A Little Holiday Magic in Vienna

Christmas looks very different in Morocco. As a predominantly Muslim country, the holiday isn’t widely celebrated here, and while that’s something I respect and appreciate, I found myself missing a bit of the seasonal magic that usually sneaks in around this time of year. So I did what felt like the best solution: I took a quick long weekend trip to Vienna to soak up Christmas markets, cold air, and twinkling lights.

I even bought a jacket and scarf specifically for this trip, which felt almost comical after weeks of warm Moroccan weather. But the moment I stepped outside in Vienna, I was grateful for every layer.

I arrived midday and immediately made my way to my first Christmas market: Spittelberg. Narrow streets, glowing lights, wooden booths tucked into corners — it felt cozy and inviting right away. I tried my first warm drink of the trip, an orange punch, and quickly remembered how wonderful it is to walk through a cold evening with something warm in your hands while browsing handmade goods.

That night, I treated myself to something I don’t come across often in Morocco: Mexican food. It was exactly what I needed. After staying awake for nearly 36 hours to make the trip happen, I called it an early night and crashed hard.

Markets, Walking, and More Walking

The next day was dedicated almost entirely to walking — and more markets. I started in the Museum Quarter, taking in the architecture and the sheer scale of the buildings. I then spent nearly an hour trying to find the free Wien Museum (which I never actually located), though I did manage to stumble upon several other museums along the way.

The natural history museum!

Eventually, I found my way to Karlsplatz Market, which quickly became one of my favorites. It’s smaller and focused entirely on artisans — handmade crafts, thoughtful designs, and people clearly passionate about what they create. It felt slower, more intentional, and deeply creative.

From there, I wandered to Kohlmarkt, a beautifully decorated street lined with luxury shops that were very far outside my budget. That said, the cold had intensified, and I did allow myself one practical splurge: a warm hat.

Kohlmarkt

Lunch that day was a bowl of ramen from a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant, and oh my goodness — it was incredible. Exactly what my frozen fingers and toes needed.

Warm again, I made my way to Christkindlmarkt at Rathaus, which I think is the biggest Christmas market in Vienna. It was everything you imagine: light displays, carousels, live music, endless stalls, and a buzz of excitement everywhere you turned. I grabbed a hot chocolate and tried Trdelník (chimney cake), then spent hours wandering — eating, browsing, listening, watching.

Trdelník - chimney cake

Cathedrals, Fog, and Schnitzel

On my final full day, I had booked an all-inclusive tour of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and I decided to fully commit. The tour included the cathedral itself, the catacombs, the Dom Wien Museum, and both the north and south towers.

The market found outside of St. Stephen's Cathedral

Yes — I climbed all 343 narrow, winding steps to the top of the south tower… only to see almost nothing due to thick clouds and fog. Worth it? Absolutely. Humbling? Also yes.

Afterward, I explored Stephansplatz Market, hot chocolate number two firmly in hand, before zigzagging my way through the city to some of Vienna’s smaller markets: Palais Niederösterreich, Freyung, and Am Hof. They were quieter but just as lovely — the kind of places you linger a little longer.

At Am Hof, I warmed up with a bratwurst, and later that evening, with temperatures well below freezing, I committed fully to Austrian comfort food and had schnitzel for dinner. I can see why it’s a classic — simple, hearty, and very satisfying.

A Perfect Ending

On my last night, with exactly 4 euros left in cash, I made my way back to Christkindlmarkt one final time. I bought a hazelnut-marzipan-chocolate dessert whose name I couldn’t even attempt to pronounce and wandered through the market one last time. As if the timing were intentional, I stumbled upon a live concert taking place above the nativity scene — voices echoing through the square, lights glowing, people gathered together.

It was the perfect ending.

The whole weekend felt like a small gift to myself — a pause, a shift in scenery, a chance to experience a city at one of its most magical times of year. I’m so grateful I took the opportunity to explore Vienna, even briefly, and to carry a bit of that holiday warmth back with me.

Sometimes, a little magic is exactly what you need.