November is one of my favorite months in Vienna. It’s a city in transition. Early in the month, it still feels like autumn, but by the end of the month, winter has settled in.
At the beginning of November, I make a point of getting outside as much as I can. The parks and vineyards around the city are glowing with fall colors, and a day trip to the Wachau Valley is especially rewarding for a vineyard hike.
I’ll admit, September and October are better months for visiting Heurigen (wine taverns), but you can still find a few open in November. More importantly, this is Ganslzeit. The highlight of the season is eating Martinigansl, a roast goose served around St. Martin’s Day. It’s one of those traditions that locals look forward to all year.
By late November, Vienna slips into Advent mode. The streets light up, the Christmas markets open, and the whole city feels festive. Here’s my advice: visit the markets in November, not December. They’re just as beautiful, but far less crowded, which makes the experience so much more enjoyable.
- Public Holidays in Austria: November 1st (All Saints’ Day)
- Sunset: 4:30 pm in early November / 4 pm in late November
- What to Pack: Jacket, warm clothing, beanie
- Best Places to Stay: The Harmonie Vienna (midrange), Hotel Spiess & Spiess (midrange), Hotel Indigo Vienna (midrange), The Amauris Vienna (luxury), and Hotel Sans Souci Wien (luxury)
Watch the Sunset Over Vienna from the Nussberg Vineyards
One of my favorite early November experiences in Vienna is heading up to the Nussberg vineyards in the late afternoon. The golden autumn light drapes the city, Danube, and vineyards in warm fiery hues.
Early in the month, the vineyards shimmer with golden leaves, but by late November they’re stripped bare.
You can easily walk up to Nussberg from the Nußdorf tram station (end of line D). For those who enjoy a longer hike, the Vienna City Hiking Trail 1 is a great option. This Stadtwanderweg ascends to Kahlenberg, Vienna’s highest mountain (484 m), and then drops back down to the starting point via the Nussdorf vineyards.
Eat and Drink in a Cozy Heurigen
The Viennese may be mostly Catholic, but on a Sunday, you’ll quickly see where their true devotion lies. More souls gather in wine taverns than churches, proving that Heurigen are the true sanctuaries of Viennese life.
I’ve put together a detailed guide to visiting Heurigen wine taverns, complete with an interactive map.
Wine taverns aren’t open year-round, as many operate only every other month. Always check their websites for opening dates before you go, so you don’t waste a trip.
Savor a Martinigansl Feast
Martinigansl (St. Martin’s goose) is a seasonal treat celebrating the end of the farming year, available only in November and occasionally early December. The roast goose is traditionally served with red cabbage, dumplings, and chestnuts, and it is absolutely delicious.
St. Martin’s goose is tied to the feast of St. Martin of Tours, celebrated on November 11. Born in present-day Hungary, St. Martin joined the Roman army and later became a monk and eventually a bishop in 371 AD.
According to legend, when the church wanted to make him a bishop, Martin felt unworthy and tried to hide in a goose pen. The geese, however, gave him away with their loud honking, revealing his hiding spot. Over time, roast goose became the traditional meal on his feast day. For the pagan origins of this beloved tradition, read this article in falstaff (use Chrome to translate).
Our favorite places to eat Martinigansl in Vienna are s’Pfiff in Neustift am Walde, heurigen krenek in Stammersdorf, and Zur Goldenen Kugel in the 9th district.
At some restaurants, you’ll need to pre-order the Martinigansl when making your reservation.
So Schmeckt Niederösterreich Advent Market
The So schmeckt Niederösterreich (This is what Lower Austria Tastes Like) Advent Market is held during the first Advent weekend (usually late November) in Palais Niederösterreich in Vienna’s first district.
The 2-day market features over 60 vendors offering regional specialties from all four districts of Lower Austria, alongside handcrafted goods. Upon entering, you’ll pass through an inner courtyard, lined with food vendors selling mulled wine and fruit punch, Mohnnudeln, and game dishes.
Admission is free, and the market runs from Friday to Saturday, 10 am – 9 pm. Arrive earlier in the day, as the market becomes very crowded by evening.
The highlight of the event is seeing the interior of Palais Niederösterreich.
Location | Herrengasse 13, 1010 Wien – Google Maps
Christmas Markets Without the Masses
Vienna’s Christmas markets begin opening in mid to late November. As a local, I only visit the Advent markets in November, when they’re still enjoyable and not overrun.
For my American readers: skip the idea of visiting Christmas Markets in late December. Instead, plan your trip for Thanksgiving. You’ll experience the magic of the Christmas markets without the crowds or inflated hotel prices. And, you can celebrate Thanksgiving with Martinigansl instead of turkey, which is exactly what I do.
- City Hall Christmas Market: November 14, 2025
- Belvedere Palace Christmas Market: November 14, 2025
- Altes AKH Christmas market: November 14, 2025
- Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market: November 6, 2025
- Spittelberg Christmas Market: November 14, 2025
- Art Advent on Karlsplatz: November 21
- Prater Christmas Market: November 21, 2025
- Am Hof Advent Market: November 14, 2025
- Stephansplatz Christmas Market: November 8, 2025
Related | Vienna in December and Vienna in January
Where to Stay in Vienna
The Harmonie Vienna (midrange) is tucked away in the charming Servitenviertel in the 9th district, walking distance (or quick tram ride) to the inner district. This friendly hotel offers clean and comfortable rooms, a great breakfast (included in the room rate), complimentary afternoon tea with cake, and a gym.
More midrange accommodations | Rafael Kaiser – Premium Apartments (2nd District), Hotel Motel One Wien-Staatsoper (1st District), Parkview Boutique Apartments (3rd District), Hotel Spiess & Spiess (3rd district), Jaz in the City Vienna (6th district), and Hotel Indigo Vienna (5th District).
Luxurious The Amauris Vienna stands proudly on the Ring Road in Vienna’s 1st District, steps away from the Vienna State Opera and Musikverein (Vienna Philharmonic). With its new graceful interiors, relaxing spa (indoor pool, steam sauna, Finnish sauna), well-equipped gym, and innovative kitchen, it strikes the right balance between modern luxury and 19th-century Viennese elegance.
Altstadt Vienna is a boutique 4-star hotel in the charming Spittelberg quarter in the fashionable 7th District, close to Kunsthistorisches Museum. This contemporary-art-filled hotel features uniquely designed interiors and a hidden rooftop terrace, open seasonally. A wonderful breakfast is served in the Red Salon daily. In the afternoon, complimentary tea and homemade cakes are served in front of the open fireplace. Also check out nearby Hotel Sans Souci Wien and Hotel Gilbert.
Look for accommodation in Vienna.
For a complete overview of the best places to stay in Vienna, read Where to Stay in Vienna.
More Austria Travel Guides
Vienna:
Autumn in Austria:
Autumn across Europe:
- Europe Autumn Travel Destinations
- September Hikes in Europe
- October Hikes in Europe
- November Hikes in Europe
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