Experience Austria's most atmospheric Advent markets—from Schönbrunn Palace and Karlsplatz in Vienna to Salzburg's Cathedral Square, lakeside St. Wolfgang, and snow-rimmed Innsbruck.
Route overview
- Day 1 — Vienna: Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt, Freyung & Am Hof
- Day 2 — Schönbrunn Palace Cour d'Honneur Market, Spittelberg Lanes & Karlsplatz: Schönbrunn Palace Cour d'Honneur Market, Spittelberg Lanes & Karlsplatz
- Day 3 — Belvedere Advent, Viennese Kaffeehaus Warm-Up & Classical Concert: Belvedere Advent, Viennese Kaffeehaus Warm-Up & Classical Concert
- Day 4 — Train to Salzburg: Domplatz Christkindlmarkt & Hellbrunn Advent Magic
- Day 5 — Wolfgangsee Floating Advent Lanterns: St. Gilgen & St. Wolfgang
- Day 6 — Innsbruck Golden Roof Market & Hungerburg Panorama Market: Innsbruck Golden Roof Market & Hungerburg Panorama Market
From mid-November through Christmas Eve, Austrian palace courtyards and alpine squares glow with beeswax candles, brass ensembles (Turmbläser), roasted chestnuts (Maroni), and spiced Glühwein and Beerenpunsch.
Day 1 — Vienna: Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt, Freyung & Am Hof
Arrive in Vienna, skate the Wiener Eistraum ice paths in Rathauspark, and prefer the traditional artisan stalls and organic Glühwein at Altwiener Christkindlmarkt on the Freyung and Am Hof.
Day 2 — Schönbrunn Palace Cour d'Honneur Market, Spittelberg Lanes & Karlsplatz
Visit the imperial Christmas market in front of illuminated Schönbrunn Palace, wander the Biedermeier craft alleys of Spittelberg, and inspect the 100% juried Art Advent on Karlsplatz.
Day 3 — Belvedere Advent, Viennese Kaffeehaus Warm-Up & Classical Concert
Warm up with hot chocolate or Einspänner coffee at Café Central, see Klimt's paintings at Upper Belvedere with its lakeside market, and attend an evening Mozart/Strauss concert.
Day 4 — Train to Salzburg: Domplatz Christkindlmarkt & Hellbrunn Advent Magic
Ride the 2h 25m train to Salzburg. Hear the Thursday/Saturday brass Turmbläser on Residenzplatz, ride the funicular to the Hohensalzburg Fortress courtyard market, and visit Hellbrunn's 700-tree Advent courtyard.
Day 5 — Wolfgangsee Floating Advent Lanterns: St. Gilgen & St. Wolfgang
Take Postbus #150 to St. Gilgen's Baroque candlelit market and board the Wolfgangsee Advent ship past the giant floating Peace Lantern to lantern-lit St. Wolfgang.
Day 6 — Innsbruck Golden Roof Market & Hungerburg Panorama Market
Ride the train 1h 50m to Innsbruck to drink Kiachl and Glühwein beneath the Golden Roof and ride the Hungerburgbahn funicular for snow-covered views over the Inn Valley.