Vienna, Austria – home to classical music, the oldest ferris wheel in the world, and of course, waterdrop®. And like the city’s invention of the snowglobe in 1900, waterdrop® is shaking things up in the heart of the Austrian capital, one that at Christmas, emerges under a blanket of LED sparkle and time-honoured tradition. Come snow or shine, here are 5 ways to celebrate the season of cheer and goodwill.
The backbone of Vienna’s celebration – the Christmas Market. Dating back to the 13th century, the forerunners of the present-day festivities were better known as a December Market. Since then, the character of these markets has changed significantly – an unforgettable highlight to both tourists and locals alike.
Sprinkled throughout the city and surrounding districts, each Christmas Market stands against a unique backdrop, most notably City Hall, Schönbrunn Palace, and St Stephen’s Cathedral. Each market is characterised by wooden facades soaked in lights and fragrance, each offering a vast array of seasonal gifts, culinary delights, and of course, hot punch and mulled wine that bring warm anticipation to the ‘big day’.
Vienna invites you to glide into a premier winter experience – ice skating. Fast becoming one of the city’s most unparalleled ways to soak in the season’s spirit, slip and slide around City Hall’s Wiener Eistraum (‘Vienna Ice Dream’) or the ice rink at Schönbrunn Palace.
For those looking for more leisurely gliding, Vienna Ice Skating Club offers over 64,000 square feet of ice space close to the city’s Stadtpark, whilst Engelmann artificial ice rink in the 17th district is perfect for visitors who like things a little more elevated. Established over 100 years ago, Engelmann was the first open-air ice rink to open in the world and since the 1970s, has been located on the roof of a building.
Vienna guarantees a warm welcome – literally! Escape the everyday – and the cold – in Therme Wien, Vienna’s oasis of considered relaxation. Located in Oberlaa at the end of the city’s U1 metro line, Therme Wien is the pinnacle of holistic wellbeing: spa, sauna, swimming pools, fitness, and areas dedicated to immersive rejuvenation. Timed tickets as well as day and package options are available.
50 minutes away from Vienna is the spa town of Baden, and home to Römertherme – a wellness retreat housed under the largest free-hanging glass roof in Europe. Similar to Therme Wien, this Therme offers similar focus on wellbeing with thermal baths, a sauna, and an active swimming program, including aerobics and professional mermaid swimming.
Just an hour’s drive away in the middle of the Vienna Alps is Semmering, an Austrian state noted for its skiing and for hosting the Alpine skiing World Cup. Nicknamed “Magic Mountain”, Semmering enchants throughout the year, garnering increased popularity most notably throughout the winter months. With picturesque panoramas and countless attractions, including an almost two-mile long toboggan run, Semmering offers enough snow and charm to truly après-ciate the most wonderful time of the year.
Spread over 950,000 sq ft. and encompassing 60 cultural institutions, MuseumsQuartier (MQ) fulfils a spectrum of art, architecture, music, design and photography - all housed within museums and internal & external exhibition spaces. During Christmas, the main courtyard at the heart of MQ descends into a hub of food and drink vendors characterised by hut-esque facades. In addition, visitors can enjoy an eclectic programme of concerts, live DJ sets, and MQ’s curling rink.
For more information about Winter in Vienna, please visit Vienna Tourist Board.
