Nomadic dani

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a winter wonderland, Vienna at Christmas time is the place to be! From mid-November to late December, the city transforms into a festive paradise, filled with twinkling lights, cozy wooden stalls, and the sweet scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Christmas market fan like myself, exploring the city’s Christmas markets is an absolute must. So, grab your warmest coat, a reusable mug for Glühwein, and let’s dive into the Vienna 2024!

_{Cute Christmas vibes at the market, with festive mugs that you can take home!}

Whenever I plan on a Christmas market city break, I always look into the city first and what it has to offer. I had never visited Vienna and a weekend away with my bestie was perfect. Vienna itself has so much to do, whether you want to visit palaces, galleries or shop til you drop, it will have everything you need in the daytime and some great bars and restaurants for the evenings.

When it comes to Christmas markets I must say that after visiting quite a few around Europe, Vienna so far is at the top of my list! Not only were there so many to choose from, they all feel so magical. Bustling street stalls with local foods, the biggest Pretzels you have ever seen and a whole menu of different hot drinks, including wine and cider. Its a food lovers dream!

Top festive foods to try include:

• Glühwein – Mulled wine, the ultimate winter warmer! 🍷
• Punsch – A fruitier, spiked version of mulled wine (try the apricot one!).
• Lebkuchen – Austrian-style gingerbread, often heart-shaped and beautifully decorated.
• Kartoffelpuffer – Crispy potato pancakes, best enjoyed with garlic sauce! 🥔
• Maroni – Roasted chestnuts, a classic Christmas snack.
• Kaiserschmarrn – Fluffy, shredded pancakes with powdered sugar—seriously addictive.

_{The biggest pretzel i have ever eaten. This took me 2 days to finish!}

The stalls are selling all of the classic Christmas decorations, cheese, chocolates but i would say it does become quite repetitive throughout (which is what usually happens at any Christmas market you go go to).

The different with Vienna is the markets are set with the most amazing backdrops. My favourite was definitely Rathausplatz Christmas Market (Vienna Christmas World)

This is the big one! Right in front of Vienna’s stunning City Hall, this market is pure Christmas magic. Picture over 150 stalls selling everything from handcrafted ornaments to delicious Austrian treats like Kaiserschmarrn (fluffy, shredded pancakes—so good!). Plus, there’s a massive ice skating rink, an enchanting advent theme park for kids, and even a huge Christmas tree that makes for the perfect festive selfie spot. I appreciated how magical this felt, especially with the heart theme this year.

The only downside will always be the amount of people but this is what you will have when contending with Christmas markets anywhere you visit but at least with Vienna there are so many markets to choose from across the city that it spreads people out. Other markets that are worth a visit include:

• Belvedere Palace Christmas Village: Festive huts in front of the upper Belvedere Palace .
• Spittelberg Christmas Market: Romantic spot with classic huts, gift shops, and local crafts. 
• Altes AKH Christmas Village: Market on the compound of the Former General Hospital with a great atmosphere and infrastructure. 
• Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung: Traditional market with high-quality handicrafts and treats .

_{Love theme this year at Viennas Christmas markets!}

No matter which market (or markets!) you visit, Vienna at Christmas time is nothing short of magical. Whether you’re sipping mulled wine under the twinkling lights or picking out the perfect handmade ornament, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.