The first thing that gets me really excited about winter and December in general is Christmas and, more precisely, Christmas markets. There is something about them which makes me feel so festive and puts me in a great mood.
Because of the pandemic, there won’t be any Christmas markets here in Belgium this year, so I thought that I would just dedicate a post to the most festive city I have known and lived in: Vienna. Each year, there are many markets to be discovered throughout the city, and each of them has its own specific vibe and atmosphere. Discovering them all was one of my greatest joys when I lived there, and I miss it a lot!
So, get ready for some cute wooden houses, fairy lights, cinnamon and spices, delicious food, delicate ornaments and tacky Christmas mugs, with, on the background, one of the most gorgeous cities in the world!
The City Hall:
The Christmas market in front of the Rathaus in Vienna is probably the most famous and iconic. Not only it stands right in front of the beautiful building of the city hall, it also transforms into a wonderful ice-skating rink once Christmas is over.
Stephansplatz and Hofburg Palace:
Another iconic one, thanks to its location: right at the foot of the Stephansdom, the gorgeous cathedral that stands in the centre of Vienna. The beauty of this one is closely linked to the spectacular area where it is located, and from there you can easily reach other Christmas-market stands in front of the Hofburg palace, which was the former imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty.
Karlsplatz:
Probably the most unique, and for many different reasons. Karlsplatz is a gorgeous area to begin with, but if you put a Christmas market in front of that magnificent building, you are assured to love it. This is also very “arts and crafts” centred, so there are many independent artists and small shops selling their creations there, which makes it a great place to find one-of-a-kind presents.
Belvedere Palace:
Another palace, another Christmas market. I remember that when I visited this one, it was probably one of the coldest days I had there, though my spirits were immediately lifted by the warm smell of hot punch (an improved version of mulled wine with tea and rhum) and melted cheese.
One of the most beautiful things about this one is actually not the market itself, but the view you get when coming towards the Belvedere palace: the large pond where many sparkly stars float.
Maria Theresien square and the Museums Quartier:
I’m putting two in one because they are literally 30 seconds away from each other, even though they each have a very distinct vibe and atmosphere. The Museums Quartier is, in Vienna, an area that hosts a lot of museums, mostly centred around modern art and, for this reason, the Christmas market was a bit different there (and I wish I had taken more pictures): igloos instead of wooden huts and neon lights instead of warm fairy lights are just an example of that!
The Christmas market on Maria Theresien square is located between the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art, which are both beautiful. It definitely has the traditional, festive vibe you look for in a Christmas market, and I remember eating some delicious kaiserschmarrn there: pancakes cut to pieces with warm berry jam on top of it! It is probably the one I have visited the most too!
Schönbrunn Palace:
The main summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty is yet another magnificent-looking building, and the Christmas market that stands in front of it is almost as beautiful. Even though it is a bit further away than the other ones, it is definitely bigger, and you can find there many hand-made Christmas gifts, original ornaments and a lot of food, of course.
Former General Hospital (altes AKH):
One of my favourites. It is also very traditional and feels super festive. You definitely feel a “Christmas village” atmosphere because it is quite big and all the wooden huts are arranged to form different small alleyways, and it is really delightful. I remember that there were so many food and drink options there that it was hard to choose, but I ended up getting a hot chocolate with rhum – a great combo!
Spittelberg:
This one has to be my favourite. It is located in a district that has many narrow and cobbled streets, so the scenery is very cute to begin with. On top of that, a bit like for the Karlsplatz market, there are many art objects, ceramics and hand-made things. I would say it is the quirkiest of them all, but absolutely a must-see!
I hope this short compilation put you in a cheerful and festive mood. Writing this post and looking back at all of these pictures made me feel very nostalgic of when we could go to Christmas markets freely – and hungry!
Are you planning to go to Vienna after Christmas and New Years? It’s ball season, and it’s amazing! Check out my experience at the IAEA Staff Association ball here!
Are there many Christmas markets where you live? Have you ever been to Vienna’s?
Other posts about Austria:
The Ars Electronica Festival in Linz
– 8 Things to do in Linz
– Going to a ball in Vienna
Omg, that market is so perfect! I really hoped to be spending Christmas in Vienna this year but unfortunately not. Those photos are beautiful and hot punch sounds perfect for that weather. 😍
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Yes, the atmosphere there is truly magical! I hope you’ll be able to plan it another year, because it is absolutely worth the trip! 😊
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Da quello che ci racconti, penso proprio che io andrei per primo a Spittelberg!!! Non sapevo che avevi anche vissuto in Vienna!!! Sei sempre una fonte di meraviglia! Un abbraccione!
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Sì, Spittelberg era veramente carino e molto particolare 😊 Sono stata a Vienna per un internship di sei mesi! Farò altri post su questa esperienza di sicuro! Un abbraccio e buone feste 🎄
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I’ve not visited Vienna during its Christmas markets, but I’ve heard of its beauty, being one of the most-famous in Europe! Your photos prove that to be the case, and I really hope to return to Vienna to see the Christmas markets for myself (especially at the Schönbrunn Palace)!
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Thanks! They are indeed gorgeous and so diverse! 😊 The one in Schonbrunn is super big and very festive, plus it is right in front of the palace so the scenery is incredible! I hope you’ll manage to go one day! 😊
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Wow, your post with so many amazing photos is just what I needed to see today, Juliette! Sadly, because of the pandemic, there won’t be any Christmas markets here in Ireland, too. Pottering around wooden market stalls, listening to carol singing and sipping mulled wine in crisp December air is one of the things I look forward the most once the festive season approaches. Hopefully, next year. Thanks for sharing and have a good day. Aiva
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Thanks Aiva! I also hope there will be Christmas markets next year as it is such a lovely and festive tradition! Have a great day and wonderful holidays 😊
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The buildings in Vienna certainly add to the Christmas feel! I have been to Vienna but not during Christmas- would love to return though as Vienna is such a beautiful city. We actually do have Christmas markets here in Sydney (would you believe?) with the same wooden stalls but not as many lights and not as many stalls. Having mulled wine in summer is also…..interesting.
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Wow, Christmas markets in Sydney? That must be quite an experience! I don’t know how I would feel about mulled wine in summer but I guess it still puts people in a festive mood! 😊 Thanks for dropping by and have a great day!
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Ah, Vienna is a positively magical place to spent the festive season! Look at that atmosphere and all the gorgeous lights. Australia is not nearly as festive- a few houses near me have put up twinkle light though. At my old place in the suburbs a lot of people would join in. It was a big deal to decorate your house. It was like there was an unspoken competition between people to attract the most attention and have crowds outside their place by the end of the day. It was all in a friendly spirit though, of course x
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The holiday season in Vienna is absolutely gorgeous and it really feels like a magical place! 😊 I have never been to a place where many people put up Christmas lights outside of their homes though, it must be so fun!! I spent Christmas in Brazil once, and I remember that the festive feel was very different there because of summer – that’s how I imagine it to be in Australia! Thanks for dropping by 😊
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ohh the xmas atmosphere. I love it 🎄☃️🤍
the photos you have posted are amazing 🙌😍
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Thank you! It is absolutely one of my favourite times of the year because everything really feels magical! 😊 Thanks for dropping by!
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What stunning pictures! This sure set the mood for the Holidays. I’m all excited for pretty lights, lit nightlife in Christmas markets, and hot drinks/food by warm fires!!! Even if most of this is going to be impossible this year. Thank you so much for sharing this with us! 😀
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Thanks Lashaan! I was feeling very Christmasy and festive when I wrote this post for sure! It definitely put me in a better mood in winter, so I missed them a lot this year! Hopefully next year will be more festive 😊
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Wow. Really a beautiful sum up of the best time of the year. Loved it completely.
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Thanks a lot! Christmas markets are one of the best wasy to feel festive in my opinion! 😊
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beautiful, i so want to be there
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It’s such a great place, full of festive cheer 😊 thanks for reading!
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love, love Christmas markets in Vienna! Have you been at Freyung and Hof market too? it’s in the city center too, hope you had a lovely Christmas
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They are gorgeous yes! And no, I don’t think I have been there, but I will have to check them out next time then! Thanks for dropping by, I hope you had a great Christmas too 😊
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We always avoid Europe during the holidays because of the weather, but I LOVE Christmas markets, you gave me some food for thought for Xmas 2021! Fingers Crossed.
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I completely understand the problem of the weather – though it doesn’t rain as much in Vienna! But for sure Christmas markets make up for the cold and rain 😊 Thanks for reading!
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