tram (combine the No. 1 and No. 2 lines to see it all!). If you're out and about, keep a look out for a Maronistand selling potato-based snacks and roast chestnuts (known as Maroni).
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Rathausplatz
The Christmas market, Christkindlmarkt, here is right along the Ring and is one of Vienna's most famous and most popular. Here you'll find thousands of twinkling lights, Nativity scenes, illuminated trails and more—it's perfect if you're looking for an evening walk in a winter wonderland.
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Day 4

Schönbrunn Palace
A giant Christmas tree lights up the market at Schönbrunn, but as it's a bit out of the way, visiting during the day may make more sense.
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St. Stephen's Cathedral
Vienna's cathedrals are a magical place to catch a Christmas concert. Spend the day immersed in the city's music culture. Stephansplatz also has a Christmas market and it's right in the pedstrianized center of Vienna!
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An incredible setting for a Christmas concert.
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Spittelberg Christmas Market
The Spittelberg neighborhood lines its charming cobblestone alleyways with Christmas market booths. It's an incredible setting as Spittelberg remains one of the best areas to see Biedermeier architecture.
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Day 5

Viennese Giant Ferris Wheel
You can reserve a gourmet wagon on this iconic wheel for a 2-person breakfast or a candlelit 3-course dinner!
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Belvedere Palace
The Baroque palace's small lake creates an incredible photo opp when decorated for the holidays, especially at night! Because it's a little out of the way, the crowds are typically lighter here.
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Danube Tower
Not only can you get an epic view of the twinklight holiday lights from up here, the viewing platform also has a revolving restaurant.
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Stays

Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna
This Art Deco luxury hotel outdoes itself at Christmas.
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BENEDIKTUSHAUS Das Gästehaus des Schottenstiftes im Herzen Wiens
A unique place to stay (it's a guesthouse run by the Schottenstift, a working Benedictine Monastery with its own museum), this hotel is also very close to the Christmas market at Freyung.
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Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof, Wien
This hotel is on the street that leads right up to the giant Hofburg Palace complex (with the Spanish Riding School) and connects all the way to Stephansdom cathedral (and its market).
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Radisson Blu Style Hotel, Vienna
Right in the heart of old town and all the beautiful Christmas decorations. This hotel is close to the Freyung, Michaelerplatz, and Am Hof Christmas markets. It's also near the two-day special market held in Palais Niederösterreich!
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Urban Rooms Rathaus - Self Check-In
This small hotel is a unique option and it's just around the corner from the Christmas market at Rathausplatz.
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The Levante Parliament A Design Hotel
The designer hotel has a huge inner courtyard and a unique artistic glass collection inside, but best of all it's very close to the market at Rathausplatz!
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Hotel Rathauspark Wien, a member of Radisson Individuals
Stay in a town palace built in 1882. It's close to Rathausplatz's Christmas market, but the hotel also does it's own displays, including a tree of glowing hearts.
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