Christmas markets in Villach & Velden, Austria

Villach
Christmas market in Villach

Three years ago I took my mum to Austria for a day trip. Our destinations were Villach and Velden and their charming Christmas markets. We both love Christmas markets very much so I decided to ask her and not my boyfriend (now my husband) to join me. Besides my boyfriend and I went to a chocolate factory near Graz (Austria) just a few weeks before this Christmas markets day trip.

About Villach & Velden

Villach is located on the Drau river and it’s the seventh largest town in Austria with a population of around 62 000. It’s got a big Croatian community too so it’s not a surprise that Villach is very popular for shopping and Christmas trips from Croatia. Velden am Wörthersee is a market-town and a popular holiday resort situated at the Wörthersee lake and close to Villach.

Villach
Villach

Villach

we listened to some Austrian carols too
we listened to some Austrian carols too

entire building is a big Advent calendar
entire building is a big Advent calendar

Our visit 

It was a cold and sunny day but it wasn’t freezing so we spent most of our time in Villach browsing many beautiful wooden Christmas stalls. We also strolled around the small city center. There were a lot of visitors but it wasn’t too crowded. The air was filled with the smell of glühwein and cinnamon. Perfection! I saw a lot of hand-made gorgeous Christmas decorations. And sweets! All imaginable chocolate concoctions!:) Of course, we had some glühwein and a pretzel. I contemplated renting ice-skates because there was a small ice-rink too but I decided against it. After we got a bit tired we went to an old cake shop for some hot tea and cakes. Inside the cake shop I saw giant marzipan houses and lots of gingerbread. But most of the things were quiet pricey. We even listened to some carolers after we left the cake shop. They sang beautifully. In the afternoon we went to the neighboring town of Velden on the lake Worthersee. It was getting dark so we finally got to enjoy some Christmas lights! Velden is quite known for its big floating Advent Wreath on the lake. It looked spectacular. There were also young girls dressed as angels walking around the lake. The symbol of Villach is its fairy-tale looking hotel Schlosshotel. Of course, we had to have another tasty glühwein and this time we kept the mug as a souvenir. I also bought a really nice and warm red woolen cap but my cat destroyed it in the meantime! As another memento of that day trip I’ve got a couple of small wooden Christmas tree decorations. My mum and I enjoyed the Christmas markets in Villach and Velden and returned home satisfied with our day trip.

Velden
Velden
Velden, Austria
the castle like hotel in Velden

Velden, Austria
floating Advent Wreath

Do you like Christmas markets? Have you read my guide on Christmas markets in Vienna?

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54 thoughts

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  7. I love when people use nearby water to make the most of Christmas. The floating advent wreath is very special! In Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington they have floating Christmas boat parades where people decorate their boats for the holidays and viewers make an outing of it to watch! Thanks for linking with #FarawayFiles – Erin

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  12. I have only been to a few Christmas markets but my favourite so far has been the one at Gamla Stan in Stockholm. Lovely to hear that you had a wonderful time with your mother in Austria!

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  13. This Christmas market looks lovely. I’d have been very tempted by the gingerbread and the wooden decorations for the tree. I really love the floating Advent wreath! Thanks for linking this up to this week’s #FarawayFiles

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  18. The floating wreath looks fantastic! Interesting to read about markets outside the big cities and fab can you could do two in one day trip. Glad you and your mum had fun! Thanks for linking #citytripping

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  21. I first fell in love with Christmas markets when I spent Christmas in Munich eight years ago. They are so charming. I haven’t been to any Austrian markets but I’m sure they are just as charming. #citytripping

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  24. Ah, love this time of the year when it’s time to check out the Christmas markets! It’s amazing how different a city can feel when it’s all dressed up in Christmas decorations etc. #citytripping

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  29. Oh! These European Christmas markets… Austria and Germany, for me, are the best places to feel the Christmas vibes! All these market food smells, souvenirs, hot wine with spices… Never heard of Villach & Velden though! Your pictures look amazing!

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