6 best things to do in Vienna in winter
Vienna is a city that feels magical in any season, but winter gives it a special kind of charm.
If you’re planning a chilly-city getaway, this guide will show you the best things to do in Vienna in winter, from iconic Christmas markets and skating under fairy lights to world-class opera performances and cosy cafés.
Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, these six attractions will help you experience Vienna at its most festive and atmospheric.
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It goes without saying that there are Christmas markets everywhere you turn during December, but I’ve pulled together some highlights you can enjoy in a short city break to Vienna, alongside the other year-round attractions.
Wander through Rathausplatz Christmas Market
If there’s one iconic image of Vienna in winter, it’s the illuminated neo-Gothic city hall with market stalls glowing beneath it and the sound of skates gliding across ice.
Expect the city’s largest festive market to be packed, but well worth swinging by for handmade ornaments, the scent of roasted chestnuts and steaming mugs of hot chocolate and glühwein (mulled wine)!
For the perfect blend of elegance, tradition and festive cheer, this is a winter break sitting firmly on my bucket list! With so many things to do in Vienna in winter, it’s the perfect city break to return to each season.
Tip: entry to the market is free, but if you want to hop onto the ice rink it’ll be around €8-10.
Explore Belvedere Palace Christmas Village
I promise this won’t be entirely a Christmas market guide, but you can’t miss this smaller option in an utterly gorgeous setting.
Belvedere Palace was impressive when we visited in early Spring but when it’s lit up with elegant Christmas lights, it’s completely stunning. It’s also a little less busy, so makes for a more laid back experience for those who loathe battling through the crowds.
Spend a night at the Vienna State Opera
Winter visitors are in luck: opera season in Vienna runs from September to June so nightly performances at the Vienna State Opera are on!
I wouldn’t class myself as an opera buff, but this is a totally unforgettable experience. With elegant interiors – the building dates back to 1869 – to world-class music and the iconic red velvet seats, it’s a great cosy experience to get you out of the cold that takes over Vienna in winter.
The seats are well set up with subtitled screens with multi-language options, meaning you can understand the events fairly easily.
I’d recommend booking tickets in advance: of course, the most well-known shows sell out rapidly but if you aren’t picky about what you watch, there are options to be found with a couple of months notice on the official website.
If you miss out, limited standing tickets are released each day for a bargain price – however, with some being a couple of hours long, it is worth the seated comfort if you can.
Didn’t manage to secure a show on your chosen dates? You can take a look inside the building regardless, or choose a behind the scenes tour for a real peek behind the curtain. There are also regular musical performances in other gorgeous venues if you really can’t secure a ticket.
Schönbrunn Palace winter market and light trail
Few places feel more regal in winter than Schönbrunn Palace, with its iconic yellow façades glowing behind (hopefully!) snow-dusted trees.
In the festive season, the vast courtyard hosts a charming Christmas and New Year’s Market, selling artisan gifts and mulled wine beneath the palace windows and in a recent addition, there is a Winter Wonderland at Schönbrunn light trail that you can follow through the winding gardens.
Entry tickets for the palace interiors are separate but it’s well worth it!
We absolutely adored our visit to Schönbrunn Palace in March and are desperate to tick it off during winter and summer (there’s a garden pool!) too.
Schönbrunn Palace is a little further from the centre: you’ll want to hop onto the U Bahn for ease but it’ll take just 15 minutes to get there!
Enjoy the chilled vibe at Spittelberg Christmas Market
Tucked behind Vienna’s busy Mariahilfer Straße, the Spittelberg Market offers a more local experience. Its narrow cobbled lanes wind through the Biedermeier district, lined with independent artisan stalls selling ceramics, jewellery and cosy scarves.
It’s smaller, but more intimate; a place to sip hot punch and chat with locals instead of jostling through the Rathausplatz crowds. It’s also a great spot to pair with a warming goulash at a local tavern.
Warm up at Café Central
Founded in 1876, Café Central is famous for regularly hosting Freud, Trotsky and other creatives over coffee and cake – a pastime I feel equally enthusiastic about.
Some say it’s overrated, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most popular things to do in Vienna, even in winter. While it’s popular all year round, Café Central didn’t let us down with delectable pastries and strudel in wonderful surroundings during our visit.
After a day of exploring the icy city streets, there’s really nothing better than ordering a rich Sachertorte and warm drink as a respite from the chill. You might have to queue, so choose a morning visit if you don’t want to stand around in the cold!
In need of more inspiration? Read my next post: 11 amazing things to do in Vienna all year round
Where to stay in Vienna
While there are so many things to do in Vienna in winter, where you stay is especially important in the colder months! You may want to nip back for an extra layer or know that you don’t need to rely on waiting in the cold for public transport.
We stayed near Kettenbrücken U Bahn station, which was slightly more affordable than being directly in town but within 10-15 minutes walk of most major attractions.
Budget travellers will find a Wombats Hostel on this road boasting both dorm and double/twin room options, or the stylish apartments at Urbanauts Studios is nearby and rated highly.
Looking for a real treat that’s even more central? Try a stunning hotel like Almanac Palais Vienna for all the amenities you could want in a gorgeous setting or a real VIP stay at the bucket-list Hotel Imperial Vienna.
Summary
The perfect blend of elegance, tradition and festive cheer, these are the things to do in Vienna in winter that truly capture the city’s seasonal magic.
For inspiration on the rest of your trip, combine this guide with my three day Vienna itinerary to enjoy the best of the city during a short break.
Laura x
