
Introduction
Vienna, Austria’s elegant capital, sits along the Danube River and is famous for its imperial history, stunning architecture, and vibrant coffee culture. During mid-December, the city transforms into a festive wonderland with crisp winter air and temperatures around 0°C, perfect for cozying up with friends.
You can explore grand sites like Schönbrunn Palace and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or wander through whimsical Christmas markets with mulled wine and sweet treats. Vienna’s lively arts scene, historic cafés, and affordable group activities—like skating at Rathausplatz or attending a classical concert—make it an ideal getaway with friends on a budget.

Itinerary for Vienna · December 2025
Itinerary
Vienna · December 2025
Viewing Day 1 · Fri 12 Dec. Numbered pins match today's itinerary stops; purple markers are recommended experiences. Click a pin for details.Pins match today's stops. Purple pins are experiences.
- 1Kick off your Vienna adventure by exploring the festive Christmas market at Rathausplatz. Enjoy the twinkling lights, artisan stalls, and seasonal treats like mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. Perfect for soaking up the holiday spirit with friends in the heart of Vienna!
- 2
Historic Walk Down Graben and Kohlmarkt
Take a scenic walk down Vienna’s vibrant Graben and Kohlmarkt streets, famous for elegant holiday decorations and chic shops. Experience the city’s festive buzz and admire the beautiful baroque architecture all around you! - 3
Coffee and Cake at Café Central
Relax and savor a traditional Viennese coffee and cake at the iconic Café Central. This historic café is perfect for soaking up Vienna’s culture while enjoying delicious pastries in a grand setting that dates back to 1876.
Recommended experience

Christmas at Schönbrunn Palace Vienna: Classical Concert and Christmas Market
4.2 (45 reviews)
As an ideal addition to a Christmas music evening, we offer culinary vouchers that can be redeemed at any gastronomic stand at the Christmas Market Schoenbrunn. • Christmas market culinary voucher (includes 1 mug, 1 hot drink & 1 dish) • Classical concert at Orangery Schoenbrunn Visit the Christmas market during the opening time! 8. November to 6. January | 10.00 AM to 9.00 PM except christmas and new year's eve The Concert starts normally at 8:30 P.M.* *except: 24.12. 3:00 P.M. 25.-30.12. 8:30 P.M. 31.12. 7:00 P.M. 01.01. 4:00 P.M. & 8.30 P.M.
From €84 EUR
per person
Key Facts
Location
Eastern Austria
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Religion
Roman Catholicism
Population
1,950,000
Language
German, English, Turkish
Electricity
230V, 50Hz, Type F/C
Time zone
UTCCET (UTC+1)
Country code
+43
Internet access
High-speed, widely available, moderate cost
Climate
Temperate, warm summers, cold winters
Language:
German
hello
hallo (hah-loh)goodbye
auf wiedersehen (owf vee-der-zay-en)yes
ja (yah)no
nein (nine)how much
wie viel kostet das? (vee feel kohs-tet dahs)please
bitte (bit-tuh)thank you
danke (dahn-kuh)excuse me
entschuldigung (ent-shool-dee-goong)
Logistics
Vienna is easily accessible by air, train, and bus, making it great for group travel on an average budget. Vienna International Airport (VIE) hosts many international flights, and city center connections are quick via train or bus. Numerous European cities are also linked to Vienna by efficient and budget-friendly trains, like ÖBB or Railjet.
For affordable travel, international buses—such as FlixBus—run frequent routes throughout Europe. Direct Danube River cruises are less common, but seasonal boats from nearby cities like Bratislava are an option. Between December 12 and 17, expect cold temperatures and possible snow, so allow for minor weather-related transit delays and dress warmly for comfortable city travel.
Weather
Vienna has a temperate continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters, from December to February, are cold, with average temperatures between -1°C and 4°C (30–39°F). Snowfall is possible, and days are often cloudy, but the festive atmosphere brightens the city with holiday lights and Christmas markets.
From December 12 to December 17, expect chilly temperatures and the chance of light snow or rain. Extreme weather is uncommon, but cold snaps can happen, so dress warmly. The crisp air and early sunsets add a cozy charm to Vienna’s arts, culture, and gastronomy scenes, making sightseeing and festive events especially magical during this period.
Food & Drink
Vienna’s local cuisine is famous for Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, and Apfelstrudel, best enjoyed with a glass of Austrian wine or locally brewed beer. Traditional drinks also include Viennese coffee, often savored in iconic cafés like Café Central or Café Sperl. For hearty and budget-friendly meals, try Gasthaus Pöschl or Figlmüller for schnitzel.
Vibrant spots like Naschmarkt offer street food and diverse international flavors, while Gösser Bierklinik is great for classic beer and Austrian fare with friends. Vegan and vegetarian options are increasingly available, especially in trendy districts. Tipping is customary—round up the bill or leave about 5–10% for good service. Reservations are advised on weekends and holidays.

Wiener Schnitzel
Wiener Schnitzel is a classic Austrian dish consisting of a thinly pounded veal cutlet, coated in breadcrumbs, and...

Apfelstrudel
Apfelstrudel, also known as apple strudel, is a delectable Austrian dessert made with paper-thin layers of flaky pastry...

Käsespätzle
Käsespätzle is a comforting dish of soft egg noodles mixed with melted cheese, sautéed onions, and topped with...

Sachertorte
Sachertorte is a famous Viennese chocolate cake distinguished by its layers of dense chocolate sponge cake, spread with...

Kaiserschmarrn
Kaiserschmarrn is a fluffy, shredded pancake dish that is lightly sweetened and often studded with raisins. It is...
Accommodation
For a trip with friends on an average budget, the Innere Stadt (1st District) is great for walking to major sights, while Mariahilf or Leopoldstadt offer a lively vibe and affordable stays. Popular mid-range hotels like Motel One or Hotel Beethoven are comfortable and central—find great deals on Hotels.com.
If you prefer hostels, Wombat’s City Hostel and a&o Wien Hauptbahnhof are social, clean, and wallet-friendly. For a unique experience, check out boutique hotels in Neubau, a trendy artsy district. December 12-17 covers the festive Christmas market season, so book early on Hotels.com, as accommodations fill up fast during these dates.
Attractions

Private Tour to Wachau-Hallstatt-Salzburg
Our private full day trip from Bratislava-Vienna shows you the must-see places in Austria in a comfortable and flexible manner. First we bring you to the highlight of the picturesque Wachau Valley, the most romantic village Durnstein on the Danube River. The next highlight is the City of the Sound of Music - Salzburg, where you will have free time to stroll through the same scenes in the Old Town that you can see in the film and enjoy the world capital of classical music.
From €290 EUR

Private tour of historical Vienna with Jan
This private tour gives you an insight into the history of Vienna and Austria through a leisurely stroll in the city’s old town. The stories and topics are many, and all equally fascinating: Learn about one of the greatest dynasties in the world, the Habsburgs. Witness how their influence shaped Vienna and understand why the city is a baroque centrepiece in History. Uncover some of their biggest stories and the Grande Finale as their Empire came to a disastrous end a bit more than 100 years ago. It was a Golden age for Vienna, but also a schizophrenic one; modern, progressive, but also antisemitic and nationalistic. Surrounded by stunning art and architecture, and with these stories and more to guide you, I bring life to these ancient monuments and make this an immersive and unforgettable experience.
From €360 EUR

Vienna Woods Wine Tour - Wines, Vines & Good Times!
Lower Austria is the cradle of Austrian viticulture, so we want to take you to the beautiful forests & vineyards of the Thermal Region, just south of Vienna. Home to traditionally quaint wine villages and some unique local varietals, we showcase the finest in farm-to-table Austrian wine tours. In summer, we'll hike through these foothills to the alps along forested trails, as well as through lush green vineyards on their southern facing slopes. We'll stop en route to appreciate some beautifully expansive views over the forest canopy & the Vienna basin over to Hungary & Slovakia, before reaching one of Austria's oldest wine villages for lunch and a winery visit. In the winter time, instead of the hike, we visit two wineries to focus our attention more on the history of Thermal Region wine making, and on meeting a local vintner to learn about modern day wine production - all with glasses of the best the region has to offer in our hands, of course!
From €149 EUR

Vienna First Day Tour: Coffeehouse, Street Food & Local Tips
Just landed in Vienna or short on time? This relaxed small-group tour is the perfect first-day introduction to the city, combining coffeehouse culture, classic street food, and practical local tips in one easy, well-paced experience. Over 2 hours 45 minutes, you’ll settle into Vienna with a local guide, visit a traditional coffeehouse for a warm drink and pastry, stop at a classic Würstelstand for local street food and a beer or wine, and pick up useful advice to help you make the most of the rest of your stay. - Ideal for first-time visitors and shorter stays - Traditional coffee and pastry in a classic Vienna coffeehouse - Classic Viennese street food tastings plus a beer or wine - Local tips and help using Vienna public transport - Small group of max 12 guests for a more personal experience
From €99 EUR

Private World War II Walking Tour in Vienna
On March 15, 1938, from the balcony at Vienna’s Heldenplatz, or Heroes Square, infamous dictator Adolf Hitler delivered his speech announcing the Anschluss to a crowd of more than 200,000 people. Thus, Austria became part of the Third Reich, and Nazi Germany. Travel back in time, and join our World War II expert on a 2,5 hour private walk through the inner city of Vienna, where you will learn everything about Adolf Hitler’s youth spent in Vienna, the rise of the National Socialism, the war itself, its victims and perpetrators, Hitler’s eventual downfall, and the post war years where Vienna was occupied by the Allied powers. Stops will include (but are not limited to): War and Fascism Memorial State Opera Schillerplatz Heldenplatz Cafe Central Judenplatz St. Stephen’s Cathedral Karl Lueger Platz If you’d like to delve further into Austrian World War II history, and explore sights and attractions outside of the inner city, consider upgrading to our World War II 5-hour tour package.
From €250 EUR

Private Tour of the Kunsthistorisches Museum: Secrets of Masterpieces | Tickets included
The title of masterpiece gives a work of art a special status and if you are going to visit a museum for the first time, you want to see famous works by renowned masters. The Museum of the History of Art in Vienna has many paintings, gems and statues that count to the world famous masterpieces. They include paintings by Rembrandt, Cranach, Vermeer, Raphael and Caravaggio, sculptures by Canova, Gianbologna as well as works by ancient Greek and Roman artists. And you don't need experts to enjoy their works. This tour of the museum is for those who value both an aesthetic pleasure as well as an intellectual one. We will go through all the collections of one of the best art museums in the world and look at masterpieces from different perspectives to understand why this particular work, and not the neighbouring one, has made on the shortlist of must-see objects. To do this, we'll follow the museum's list of most valuable exhibits and I'll not only tell you their official histories and characteristics, I'll also explain how artists have used our cognition and clever self-promotion. We will also discuss the fickleness of worldly fame and the role of the spirit and the taste of the times. Among the major masterpieces we will break down in detail are Benvenuto Cellini's "Saliera", Raphael's "Madonna in the Meadow", Peter Brueghel's "The Tower of Babel" and "Hunters in the Snow", Caravaggio's "Madonna with Beads", Vermeer's "Allegory of Painting" as well as The Reserve Head from the Egyptian collection and Sarcophagus with Amazons from the Greek collection. On a tour with me you can not only enjoy the art, but also learn to navigate a little more in the intricacies of such a subtle matter as "genius".
From €240 EUR

Private Introduction to Vienna Walking Tour
Discover Vienna's multi-faceted history on a 3-hour small-group, history walking tour with an expert scholar guide. Marvel at the city's iconic buildings and admire their prestigious history and breath-taking architecture. Admire Stephansdom, Museum Quartier, and many other iconic sites.
From €470 EUR

Private Tour of the Belvedere Palace with an Art Historian: "Pictures of Austrian Identities". Art & History Tour with Skip-the-line Tickets
How would you describe Vienna - the capital of culture? The birthplace of the waltz? The birthplace of psychoanalysis? All of these, and more, are true characteristics of the Austrian capital. The Genius Loci (spirit of place) is packed with details and you won't find them in quite as many places as in Belvedere. Do you want to discover what works of art from the different eras can tell you about the specific Austrian and Viennese identity? Then take a tour of the Belvedere and gain an insight into the different facets of the national character. In Gustav Klimt's golden "Judith" and "The Kiss" we can explore why female sexuality is the focus of medical interest in Vienna. The troubling mood of Egon Schiele's "Embrace" and "The Girl and Death" can also help us understand why this city became the birthplace of psychoanalysis. The ornate baroque decoration of the palace, the accent on the ancient heroic themes will explain the special imperial atmosphere of the city, in which the Viennese live and in which tourists so eagerly dive. And Ferdinand Waldmüller's pellucid paintings will try to enchant us by showing the famous "Viennese cosiness" and we have to make an effort to see what tragedies lie behind these well-marketed images. The gilding of medieval altars and Klimt's golden masterpieces, the sparks of intellectual life and Viennese humour that glimmer through the sombre paintings of Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka - what really makes this famous palace's collection shine? And what exactly shows us the true face of the (former imperial) capital? The answers to these questions await you in the galleries of Belvedere Palace.
From €195 EUR

3 Castles & Wine Private Tour in Wachau Valley with Melk Church
The valley turns golden as the famous Wachauer Marille is harvested: alongside our wine tastings you'll taste the season itself — Marillenknödel at lunch and a sip of apricot brandy from a family farm. Experience the Wachau not as a visitor, but as a friend. This journey through the heart of Austria connects imperial grandeur with the quiet beauty of the vineyards: touch the ancient stones of Klosterneuburg, wander the romantic streets of Dürnstein, and stand before the golden Melk Abbey. The true soul of the tour lies in the quiet moments. Instead of large commercial halls, we take you to a small family winery where wine is a craft passed down through generations — you'll taste the love in every bottle. And you're in good hands: a personal team of professional driver and dedicated guide, and a route that balances major sights with hidden corners, so you never feel rushed.
From €380 EUR

Private Vienna Music Tour
More composers have lived in Vienna than in any other city in the world-find out why on our private Vienna music tour! Our musical odyssey will begin with a private guided tour at the State Opera house (entrance fee NOT included) where you will get behind-the-scenes access to the most famous opera house in the world. Afterwards, we'll embark on a leisurely musical stroll through the inner city of Vienna. Stops will include (but are not limited to): - Palais Lobkowitz (where Beethoven premiered his Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” and the home of his main patron) - Hofburg Imperial Chapel (where the Vienna Boys Choir perform every Sunday) - The Mozart Memorial - Former dance salon where the Waltz King Johann Strauss made the ladies swoon - St. Stephen's Cathedral - Mozart's home and many more! Heads up! Your tour includes skip-the-line entry at the Opera House, but the ticket price is not covered in the tour fee. You'll need to pay for your Opera House ticket at the entrance.
From €250 EUR
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