Few places embody the Christmas spirit quite like Europe, and Vienna, Austria did not disappoint. Renowned for its stunning architecture and vibrant culture, Vienna features some of the most memorable Christmas markets in the world. Pair your visit with a breathtaking day trip to Hallstatt, and you are sure to create unforgettable holiday memories. Let's jump into our recent trip to Vienna and Hallstatt over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
First Stop: Vienna’s Christmas Markets
Vienna's Christmas markets are a visual and sensory delight. Each market offers a unique atmosphere filled with the aromas of roasted chestnuts, spiced mulled wine, and delightful pastries. There was a plethora of handmade gifts, ornaments, and unique souvenirs for purchase from the many stalls at the markets. In fact, Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz is one of the most famous Christmas markets in Vienna. Set against the backdrop of the grand Vienna City Hall, it really was a sight to behold in person versus seeing photos and videos of it online. One of my favorite things about the markets in Vienna was the Glühwein (hot mulled wine) and collectable cups that they come in. My personal favorite flavor of Glühwein to get at each market was the Apfelstrudel flavor.
Explore Other Markets
During our trip we also explored the Weihnachtsmarkt at Schönbrunn Palace and the Belvedere Palace Christmas Market. Schönbrunn was busy and very popular, and it felt like the only item sold in the stalls were food and ornaments. I enjoyed visiting this market, but I liked the Belvedere and Christkindlmarkt the most.
Another must-see is the Belvedere Palace Christmas Market. Located in the stunning gardens of one of Vienna’s most beautiful baroque palaces, this market offers a picturesque setting that feels straight out of a postcard. Walking through the gardens, you can enjoy the exquisite views while browsing holiday gifts.
If there is any wisdom I can impart on visiting the Christmas markets, it's to try and visit them during the week versus the weekend. This may not be ideal for everyone traveling, but it is considerably less busy during the week compared to Friday - Sunday. Overall, the markets did not disappoint and I can't wait to explore more holiday markets in 2025!
Next Up: Art Museums & History
A trip to Vienna wouldn't be complete without visiting one or several of Vienna's museums and art exhibitions. During our three day trip, we were able to visit the Kunsthistorisches and Albertina museums. There were so many other museums we wanted to see, but time was limited and these museums were exceptional. My favorite was the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, located in the hart of Vienna near the museum quarter. This museum had a beautiful picture gallery and collections of coins, Greek and Roman antiquities, and more. We probably spent two hours in this museum and could have spent an entire day... there was so much to see. One of my favorite paintings was the Persian Women x Otto Van Veen.
The last museum we visited was the Albertina Museum and that was solely for the Monet and Picasso exhibit, which was fantastic! We grabbed a couple books in the book shop and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of the works by Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. Two of my favorite paintings that we saw were Woman in a Green Hat x Pablo Picasso (1947) and View of Vétheuil x Claude Monet (1881).
From left to right: View of Vétheuil x Claude Monet (1881), Woman in a Green Hat x Pablo Picasso (1947).
Day Trip to Hallstatt: A Scenic Escape
After enjoying the festive Christmas vibe of Vienna, make sure to take a day trip to Hallstatt. Only about 2.5 hours away, this breathtaking village is nestled between Hallstätter See and towering mountains. Hallstatt looked like something straight out of a Hallmark movie and it is often described as one of the most breathtaking places in the world, particularly in winter when snow enhances its charm.
Enchanting Views and Scenic Vistas
We signed up for a day trip to Hallstatt and the journey there had stunning views of the Austrian countryside. We made a quick pitstop in Gmunden to visit the Schloss Ort Castle.
When we arrived in Hallstatt there were heavy mists on the lake that partially hid the village from view, but once we journeyed up to the Panoramic Viewpoint (located a little more than 1,100 feet above the town) the scene was breathtaking. Snow-capped mountains took our breath away and we truly lucked out with the most magical winter weather.
After we took in the Panoramic Viewpoint and shopped around in the gift shop, we walked around the village and enjoyed Austrian goulash for lunch. The village streets are lined with colorful houses, buildings and beautiful churches along Lake Hallstatt. Photos simply don't capture the fairytale-like essence of this beautiful village.
Discover the Rich History
Hallstatt’s appeal goes beyond its natural beauty; it has a rich history as one of the oldest salt production sites in the world. A visit to the Salt Mines is essential, where you can learn about the town's deep connection to salt mining and its impact on the local economy. Although we didn't have time to visit the salt mines, we were able to purchase salt mined directly from Hallstatt in the gift shop and it was delicious! My personal favorite was the garlic flavored natural rock salt.
Plan Your Travel Experience
When planning your visit to Vienna and Hallstatt, it's probably best to visit early in the Christmas market season to avoid many crowds that overflow in December. The end of November was a great time for us to visit because it wasn't overwhelmingly busy. Uber works in Vienna and they have a great public transit system as well which can help save you money. The last bit of advice I would give is to check the Christmas markets' hours, as they can vary throughout the holiday season.
Overall, Vienna was a great city to visit and I would absolutely go back to Austria to explore more of their beautiful country. Maybe I will get to have a Sound of Music summer and visit Salzburg before we PCS from England. If you have any European Christmas Market recommendations or if you have visited Vienna/Hallstatt, I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments!
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