My husband and I are planning a 10 day trip to Austria around Christmas time, and are looking for advice on which villages to visit. We are looking for snowy little alpine villages where we can relax, walk around, eat great food, visit a couple of Christmas Markets, and enjoy the culture. Not looking for big cities. Also. we will be traveling via train.
Any advice is appreciated!
You seem to have finally settled on the most likely country for Christmas markets, but I doubt you will find them in small villages.
Some smaller villages also have their Christmas markets.
I think this link will help you to discover them (Christmas 2025), arranged by Bundesland
https://www.austria.info/en-us/inspiration/christmas-markets/
Note from original author - we are hoping for mostly small villages, but are totally fine going to one or two bigger towns to experience the Christmas Markets!
Kitzbuhel ticks off most of your boxes.... Easier reached from Munich than Vienna, though.
Mayrhofen and Zell am See are a couple of other Alpine towns that come to mind.
We were in Seefeld in Tirol 18-22 December last year. We liked it a lot. Had a big snowfall while we were there too. We like Innsbruck. Maybe Lienz?
Nearly all towns and villages in Austria have a Christmas market, so don't worry.
I recommend Seefeld, Steyr, and the villages (Sankt Gilgen, St. Wolfgang and Strobl) of the Wolfgangsee.
Seefeld in Tirol is a nice town, and Innsbruck is a train ride of less than 40 minutes away.
I second all the ideas provided. If you are thinking about Xmas 2025, then you must act fast and book your hotels ASAP.
