Austria · CHRISTMAS MARKET TOURS
The markets run from mid-November to Christmas Eve and then disappear in a morning. The 15 below cover the Vienna squares, the Salzburg cathedral market and the Advent concerts, with prices and which ones include the Glühwein mug.
Ride the funicular up to Salzburg’s 900-year-old Fortress Hohensalzburg for a three-course dinner and an Advent concert of Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, and Haydn. The $93 package includes the ride, meal, and concert, but not drinks. Choose VIP for a better meal and central concert seating.
“What a lovely experience in a lovely setting. Beautiful music and night time views of Salzburg from the fortress. Don’t miss out!!!”
Walk about 2 kilometers through four of Vienna’s Christmas markets with a local English- or Spanish-speaking guide. You’ll sample hot punch with optional extra rum, cookies, and other market food while learning about Viennese holiday customs. The route favors smaller markets and lively alternative districts over only the famous central squares.
“We saw the markets that we never would have seen. A great culinary tour with lots is stories.”
Ride the funicular from Festungsgasse to Fortress Hohensalzburg for a 1.5-hour Advent concert by the Salzburger Advent Ensemble. Hear Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, and traditional Salzburg music in the castle hall. The concert begins at 8 pm, with additional 5 pm and 8 pm performances on December 25 and January 1.
“The venue itself was incredible, but the exceptional performance of these virtuosos was purely an exquisite experience. I wished they could have played a few more encores. Nobody wanted the concert to come to an end! It was the highlight of our time in Salzburg.”
Walk from Mariahilf through Spittelberg and the MuseumsQuartier to Maria-Theresien-Platz, tasting Austrian snacks, Glühwein, and rum-spiked punch. English-speaking guides such as Rita, Kamil, Chloe, and Germana lead the 2 to 3 hour outing, capped at 20 people. Expect plenty of walking, crowded markets, and cold weather.
“Enjoyed our walking tour. Nice to taste local food and cider and warm drinks and visit a few of the more local legit markets. My travel friend was saying we weren’t going to the big markets and second guessing me. Did I prove her wrong. These were the “right” markets to go to to get the legit feel rather than over commercialized experience. Loved our guide.”
Begin with a funicular ride to Fortress Hohensalzburg, then enjoy a set dinner in the Panorama Restaurant before a Mozart and Advent or Christmas concert in historic fortress rooms. Classic, VIP, and Golden VIP packages vary by menu, seating, and included drinks. Plan on about three and a half hours.
“This really is a lovely experience from beginning to end. We bought the VIP ticket and started the evening with a journey up in the cable car to the restaurant. The food was very nice but be aware it is a set menu so might not be to everyone’s taste. I was expecting to have a choice so was lucky I liked what they provided. After 2.5 hours at dinner we went up into another part of the fortress for the Mozart concert which was fabulous .”
Start at your hotel, vacation home, pier, or train station and walk through Vienna’s Christmas markets with a private licensed guide. Over about 2.5 hours, you’ll see Karlskirche, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Freyung, Hofburg, Graben, and Rathausplatz. Guides including Brigitte, Walter, Daniela, and Sabine add history, food advice, and practical city tips.
“Great way to see several Christmas markets in Vienna as well as hear some history and see the sights. Walter was a great guide! Definitely recommend!”
Walk Salzburg’s festive old town with a local guide, visiting Residenzplatz, the cathedral, St. Peter’s, Getreidegasse, and Alter Markt. Hear the story of Silent Night, Mozart, salt, and Christmas customs. The tour lasts about two hours, includes gingerbread and a Salzburg Christmas mug, and ends at the market with time for a warm drink.
“So much more than learning about the Christmas Market. Wonderful opportunity to hear about local culture and history. Our guide was amazing. Highly recommend.”
Travel by included funicular to Hohensalzburg Fortress for a 90-minute evening concert of Mozart, his contemporaries, and traditional Salzburg Advent music. You will walk through the illuminated Christmas market, enjoy city views, and hear a small chamber ensemble in an intimate setting. Smart-casual dress is expected. Hotel transfers and food are not included.
“Amazing experience, worth of the money! I would definitely recommend and probably coming back next year.”
Spend about three hours with an English-speaking local guide, starting at Hotel Sacher and ending on Neubaugasse. You’ll sample Vienna’s shopping districts, see Swarovski creations, visit a Christmas market when in season, and browse coffee, cake, chocolate, tea, and marmalade at classic city stops. The group is limited to 15 people.
“Nice guide, showed us many places and ts interesting stories about the city. She also recommended local specialties.”
Join Gloria, a local English-speaking guide, for a 3 to 4 hour food tour through four lesser-known Vienna Christmas markets. You’ll sample Käsespätzle, Baumkuchen, Kaiserschmarrn, Glühwein, Punsch, and non-alcoholic drinks while riding the metro and trams between the 1st and 7th districts. Bring warm clothes and budget extra for transit tickets.
“Our tour guide Gloria was wonderful. She gave historic information at each market . We sampled food and drinks at 4 markets. Great tour , I highly recommend.”
Spend four hours with an English-speaking guide such as James, Claudia, or Gloria, visiting four Vienna Christmas markets by foot, tram, and U-Bahn. Taste Austrian holiday foods and alcoholic drinks, learn how each market differs, and finish at Karlsplatz. The group is capped at eight people, but dietary restrictions are not well suited to this tour.
“Gloria was very nice and knowledgeable about each market and area we traveled to. We visited some of the smaller, more quaint markets which we really enjoyed! This tour was recommended to us by a friend back home and we will definitely recommend it as well!”
Spend a long day with a private English-speaking guide and driver, traveling from Vienna to Hallstatt and Salzburg. Jenny, Jane, and Vlad are named as members of the guide team. Expect mountain roads, Christmas markets, a Hallstatt walk, Salzburg sights, bottled water, and hotel pickup and drop-off.
“Jane and Vlad were both amazing…Extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We had a great time and would highly recommend this experience for anyone!”
Join a certified English or Chinese-speaking guide for a two-hour small-group visit to Schönbrunn Palace. Explore imperial rooms, hear Habsburg stories, walk through the palace garden, and finish at the seasonal Christmas market beneath the illuminated palace. The tour costs $64, but palace entry requires an additional €25 in cash.
Leave Vienna early for a full day in Salzburg and the Salzkammergut. Your small group travels by air-conditioned minivan, with a driver-guide, local Salzburg guide, Sound of Music sites, Mozart landmarks, and free time at three Christmas markets. Hotel or apartment pickup is included.
“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 classical concert in Vienna’s Gothic Minoritenkirche. Programs vary by date, from Vivaldi with Les Orpheistes and Mario Hossen to Mozart with piano, flute, and strings, plus Italian opera favorites from Trio Caruso. Mobile tickets are accepted, and admission costs $33.57.
“A beautiful church, fabulous/setting (and warm!), outstanding music/singing, great value as highly talented individuals.”
Pick a hall, a palace or a valley.
