Elegant architecture, museums with world renowned art work, and a rich history are all characteristics of Paris, which is my favorite city in the world. It comes as no surprise that I would fall in love with Vienna at first sight, since Vienna is fairly reminiscent of the city of Light. In no particular order, keep reading for the top five things to do during Christmas.
Table of Contents
1. Indulge at the Christmas Markets
It should come as no surprise to you that this was one of my favorite things to do in Vienna. In my opinion, the Christmas markets were the best we’d been to….and trust me, if you’ve been keeping track, we visited a lot. Below are my top favorite markets of the many that we visited.
Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt
The show stopper of all of the markets was Rathaus Christkindmrkt, located at Vienna’s city hall called Rathaus. The above picture shows the sight we came across upon arrival. During our first night in Vienna, we went towards the end of the night so it wasn’t too crowded. This market had it all: delicious food and glühwein, the most stalls out of any market I’d been to, and even an ice rink.
Maria Theresien Platz
Also not to be missed was the very first market we visited in Vienna at Maria Theresien Platz, which was right next to the museum quarter. While much smaller than the market at Rathaus, I enjoyed this one because of the delicious food and cute gifts to buy at the stalls.
Art Advent at Karlsplatz
If you’re looking for more unique gifts made by local artists, then look no further than the market at Karlsplatz. This market’s focus featured arts and crafts but still had traditional food and glühwein. We bought our mom a souvenir here, which was a necklace made from graffiti that had been chipped off the walls. Since graffiti art is legal in Vienna, this particular artist used the paint from prior art and made it into jewelry. Pretty cool!
Schönbrunn Palace
The market here was the last one we visited in Vienna and was one of my favorites. Set in front of the gorgeous palace were not only the typical stalls, but also a stage set for performers. Hearing the Christmas music, eating the delicious stuffed potato, and smelling the sausage being grilled were just some of what I experienced.
2. Visit Belvedere Palace
Not only does this palace have a fabulous Christmas market, but it’s also known for the massive collection from Gustav Klimt, the artist known for his famous piece, “The Kiss.” Other artwork featured famous Impressionist artists such as Van Gogh and Monet. Additionally, the grounds around the palace were beautiful, and I can only imagine how much more spectacular it would be during the spring and summer.
3. Admire the Architecture and Christmas Decorations
We spent one full afternoon walking around Vienna and taking in the beautiful architecture. One of the best parts about visiting during Christmas were the street decorations and lights strung from each building. It was truly magical! Since words can’t adequately describe what I saw, see below for pictures.
Pretty By Day
Gorgeous At Night
4. Go to the Austrian National Library
Lets face it, it can get cold during winter in Vienna. If you’re looking for a place to get warm, then definitely visit the Austrian National Library. This library houses more than 12 million pieces and is considered the largest library in Austria. Home to maps, ancient books, photographs, and statues, this library was beautiful and impressive. See below for pictures.
5. Appreciate the Symphony
Because Mozart and Strauss were both born in Austria, Vienna is known for their nightly symphonies. On our last night in Vienna, my cousins, sister, and I enjoyed a night at Kursalon Wien, a venue known for its classical concerts. While some may consider this somewhat of a tourist trap, this was one of the highlights of my time in Vienna. Most of the songs were familiar to everyone in the packed concert hall, such as a piece from Marriage of Figaro and Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. What made the concert even more magical was when two dancers came out to waltz. The beauty of the entire night brought to tears to our eyes.
This concert was the perfect way to end a fantastic trip. The entire experience was unforgettable and spending time with my cousins and sister made the holiday getaway so much more special.
