Austria Christmas Market Itinerary: 5, 7 & 14 Day Routes for a Magical Holiday
Few winter experiences rival the magic of an Austria Christmas Market Itinerary.
Between late November and Christmas Eve, Austria transforms into a Christmas wonderland—streets glitter with lights, music fills the crisp air, and the scent of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine draws you from one charming market to the next.
Whether you have five days or two weeks, this guide will help you plan your perfect Austria Christmas Market Itinerary, from Vienna’s imperial squares to Salzburg’s baroque beauty and Innsbruck’s alpine charm.
Vienna Christmas Market at the Rathausplatz
This guide offers curated Christmas Market ineraries for 5-, 7-, and 14-day trips through Austria’s most atmospheric Christmas markets that glow with warmth, tradition, and festive charm—perfect for first-time visitors or seasoned Christmas travellers seeking a winter escape.
Hi, I’m Tammy, now an Austrian local and founder of Wanderlustria. I first came to Austria over 25 years ago and instantly fell in love with the magic of its Christmas Markets. I still remember the stress and uncertainty of trying to plan the perfect festive itinerary without knowing where to go or what to see. Over the years, my love for these markets has only grown, and I’ve turned that experience into helping travellers plan Austria Christmas Market itineraries that are relaxed, magical, and full of authentic festive experiences.
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Ultimate Austria Christmas Market Toolkit
♥ Austria Christmas Market Dates
♥ Christmas Market Tips: Make the most of every market visit with practical advice on timing, crowd management, shopping, and festive experiences.
♥ 16 Christmas Market Mistakes to Avoid Discover the blunders that can ruin your trip—and how to enjoy Austria’s festive magic like a local.
♥ Best Vienna Christmas Markets and from our Shop The Ultimate Vienna Christmas Market Itinerary
♥ Best Salzburg Christmas Markets
♥ Austria Christmas Market Food
♥ 22 Austria Christmas Market Souvenirs and Gifts
♥ Krampus Parades Discover Austria’s strangest Advent tradition that takes place in Alpine regions in early December.
Planning Your Austria Christmas Market Itinerary
Best Time to Visit
The Christmas Market season in Austria typically runs from November 23 to December 23.
🌟 Weekends are lively and full of atmosphere, but expect crowds.
🌟Midweek visits offer a quieter, more relaxed experience.
🌟For something truly unique, plan to be in Salzburg or Innsbruck on 5 December to witness the traditional Krampus parades.
Austria Christmas Market Itinerary Travel Tips
🚂 Trains are your friend. Austria’s ÖBB and Westbahn network makes city-hopping effortless. Read more in our Train Guides
🚌 Vienna Public Transport Getting around Vienna is simple if you know the system. Learn how to use trams, buses, and the U-Bahn.
🚌 Salzburg Public Transport Explore Salzburg efficiently using public transport. It’s even better with your Free Salzburg Transit Pass.
How Many Days to Spend at Austria’s Christmas Markets
There’s no one-size-fits-all Austria Christmas Market itinerary.
Some travellers prefer a short, immersive trip, while others enjoy taking their time to explore multiple regions with a 7- or 14-day Christmas Market itinerary.
While there are plenty of bus and boat tours offering whirlwind visits, often leaving only a few hours in each city, they rarely allow enough time to experience the festive magic truly.
A self-guided Christmas Market tour gives you the freedom to linger where you want, revisit your favourite stalls, and create your own schedule — no rushing, no fixed timetable, just enjoying the markets at your own pace.
Recommended time to visit each Christmas Market destination:
🌟 Vienna: 3–5 days – Enough to explore the city’s grandest markets and hidden neighbourhood gems.
🌟 Salzburg: 2 days – Perfect for the main cathedral market, fortress views, and evening concerts.
🌟 Innsbruck: 2 days – Combine market-hopping with alpine scenery and cosy cafés.
🌟 Wolfgangsee (Salzkammergut): 1–2 days – Ideal for visiting the lakeside villages of St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen, and Strobl.
🎄If you only have three days in Austria, spend them entirely in Vienna, where multiple markets, imperial sights, and festive events are within easy reach.
Austria Christmas Market Itinerary Tips
⏰ Plan your day: Christmas Markets open ~10 am, but the best time to visit is from early afternoon until the Christmas Markets close between 9-10 pm.
🏨 Where to stay: For the most festive experience, choose accommodation as close to the markets as possible and book early to secure the best options. Check out our guides to Hotels near Vienna Christmas Markets and Best Salzburg Hotels for recommended stays.
💶 Cash is king: While many larger stalls may accept cards, some smaller stalls, village markets, and food vendors often do not. To avoid disappointment, bring enough Euros €€ to cover your purchases and enjoy the Christmas Markets without hassle.
🧣 Stay warm: Dressing in layers, wearing waterproof boots, and bringing gloves is essential for enjoying the markets in comfort. Check out our Christmas Market Packing Guide for full packing tips.
☕ Collect keepsakes: Every market has its own Glühwein mug design — a perfect festive souvenir! Discover the best Vienna Christmas Market Mugs in our guide.
Your Austria Christmas Market Itinerary Roadmap
To help you plan your festive trip, we’ve mapped out four Austria Christmas Market itineraries — from a quick city break to a full two-week winter adventure.
Each route is designed to suit different schedules and travel styles, whether you have five days or fourteen to explore Austria’s most enchanting Christmas destinations.
Our individual Austria Christmas Market Itineraries are structured from the longest to the shortest itinerary, allowing you to find the route that suits your plans.
To plan your best Austria Christmas Market itinerary, refer to the Ultimate 14-Day Austria Christmas Market Itinerary for more detailed recommendations.
Mondsee Christmas Market © TVB MondseeIrrsee-Kathrin Haas
Overview of the Austria Christmas Market Itineraries
🌟 14-Day Austria Christmas Market itinerary – The Ultimate Adventure
Experience the ultimate festive journey across five spectacular Christmas Market destinations.
This Austria Christmas Market Itinerary has it all — grand imperial cities, enchanting Alpine scenery, and charming lakeside villages wrapped in festive magic.
On the ultimate 14-day Austria Christmas Market Itinerary, you’ll visit:
🎄Vienna – Imperial elegance and world-famous Christmas markets
🎄Salzburg – Baroque beauty and musical charm
🎄Wolfgangsee in the Salzkammergut – Storybook lakeside villages and alpine traditions
🎄Innsbruck – Festive markets framed by snow-capped peaks
🎄Munich – A Bavarian Christmas finale across the border
This comprehensive itinerary is perfect for travellers who want to immerse themselves in Austria’s Christmas magic.
🌟 7-Day Austria Christmas Market Itinerary: Vienna, Salzburg & Innsbruck
A one-week festive journey through Austria’s most iconic cities:
🎄 Vienna – imperial charm and glittering markets
🎄 Salzburg – baroque beauty and musical heritage
🎄 Innsbruck – alpine magic beneath snow-capped peaks
Perfect for travellers seeking a balanced Austria Christmas market adventure with culture, charm, and winter wonder in just seven days.
🌟 5-Day Austria Christmas Market Itinerary: Vienna & Salzburg Magic
The ideal short escape for festive travellers — experience the heart of Austria’s Christmas season with:
🎄 3 days in Vienna – palaces, lights, and lively markets
🎄 2 days in Salzburg – music, mountains, and Christmas spirit
A compact yet enchanting itinerary that captures the very best of Austria’s Christmas traditions in under a week.
🌟 5-Day Austrian Alps Christmas Market Itinerary
Discover a fairytale winter escape framed by mountains and lakes:
🎄 Salzburg – 3 nights with a day trip to the Wolfgangsee lakeside Christmas Markets
🎄 Innsbruck – 2 nights surrounded by alpine splendour
This itinerary blends cosy village markets, scenic beauty, and Tyrolean warmth — perfect to pair with a ski holiday in Austria.
Explore more inspiration in our Skiing in Austria Guides.
Your Complete Vienna Christmas Market Guide – Buy Now
Stop stressing over planning—get the Ultimate Vienna Christmas Markets Itinerary — a 60+ page printable PDF featuring a Full 3-day jam-packed itinerary of the best Vienna Christmas Markets and sights, perfect for a leisurely 5-day visit too.
Available in A4 & US Letter size, with insider tips on the best hotels, festive foods, souvenirs, and everything you need to create a magical Christmas in Vienna. Learn More
No matter how long your festive journey, Austria’s Christmas markets are unforgettable.
From the grand squares of Vienna and Salzburg to the alpine charm of Innsbruck and the lakeside magic of the Salzkammergut, there’s a route to suit every schedule and style of traveller.
Use this guide as your Christmas Market roadmap, then dive into the detailed 5-, 7-, or 14-day itineraries—or explore the Alps route for a more scenic adventure.
With markets, music, palaces, and seasonal treats at every stop, Austria promises a holiday experience that’s truly magical.
Vienna Spittelberg Christmas Market
Whether you have five days or two weeks, there’s an Austria Christmas Market itinerary to match your festive travel style.
From the grand squares of Vienna and Salzburg to the alpine charm of Innsbruck and the lakeside magic of the Salzkammergut, there’s a route to suit every schedule and style of traveller.
For the most immersive experience, explore our 14-Day Austria Christmas Market Itinerary: The Ultimate Adventure, which takes you from Vienna’s imperial grandeur to Innsbruck’s alpine charm.
Short on time? Discover our 7-Day Austria Christmas Market Itinerary: Highlights of Vienna, Salzburg & Innsbruck — a perfect week-long journey through Austria’s most magical markets.
Austria at Christmas
Traditions & Planning
Austria Christmas Traditions
Experience the magic of Austria’s Christmas traditions.
Krampus
Learn about the Krampus Parades (Krampusauflauf) held in Austria’s Alpine villages.
How to plan a Christmas Market Trip
The simple 14-step guide for stress-free planning.
Christmas Market Tips
The top Christmas Market tips to help you plan the best trip.
Common Christmas Market Mistakes
Avoid the 16 travel mistakes that could spoil your festive adventure.
Dates & Christmas Market Destinations
Austria Christmas Market Dates
The 2025 Christmas Market Dates for Vienna, Salzburg, Salzkammergut and Innsbruck.
Top Vienna Christmas Markets
The Top 6 Vienna Christmas Markets that you should visit.
Vienna Christmas Markets Hotel Guide
Where to stay in Vienna while visiting the Christmas Markets
Best Salzburg Christmas Markets
The Top 5 Salzburg Christmas Markets that you should visit.
Christmas Market Tips
Christmas Market Packing List
The guide to what to pack for a European Winter holiday.
Christmas Market Food Guide
The 16 Must-Try Foods at Austrian Christmas Markets.
Christmas Market Souvenir Guide
Our top 22 gifts and souvenirs to buy at Austrian Christmas Markets.
Vienna Christmas Market Mugs
How to buy Vienna Christmas Market Mugs.
Christmas Market Itineraries
Austria Christmas Market Itineraries
Discover our recommended 5-, 7-, and 14-day itineraries.
14-Day Christmas Market Itinerary
The ultimate Austria Christmas Market adventure.
7-Day Christmas Market Itinerary
A perfect week-long journey through Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck.
Vienna Christmas Market Itinerary
Buy our PDF guide- all the information to plan your Trip.
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Vienna Christmas Market Itinerary
The Ultimate Vienna Christmas Markets Itinerary is a printable PDF guide with all the essential information and three day-to-day itineraries visiting the Best Vienna Christmas Markets.
Our 60+ pages guide has all the information you need to plan your Vienna Christmas Markets Holiday- from where to stay, to what are the best Christmas Market Foods and Souvenirs.
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Chief Wanderlust’er and Austria travel expert, I’m on a mission to help you uncover the magic of Austria — from fairytale cities and alpine villages to awe-inspiring landscapes and rich cultural traditions.
As the founder of Austria Wanderlust Travel Planning, the Austria Travel Planning Facebook Group, and director of Wanderlustria eU, I provide trusted tips, local insights, and curated resources to make your Austrian adventure seamless, authentic, and unforgettable.