Christmas in Vienna

Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas! Joyeux Noël! Happy holidays and all the Merrys. I hope you’ve had a wonderful shiny day. I’ve spemt mine with the family in France with heaps of nibbles, cheese and ever flowing wine (can’t get any better!) There’s no better time to reminisce about my trip to Vienna in Austria a few weeks ago with Xmas markets aplenty and beautiful buildings and monuments. If you’re considering visiting the capital of Music then I’d recommend going in December or in the height of summer with all is colourful and bright.

Here are some of my favourite places for you to visit on your trip next year!

Pürstner

Pürstner was the first place we ate in Vienna and I wouldn’t have gone elsewhere! Perfect for getting straight into the Viennese spirit, the lederhosen-sporting waiters bring you steins of beer with a cheeky grin and wild boar heads smile down on you from the walls wearing their Christmas hats. I went for pork in a creamy sauce with little dumplings which was hearty and delicious and clearly super healthy.

Christmas Markets

My friend was very clear that visiting a market was top of the list so it was high on the priority to scout one out. Turns out it’s impossible not to visit a market as they’re bloomin’ everywhere so if you see something you love in one of them, it’s likely you can get it at the others too! I picked up some cute hand decorated baubles and many a mulled wine in a boot!

Café Sacher

As a tourist, tucking into a Sacher-torte is a must and the best place to do so is in the hotel that invented it. You may have to queue outside for twenty minutes but once in and through the cloakroom you can tuck in. The hotel produces the choccie delight to the original 1832 recipe so you’ll be tasting an authentic slice of Viennese culture. If the queue’s too long, pop to cafe Mozart next door!

Café Central

Silia pulled us into this Viennese institution when we needed a toilet dash but I wish we could have stayed longer! You could see why it had been a meeting point for literary legends and artists for years with a vaulted ceiling like that and those pastries in the counter. If I come back then I’ll be heading here!

Le Bol

My Viennese Blogger friend Silia had recommended the central French restaurant Le Bol on her blog so when we met up with her, we asked her that she took us along. We ordered big rustic salads which were delish (though I’d ask them to pass on the dressing) and the communal cafe atmosphere made it a lovely place to hang out.

Palmenhaus

I’m pretty much obsessed with palm houses – I visited the one in Gothenburg twice! So when we stumbled up on the Palmenhaus on our second evening, I ensured that we beelined towards it for lunch the next day. Their menu specialities? Fresh fishies so I ordered the almond trout with a side salad. Super-filling and delicious in the most beautiful bright surroundings!

St. Stephensdom

All capitals have their jaw-dropping cathedral and St. Stephansdom creates the wow factor with its incredible colourful roof. Visit the Cathedral in the day and take the tiny lift up to the top. You can walk along the narrow paths around the steeples and gaze over the rooftops and those incredible tiles!

Other places top on your Vienna list is of course the Belvedere (perfect ‘gram fodder) plus, if you’re into it, there are many art museums and monuments. We also stopped off at an American cocktail bar which was a perfect pre dinner warm ups! Take a look at The Viennese Girl’s blog for all her recommendations!

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