15 magical photos of Vienna at Christmas time

Christmas in Vienna is really a magical time. Christmas fairs, sparkling lights, colorful decorations, the smell of spicy punch and roasted almonds in the air. In such scenery, even an adult can feel like a child and believe in fairy tales again. I remember when I first came to Vienna before Christmas I could not believe that it could be so amazing! I lived here for some time, so often walked around the Christmas markets and took some pictures. Now I would like to show you 15 photos of Vienna that may make you want to visit this wonderful city at Christmas time. I am sending you some magic and I hope that you will feel this wonderful atmosphere.

The Upper Belvedere Palace in Vienna, Austria at Christmas time (Oberes Belvedere Wien)

The Upper Belvedere Palace in Vienna (Oberes Belvedere) at Christmas time

The fireworks at the Vienna Prater (Wiener Prater), Austria during the New Year's party

The fireworks at the Vienna Prater (Wiener Prater) during the New Year’s party

From mid-November to the end of December, all the streets and squares of Vienna are decorated with colorful lights and everywhere there is a scent of hot spicy punch, Christmas gingerbread, and roasted sweet almonds. The best attractions of Vienna in this magical time are the Christmas markets, which are visited by both locals and tourists.

The Ferris Wheel (Wiener Raisenrad) at the Prater Amusement Park, Vienna, Austria

The Ferris Wheel (Wiener Raisenrad) at the Prater Amusement Park, Vienna, Austria

The Vienna City Hall (Wener Rathaus) at Christmas time

The Vienna City Hall (Wener Rathaus) at Christmas time

I remember that the first Christmas market that I visited was the one at the Vienna City Hall, also called the Viennese Dream Christmas Market. And you know what? This place really looked like a dream. I’ve never seen anything like this before. I was delighted to see the beautiful building of the Vienna City Hall surrounded by trees with colorful lights and stalls with beautiful Christmas decorations.

The musicians playing Christmas songs in front of the Burgtheater in Vienna, Austria

The musicians playing Christmas songs in front of the Burgtheater in Vienna, Austria

Christmas decorations at the Christmas market in front of the Vienna City Hall (Wiener Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz)

One of the stalls with Christmas decorations at the Christmas market in front of the Vienna City Hall (Wiener Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz)

Christmas decorations at the Christmas market in front of the Vienna City Hall (Wiener Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz), Austria

There are a lot of nice baubles and decorations at Vienna Christmas markets

While in my hometown it was gray and gloomy, here everything looked so fairy-tale and cheerful. It was like moving to another world where people are smiling and meeting outside with friends, even when it’s cold, raining or snowing.

The Christmas village at the university campus Altes AKH (Weihnachtsdorf am Campus der Universität Wien), Vienna, Austria

The Christmas village at the university campus Altes AKH (Weihnachtsdorf am Campus der Universität Wien), Vienna, Austria

The Christmas time in Vienna, Austria

Before Christmas, the trees in Vienna are decorated with colorful lights

I did not know that the city can be so wonderful in winter. I enjoyed this time and I was grateful that I could live in Vienna and come to Christmas Fairs whenever I want. Each time I discovered something new. The Art Advent Christmas Market on Karlsplatz, the Christmas Village at Maria-Theresien Platz, Winter at the MQ, the romantic streets of Spittelberg and the Christmas market hidden in the courtyard of the Viennese university campus Altes AKH. Everything was so unbelievably beautiful!

The beautiful crystal chandeliers that grace Vienna's Graben at Christmas time

The beautiful crystal chandeliers that grace Vienna’s Graben at Christmas time

The Art Advent Christmas Market on Karlsplatz, Vienna

The Art Advent Christmas Market on Karlsplatz, Vienna

Beautiful decoriations at the Chirstmas market in Vienna, Austria

At the Christmas markets in Vienna, you can buy many beautiful decorations

I was lucky to live in Vienna for one year. If you asked me what are my most beautiful memories from that time, Christmas markets are definitely one of those things I will never forget. And all those walks with an umbrella in hand, when the lights of Christmas decorations were reflected in the puddles and wet sidewalks. When I held a mug of hot wine in my hands and felt the smell of cloves, ginger and other spices. When I walked along the streets of Spittelberg and the Old Town of Vienna, admiring the beautiful architecture and Christmas decorations.

The cute toys at the Vienna City Hall Christmas Market (Wiener Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz), Austria

There are also cute toys such as those at the Vienna City Hall Christmas Market

The Christmas market in front of the Vienna City Hall (Wiener Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz), Austria

The Christmas market in front of the Vienna City Hall (Wiener Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz)

The Christmas and New Year's Market at Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna

The Christmas and New Year’s Market at Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna

These pictures do not reflect everything that I would like to show you, but I hope that you felt a little bit of this magical atmosphere of Christmas Vienna. Have you ever been to the Christmas markets in Vienna? Which one is your favorite?



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  28 comments for “15 magical photos of Vienna at Christmas time

  1. Shane
    December 13, 2018 at 3:27 pm

    Wow! The snow in these photos look amazing. I visited Vienna in the summer and it was still beautiful but very different!

    • December 14, 2018 at 1:15 pm

      That’s true, Vienna looks completely different in the summer. It is also beautiful, but during the Christmas time, this city is like a fairy tale place.

  2. December 13, 2018 at 11:51 pm

    The photos are stunning! I’ve never visited Europe around the holidays, only in the summer time or spring – it truly looks like a completely different place.

    • December 14, 2018 at 1:16 pm

      Thank you, Yara. In that case, you should come in the winter and visit Vienna. I’m sure you’ll like it 🙂

  3. December 14, 2018 at 1:47 am

    You made my day :-). Now, I have some Christmas feelings. I love to spend New Year’s Eve on the beach here in the Southern hemisphere but being from Europe, I just can’t get used to Christmas in summer. My memories of Christmas will always be like those photos, darkness, lights, Christmas markets, cold, mulled wine.

    • December 14, 2018 at 1:21 pm

      Christmas Eve on the beach? It must be an interesting experience, but I know what you mean. For us Europeans, Christmas without a Christmas tree and snow is not exactly what we are used to.

  4. December 14, 2018 at 3:47 am

    This is completely out of the dreamland. Vienna is a very pretty place and during Christmas, it just becomes more magnificent. You have clicked some really eye-catching pictures. I am going to Berlin in two weeks time and I hope the Christmas scenes will be as beautiful as in Vienna.

    • December 14, 2018 at 1:22 pm

      In that case, I wish you a nice trip! And I can not wait to read about Berlin on your blog.

  5. December 14, 2018 at 3:48 am

    I visited Vienna for the first time this year. I thought it was a beautiful city, but it doesn’t compare to how magical it looks at Christmastime. I would love to check out the Christmas Markets there and just stroll around to see all those beautifully decorated buildings.

    • December 14, 2018 at 1:24 pm

      It’s really worth coming to Vienna during Christmas time. Many people say that Vienna’s Christmas markets are the most beautiful in Europe.

  6. Jackie S.
    December 14, 2018 at 6:16 am

    Vienna at Christmas is such a dreamy place. I’ve never been to a Christmas Market, yet your photos make me want to hop on a plane to visit the area and get into the Christmas spirit. The decor and lights are elaborate and beautiful. I would stop by the market to buy the adorable stuffed animals too.

    • December 14, 2018 at 1:27 pm

      In Vienna, you can really feel the spirit of Christmas. If you have never been to Christmas fairs, I think it is worth visiting the Viennese ones, because they are considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.

  7. December 14, 2018 at 9:38 am

    Wow your photos really are magical! I am always a little scared when it comes to visit a cold city in Winter but Vienna looks so amazing during Christmas that I would definitely make an effort! I know that what you see with your own eyes is not the same that a picture can show but your photos gave me the magical atmosphere that you wanted us to feel! Thank you for sharing them!

    • December 14, 2018 at 1:31 pm

      I am glad that you felt the Christmas atmosphere looking at these photos. Do not be afraid, Vienna is not as cold as it seems. Usually, in winter, the temperature varies around zero degrees Celsius.

  8. December 14, 2018 at 12:17 pm

    Been in Vienna during Christmas must be like a dream. Love the photographs as it shows the festivities in full swing.

    • December 14, 2018 at 1:33 pm

      It’s true, it’s like a Christmas fairy tale. I will never forget the view of Vienna with these beautiful decorations and Christmas markets. It’s really beautiful.

  9. December 14, 2018 at 7:13 pm

    This is absolutely amazing! I’ve been to the Christmas markets in Germany, but never in Austria! I may have to make way way over there!

    • December 18, 2018 at 5:43 pm

      And I have never been to Christmas markets in Germany 🙂 I have to change it too because I heard that they are also very charming.

  10. Daniel
    December 16, 2018 at 11:26 am

    Viena sure looks magical during the holiday season. I spent my Christmas in Viena a few years ago and had an amazing time. Thank you for this article, it brought back so many nice memories.

    • December 18, 2018 at 5:44 pm

      I am very happy that this article brought back nice memories. Best wishes 🙂

  11. blair villanueva
    December 17, 2018 at 3:10 am

    OMG my heart is palpitating while reading your gorgeous story, and seeing these fantastic photos! Hopefully next year, I could celebrate Christmas in one of this places.

    • December 18, 2018 at 5:45 pm

      I wish you this, because Vienna is amazing in the Christmas time 🙂

  12. December 17, 2018 at 9:26 am

    Your pictures really are magical! I was in Vienna last year, a little before Christmas, and it was truly amazing. You’ve managed to capture the essence of it. I loved the little stars in the pond in front of Belvedere Palace and the Christmas market in front of Rathausplatz was amazing, with the backdrop. I took hundreds of pictures myself, it was just so beautiful!

    • December 18, 2018 at 5:49 pm

      Oh yes, Rathausplatz is really amazing in the Christmas time! There it is like in a Christmas fairy tale and even the Vienna City Hall from a distance reminds me a bit of Disney’s castle 🙂

  13. December 18, 2018 at 10:36 am

    Awesome! The spirit of Christmas is depicted perfectly in these pics.

  14. December 31, 2018 at 9:34 pm

    I had never considered Vienna as a Christmas destination but these photos have made me change my mind. It looks like it may just be the most festive place I have ever seen! Definitely one for the bucket list 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

    • October 24, 2019 at 11:14 am

      Vienna is worth visiting in the winter, you’ll like it there!