Austria · CHRISTMAS
Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 christmas experiences justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.
Hear Mozart, Vivaldi, Bach, Beethoven, and Schubert in Vienna's Baroque St. Peter's Church during a one-hour festive concert.
“The setting was classic and impressive. The selections were excellent. This venue may just be too big for the number of musicians.”
Make Salzburg apple strudel and Vanilla Kipferl in a cave kitchen, with lunch, hands-on instruction, tastings, and cookies to take home.
“If you are looking for something fun and active to do in Salzburg, this is it! Our group of six ranged from 13-58 years old and each of us enjoyed our time making strudel and Christmas cookies. The hosts were detailed in their demonstration and then provided assistance as each group about to make our own strudel. Everything turned out delicious and we left with the ability to replicate the strudel at home. So fun! We’d definitely take another of their classes if we had a chance.”
Hear Mozart, Strauss, and other classics in Vienna’s ornate St. Peter’s Church, with practical advice on seating, cold pews, and Christmas music.
“This was a classical music concert with a string quartet in the amazingly beautiful St Peter’s Church in Vienna, a short walk from St Stephen’s Cathedral. The concert was an hourlong, with no introductions or programme which felt odd and we were packed in like sardines some in pews and some on chairs. The music and setting was beautiful and much enjoyed but felt it was a little disorganised and with a few tweaks would be much better.”
Enjoy Mozart, dinner, and night views from Salzburg’s 900-year-old fortress, with a free funicular ride and optional VIP seating.
“This was an excellent occasion. We booked VIP tickets and were really pleased we did because not only was the food excellent but it also meant we got really great seats for the Christmas Concert. Had a really enjoyable evening and would highly recommend it. Excellent venue, food, service and concert.”
Explore four Vienna Christmas markets with a local guide, tasting hot rum punch, cookies, food, crafts, and festive traditions.
“Our guide, Andres, was knowledgeable and very funny. We went to an authentic market in an area of Vienna we would not have otherwise ventured into. The only negative comment I have is that the tour is rather expensive when all is said and done. Given the cost, I think we expected more in terms of food and drink.”
Hear Christmas carols and classical favorites in Vienna’s Capuchin Church, with optional access to the Habsburg Imperial Crypt.
“Beautiful music, very professional performance in a tranquil setting. Intimate setting. Helpful staff.”
Hear Mozart and Advent music in Salzburg’s hilltop fortress, with funicular rides included and Christmas lights leading the way.
“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.”
Explore four Vienna Christmas markets with local guides, Austrian snacks, rum-spiked punch, stories, and practical tips for a festive walking tour.
“A special tour, less known in smaller and more atypical Christmas markets, less known by tourists. Michael, the guide presented interesting information and the serving of traditional products was excellent. I recommend 100%.”
Enjoy dinner with Salzburg views, ride the fortress funicular, and hear Mozart and seasonal music in Hohensalzburg’s historic rooms.
“Great food and great music. The dessert was my favorite. I recommend the VIP option. We received one free drink during the concert. Glad we did this.”
Spend Christmas Eve in Oberndorf, where Silent Night was first performed, with a candlelit chapel service and snowy Salzach walk.
“Great communication, our tour guide Kylie was awesome. She had such a great and fun energy. Not too much to see once the service got going and as predicted it was super cold but such a lovely thing to do on Christmas Eve. Really enjoyed it.”
Walk Vienna’s Christmas markets with a private guide, from Karlskirche to Rathaus, plus palace sights, local food tips, and evening city views.
“It was a wonderful tour. We enjoyed it so much for our first night in Vienna to see where everything was in the city. Highly recommend!”
Explore Salzburg’s Christmas markets, cathedral, Mozart sites, and local traditions on a small-group walking tour with tastings.
“Don't do this on the weekend if at all possible. The crowds were terrible but the tour was very informative.”
Explore Vienna’s Christmas markets, churches, and grand landmarks on a small-group walking tour with hot punch and local insight.
“Great tour. We visited four markets, and the best ones too!! The tour operator used audio equipment so we could always hear the knowledge she was providing. We even seen the Last Supper that Nepoleon had commissioned in a church that we passed. It was great!!”
Review of Salzburg’s Mozart and Advent concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg, with funicular tips, seating advice, price value, and practical details.
“Magical to be at the fortress at night. Beautiful views. Music transported us to another time. Talented musicians.”
Explore Vienna’s Christmas markets, cafés, boutiques, Swarovski crystals, and local shopping streets on a lively three-hour walking tour.
“Nicolette was very funny, attention grabbing and engaging. She had a very resounding voice that everyone could hear especially people in the back of the group which sometimes we ended up at. The group was not very big so we could stay close to the guide. I loved all the little bits of information she gave us which you don’t read in the books. Thanks for a great experience Nicollet.”
