We just returned from three days of Christmas rides, lights and delights in Vienna, and I am officially drinkin’ the Christmas market ‘Kool-Aid’ (or Glühwein in this case). I can’t wait to go back to Europe for more Christmas magic. Three days in Vienna was just enough time to get it all in. If you’re ready to tick off a big bucket list trip, then here we go to Vienna Christmas Markets with kids: the best 3-day itinerary (and what I would have done differently).
Table of Contents
Day 1
In this itinerary, day 1 is a half day actually because it’s the day we drove from Salzburgerland.
Check in to your Club Level room at Intercontinental Vienna. (Email me to book your stay through me if you want perks and upgrades!).
Indulge in happy hour treats and ‘pick-me-ups’ or fill up on dinner, both of which are included in your stay. Prost! (Cheers!) You’re in Vienna!!!
–Bundle up the kiddos and walk to the hippy meets old-world, Advent Art Market in Karlsplatz (13-minute walk).
Little ones will have fun with the vintage rides,
arts and crafts (inside the white tent),
…and made-to-order balloon animals from an Austrian clown (who, get this, charges ‘whatever you can give’). I was shocked because in California you pay $10 for an air-filled alligator that won’t even survive the walk back to the parking lot.
Day 2
Walk to Maria Theresien market (15-20-minute walk) for the cutest mugs EVER.
This smaller, less-crowded market is one of my favorites – laid back, cute, spread out, and it had the best mug. I had to go back the next night to get a second one, because I can’t drink alone back at home!
Warm up with some Glühwein, or hot chocolate for the little ones. Buy a hand-made ornament for your Christmas tree back at home. (BTW, did you know Germans invented the Christmas tree tradition? They would decorate them with cherries.)
Keep walking to Rathausplatz (10 minutes) where you’ll find the Christkindlmarkt of Europe. This is one of the main photos you see when you google European Christmas markets (well not this one, but the one at the top of this article).
Throw all the kiddos on the Merry-Go-Round or mini train and get your camera out to catch the cheery grins. In the little hut near the Ferris wheel they have a children’s program with a play area and holiday activities. Check their hours – it wasn’t open when we were there.
Indulge in the famous chocolate cake – sacher torte. If you’re brave enough to attempt bringing well-behaved little ones somewhere fancy, then head to Cafe Sacher Wien at Hotel Sacher Vienna.
When afternoon breaks, head back to the hotel for light sandwiches and more treats, get some shut eye, then wake up to dinner and drinks before strolling the clean and quaint Viennese streets at night,
…to see Stephansplatz (13-minute walk),
where you’ll be mesmerized by the glowing, color-changing walls of St. Stephen’s (Stephansdom).
This area has some upscale shops and restaurants, so it’s fun just to walk around. Although he disagreed:
That’s when we knew it must be treat o’clock…
Day 3
If you’re a history or museum buff, then jump on the U-Bahn and head to Schoenbrunn palace. I wanted to try the Children’s Museum here, but ended up not doing it because I misunderstood the entrance fees, thinking we had to pay the main palace entrance fee, but you DON’T! After paying 40 euro for us to meander through three palatial rooms, I was ready to go. Talk about rip off.
You can do just the Children’s Museum where they’ll learn how children lived in this era, try on costumes, and more. Go to the right of the palace for the Children’s Museum.
Since the maze and gardens don’t even exist in the winter,
I didn’t think the palace was worth visiting (although we didn’t try the kids’ museum).
I was ready for our next activity. If you aren’t a history buff, do what we enjoyed more and…
ICE SKATE!!
Or you can do both – visit the palace and skate. But that made for a tiring, busy day.
There is an ice rink conveniently located directly across the street from the Intercontinental.
So, after the palace we headed straight there, rented some skates, and gave it our best go. You can grab a penguin to help with balance (they’re up for grabs, first come-first serve just out on the ice rink already).
Rathausplatz has an ice rink as well, and sometime in December they open their bigger 2-level rink! We were too early for that though.
Take a good rest (you’re going to need it!) before venturing back out to see:
Rathausplatz market at night – this is a MUST!
You have to see this place all lit up in its glory.
Treat the kids to chocolate-covered marshmallow skewers. Then catch the best overhead glimpse of the market from atop the Ferris Wheel.
Honorable Mentions
Prater Park (this seemed too repetitive of the Christmas markets)
Belvedere Palace (another nearby palace that looks magical at night)
House of Music (interactive hands-on museum that’s great for children
Candy Workshop (watch them make candy at Zuckerlwerkstatt)
Vienna Christmas Markets: Itinerary Summary
Well, now you’re all set to visit Vienna Christmas Markets with kids: the best 3-day itinerary:
| Day 1 | Children’s vintage rides, arts and crafts at Advent Art Market, Karlsplatz |
| Day 2 | Daytime: Maria Theresien and Rathausplatz markets (rides, kid’s program) Evening: Stephansplatz Market (color changing Stephansdom, treats) |
| Day 3 | Daytime: Schoenbrunn Palace? but ICE SKATE for sure (grab a penguin!) Evening: Rathausplatz Christmas Market |
Are you ready to ‘drink the Glühwein’?
Coming soon on my blog and Instagram – our two-week Christmas Markets itinerary in Germany and Austria, including the full lowdown on some awesome kid-friendly hotels.
Are you ready to take a trip but don’t know where to start? As a certified Fora travel advisor, I can help. My services are completely free – I get paid on commission that is already included in the prices you pay now for hotels. Email me for more info. I have access to perks, discounts and upgrades, and of course, there’s my travel expertise. 🙂
