Unlike many cities that go into a kind of winter slumber during the cold months, Vienna offers many activities even when the weather isn’t so pleasant. In this article, we’ve gathered warm recommendations for activities to consider when planning your trip to the city during the winter months. You can jump between sections of the article by clicking on the links in the table of contents:
- Christmas and New Year’s Markets
- New Year’s Celebrations
- Ice Skating at City Hall Square
- Relaxation at the Vienna Spa
- Museums
- Palaces
- Galleries
- Attractions for Children (and Adults)
- City Viewpoints
- Attending a Viennese Ball
- Visiting the Vienna State Opera
- Watching a Classical Concert
- Winter Landscape Trip Outside the City – Viennese Alps, Hallstatt, or Salzburg
- Cafes and Restaurants (also for Kosher Keepers)
- Culinary Experience – Culinary Tour in Hebrew
- Shopping
- Casino
- Bars, Rooftops, and Clubs
- Day Trip to Bratislava
- Simply Enjoy the Weather and the Special Atmosphere
- Recommended Hotels in Vienna: Recommendations from Israeli Travelers
- Guided Tours in Vienna (in Hebrew) – Recommended Tours
- Tickets for Pre-Booking Attractions and Activities in Vienna
A visit to Vienna in winter is a wonderful and different experience. Especially during Christmas and New Year’s, the atmosphere throughout the city is warm and lovely. Even those who visit in January, February, and March can enjoy the city’s peace and quiet and a variety of particularly enjoyable activities. The winter period in Vienna (except for the Christmas market season) is not crowded, making it ideal for those who want to get away and enjoy a relaxed, quiet, and calm pace.
This is the atmosphere in Vienna during the winter months (note that snow in Vienna usually happens once a year for a week or two):
If you haven’t yet found suitable accommodation for your trip, you can use our list of recommended places to stay. We’ve gathered places that travelers recommended in our Facebook groups to make your search easier. Click to read about recommended hotels in Vienna. Additionally, we’ve compiled important tips for choosing a hotel in the city, so you’ll know better what to look for and what to pay attention to before booking a hotel in Vienna.
Winter Attractions and Activities in Vienna
1. Christmas and New Year’s Markets
Starting from mid-November until after the New Year, the city of Vienna is adorned with countless glittering decorations and shining lights in a variety of colors. Every corner of the city is decorated, and the atmosphere is pleasant and festive. During this period, the Christmas and New Year’s markets also operate, which have long become a significant attraction in the city.
About 11 markets are spread throughout the city center where you can drink mulled wine, eat traditional Austrian dishes, buy nice souvenirs, and listen to local choirs and singers. Some of these markets continue to operate even after Christmas, as New Year’s markets. These markets are active until the first week of January.
The markets are a wonderful and beautiful attraction (especially after dark), and those who love photography will enjoy exceptional photos.
So you don’t miss any details about the markets, food, and drinks, we’ve prepared a comprehensive article about them with all the information you’ll need. Read more extended information in the article on Christmas and New Year’s markets in Vienna.
2. New Year’s Celebrations in Vienna (December 31 – January 1)
If Vienna empties and becomes quiet and a bit desolate during Christmas, the exact opposite happens around New Year’s. The streets of the Old City are bustling with people, and the celebrations continue until the early hours of the morning. The City of Vienna definitely invests in New Year’s events, and there are enjoyable activities that will help you pass the time happily until the impressive fireworks display that starts exactly at midnight on December 31st.
In fact, there’s even a “New Year’s Trail” in the Old City that turns the entire Old City into one big party area. From December 31st at 2:00 PM until 2:00 AM on January 1st, a variety of activities take place, such as music and dance performances, and of course, plenty of mulled wine and food.
The main activities are concentrated around City Hall Square, Prater Park, and Graben Street near St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
On Graben Street, for example, accelerated waltz dance courses are held in the afternoon, and the place turns into a grand ball in the heart of the city. Many luxury hotels host festive dinners with music and the best food, and the city’s clubs are packed with many revelers.
At the Vienna State Opera, the annual performance of the famous operetta “Die Fledermaus,” composed by Johann Strauss the Younger, takes place (you can watch the performance on a large screen located outside the Opera House).
Exactly at midnight, after the traditional countdown, impressive fireworks displays will begin, illuminating the city’s sky for several minutes.
Local tip: It’s best to go to the Hofburg Palace square to watch the fireworks launched into the sky from the roof of City Hall. Don’t be tempted to go to the heart of the Old City. The crowds are very large, and it’s not very pleasant.
On the first day of the year, the annual concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will be broadcast on a large screen in City Hall Square. The first screening is at 11:00 AM and the second at 2:00 PM.
More information about the “New Year’s Trail”
3. Vienna Ice World – Ice Skating at City Hall Square
Vienna’s huge ice skating complex operates from January to March at City Hall Square (from November 19th to January 6th, there’s a small skating rink open next to the Christmas market, and afterwards, several more large skating rinks are added). The skating complex is very large, covering an area of 10,000 square meters, which includes several large skating areas and a fun ice path for an experiential skate through the illuminated park paths of City Hall. This year (2025), the ice skating complex will be the largest ever in Vienna. Definitely a very special experience!
Tip: From Monday to Friday, between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, there’s a dedicated beginners’ skating area free of charge (mainly intended for children, but if you’ve never ice skated, you can practice in this area).
As part of the complex, there are several restaurants and stalls offering food and hot drinks. Additionally, there are lockers for valuables and the option to rent ice skates.
More essential information for visiting Vienna Ice World
- Operating times: Mid-January to early March.
- Opening hours: From 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
- It’s advisable to book in advance.
4. The Vienna Spa
Viennese locals are avid spa enthusiasts, whether in winter or summer. The Vienna Spa (Therme Wien) is the largest urban spa in Austria in particular and in Europe in general. When the winter weather isn’t smiling, there’s nothing better than comfortably sitting in the hot water pools or the various saunas.
The spa is easily accessible by subway, and you can reach it quickly from the city center. You can read more about the complex, prices, and recommended ways to get there in the extended article we prepared about the Viennese spa world.
5. Vienna’s Exceptional Museums
Another fun way to escape the cold outside is to go inside and learn a little about Vienna’s rich history and culture. The city has countless museums that house the finest beauty and grandeur of the Austro-Hungarian Empire throughout the years, as well as unique collections unparalleled elsewhere. Vienna has over 100 different museums, so you’re sure to find an interesting museum for you.
Of course, if you’re traveling with children, there are also educational and experiential places for them, which we’ll detail later. Here is our list of recommended places. Click on the links to go to the detailed articles about each place.
- Sisi Museum
- Natural History Museum
- Art History Museum
- Jewish Museum
- MuseumsQuartier (MQ)
- Vienna State Opera Tour
- National Library
- Vienna City Museum
- Hundertwasser House
6. Royal Palaces
At several locations in Vienna, there are impressive palaces that served the Habsburg family, who ruled the region for about 600 years. The magnificent palaces provide a glimpse into the luxurious lives of the imperial family and also include stunning collections that belonged to the Habsburgs. At Belvedere Palace, for example, you can enjoy art exhibitions and an exhibition of paintings by the artist Gustav Klimt, including the famous “Kiss” painting.
Here is a list of recommended palaces. Click on the links to go to the detailed articles about each place.
7. World-Renowned Galleries
Vienna is known as a world-renowned art center. Several galleries in the city feature exhibitions by famous artists. Throughout the year, there are rotating exhibitions, so there’s always a reason to visit Vienna’s galleries. If you are a fan of artworks by artists like Schiele, Klimt, Chagall, Dürer, Monet, Picasso, Kokoschka, and many others, Vienna’s galleries will be especially suitable for you.
Here is a list of recommended galleries. Click on the links to go to the detailed articles about each place.
- Albertina
- Belvedere Palace – where Klimt’s works are displayed
- Museum of Art History Vienna
- Leopold Museum – where artworks by Egon Schiele are displayed
8. Attractions for Children (and Adults)
Besides museums and palaces, there are also several enjoyable attractions suitable for both children and adults. These attractions are located in indoor and warm buildings, so they definitely serve as a refuge from the cold outside.
Popular attractions worth knowing about:
- Vienna Aquarium (Haus des Meeres)
- Museum of Illusions
- Technisches Museum Wien (Technical Museum)
- Chocolate Museum (Chocolate Museum Vienna)
- Butterfly House at Hofburg Palace
- Madame Tussauds
- Time Travel Vienna
- House of Music
9. City Viewpoints
Even in winter, there are lovely sunny days with clear skies and excellent visibility. On such days, it’s worth going up the Danube Tower and observing the entire city and beyond from there. The Danube Tower offers additional activities, as well as a cafe where you can stop and refresh. Read about everything you need to know for a visit to the Danube Tower.
10. Viennese Ball
The ball season in Vienna begins as early as November. For several weeks, prestigious events take place in the city’s finest event halls. The city’s elite attend these esteemed balls, and you can enjoy a very classic Viennese experience there.
If you’re into festive attire, waltz dancing, and classical music, you should register for one of the city’s balls.
The most famous and prestigious ball in the city is the Opera Ball. You can read more information about the ball on the official website.
You can find the full list of balls here (German).
11. Opera Performances
Since we already mentioned the Opera Ball, it’s worth noting that any event at the Vienna State Opera is a wonderful experience.
On cold days, you can happily spend a few hours in one of the world’s best and most beautiful opera houses and watch classical plays and performances by top artists. See the schedule of various performances here.
12. Classical Concert
Besides opera, a variety of wonderful classical music concerts take place throughout the city. The concert halls are impressive in their beauty; some are located inside palaces, some in churches, and others in dedicated concert halls like the Golden Hall. If you want to experience a classic Viennese experience, there’s no doubt you should attend a classical concert. At these concerts, you can enjoy works by a variety of the best composers in history, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss, Vivaldi, and more. Vienna’s finest musicians will entertain you. Plan for one to two hours, as this is typically how long a concert takes. For more information, tickets, and recommendations for concerts in Vienna.
13. Snow Experience – A Trip Outside the City to Snow-Covered Mountains
South of Vienna are the Viennese Alps. These mountains are covered in snow during winter and are considered very popular ski resorts for residents of Vienna and the surrounding area. These places offer wonderful views and a particularly Viennese winter experience.
You can take advantage of your visit to Vienna to see this beautiful area south of the city.
The daily trip from Vienna to the Viennese Alps offers a wintry and snowy landscape experience. On this trip, you’ll see the beautiful mountain area combined with an ancient castle, towns, villages, and if everything is snow-covered, there’s also the option to sled down the slopes – absolutely worth it! Click for more information on the winter landscape trip to the Viennese Alps.
If you are interested in experiencing the Salzburg region during the winter months and seeing the peaks of the Austrian Alps and small towns covered in snow, it’s worth joining a group for a trip to the picturesque village of Hallstatt or the city of Salzburg.
For those who are familiar with the area and want to travel independently, you can drive to the Semmering ski resort area and explore there. It’s a picturesque and beautiful place with a cable car where you can go up to the mountain peak, observe the area, and also do sledding or skiing.
14. Cafes and Restaurants (also for Kosher Keepers)
When the snow falls outside and temperatures drop to 0, you can warm up a bit with a cup of Viennese coffee or steaming tea. Vienna’s cafes are on every corner, and there’s no shortage of traditional restaurants in the city center. What’s nicer than sitting with a hot drink in hand and gazing out the window at passersby or the gently falling snow covering the illuminated city streets? Additionally, in the Jewish quarter, there are a variety of kosher restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy kosher Viennese food without worry.
We’ve compiled a few popular (and mostly touristy) cafes:
- Cafe Central
- Sofitel Hotel Bar Floor – impressive view of the city center
- Demel Confectionery
- Aida
- Café Landtmann
- Café Mozart
- Café Hawelka
- Kleines Café
- Kaffee Alt Wien
- Kaffeefabrik
- Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker
- Café Imperial
Read extended information and explanations about the world of Viennese coffee in our article on 21 recommended cafes in Vienna. You can also read about recommended restaurants in Vienna or popular breweries in the city. If you keep kosher, you can read about the best kosher restaurants in Vienna.
15. Culinary Experience in Vienna – Culinary Tour in Hebrew
In a culinary experience in Vienna, you can taste a variety of classic Austrian dishes and visit culinary establishments with history in the city. The culinary tour is mostly conducted inside various restaurants, making it suitable even for cold days. The culinary experience is accompanied by a Hebrew-speaking resident of Vienna, so you can get a better glimpse into the lives of the locals in the city. Click for more information on the culinary tour in Vienna.
16. Shopping – End-of-Year Sales
Vienna and its surroundings have about 14 shopping centers! Some shopping centers are open-air, like Mariahilfer Street, but most shopping centers are large, heated malls. The variety of brands and purchasing options for clothes, shoes, jewelry, beauty products, and more will definitely warm the heart of any shopping lover on cold winter days. Moreover, during the Christmas period and afterwards in the first few weeks of the New Year, there are wonderful sales with dozens of percentage points off many products.
Very detailed information about all of Vienna’s shopping areas, as well as tips on tax refunds for purchases, can be found in the extended article we prepared on shopping in Vienna.
17. Visiting the Vienna Casino
Honestly, Vienna is not a city of gambling or casinos. But there is one casino in the heart of the Old City. If you feel you’ve exhausted the city and had enough of museums and palaces, you can go to the Vienna Casino and try your luck. We’ve compiled comprehensive information for a visit to the Vienna Casino with details on the dress code, entrance fee to play, and more.
18. Bars, Rooftops, and Clubs
There’s no doubt that Vienna becomes more sleepy in winter, but this is also an opportunity to visit the best places in the city without long queues and the need for advance reservations. You can visit a variety of luxurious bars with a special Viennese style or go to one of the city’s impressive rooftops and enjoy an extraordinary view.
Even in winter, nightlife continues in Vienna, so if you want to meet locals, you can go to their entertainment areas and join various parties in the city’s different clubs.
19. Day Trip to Bratislava
Many visitors to Vienna miss visiting an equally important and interesting city located just across the Danube River, and a visit there can certainly enrich your trip. This city is Bratislava – the capital of Slovakia.
One of the interesting facts that not many people know is that Vienna and Bratislava are the closest capital cities in the world. The distance between Vienna and Bratislava is only about 60 kilometers, and the journey takes about 45 minutes by private car. This is definitely a very short distance worth traveling to be exposed to a different culture, another country, and another important part of the history of the entire region.
Bratislava has a nice old city center, various and very enjoyable Christmas markets, interesting Jewish history, great views of the Danube River, many shopping opportunities (even on Sundays), and more!
If you’re still not convinced, click here to read about 9 good reasons to visit Bratislava. If you’re coming to the city independently, you can join a guided tour in Hebrew in Bratislava.
If you want to travel to Bratislava, you can join a Hebrew day trip from Vienna. Click for more details.
20. Simply Enjoy the Weather
The last thing we can recommend is simply to enjoy the weather. If you arrived in Vienna when it’s snowy, why not make the most of it! In Prater Park, for example, you can happily build a snowman or have a fun snowball fight! Another option is to go to Kahlenberg Mountain and look at the snowy view of the city.
In the harsh winters that visit us every few years, there are parts of the Danube River that freeze completely and become a popular (though quite dangerous) attraction for the city’s residents. If you happen to have a pair of ice skates and aren’t afraid, you can go to the Old Danube area and skate there.
We wish you a wonderful winter vacation!
A small tip: if you are afraid of the cold, you can equip yourself with heating packs and put them inside your coat when you are outside. This will definitely make it easier for you.
Besides the recommendations in this article, we have many more recommendations for attractions and activities for cold and rainy days in Vienna.
