Vienna's Winter Wonderland

Vienna's Winter Wonderland

Warm winter drinks, Christmas crafts, & cafe culture. Vienna has the most Christmas markets per capita making it the ideal destination for December trips.
Updated ago
2
Share

Full of history and Baroque architecture, Vienna is a visual playground worth braving the cold weather for.

One of my favorite ways to get familiar with a new city is a free walking tour. If you are a fan of history or curious about what buildings you are seeing, a walking tour sets you up to understand where you are. Vienna maintains many relics from the Hapsburg family empire and World War II that are awe inspiring. 

Dining & Cafe Culture

Schnitzel Wirt
@kathleennorton
Add to
Details
Skopik & Lohn
@kathleennorton
Add to
Details
Café Hawelka
@kathleennorton
Add to
Details
Café Central
@kathleennorton
Add to
Details
Add to
Details
Café Natural Winebar Espresso.
@kathleennorton
Add to
Details

Museums & Attractions

There is an unbelievable amount of history and art in Vienna. Seeing some of the exhibits is also a fantastic way to warm and hide from the winter cold.

MuseumsQuartier Wien
@kathleennorton
A compound of exhibits and museums
Add to
Details
Albertina
@kathleennorton
Once a Hapsburg palace turned art museum
Add to
Details
Vienna State Opera
@kathleennorton
A gorgeous building set on the ring road, and it was publicly hated when it was first completed. You can secure inexpensive standing-room tickets to the opera day of at 10am at the box office Opernring 2/ Entrance Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz
Add to
Details
Belvedere Palace
@kathleennorton
Another palace turned art museum with multiple buildings featuring different eras of art. Klimt's The Kiss is on permanent exhibit here
Add to
Details
Hofburg
@kathleennorton
A Hapsburg palace with art museums and Spanish horseback riding school
Add to
Details
Rathausplatz
@kathleennorton
The city hall and one of the most important squares in Vienna. Also the area for the largest Christmas market with my favorite warm drinks
Add to
Details
Wien Museum Mozart apartment
@kathleennorton
All about the famous Austrian Classical composer
Add to
Details
Monument Against War and Fascism
@kathleennorton
Located on the spot where hundreds died sheltering during a WWII bombing, this monument commemorates the dark reality of the second World War
Add to
Details
Heldenplatz
@kathleennorton
Public square in front of the Hofburg palace. Also where Adolf Hitler historically addressed the Austrian people after occupying the country during WWII
Add to
Details
Imperial Treasury Vienna
@kathleennorton
An exhibit inside the Hofburg palace where the royal crown jewels are on exhibit
Add to
Details
Imperial Crypt
@kathleennorton
Where many Hapsburg individuals are buried underneath the Capuchin Church
Add to
Details
Schönbrunn Palace
@kathleennorton
The summer residence of the Hapsburg family
Add to
Details
Tunnel Vienna Live
@kathleennorton
Cafe and jazz club with daily live music
Add to
Details

Accommodations

Wombat's City Hostel Vienna Naschmarkt
@kathleennorton
Add to
Details

Favorite Christmas Markets

ART ADVENT Christmas Market
@kathleennorton
This was my favorite for holiday shopping!! Unbelievable handmade crafts and delicate arts
Add to
Details
Belvedere Palace
@kathleennorton
A smaller market with interesting wares. A great stop after viewing the exhibits at the Belvedere Museum
Add to
Details
Rathausplatz
@kathleennorton
The city hall and one of the most important squares in Vienna. Also the area for the largest Christmas market with my favorite warm drinks
Add to
Details
Maria-Theresien-Platz
@kathleennorton
Add to
Details
St. Stephen's Cathedral
@kathleennorton
My favorite Christmas market for festive food and drink
Add to
Details

* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am a part-time English teacher, part-time traveler currently based in Northern Spain. As I am in my second year living in Spain, I am attempting to see as much as possible with a focus on budget-friendly, outdoor destinations. My guides are built for anyone looking to fill a long weekend in Western Europe with a balance of good food and great views!
Send A Tip
Support Kathleen Norton’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Explore related destinations
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Kathleen Norton 2024 Help Privacy Terms Copyright Become a Seller Seller Academy About Careers Blog Explore Places