Vienna, to enjoy at Christmas

The longest-lived Christmas spirit

The Austrian capital is one of the European cities with the most ancient traditions in Christmas markets, dating back to the twelfth century. Since then and right up to today, the Vienna Christmas markets have become major attractions for both locals and visitors. The markets now blend modernity with original traditions to bring the Christmas spirit to all its streets and squares. Vienna can be considered one of the places par excellence for Christmas markets. Dozens of wooden booths with local handicrafts, Christmas decorations and thousands of lights decorating the city await you.

Rathausplatz Christmas Market

Christmas traditions and cuisine meet in the main Christmas market in Vienna, the Rathausplatz Christmas market, located in the town hall square and known as Christkindlmarkt. A fusion of Christmas traditions and modernity, flavoured with hot punch and the sweet smell of cinnamon. The square hosts more than 150 stalls with all kinds of local Christmas delicacies, decorations and gifts, attractions such as a merry-go-round and a 3000 m2 ice rink. Kids will love the beautiful fairy-tale landscapes created in the square. Inside the town hall, there are craft workshops for kids and international choirs singing Christmas carols. Opposite the town hall, the trees in the Rathauspark are decorated with hundreds of coloured lights creating the most beautiful sight.

Art Advent Market

In the former Habsburg residence, the Schönbrunn Palace, a Christmas and New Year's Eve market offers traditional handicrafts, hand-made jewellery and Christmas decorations. If you love handicrafts, make sure you visit the Art Advent market in the beautiful Karlsplatz Square, where you can listen to groups play live music. A Christmas market with its own special style with hand-made crafts and organic food. Try some roast chestnuts, delicious apple strudel and a glass of weihnachtspunsch, the typical spicy Christmas punch. Enjoy everything under the lights that extend from the baroque Karlskirche church to all the other corners of Karlplatz. Other Christmas markets you must not miss include the Maria-Theresien-Platz Christmas market, the Spittelberg Christmas market, known as the artists' district, and the Belvedere Palace Christmas market.

Weihnacht im Wald

Close to the hotel, at the Prater, there is winter wonderland for young and old. Christmas in the forest offers special items that are rarely found at other markets in Vienna. Small wooden huts in the forest spread the Christmas spirit with traditional food and decoration.