Vienna: discovering its Christmas markets

As usual, this trip was also chosen suddenly among the various offers offered by the airlines. We chose this destination on the occasion of the Christmas markets. To reach Vienna we used two flights (€ 68,00 each in total), the first Lamezia Terme – Milan Bergamo the second Milan Bergamo – Vienna.

After landing in Vienna at 9:30 pm, we took the light rail (S-bahn), we went down to the Wien Mitte station and took the metro (U-bahn) line u3 that led us to the Schweglerstraße station, located about 500 meters from the Pension Standthalle hotel (€ 112.00 two nights). We took the 48-hour ticket that allows you to use the metro, trams and buses, at a cost of € 14.10 per person, for the light rail we had to add € 1.80 each. If you stay more than one day, evaluate the Vienna card which includes transport and attractions at reduced costs. More information on the official website.

After the check-in we started to discover the city, given the late hour, we decided to just take a ride to Stephansplatz and go to rest to leave loads the next day. At night you do not see many cars around, there are only so many workers working in the streets.

The next morning, coming out of the hotel we found a really cold climate, but this did not stop us and we started our tour.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral – Stephansplatz.

We headed back to Stephansplatz to visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, from the hotel there are 6 metro stops on the U3 line. Admission is free, except for the visit to the catacombs, the north tower and the south tower which are subject to charges. It is possible to make a ticket for the individual attractions or opt for an all-inclusive solution. The audio guide is also available. For more information visit the official website. Around the cathedral is set up one of the many markets in Vienna that is open from 11 to 21.

Town Hall Square – Rathausplatz.

At two stops from Stephansplatz is the Town Hall Square. It is the headquarters of the Vienna City Hall and here is set up one of the largest Christmas Markets. The market is open from 10 to 21.30, the weekend from 10 to 22. It ‘s the most beautiful market for us at least, in addition to the various lights and lights there is also a large ice rink. As we walked through the street market, we heard Christmas music coming from inside the Town Hall. We were so intrigued that we entered, we found a room full of children who delighted in the preparation of Christmas sweets, it was a wonderful emotion to see all those children happy to prepare cookies made with their little hands.

Hofburg Palace 

About 800 meters from Rathausplatz is the Hofburg Palace where the Sissi museum is located. We have chosen to visit only the Sissi museum, the silverware museum and the imperial apartments, given the limited time available. The cost is € 13.90 including audio guide. With € 29.90, instead you can visit in addition to what we have reported above also the Schönbrunn Palace and the Hofmobiliendepot (Furniture Museum). For more information visit the official website.

Schönbrunn Castle.

After visiting the Sissi museum, we went to the Schönbrunn Castle through a combination of means between the metro line u3 and the tram number 60, eventually even the 10 arrives at the destination. The Schönbrunn Palace was the seat of the imperial house of the Habsburgs. Also here is one of the typical Christmas markets to visit, under the majestic image of the Castle. Opening hours from 10 to 21. After making some purchases in the flea market, we left.

We returned to Rathauplatz, where we ate and where we drank the mulled wine in one of the stands in the flea market and we came back, given the cold and the icy weather.

Hundertwasserhaus.

The next day we went to the Hundertwasserhaus, in the district of Landstraße, it is a complex of public houses built in 1986 by the architect and artist Hundertwasser. The houses are all colored and rounded shapes and have become a tourist attraction, in fact there are several small shops, bars and kiosks. It is worth visiting them.

Prater.

The Prater, which is Vienna’s largest public park, is located at two tram stops number 1 from the Hundertwasserhaus. Here you will find the amusement park with many attractions and the Riesenrad ferris wheel which is the symbol of the city. In addition to the amusement park there is also a museum and a planetarium. Since several attractions were still closed, we decided to return in the evening, so we headed to Belvedere Castle.

Belvedere Castle.

The Bervedere castle was the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, but today it is an art museum. The upper Belvedere and the Lower Belvedere are formed by two buildings, joined together by a large garden. We preferred to take a walk in the gardens and eat a nice typical hot dog in the market at the front of the castle.

It was really cold, so immediately after having lunch with the sandwich, we went to a cafeteria to get something hot.

Prater in the evening.

In the evening, as we had mentioned a little earlier, we went again to the Prater and this time we took a ride on the Ferris wheel (€ 10.00 each). The cabins have the shape of a train carriage, it is also possible to rent the carriages for dinner, or to have small parties with friends. Also here in the Prater a very nice market has been set up.

After the Prater we went to the Christmas market at the university campus, near the old general hospital. It is one of the busiest markets, above all by students, besides the numerous stands there are also curling tracks.

Finally we went to the market of Maria-Theresien- Platz, between the museum of art history and the natural museum. It is a small market, but it is also the most organized, here we ate a Bretzel and sipped mulled wine.

After a few hours we went to the airport to return to Italy …