We chose Mariazell because
- Our son recommended it
- It’s on a list of small, historic Austrian towns
- The Advent Market is weekends-only which is usually a sign that it’s more for locals than for tourists.
Impressions…
- Like many small towns we visit, the drive here was interesting – narrow, winding roads. It was snowing and at times the road was very slick.
- It was worth the drive through the snow. The town looked almost like the pictures you see on their website. It’s almost like a story-book town.
- The market was bigger than I expected, but still well under 50 booths.
- We saw no tour buses and heard no English except when people responded to us. At the hotel, only the owners (I assume they were the owners) spoke any English at all. We had dinner at the hotel the second night and our server asked another server to take our table because she could not understand us. At one of the booths, a worker spoke just a few words of English, saying “don’t hear that much.”
- There were beautiful views from the top of the mountain. There was no line for the cable car going up, but when we got back down the line was out the door.
Don’t miss…
- The cable car to the top of the mountain
- The Basilica
If you drive…
- There’s no way in or out that doesn’t involve narrow winding roads.
- Avoid the inner part of the town.
Beaten path index: 4 (See the key here)
- Cameras: 4
- Language: 4.5
- Path: 4
- Tourists: 3
Priority for a repeat visit (1-5): 4
- Just wander the streets of this beautiful town.
Links
Mariazell Advent Market
Hotel Himmelreich
The location is perfect. You go into their small parking area just before the street narrows. It’s within easy walking distance of any part of the town. It’s a very old, family-run hotel, but the rooms have been modernized.
Some of our favorite photos
Other photos
