5 ways I celebrated Christmas in Vienna (Winter Edition)

Through the lens of an Asian Girl who had never been to Europe prior.

I always look back to my time in Vienna (on exchange) with so much love.

As a 22-year-old Singaporean who had never travelled outside of Asia, spending five months on exchange in Austria was a completely new experience and a special milestone on my journey to adulthood.

So, you can imagine the absolute ecstasy I felt when winter arrived. I got to explore the largest Christmas markets, ice skate under twinkling lights, sip on warm glühwein, and marvel at the festive decorations around every corner (together with my brother who travelled to visit me, pictured on the rightmost polaroid).

Here are some ways I found to experience the Christmas magic of Vienna (which is also a record-holder for having some of the largest Christmas markets in the world). Fair warning - you might just book a flight to Vienna after this. And if you don't, be sure to save this listicle for the next time you do!

1. Christmaskiindlmarkt am Rathausplatz (the Vienna Christmas Market)

A record-holder for 'largest Christmas markets in the world' on certain years, the Vienna Christmas Market is considered one of Europe’s biggest and most beautiful Christmas markets. I remember looking forward to experiencing this even before the start of my exchange, as my seniors shared snippets of the immense size and amount of small shops within. Never mind the overwhelm of completely new (to me) Christmas delicacies in Austria sold by the many stores, the 3,000 m² ice rink and Christmas decor/background music made it so vibey.

If large crowds aren't your vibe, then be sure to visit this place in the afternoon or other smaller Christmas markets nearby. It gets pretty crowded in the evenings – but as a city girl from Singapore, I quite enjoyed the noise and commotion (added to the vibes IMO).

Stuff to look out for: The last-hour ice rink promo - I forgot if there was a student price but be sure to look out for that. ALSO be sure to take advantage of the fact that it has the biggest range of traditional Viennese food. Indulge in: Kaiserschmarrn, Glühwein, Bratwurst, Baumkuchen, and decadent spiked hot chocolate under the glittering Christmas decor.

Impt Deets

📅 2024 Dates: 15 November - 26 December 2024

🕛 Opening Hours: 12:00 PM to 08:00 PM

📍 Address: Rathausplatz 1010 Wien

🚇 Subway Access: Rathausplatz stop on the U2 or U3 underground line, on tram lines 1, 2, 71 and D to the Parlament stop or on line 2 to the Rathaus stop.

(^pic of 2024's map)

2. Art Advent Karlsplatz

The Art Advent Christmas Market lives up to its name as it emphasizes locally-produced arts and crafts. It even encourages Viennese students to contribute to its community art. If you aren't into that – there are also around 80 booths selling unique and high-quality gifts, including fine art, clothing, jewellery, and gourmet items. But what intrigued me the most were the farm animals onsite. I was so confused when walking past it with my other friend on exchange but apparently it's a petting zoo available at specific times/with specific sign-ups (more on their advent calender here in german but there's chatgbt to help you translate) but yeah that blew my mind LOL.

Impt Deets

📅 2024 Dates: 15 November - 23 December 2024

🕛 Opening Hours: 12:00 PM to 08:00 PM

📍 Address: Karlsplatz, 1040 Wien, Austria

🚇 Subway Access: Karlsplatz subway station, accessible via U1, U2, and U4 lines. 🗺️ Directions: Follow the Resselpark exit from the subway station and join the crowds heading to the market.

3. Cafe Central

Once frequented by figures like Freud, Cafe Central is the place to be for enjoying holiday treats. I will never forget the live piano playing in the background as I enjoyed some of Vienna's most traditional food items here.

Impt Deets

🕛 Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM (10:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Sundays)

📍 Address: Herengasse 14, 1010 Wien, Austria

🚇 Subway Access: Herengasse on U3 or Stephansplatz on U1 (9 minutes walk away)

4. Stephansplatz (Christmas Market + Street decor)

Sorry I just had to insert a verticle pic of Stephansplatz to encapsulate how stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral sits against the Christmas decor.

Kill two birds with one visit: Upon alighting from the Stephansplatz station on metro line U1, you'll find the Christmas Village Stephansplatz which boasts your Christmas local arts and crafts, selected gift ideas, and a wide range of traditional delicacies right in the heart of Vienna. As you walk along the streets, you'll be able to enjoy the elaborate lighting decorations lined throughout the city too.

Impt Deets

📅 2024 Dates: 17 November - 26 December 2024

🕛 Opening Hours: 11:00 AM to 09:00 PM

📍 Address: Stephansplatz, 1010 Wien, Austria

🚇 Subway Access: Stephansplatz subway station, accessible via U1, and U3 lines.

🗺️ Directions: right outside Stephansplatz subway station.

5. Cafe Demel

Café Demel's Kaiserschmarrn was so indulgent, it made me understand the late Austrian emperor Kaiser Franz Joseph I's obsession with it. I felt like I was transported back in time - I mean just look at this interior:

With a rich history (started in 1786!) and interior, you'll also find the finest cakes, chocolates and sweets fit for royalty (no - literally, King Charles visited) and get your crash course tasting on Viennese traditional dessert and coffee here.

Impt Deets

🕛 Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

📍 Address: Kohlmarkt 14, 1010 Wien, Austria

🚇 Subway Access: 5mins walk from U1 Stephansplatz station

Barely Scratching the surface

These are just (arguably) the top 5 must-dos in Vienna when you're visiting to experience Christmas there for the first time! There's so much more to explore so be sure to save my site as I yap more about the city from my exchange experience.