We will be visiting our son (attending university) in Munich for the Christmas holiday. We are staying with him in Munich in his student housing which is great, but not exactly festive for the holiday celebrations, so we have decided to travel to Salzburg for 3 nights, December 23-25th and then on to Vienna for 3 nights, 25-28th. We know that Munich shuts down for the holiday but it looks like Salzburg and Vienna have more activities available for tourists. We have already booked hotels in the cities but are looking for suggestions on fun Christmas activities. Also interested in any restaurant suggestions from others that have been there over the holidays. We will spend the week before visiting Christmas markets around Munich so hoping for some other suggestions. Thanks!
Posted by
New York, NY
4072 posts
Nothing more beautiful on Christmas Eve than to attend a Christmas Eve mass. What a wonderful opportunity you all will have to do just that.
Posted by
2285 posts
You should enjoy the Christmas markets in Salzburg as the majority will be closed already when you arrive in Vienna.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
My recollection is that Vienna holiday markets were open through New Year's Eve (BIG event in Vienna.)
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5519 posts
Nope, most Christmas markets close on Dec. 24 for good. The markets at the Rathaus and Schonbrunn are the only two that remain open until New Year’s.
It is worth noting that the 26th is a national holiday and as the 24th falls on a Sunday (when most things are closed anyway), the period of Dec. 24-26 will be exceptionally quiet.
As for Christmas-y things to do, you can walk around the city center and look at the lights and drink punsch. You can go to the Rathaus or Schonbrunn to see the markets. At the Rathaus there might be ice skating - there was last year. Aside from that, I can’t think of anything else. This is a really quiet time when people are with family. As for meals, most restaurants should be open, but check websites. Some hotels offer a holiday buffet - the city of Vienna usually publishes a list of restaurants offering food on the 24th.
Posted by
2285 posts
Here is the information about the Christmas markets in Vienna:
https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/markets/christmas-markets
At the end of the text there is a list with all opening dates and times.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thanks everyone for all the info. We expect a quieter visit since it is the holiday and will just be happy to be spending time with our son while visiting a couple of new places. Would also love to hear from anyone that has been in either Salzburg or Vienna for the Christmas holidays and what they enjoyed most about their visit.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5519 posts
My advice is to plan for indoor activities as it will be very cold. Have cake and coffee in at least one cafe per day. I like Sperl, Vollpension, Rien.
Posted by
2285 posts
If it is cold, go to a Christmas market and drink "Punsch" to warm up.
Posted by
13 posts
We have spent a few Christmas seasons in Switzerland which I am sure is like Austria and Germany. Very quiet and quite beautiful. The church services are lovely and although my German is very bad and I am Lutheran and my husband is Catholic I still knew some of the prayers and the hymns. Beautiful. If you want a little adventure you might consider going sledging(yes that is what it is) in the mountains. It is beautiful and nothing like it available in the Midwest for sure.