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9 Enchanting Vienna Christmas Markets

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

When I think of European Christmas Markets, the glittering city of Vienna locale has always been on the top of the list. Hearing travelers stories and seeing pictures on social media has always made me want to spend Christmas  in Vienna. We finally made the dream a reality and spent 5 amazing days in Vienna last year – which sounds strange to say, as it was only 3 weeks ago!   Starting mid-November, Vienna’s squares transform into charming Christmas markets. Throughout the city you’ll find 22 markets with over 1,000 stalls. Now, that is a lot of holiday spirit!

Adding to our enchanting experience was the white powder that blanketed the city not long after our arrival. The city was ablaze with Christmas lights that danced off the snow covered streets. With that magic backdrop, visitors can’t help but see, taste, smell and feel the holidays approaching!

Christmas Market Vienna Features:

 

 

Wiener Rathausplatz Christmas Market at City Hall

The biggest Christmas Market in Vienna was located at City Hall. The market contained 150 colorful stalls with handmade goods, gifts, food, mulled wine and the largest skating rink we had ever seen- 4,500m² (4848 sq ft) . It was  huge, wrapping around the trees and stretching seemingly on forever. And a great feature for kids was the workshop set up in the Great Hall with free arts and crafts activities.

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48 Hours in Innsbruck, Austria {And Why That Wasn’t Long Enough}

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Things to do in Innsbruck, Austria with Kids

I fell in love with Innsbruck within minutes of stepping off the train. My jaw dropped when the spectacular and imposing Alps came into view as we walked towards our hotel.

The stunning Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings in the Old Town offer some insight into the diverse and prosperous history of the city.

We happened upon Innsbruck by chance. The stars must have aligned, so I wouldn’t miss out on such an incredible city. When planning our route from Munich to Verona, we noticed a train change in a city called Innsbruck.  Since we would be stopping anyway, why not check another country off our list?

We managed to squeeze 2 nights in Innsbruck into our summer journey.  Had I realized the love we would develop for the area, I would have allowed for more time.

Beautiful row homes located in the historical Mariahilf District (Mariahilfstrasse) along the Inn River

Beautiful row homes located in the historical Mariahilf District along the Inn River

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Winter Holiday With Kids in Vienna – 6 Must See Vienna Attractions

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

We arrived in Vienna on a crisp, winter afternoon.  While the snow had not yet arrived, you could feel it in the air.   As we walked to our hotel, the architecture became more and more stunning and as we rounded each new corner, a new spectacular façade came into view. Even the kids stopped in the streets a few times to admire an ornate doorway or balcony.   I knew then,  it would be easy to entertain my kids in Vienna.    I had a list of must see Vienna attractions, but I think letting them walk around while munching on a treat would have kept them happy for hours.  Now, if it wasn’t so cold!

As I predicted, on our first morning in Vienna, we woke up to snow on the ground. It was just a light dusting that first day but the kids were beyond thrilled.  We bundled up and started marking Vienna attractions & Christmas markets off our list.  Yes, there was an actual handwritten list 🙂

Must See Vienna Attractions

Hofburg Palace

 

We started off our first full day in Vienna at the Hofburg Palace. This was the residence of the Habsburgs for over 600 years!  The former winter residence of the imperial family now houses offices of the Federal President, the ministers and secretaries of state as well as museums. During our stay, we visited the Silver Collection, Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments.

The Imperial Silver Collection was interesting. The collection showcases dining services, centerpieces measuring up to 30 m in length and examples of tables set for imperial banquets. Some of the sets were gorgeous and you could see where they were actually used by the imperial families.  Lucy and I liked the set with artichokes and pea pods on top.

We did the shortened version of the tour as the kids were only happy to look at the collection for so long.

The Sisi museum was intriguing. We learned that Elisabeth, known as Sisi, became Empress at 16 years old. She didn’t conform well to court life and eventually started spending a great deal of time away from Vienna. Throughout the museum are personal objects on display which attempt to shed light on the life of Sisi. The commentary, with diary entries from her daughter, brought a nice, personal touch to the story. Lucy especially enjoyed seeing the reproductions of Sisi’s dresses.

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Festive Vienna Food Tour – Kid Friendly Viennese Christmas Market Food Tour

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Christmas in Vienna is magical.  Glittering lights are strung throughout the streets and Christmas Markets are scattered throughout the city.   During our visit we wanted a unique experience in the Imperial capital.   After researching Vienna tours, we determined a Vienna Christmas Market Food Tour with Context Travel would be perfect for our family.   I expected a Vienna food tour to be fun and educational for the kids, but eating our way through the Christmas Market turned out to be unforgettable.

Our tour took place on our last evening in Vienna.  After warming up at the hotel following our morning explorations, we donned another layer of socks before venturing out in the snow to try Viennese cuisine.  Some of these regional dishes are only available during the holiday season.

The Christmas Village in the Weihnachtsdorf Altes AKH ended up being one of our favorites. The market is held in the green space of the former general hospital, now the campus for the social sciences & humanities of the University of Vienna. It’s a smaller market than some of the others in Vienna, giving it a cozy feeling and creating a perfect venue for families. I’m told this is also a great area to visit during the warmer months, with outdoor cafes dotting the grounds.

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Holiday at the White Horse Inn – Hotel Weisses Rössl Innsbruck Review

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Holiday at the White Horse Inn Innsbruck

 

While visiting Innsbruck, we wanted to be in the heart of the city. With less than 48 hours to experience all that Innsbruck has to offer, we wanted to step out the front door ready to explore. We chose to spend two nights at the family run Hotel Weisses Rössl Innsbruck. Located in Old Town, it was the perfect spot to start our adventure.

Hotel Weisses Rössl or “The White Horse Inn” dates back to 1590.  In the 1500’s many people couldn’t read, so they would refer to an inn or establishment by it’s sign such as the white horse or golden lion.  You can still see these old signs throughout the Old Town.

Hotel Weisses Rössl Innsbruck Review

The White Horse Inn has traditional decor with antlers and stuffed animals hanging from the walls. You really get the old inn feel as you walk through the halls.   It’s more of a guesthouse, where you’re given the keycard to come and go as you please. On holiday’s, Sunday’s and at night the front door is locked so you have to use your keycard to enter the building.  You also won’t find anyone at the front desk during these times.

The family room is the perfect size, offering plenty of space to move around plus ample storage for luggage. Each of the kids had their own bed, which is a must to keep the bickering down. The beds are comfortable with crisp white linen, plush duck down duvets and fluffy pillows.

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