Vienna · VIENNA CHRISTMAS MARKET TOURS
The markets open in mid-November and close on Christmas Eve, and the good ones are not all on Rathausplatz. These 13 tours compare routes, punch stops and whether food is included, with prices and start times.
Walk about 2 kilometers through four Vienna Christmas markets in alternative districts with a local English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Expect hot punch with optional extra rum, cookies, food tastings, holiday crafts, street art, and stories about Viennese traditions. Bring warm clothes and expect rain or shine.
“Tony the tour guide was excellent and very informative- enjoyable tour”
Join Prime Tours Vienna for a 2 to 3 hour English walking tour through four seasonal stops, from Mariahilf to Maria-Theresien-Platz. Guides such as Rita, Chloe, Kamil, and Germana lead tastings of Austrian snacks, cookies, Glühwein, and punch, with stories about Vienna’s Christmas traditions.
“Very cold outdoor experience with no stops along the way with any type of out door heaters. That would have been nice to break up the tour. The limited drinks and food tastings were a nice little touch. You really can get the same experience without a guide. Guide was very nice but a novice.”
Start at your hotel, vacation home, or another agreed meeting point at 4:30 pm. With a private English-speaking Austria Guide, walk from Karlskirche through central Vienna to Freyung and City Hall, stopping at several Christmas markets and landmarks along the way. Guides may include Brigitte, Walter, Daniela, Sabine, or Mario.
“Brigitte was excellent! Very knowledgeable and patient with our group of 9. Highly recommend this tour!”
Join Dace Schaerf for a two-hour English walking tour through Vienna’s Christmas season. Visit markets at Freyung, Am Hof, Rathausplatz, and Karlsplatz, while passing St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg, Karlskirche, and other central sights. Food and drinks cost extra.
“This was a wonderful tour. Guide was very knowledgeable about Vienna. She was very personable and talked almost the entire time. Answered all of our questions and took us to all the normal tourist places and the out of the way places too. Would highly recommend this tour.”
Join a small English-language group of up to 15 people for a three-hour Vienna shopping walk with guides such as Nicoleta. Visit Hotel Sacher, Swarovski, St. Stephen’s Christmas Market, Graben, Julius Meinl, Café Central, and Neubaugasse, with a city map included.
“Nice guide, showed us many places and ts interesting stories about the city. She also recommended local specialties.”
Join Gloria from Venture Vienna for a 3 to 4-hour food tour of four lesser-known Christmas markets. Taste Käsespätzle, Baumkuchen, Kaiserschmarrn, Glühwein, and Punsch while learning Vienna’s trams, subway, and local festive customs.
“This tour was so fun! It was fun to hear a little history of the markets as well as the perspective of a local. The food choices were amazing! And I am already missing the Glüwein.”
Join James, Claudia, or Gloria for a four-hour English tour of four Vienna Christmas markets. You’ll sample holiday snacks and alcoholic drinks, learn local history, and ride public transport between Am Hof, Spittelberg, Altes AKH, and Karlsplatz. Groups are limited to eight.
“Well worth the time and money. James, our guide was wonderful. Plenty to eat and drink. We visited 4 markets and James explained the difference of each one.”
Jenny, Vlad, or another English-speaking guide takes you by private vehicle from Vienna to Hallstatt and Salzburg for a long Christmas day. Expect lake views, mountain roads, Austrian history, festive shopping, lunch time, and hotel pickup and drop-off. The price is $690 per person.
“Outstanding Trip. Jenny was very knowledgable and made the trip enjoyable and special. She provides details and a personal touch that you would not get with other tours. In addition, she explains Austria history throughout the journey, bringing you closer to the magic of the area. This tour is highly recommended. Take it! You won't be disappointed.”
Walk Vienna’s illuminated center with Nicole from Guide from Vienna, tracing how the Christmas tree reached the city. Expect palace facades, historic photographs, Advent markets, and a small group of up to 10. The tour runs in English, Italian, or German and ends near Am Hof or Rathausplatz.
“The subject of this tour was the introduction of the Christmas tree to Vienna. You may think that this is actually quite a drab or boring subject but with the excellent and knowledgeable Nicole, she opened up a whole world in relation to this subject. Nicole took us to the various sites linked to this subject. For example we went to the first place where a Christmas tree was displayed in Vienna. Nicole not only went into the subject itself but spoke about Viennese society at the time (19th Century). This provided a great background to the subject. She also gave great insight on what it meant/means to be part…”
Join a small group of up to 10 for a two-hour English or Chinese guided visit to Schönbrunn Palace, its gardens, and the Christmas market. The palace entry costs an extra €25 in cash, so arrive early with comfortable shoes and no large bags.
Leave Vienna at 6:45 am for a 13.5-hour Christmas outing through the Salzkammergut. Visit Mondsee’s basilica, St. Gilgen, Hallstatt, and St. Wolfgang’s Christmas market in a group of no more than eight, with English commentary, WiFi, water, and Hallstatt guiding.
“We had peter as our driver/guide and he was courteous and organized. We felt safe and in good hands throughout. The itinerary was well planned and we thoroughly enjoyed our day. Highly recommended for people who wants to explore the lake region with a touch of xmas”
Travel from Vienna to Salzburg in a small group of up to eight, with hotel pickup, onboard commentary, and local guides. Visit Mondsee, Salzburg’s Mozart and Sound of Music sites, then enjoy Christmas markets in Salzburg, St Gilgen, and St Wolfgang before returning to Vienna.
“We rely enjoyed the our day trip from vienna to Salzburg. The ride was comfortable and we enjoyed the commentary about the sites we were passing on the way. The walking tour in Salzburg was fun and informative and at a good pace. We loved the Christmas markets on the trip too! Our guide was accommodating, friendly and professional.”
Attend a 70-minute holiday concert at Vienna’s Minoritenkirche, where ensembles such as Les Orpheistes and the Wiener KammerSymphonie String Quintet perform works by Vivaldi, Mozart, Haydn, and others with international soloists.
“A beautiful church, fabulous/setting (and warm!), outstanding music/singing, great value as highly talented individuals.”
Pick a palace, a hall or a table.
