Top Spots to Visit for Easter Near and Around Vienna
Vienna and its surroundings offer a delightful array of Easter activities for families, combining festive markets, cultural experiences, and outdoor adventures. Here's a guide to some of the best destinations to make your Easter weekend an unforgettable experience.
**1. Easter Markets in Vienna: A Perfect Family Outing**
The Schönbrunn Easter Market (April 4–22, 2025) promises a fantastic family day out with numerous craft stalls, Easter Bunny workshops for kids, live jazz for adults, and regional food and drinks in the beautiful palace setting. For a more intimate experience, the Am Hof Easter Market (April 4–21, 2025) offers traditional Easter goods in a charming city square.
**2. Skiing and Outdoor Adventures**
For families seeking a blend of Easter celebrations and spring skiing or mountain activities, Tyrol is an ideal region close to Vienna. Innsbruck, just a short trip away, offers nine ski resorts within 45 km, with free ski buses and inclusive ski passes. The Ziller Valley region, including the Zillertal Arena ski area and the Hintertux Glacier, provides extensive runs and lively Easter village events.
**3. Cultural Highlights and Seasonal Delights**
Vienna in spring offers traditional treats like Osterpinzen (soft Easter bread) and marzipan shaped like rabbits and eggs. Families can enjoy seasonal food dishes such as Easter ham and Kaiserschmarrn (sweet shredded pancakes), adding to the festive experience. Museums such as the Wien Museum and Belvedere Palace have extended exhibitions during this period, providing cultural enrichment while visiting.
**4. Exploring Beyond Vienna**
The Roman city of Carnuntum, a half-hour from Vienna, offers authentically reconstructed buildings and activities like trying to be a young gladiator, playing Roman games, or crafting and exploring. A hike to the famous ruin in Dürnstein offers breathtaking views of the Danube. East Styria, particularly the Joglland-Waldheimat region and Pöllau nature park, showcases an enchanting spring landscape.
**5. Nature's Spectacle and Family Fun**
The Easter Bunny, Filippo the Cat, and Minky the Cat will be visiting the Family Park in St. Margarethen (Easter weekend, 2025), along with a kids' face-painting station, magic show, and Easter egg hunt. The Hopping Festival in Kittenberger Erlebnisgärten offers a colorful mix of nature, play, and Easter activities for families with young children. The Hohe Wand Nature Park, an hour from Vienna, offers an impressive rock landscape, kid-friendly hiking trails, and wildlife like ibexes, deer, and marmots.
**6. Cherry Blossoms and Historical Charm**
Cherry blossom spots in Vienna offer a natural spectacle worth visiting. The historic town center of Dürnstein, with its narrow streets, baroque abbey, and cozy heurigen, invites visitors to stroll around. Dürnstein is particularly charming at Easter, featuring apricot trees that bloom in soft pink around Easter, creating a natural spectacle.
This Easter, discover the magic of Vienna and its surroundings with these family-friendly destinations, combining city charm, cultural richness, and Alpine scenery to make your holiday unforgettable.
The home-and-garden enthusiasts can visit the Hopping Festival in Kittenberger Erlebnisgärten during Easter for a colorful mix of nature, play, and Easter activities. Traveling to the Joglland-Waldheimat region in East Styria provides an enchanting home-and-garden landscape in spring.
