Discover the Magic of Christmas in Vienna
by Tiffany Simpson
Vienna is a beautiful and historic city nestled in the heart of Europe. It is easily accessible by most major European cities and provides a springboard to many other destinations such as Prague, Salzburg and Munich. The palaces of Vienna are some of the most magnificent in all of Europe and the surrounding areas along the Danube are popular places to visit during the summer.
Some tend to forget the beauty of Christmas and all that this season is supposed to mean. It’s easy to become a Scrooge when everywhere you turn you see or hear something about Christmas - and it’s only the beginning of Novemeber. Several years ago, I had the pleasure of spending 4 days right before Christmas in Vienna. It was a magical time and I was truly able to feel that Christmas spirit around us andto remember what this holiday is really all about. I savored the time I spent with my family there and we still talk about it years later.
CHRISTMAS SIGHTS & SOUNDS
Christkindlmarkt (Christ's Child Market)
Those traveling or living in Europe know that many European cities have Christmas markets which are not to be overlooked if you have the opportunity to attend. The Christkindlmarkt in Vienna is one such Christmas market that will have you enjoying the holiday spirit all night long. The market opens the second week of November and is open until the third week of December and you can find it in front of the Neues Rathaus (Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 1). You will find stands selling hot punch or Glühwein (which is alcoholic although a non-alcoholic version is usually available - see Quick Tip #4), sausages and other foods, candy, trinkets and other Christmas goodies.
Stall after stall lines the narrow lanes of Spittelberg for its Christmas market. It is said that this is where the Christ Child (Christkind) himself often comes to shop. You can browse fine arts and crafts, ceramics, hand-blown glass, rugs, and much more.
If these two markets leave you wanting more, you can also visit the art market at Heiligenkreuzerhof, the arts and crafts market in front of the Church of St. Charles Borromea (Karlskirche), the Christmas Village at Uni-Campus or the traditional Christmas market on Freyung square.
Further Information: www.christkindlmarkt.at
Krippenschau (Nativity Show)
Nativity scenes have a long history in Austria, as well as a forbidden one: Emperor Josef II banned them in churches but then their presence increased in homes. The imperial ban has now been forotten and many churches have lovingly crafted scenes on display.
The most beautiful ones can be seen in the crypt in St. Peter’s church (Peterskirche - Petersplatz 6). You can view them from November until mid-December.
Midnight Mass
If you’d like to attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve in Vienna in one of its most well known cathedrals, look no further than Stephansdom (Stephansplatz 3). Although no tickets are needed, you must arrive rather early in order to get a seat. Perhaps you won’t understand every word being said, but you should at least be able to appreciate celebrating this wonderful holiday in a beautiful church.
TOUR VIENNA IN STYLE
Do It On A Segway?
Most people have heard of Segways but few have ever been on one. But if you are interested to see Vienna in a somewhat unusual way, contact City Segway Tours for a guided tour of this beautiful city via Segway. The tour of virtually every important site in Vienna lasts 3-4 hours and they also provide a 45-minute introduction course to the Segway for those who have never been on one or need to re-familiarize themselves with the gadget.
Further Information: www.parissegwaytours.com/vienna/
Carriage Rides
For a more down-to-earth tour of Vienna, you can take a Fiaker (open horse-drawn carriages) around the city. You can arrange for a tour or they will take you from point to point. Fiakers can be found at Stephansplatz, Heldenplatz and Albertinaplatz. Remember to negotiate the price before you get in to avoid any problems later on and if you’re there during the winter, dress very warmly and don’t forget the hot chocolate.
Other Tour Options
For those who prefer a more conventional tour, there are also guided walking (primarily during the summer), bus and tram tours.
For those who like to guide themselves, tram lines 1 and 2 will take you to the majority of the main sights around the Ringstrasse and will provide connections to other trams which go to locations a bit further out. Or a guided tour in a 1920’s tram can also be arranged which leaves from Otto Wagner’s Karlsplatz Pavilions.
Further Information about public transport: www.wien.gv.at/english/transportation/publictrans.htm
MUSEUMS TO SEE
The Belvedere Palaces
If you are a museum buff and love art of all styles, Vienna is a wonderful city to visit to see some incredible collections. Not only are the works of art inside the buildings amazing to look at but the buildings themselves and the gardens surrounding them are often just as lovely. The Belvedere is one such museum. The two palaces of Belvedere, Upper and Lower, are linked by a formal garden. Mostly 19th and 20th century art is housed in the Upper Belvedere while the Lower is occupied by the Museums of Austrian Baroque and Medieval Art up to the 18th century.
Further Information: www.belvedere.at
Kunsthistorisches Museum
An immense collection of European paintings and other pieces of art, the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Maria-Theresia-Platz) is a delight for any art lover. A primary portion of the museum is devoted to Flemish, German, Dutch and Italian paintings in addition to the other European works it houses. There is also a large collection of Oriental and Egyptian antiquities, a collection of Greek and Roman antiquities and a collection of coins and medals. The majority of the works were collected by the Hapsburg family which ruled over Vienna for many centuries.
Further Information: www.khm.at
Visit the Crown Jewels
Those wishing to view some of the imperial jewels and relics of the Holy Roman Empire can visit Hofburg, the State Apartments and Treasuries. Treasures amassed during the Hapsburg rule are showcased in 21 rooms and one can also visit the former living quarters of past rulers.
Further Information: www.hofburg.wien.info
SATISFY YOUR TASTE BUDS
The Naschmarkt
Open Monday – Friday from 6am until 6:30pm, the Naschmarkt is one great place to visit if you’re hungry or planning a dinner. Some of the stands have been in place for many years while others are newer and more temporary. Not only will you find fresh produce, meats, flowers, wines and breads, but there are also many flea market type stalls selling a wide variety of goods. As you walk west, the market gradually loses its structure and the less established stalls are found furthest west. On the east side, you can also find many snack bars serving fast food type meals to eat on the go.
Further Information (in German): www.wienernaschmarkt.eu
Hotel Sacher
Although you can stay at Hotel Sacher (Philharmonikerstrasse 4) as well as eat there, it is absolutely a 5-star hotel with the price tag to match. But if you’ve heard about the famous Sachertorte and just want to visit the hotel to try it out and perhaps bring one home with you, visit their restaurant where you can enjoy an entire meal or just coffee and cake. What is a Sachertorte you might be wondering? It’s a rich chocolate cake, covered in a thick jacket of milk chocolate with a layer of apricot jam hiding just under the surface.
Further Information: www.sacher.com
OUT AND ABOUT
Although these sites are located a bit outside the city, they should be included on your list of things to see because they simply are worth it.
The Ferris Wheel at The Prater
The Prater is an enormous park between the Danube and its canal which used to be imperial hunting grounds and was opened to the public in 1766. Here you will find a planetarium, golf course, convention center, swimming pool, soccer stadium, racetrack, the three-mile-long Hauptallee through the center of it all and, of course, an enormous amusement park with rides, booths, beer gardens and the infamous Ferris Wheel. The Ferris Wheel moves about 2 ½ feet per second and gives amazing views over the park, fair and the city. You can take a ride year-round although the opening times do vary based on the time of year.
Further Information: www.prater.at/
Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens
A former summer residence of the imperial family, this magnificent property is astounding in its size alone. Although the palace itself is certainly worth touring, the grounds with their beautiful gardens, historical zoo, tropical greenhouse, coach museum and magnificent statues is equally impressive. Inside the palace you will find room upon room of ornamental woodwork with ornate tapestries and paneling.
If you happen to be here during Christmas, you can also visit their Christmas market or perhaps catch one of the daily Advent concerts held in front of the Palace.
Further Information about the Palace: www.schoenbrunn.at
Further Information about the Christmas Market: www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at
River Trip from Krems to Melk
If you have the time to venture even further outside Vienna, you can find some of the loveliest stretches of river scenery in Europe just 50 miles west of Vienna in a region called the Wachau. All along the Danube Valley are many wonderful castles, churches, monasteries and wine-producing villages full of delectable food and drink. Rather inexpensive shopping can also be found in Krems. Drive yourself, bicycle, take a train or take a river trip with an organized tour service such as Cityrama, Vienna Line, Vienna Sightseeing or DDSG Shipping.
MORE TO SEE AND DO
Vienna is nice to visit at any time of the year. And if you’d like to see more of Austria, you can also visit places like Salzburg or Innsbruck.
If you happen to be there during the winter, you can make use of the many ski and snowboard resorts. The Arlberg region, for example, was the birthplace of modern Alpine Skiing and is frequented by European royalty as well as the commonfolk.
If you prefer to visit Austria during the summer and like the outdoors, why not visit the Austrian Alps for some hiking or cycling.
Or perhaps you’d like to just stay in the wine-growing regions and sample the food and fine wine.
Give all of your senses a delicious treat with a trip to Austria.
