Visiting Vienna Just Before Christmas Is The Best

Visiting Vienna in December

If you have read any of my blogs on Vienna, you’ll know that my love for this city is strong. I believe Vienna is basically as good as it gets! So the real question is: Is it worth visiting Vienna in December? The answer is yes. There are so many things to see and do during this time and it makes the city even more wonderful with all the festive events. In fact, the first time I ever went to Vienna was during December and I fell in love.

Main heading

In this post I’ll outline 5 reasons  why visiting Vienna just before Christmas is the best time to go. These are all based on my personal experience visiting Vienna during winter. The first time I went to Vienna was for four days, from the 19th of December until the 23rd. I have been back three times since (including another trip during winter). Trust me, you’re going to love it. 

Visit the Vienna Christmas Markets

Ok, this is an obvious one. Vienna has some of the best Christmas Markets in Europe in my opinion (and I’ve been to a lot of them!). There are many Christmas markets around Vienna and I recommend you check them all out because they’re all unique (and why not?!) If you want to know more about the best Christmas Markets in Vienna I have included them in my Best Christmas Markets in Europe blog post.

Stay warm in the Museums, Art Galleries, & Churches

Vienna has some of the nicest museums and art galleries and they’re a great spot to check out during December because they’re warm and the crowds are lower during this season. There are many gorgeous churches and cathedrals around Vienna, too. You’ll often find groups singing Christmas carols inside.

Sparkle under the illuminations

At night, the streets are lit up with gorgeous lights and will make your soul sing! Enjoy a hot wine at the Christmas Markets and go for a walk and take in all the sparkling lights. It seems that everyone stays out a little later in December. Families, couples, and solo travellers, so I highly recommend taking a walk down the sparkling lanes.

Enjoy cake and coffee in an old Viennese coffee house

Watching out the window as the snow falls softly while you enjoy a hot Viennese coffee and Sachertote is one of those magical moments where you think to yourself “I could live here”. Vienna is famous for warm and cosy Viennese coffee houses and during December they get very festive. I recommend Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker or Café Mozart.

Visit Popp & Kretschmer

Popp & Kretschmer is a luxury department store located next to the opera. Every year they wrap the store in a glittery red bow so make sure you come and take a look. It is beautiful both at night and in the day!