Vienna’s Christmas Markets are undoubtedly some of the best in Europe. The city hosts seventeen Christmas markets in ten districts of Vienna. If you are planning to visit Europe during late November and into early December, be sure to make Vienna a stop on your itinerary. You will surely enjoy the beauty, sights, sounds and smells of the season in what are some of the best Austrian Christmas markets.
Rathausplatz
The Rathausplatz Christmas Market (the market at Vienna’s City Hall) is by far the largest and favorite market in the city of Vienna. From the moment you stand in front of the main entrance, you will be overwhelmed by the lights, decorations, and beautiful Viennese City Hall. Special installations like the Heart Tree, Nativity Trail, Bussiplatz, and the Children’s Ice Skating provide options for things to do while at the market. There are plenty of food and beverage stalls with great selections to try. The atmosphere is super festive and very communal. By and large, people appeared happy to engage in conversation, eagerly sharing recommendations on things to do and experiences to try at the Rathausplatz Christmas Market. We absolutely loved it! ❤️🤩❤️
The Rathausplatz Christmas Market is open from November 10th to December 26th, 2023, 10am to 10pm. On December 24th it is open from 10am to 6:30pm.
Schönbrunn Palace
The Christmas market at the Schönbrunn Palace is right outside the palace doors. It is absolutely stunning at sunset, as the palace makes for a breathtaking backdrop. Here you can find exhibitors not only from Austria but also from the neighboring countries of Hungary and Slovakia. The market organizers emphasize small craft businesses, and the decorations you can find at this market seemed of very high quality. There are plenty of mulled drinks and good food to sample as well.
Additionally, this Vienna Christmas market is a bit out of the way, and it felt less crowded than the rest. To get to the Schönbrunn Palace, use the Metro U4 and get off at the Hietzing station. The palace is large, so you can’t miss it.
The Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market is open from 18th November 2023 through the 4th January 2024.
Belvedere Palace
The Belvedere Palace Christmas Market is another market with a palatial backdrop. It is smaller, more intimate, and, due to its location, is uniquely beautiful! It is also its location that makes it less crowded but, in addition to the good food and drink, very much worth a visit.
We highly recommend that you try a unique mulled drink called Feuerzangenbowle while at this market. It is a unique German-style festive drink that contains a sugar loaf soaked in rum, which is then set on fire and drips into your mulled drink.
The Belvedere Palace Christmas Market is open November 17th through December 26th, 2023.
Am Hof
The centrally located Am Hof Christmas Market is a small and intimate Vienna Christmas Market and a favorite of ours. You can grab a mulled drink, enjoy a winter Champagne bar, and sample a variety of artisanal food. Unique to this market is the setting. It hosted a wine market in this very location as early as 1358, so in some ways, you will help carry on an old tradition. ❤️
The Am Hof Christmas Market is open November 10th through December 23rd, 2023.
Art Advent
Located in front of the Baroque Karlskirche church, the Art Advent Christmas Market is another Vienna Christmas Market with a beautiful architectural backdrop. If you enjoy arts and crafts, this is the place for you. This market is reserved exclusively for craftsmen from Austria. Most of the stalls are full of unique gifts, and the owners seemed happy to tell us all about their inspirations and production process.
Just like in the other markets, there is plenty of good food and drink here. Be sure to try the ginger mulled wine, which we were only able to sample at this market. It was so, so good! 😋
The Art Advent Christmas Market is open November 24th through December 23rd, 2003.
University of Vienna
A Christmas Market with a unique and local feel (read: very few, if any, tourists), the University of Vienna Christmas Market (known as Weihnachtsdorf Campus Universität Wien) is absolutely lovely. You can expect stalls that serve typical Austrian food from across the country, as well as mulled drinks, in a cheerful and festive atmosphere. We loved the berry mulled wine, which featured real berries. 😋
This market also has a romantic feel, featuring a big “kissing” pagoda with a large mistletoe. Additionally, the market caters to families and, as such, has more activities for kids. Around the market grounds you can find good restaurants serving traditional Austrian food and beers, as well as providing a place to warm up if the weather is on the cold side.
The University of Vienna Christmas Market is open November 24th through December 23rd, 2003.
Other Vienna Christmas Markets
A few additional markets of note are:
- The Christmas Market at St. Steven’s Cathedral – a small market right in the center of Vienna at Stephansplatz square.
- The Christmas Market at Maria Thereisien Platz – this market is near the residence of Austria’s president and the Kunsthistorische museum.
- The Prater Wintermarkt – located at the front of the world’s oldest amusement park and Vienna’s giant ferry’s wheel.
- The Spittelberg Weihnachtsmarkt – situated in Vienna’s museum quarter, this market feels different as you get to walk the small winding streets full of vegetable market-like stalls along the way.
What to keep in mind when attending the Viennese Christmas Markets
- The weather in Vienna can get quite cold during this time of the year, so dress warmly and definitely bring very a warm coat, shoes, gloves, a good hat and a scarf.
- The ground can be slushy, so waterproof shoes are a must.
- Expect to stand and walk quite a bit. Wear super comfortable shoes.
- Christmas Markets nowadays take credit cards but there are still stalls and vendors who only take cash.
- Visiting the Christmas markets in Vienna is free.
- There are bathrooms at all markets.
- There is much to see and do in Vienna, so be sure to leave plenty of time for extra sightseeing, museums, concerts and restaurant exploration.
Send us an email at info@styledtraveler.com if you have any questions that were not answered in this post.
In closing, visiting Vienna during the Christmas period is a trip everyone should take at least once. We are definitely looking forward to returning and re-experiencing all that this magical city has to offer.
[All pictures taken by the Styled Traveler]
You may also like
- How to Spend 3 Magical Days in Vienna, Austria
- Park Hyatt Vienna: Exploring Luxury in the Historic Heart of the City – Hotel Review
Pin it
