One of my favourite cities, Vienna is always elegant, but never more so than during Advent. Beginning in mid-November, the city puts on some of the best Christmas markets anywhere – just like she has for hundreds of years.
Main Christmas markets venues are Rathausplatz (City Hall), Schloss Schönbrunn (childhood home of ill-fated French queen Marie Antoinette), the baroque palace Belvedere and the cosy, narrow alleys of Spittelberg.
I adore the Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz. It’s so colourful, vibrant and lively. It’s also full of children. During Advent, City Hall hosts the Christkindl Werkstatt, a workshop for children aged 3 – 18. About 80 000 children stop by here in the weeks before Christmas and entire school classes reserve time. With rosy cheeks, all flush with excitement and anticipation, they queue outside.
Inside, happy children dressed in aprons and high hats are covered in flour, baking – or playing with rolling pins. Others make animal pictures and wooden frames, key rings, leather bracelets, candles, ceramic cups – all sorts of wonderful, self made Christmas presents.
If you’re considering a city break with kids before Christmas, Vienna is the natural choice. And if you’re thinking of enjoying a weekend sans kids, Vienna is also an excellent option. At night, the Christmas markets look especially bewitching. It might be a bit of a chill in the air, so try a mug or three of lovely mulled wine or Weinachtspunsch. A designed-for-the-occasion mug in one hand, the love of your life in the other… very romantic.
Have a look at Europe a la Carte to see more about Vienna’s Christmas markets.
This post is part of Lonely Planet’s Blogsherpa carnival on magical/memorable city experiences hosted by Denise Pulis at Travel with Den Den
I remember Christmas markets in Belgium – with the town hall in Brussels all lit up with lights. Sigh… I miss Europe at Christmas! Can’t get used to a southern hemisphere summer Christmas!
You know, I’ve never spent Christmas in the Southern world. Can’t imagine Christmas without snow. Yet it seems Aussies and South Africans love it – with surfing and BBQs at the beach for Christmas. Just have to give it a go sometime.
Love Vienna’s Christmas markets. It’s such a magical city in winter.
Sophie,
Vienna sounds great and it does seem magical during Christmas. I’ve never been and now I know what time of year to go.
Jason
Sounds beautiful, cities are often so lovely during the holidays
Vienna is such a beautiful city and I can imagine how much more so at Christmas.
many nice place at vienna, I wondering to go there someday
Looks lovely! I’ve always wanted to visit Europe during the holidays and wonder through Christmas markets – just haven’t had the chance to yet.
Enjoyed reading this post. Your post ‘Boating up the Nile – in the 1800′s and today’ was such an interesting read too!