Need some winter break inspiration? Then read on to discover all the amazing places you can visit this winter in Austria’s capital city, Vienna!
Touted as one of the best cities in Austria, Vienna is the perfect city break destination for UK travellers looking for some winter fun. So, whether you’re a fan of Christmas markets, love to sip on delicious hot chocolate, or can’t wait to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and culture – a holiday to Vienna won’t disappoint.
What to do in Vienna?
Home to the Habsburg Empire, Vienna has a rich history. Known as the ‘City of Music’ and the ‘Capital of Classical’, legendary composers such as Beethoven, Mozart and Strauss all spent significant time here and their musical heritage can be seen throughout the city. So, don’t forget to add a musical note to your weekend break in Vienna and visit some of the world’s best opera houses and concert halls like the Vienna State Opera House!
If you’re looking for idyllic winter walks, why not visit the Schonbrunn Palace? Schonbrunn means ‘beautiful spring’ and is located atop a 200ft hill with breathtaking views over Vienna. The palace dates back over 300 years and mirrors the changes, interests and ambitions of succeeding Habsburg monarchs. With over 1440 rooms and an array of gardens, you’ll likely need to carve out an entire day during your Vienna holiday to bask in Schonbrunn’s glory.
When it comes to cultural attractions, a trip to Vienna’s many art galleries, collections, and museums should definitely be on the cards. Visit the Hofburg Palace, the home of three museums: the Sisi Museum, the Silver Collection, and the Imperial Apartments. For historical art, don’t forget to visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Interested in contemporary art? Then head over to the Albertina Museum for an extensive collection of modern art.
No trip to Vienna would be complete without visiting the capital’s old town. The Innere Stadt (Inner Town) district of Vienna is encompassed by what is known as the Grand Ringstrasse. Dubbed the ‘Lord of the Ring Roads’ it’s a 3.3mile (5.3km) road that surrounds one of the oldest districts within Vienna and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical architecture.
Ready to plan your Vienna holiday? Driving to Austria from the UK is easy with our non-stop Hull to Rotterdam route. With one overnight crossing a day, you can get a good night’s sleep knowing you’re en route to a wonderful city break in Vienna.
Vienna Food and Drink
After exploring Vienna’s wonderful attractions, you might be feeling peckish. Luckily Vienna’s food options are many, from street food favourites like wiener würstel to tasty schnitzels and delicious sachertortes!
If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Vienna, you might want to check out some historic eateries like Griechenbeisl, the oldest Inn in Vienna with plenty of Austrian classics like tafelspitz, kaiserschmann and apfelstrudel on the menu.
Don’t forget to visit Vienna’s famed Sacher Café too. Opened in 1876 by the Sacher family, inventors of the original sachertorte, it soon became a widely renowned meeting place for international high society, artists, poets and politicians.
Feeling thirsty? Check out Lugeck, an Austrian beer and wine tavern nestled in one of Vienna’s most picturesque buildings. With a wide selection of craft beers, local wines and delicious food, it’s the perfect place to stop for a tipple whilst on holiday in Vienna.
What to Pack
Vienna in winter is truly a tourist wonderland. But packing the wrong essentials can make the difference between you enjoying lovely strolls in the snowy hills, or just feeling frozen!
During the Christmas period, the weather can range anywhere from 4 to -1 degrees, so it’s safe to say you’ll need to pack that winter jacket, scarf, woolly hat, and gloves! If you’re planning on driving to Austria from the UK, winter tyres, ice scrapers and de-misters are all recommended to help you get through the Vienna winter season.
Christmas in Vienna
Winter is one of the best times to visit Austria, especially if you’re visiting during Christmas. There are plenty of festive things to do in Vienna with the main attraction being its traditional Christmas markets! Spots like the Viennese Christmas Dream Market typically run from the 12th to the 26th of December. You’ll be able to find lots of locally sourced gifts for your family and friends, along with traditional Austrian Christmas decorations and trinkets.
Given the colder weather in Vienna at Christmas time, you can expect a white snowy Christmas landscape, a roasting chestnut aroma, and plenty of dazzling Christmas lights. Ice skating rinks are a popular activity for Austrians in winter so why not grab your skates and have a go? Head to the ‘Vienna Ice Dream’ an ice-skating rink situated within the main square that lets you skate over 9000sqm of ice on two different levels connected via a 120m long ramp called ‘Skyrink’!
