Christmas in Vienna

Walk through Christmas markets. Vienna has one of the best.

Get reservations in great restaurants. See a play or go to a concert. Or go to Budapest (I say that just to make someone angry)

Well, Vienna has more than one Christmas market. Actually the "main" one at the City Hall (Rathaus) is pretty from a distance, but once you get closer you see that everything is tacky plastic. The best ones are at Karlsplatz, Altes AKH, Belvedere, Spittelberg and Schonbrunn.

You should plan to time well, though, as many will be closing down on Dec. 23. Here is a link for some of the markets with the open dates:

https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/markets/christmas-markets

I'll give you a hint - Schonbrunn and the Rathaus are open until the 26, so save those for later.

Many sights will be open over your dates. Just check the website of the places you want to visit. Also be sure to book ahead for your Dec. 24 dinner as many restaurants will be closed that day. As Austrians celebrate Christmas on the 24th, more things are open on Dec. 25. Be warned, though, that shops will all be closed on the 24 (from early afternoon), 25, 26 and 27. The first three days because those are federal holidays and 27th because it is a Sunday. Plan ahead.

Based on what Emily said, you then might seriously think about the 2.5 hour train ride down to Budapest on the 26th. It is a holiday but there is still a lot open serving tourists; and everything should be open on the 27th as it is not a holiday in Hungary.

ALTHOUGH, sometimes when the shops are all closed and air is cold and the sky is that remarkable winter blue you don't need anything open to wander the streets and just enjoy.

We're going to be in Vienna for Christmas too! I made a spreadsheet of the opening hours for top sights on the 23rd and 24th. You can check it out below. (The first time frame is for the 23rd, followed by the 24th; x's signify closures; in US time.) I had to email several museums to confirm their closing times. I was surprised by how generous they were with their time considering the holiday. We are traveling to Salzburg on Dec. 25., so I don't have suggestions for the later part of your trip. Don't forget to enjoy the Christmas markets... several are open after the 25th.

Kunsthistoriches Museum 10-6 10-3
St. Stephen’s Cathedral 6-10 7-10
Hofburg Apartments 9-5:30 9-5:30
Hofburg Treasury 9-5:30 9-5:30
Hofburg New Palace Museum 10-6 10-6
Imperial Furniture 10-6 10-6
Albertina 10-9 10-2
Kaisergruft Crypt 10-6 10-6
*Belvedere Palace 10-6 10-2
*Academy of Fine Arts 10-6 X
Succession Museum 10-6 10-6
*Haus der Musik 10-10 10-10
Museum of Military History 9-5 9-5
Third Man Museum X X
Leopold Museum 10-6 X
Schonbrunn 8:30-5 8:30-5

Thank you everyone. We are going to be in Budapest Dec. 17-20 then we will be in Prague until the 23rd. I appreciate all the ideas.

Budapest: Opus Jazz Club (behind the Great Market Hall) is one of my favorite venues. Great performers, gourmet food, great atmosphere, not expensive (about $3.50) and always a good show. Best of all they have a performance on the 17th. You will need table reservations in addition to the concert ticket.
http://opusjazzclub.hu/concerts

(sorry of the first post. missed your arrival date by a day)

Another idea for a unique evening is the bath houses. We've done it at Christmas and its amazing. http://baths.topbudapest.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Picture-100.png
If you are shy get a cabana where you and she can change. Otherwise save the money and use the locker rooms. But be warned the culture is pretty "open". 95 degree water and 30 degree air. Amazing.

And the Christmas tram... complete with Santa at some times of the day. I forgot to put in "Budapest" when I Googled "Christmas Tram" and I still got the right hit: https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8085/8353372642_55d2a588f0_b.jpg which shows how well known this is.

Here's another good link with 6 very good Christmas Markets to check out (all of my top favorites are listed):

http://www.viennawurstelstand.com/index.php/discover-vienna/6-of-viennas-best-christmas-markets/

Emily:

Last year I noticed some markets were open after Christmas. Any stay open through the New Year?

Thanks,

Gerry

Gerry, I googled the markets in Vienna and was surprised that I couldn't find any indication that they ran past Christmas eve; but they might and I am certain Emily will know. In the event that they do close Christmas Eve and if you want to continue shopping Christmas markets then you might consider a trip down to Budapest. About 2:45 on the train. The markets stay open until January 2nd; but I am pretty certain from past experience that while the crafts stalls stay open the food stalls close down at Christmas eve.

http://budapestchristmas.com/