This European City Is a Must-Visit for Christmas Enthusiasts

There’s no better destination to experience Alpine Christmas traditions than Salzburg, Austria—a city steeped in history, baroque architecture, and, during winter, vibrant festive markets.

The Christmas season has been celebrated here for centuries: Salzburg's Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market) is one of the world’s oldest Advent markets, dating back to the 15th century. Initially, locals sold household items in the main square, a tradition that evolved into the Nikolaimarkt to honor St. Niklaus Day on December 6th. (At that time, Christmas was not celebrated on December 25th.)

Today, Christmas markets are a month-long celebration, drawing both locals and tourists—Salzburg’s Christkindlmarkt alone attracts over 1 million visitors each year. People flock from around the globe to gather beneath the illuminated baroque domes and enjoy a steaming cup of spiced wine known as glühwein or orange punch.

Here’s a guide to the food, festivities, and horned creatures that make Salzburg a must-visit location during the Christmas season.

Christmas Markets to Explore in Salzburg

Salzburg Christkindlmarkt at Residenzplatz Square

• Visit for: A bustling market full of diversity
• Dates: November 23, 2023, to January 1, 2024
• Hours: Daily from 9 or 10 a.m. until 8:30 or 9 p.m.

The highlight of Salzburg’s Christmas markets is the magnificent market in Residenzplatz. Wander through the area, marveling at the lights, browse nearly 100 vendor booths showcasing ornaments and handcrafted goods, and soak in the aromas of pine, spices, incense, and roasting meats. Explore and savor a variety of local culinary delights—from savory spiced sausages and goulash to cheesy raclette, and sweet treats like fluffy Kräpfen doughnuts and gingerbread cookies.

Be sure to look for the intricate miniature nativity scenes displayed outside the main market. Crafted by local artisans, these detailed scenes offer various interpretations of the beloved story, depicting everything from snowy Alpine villages to Middle Eastern deserts. You could spend hours here and still not see everything.

As you enjoy the visual spectacle, listen for the music that fills the air. The city that brought us Mozart remains true to its musical heritage: you might hear a solo opera singer captivating a small crowd outside the main market, the harmonies of sing-along choirs, wind instruments playing from above the square, or the ringing of church bells.

Mirabell Market

• Visit for: A laid-back market favored by locals
• Dates: November 23 to December 24, 2023
• Hours: Sunday–Thursday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Nestled just off the Mirabell Gardens (made famous by The Sound of Music), Mirabell Market is known among locals as the “after-work market.” Located just a few minutes' walk from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof train station, it’s a great spot to grab a sweet treat from one of the vendors while enjoying the iconic view of the fortress Festung Hohensalzburg. Mostly frequented by locals, Mirabell is relatively uncrowded, especially when compared to Rezidenzplatz.

Hohensalzburg Advent Market

• Visit for: A market nestled by a medieval fortress
• Dates: December 1–18, 2023
• Hours: Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Tucked within the walls of Festung Hohensalzburg, the Hohensalzburg Advent Market offers a cozy Christmas experience on a smaller scale, operating only on weekends. Surrounded by historic parapets and fortress walls, this medieval market features brass music playing under a Christmas tree while families enjoy hot beverages on chilly winter evenings.

The medieval fortress itself, perched above the old town, is a must-visit while in Salzburg. You can either walk up or take the funicular, conveniently located a short distance from the main market square, for breathtaking views of the city’s domes and spires. From above, you can admire the narrow streets adorned with festive lights and the snow-capped peak of Untersberg.

Sternadvent Market

• Visit for: A cozy market set in a brewery
• Dates: November 23, 2023, to January 6, 2024
• Hours: Sunday–Thursday: 11:00 a.m.–7 p.m.; Friday–Saturday: 11:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m.

Located just off the bustling Getreidegasse shopping street in the old town, the Sternbräu brewery hosts its own Christmas market, the Sternadvent Market, right next to the brewery. After passing through the festively adorned arched entrance, step inside to sample a Baumstriezel, or chimney cake, which is a spiral of dough coated in toppings like cinnamon sugar. Fresh from the oven, this crispy pastry emits steam from its top like a chimney—perfect for enjoying while strolling and warming up.

More festive activities to explore in Salzburg

Experience a Krampus Run

Every Christmas season, Salzburg features a series of Krampus Runs, celebrating St. Niklaus’s mischievous companion, Krampus—a half-goat, horned demon known for punishing naughty children with birch branches. This creature has origins in pre-Christian traditions and is part of holiday customs in various Central European and Alpine regions, including Bavaria, Tyrol, Slovakia, and Hungary.

The Krampus Run kicks off on Linzergasse, just across the river from the old town, and concludes at Rezidenzplatz (the main Christmas market). During the event, participants dress as the hairy Krampus, sporting grotesque wooden masks and shaggy fur adorned with bells, as they roam the narrow streets of Salzburg. They roar and leap, causing children to run and scream—but it’s all in good fun. Following the chaos, St. Nikolaus appears, kindly distributing candies while the Krampuses entertain. Multiple runs occur in early December, with one happening every day from December 1–8 this year.

Explore the Christmas Museum

If you're curious about the history of Christmas traditions in Salzburg, visit the Christmas Museum, conveniently located near Mozartplatz and the main market square. Nestled atop Café Glockenspiel, the museum houses a fascinating collection featuring Christmas letters, vintage cookie molds, ornaments, dollhouses, and other artifacts that illustrate the evolution of Christmas customs and decorations in Austria and Germany.

Festive dining spots in Salzburg

St. Peter Stiftskulinarium

Nestled to the east of the main market and against the backdrop of Festungsberg mountain, St. Peter Stiftskulinarium is a must-see destination for food enthusiasts and lovers of unique decor. Established in 803 C.E., this venue features a variety of rooms, from baroque music chambers to cozy dining areas carved into the mountainside. During the Christmas season, the outdoor lounge boasts cushioned seating and a grand nativity scene.

The menu at St. Peter offers a delightful selection of hearty, traditional Austrian dishes, including schnitzel and wurst. Be sure to try the Tafelspitz, which consists of boiled beef and vegetables paired with rich creamed horseradish and spinach. For dessert, indulge in the renowned Salzburgernockerl, a sweet soufflé shaped like the peaks of three nearby mountains, served with a tart berry cream. It's unexpectedly light and fluffy—an ideal way to conclude your meal.

Gasthof Goldgasse

Gasthof Goldgasse serves as both a charming inn and an upscale restaurant, offering local and seasonal dishes sourced from nearby farms. Renowned for its fried chicken cooked in a copper pot, the kitchen at Gasthof puts a creative spin on recipes from a 1719 cookbook, presenting dishes like roasted duck with dumplings. With its light oak paneling and baroque artwork, the Gasthof provides a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere.

Steinterasse

For an unforgettable drink accompanied by stunning city views, make your way to Hotel Stein’s rooftop bar and restaurant, Steinterasse. Here, you'll be treated to breathtaking vistas of the old town, the fortress looming above, and the snowy peak of Untersberg framing the skyline. Choose to relax inside the chic modern bar or, on pleasant days, brave the chill on the terrace (where blankets are provided for warmth) while enjoying a White Negroni or one of their seasonal cocktails.

Accommodations in Salzburg

Hotel Hyperion

Originally constructed in 1874 in the style of the Viennese Ringstrasse, Palais Faber now operates as a luxurious hotel featuring 115 suites. The recently opened Hyperion is situated in the new town, just a short walk from Mirabell Gardens and a 10-minute stroll from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof train station. The rooms are stylishly modern, featuring designer armchairs and subtle ambient lighting. Deluxe suites offer standalone bathtubs, and the partially glass-enclosed bathrooms are fitted with rain showers.

This article was initially published in 2022 and was most recently updated on November 28, 2023, with the latest information.