Christmas magic in Steyr
From Lisa Schröer
Our Advent calendar boxes are being opened and the anticipation of Christmas is in the air – and what could be better than a winter excursion to one of the magical Christmas markets in Austria? Perfect for families, couples and friends – hassle-free and environmentally friendly with the KlimaTicket Ö.
Starting point
Steyr train station
How to get there
From Linz: 00:50 with the S1
From St. Pölten: 01:15 with the RJ and S1
From Salzburg: 02:00 with the RJ and REX
From Vienna: 02:15 with the RJ and S1
Catering
Numerous huts at the Advent markets
Suitable for
Anyone looking for Christmas spirit (couples, families incl. baby carriages, people with limited mobility)
Journey to Steyr: relaxed and comfortable
Steyr, the romantic Christmas town with its unique flair – that’s our destination for Sunday. My partner and I have decided to discover a few new Christmas markets with our KlimaTicket Ö on this sunny afternoon in Linz. As always, even the journey there is a pleasant experience – uncomplicated, relaxed and climate-friendly. We board the S-Bahn in Linz and start the short journey. The journey only takes around 50 minutes – perfect for catching up on the destination and enjoying the view. The early winter twilight shows its best side, as we can watch a beautiful sunset while arriving at nightfall. So we are just right to experience the city with a charm all of its own. The surroundings are bathed in a magical glow of lights that puts us in the mood for Christmas.
The first magical moment
Once we arrive in Steyr, our path leads us directly to the Enns Bridge, which can be reached either via stairs or an elevator. This means that access is also easy for people with limited mobility and baby carriages. From the Enns Bridge, we enjoy an impressive view of the historic old town, which glows in the soft evening light. The town welcomes us with its unmistakable atmosphere – picturesque old alleyways, festively decorated buildings and the scent of roasted almonds and mulled wine invite us to linger. Steyr has a lot to offer at Christmas time: The Advent village on the town square, the Steyr Christmas market on Promenadenallee, Advent at Lamberg Castle and the famous post office in the Christkindl district. Let’s go!
The Christmas market on the town square: a feast for all the senses
Our first stop is the Christmas market on the town square, idyllically nestled between the historic facades of the old town. We can hear the cheerful hustle and bustle of visitors from afar. The stalls are lovingly decorated and offer everything your heart desires: from culinary delicacies, such as farmer’s doughnuts or cheese spaetzle, to handicrafts and blacksmith demonstrations, to warming punch (also non-alcoholic). We opt for a cup of hot wild berry punch to warm our hands and enjoy a freshly baked Baumkuchen. Our highlight: Suddenly, festive music plays as a small brass band sings Christmas carols on the balcony of the town hall. At this moment, the longed-for Christmas spirit is finally here.
Christmas fun for the little ones: Promenade by the castle
A short walk takes us to the promenade by the castle. Here, the hearts of little Christmas fans beat faster. A carousel and many other rides make the eyes of the youngest ones light up. The festive atmosphere enchants not only the little ones, but also the grown-ups. We let the signs lead us further into the castle park, where a small nativity scene exhibition takes place in the former palm house. We then head to the magical Advent market at Lamberg Castle. A fascinating selection of design and craftsmanship awaits us here on two levels.
Enjoy the magic of Advent at a reduced price
A visit to the Christkindl district: where wishes come true
A special highlight in Steyr is the Christkindl district, which lives up to its name. From the first weekend of Advent, the famous Christkindl post office opens its doors here. Children can hand in their wish lists directly at the post office with a special postmark – an experience that makes the anticipation of Christmas even greater. There is also an exhibition of nativity scene rarities in the old vicarage and the baroque pilgrimage church to visit.
Info-Box: Historic pilgrimage site “Christkindl”
Christkindl is a traditional place of pilgrimage and a central element of Steyr’s Christmas celebrations. The pilgrimage church, built 300 years ago, attracts numerous pilgrims with its wax baby Jesus. The famous post office, which has issued over 1.5 million letters with a Christmas stamp and special postmark every year since 1950, is particularly attractive during Advent. The post office also answers the many wishes children send to the Christ Child.
The Christkindl district has a special flair for me: fir trees surrounding the imposing pilgrimage church as well as fairy lights decorate the district. There is also a unique view over Steyr. Up here, the Christmas season feels particularly contemplative and magical. For all those who would like to visit the district, there are convenient shuttle buses on the Advent weekends (Friday – Sunday) that take you comfortably from Steyr to the top. The timetable can be found here.
With festive impressions, we board the bus back to the old town and walk across the Ennsbrücke bridge again to catch the next S-Bahn train to Linz. Thanks to our KlimaTickets, we enjoy the flexibility of being able to use any train without being tied to fixed times – perfect for heading home as soon as the winter chill sets in
Conclusion: an unforgettable day in the Christmas town of Steyr
We were enchanted by our visit to the Christmas markets in Steyr. The festive atmosphere, the many attractions and the cozy ambience make this excursion a highlight in the run-up to Christmas, away from the Christmas markets in Vienna or Salzburg. Whether as a family with children, a couple or a group of friends – Steyr offers something for everyone. Thanks to the excellent train connections and the benefits of the KlimaTicket, getting here is very easy. Pack up your loved ones, grab your KlimaTicket and experience an unforgettable day in the Christmas town of Steyr. With guaranteed Christmas spirit!
