Vienna during Christmas

Hi Kerry, We were in Vienna the week before Christmas and it was wonderful. Street markets with garlic bread and roasted chestnuts-I can still smell them after all the years. It was bitter cold (about five degrees F.) with snow on the ground, so be prepared. You have chosen a place for a memorable Christmas. Best wishes.

Hi! Charlie is correct that Vienna at Christmas time is wonderful. He is also correct that the temperatures can hover around freezing at that time of year. Also: the sun sets at 4:00pm around Christmas. Note too that, in Vienna, the quaint/cute Advent Markets (Christmas Markets) close after the 24th. They are not open between Christmas and new year. Regarding restaurants: In the big hotels you should have no problems and SOME other restaurants will likely be open in this capital city. In either case, Reservations for Christmas day will be a "must". Here are a few suggestions in the first district to get you started:

Drei Husaren (the three Hussars). Top end fancy restaurant for a special occasion (expensive)...

http://www.drei-husaren.at/index.php?x=10&l=en

The next one is the "Sky Restaurant". Forgive the cheesy website. However, the restaurant is quite good. (expensive) We went there for our anniversary. Note the view of the Cathedral outside the window…

http://www.skyrestaurant.at/index_webpage.html

Augustiner-keller (cellar of the augustine order) is inside the old wine cellars that were built into a part of the old hofburg protective wall. Pretty cool. A bit touristy at times, but has lots of ambiance. Moderately priced.

http://www.bitzinger.at/index.php?id=46

All of the above places are in the old city center and have reservation links so you can check availability.
Just writing this response has put me in the Christmas spirit! Have a great trip. Merry Christmas!

Charlie and Thomas,
Thank you so much! You've both made me even more excited to experience Vienna during Christmas. Best wishes and travels to you both.
Kerry

Our River Cruise ended in Vienna on Christmas day 2007. It was amazing. There was no one in town. The coffee shops were open, but no stores. It was a rare treat to see Vienna this way.