One of the best reasons to visit Austria in winter is for the Vienna Christmas markets. Awash with magical wonder, seasonal treats and beautiful gifts, these markets are like enchanted villages tucked inside an already mesmerising city. If you’re visiting Austria’s capital during the chilly winter months and want to add an extra sprinkle of Christmas wonder to your holiday, add one of these Vienna Christmas markets onto your itinerary:
Most people agree that the City Hall Christmas Market is without a doubt the best Christmas market in Vienna. The biggest and most famous of all the seasonal markets in the capital, the City Hall Christmas Market is made up of more than 150 fascinating stands that offer a heart-warming experience of a true winter wonderland.
The stunning City Hall building provides more than just a fantastic backdrop to this Christmas market. Inside, you’ll find all kinds of themed workshops for children which they can join in with to learn how to bake delicious cookies and make gorgeous candles. It also creates the perfect environment for international choir carol performances on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays which are entirely free to enjoy.
The highlight of the City Hall Christmas Market is its spectacular ice rink. Covering 3,000m2, this fun-filled attraction adds an extra layer of Christmas marvel for children and adults to enjoy together. It also gives visitors an excellent way of working off all the delicious treats available from the food stalls!
For an even more magical Christmas experience, discover the glamorous New Year’s Eve gala in Vienna City Hall.
Address: Vienna City Hall, Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz
Dates: 16/11/2018 - 26/12/2018
Times: Sunday-Thursday 10am-9.30pm / Friday and Saturday 10am-10pm / December 7th 10am-10pm / Christmas Eve 10am-6pm / Christmas Day and Boxing Day 11am-9.30pm
Tucked in between the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art lies the Christmas Village at Maria-Theresien Platz. Here you’ll find around 70 seasonal stalls offering a wealth of yummy treats and unique gifts your friends and family back home will love. From enticing sausages that smell almost too good to be true, sweet punch to warm you up and organic artisan chocolates to delicate handmade snowglobes, beautiful decorative candles and fabulous Christmas ornaments, this Vienna Christmas market is oozing traditional charm. Not just a place to indulge in your culinary and retail desires, the Christmas Village at Maria-Theresien Platz is also a great opportunity to treat yourself to a cultural experience, with regular concerts being performed by astounding choirs and other musical groups.
Address: Maria-Theresien Platz, Burgring 5
Dates: 21/11/2018 - 31/12/2018
Times: Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm / Friday and Saturday 11am-10pm / Christmas Eve 11am-4pm / Christmas Day and Boxing Day 11am-7pm
Enjoying a prestigious location in front of the city’s most famous imperial palace, the Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace features 60+ stalls laden with charming nativity sets and handmade Christmas decorations unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else. Combine these captivating sights with the tempting aromas of freshly-baked biscuits, steaming hot punch and sweet roasted chestnuts and you’ve got one of the best Vienna Christmas markets there is.
As well as providing some incredible photo opportunities (here are some more amazing photo spots in Vienna) Schönbrunn Palace also hosts an extensive activity programme during the festive period, brimming with mesmerising classical concerts and exciting craft workshops for little ones. Make your visit even more special and combine it with a tour or a concert inside Schönbrunn Palace.
Address: Parade Court, Schönbrunn Palace, Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47
Dates: 24/11/2018 - 26/12/2018
Times: Everyday 10am-9pm / Christmas Eve 10am-4pm
Arguably the best Christmas market in Vienna for people who revel in a traditional Viennese atmosphere, the Christmas Village in the Former General Hospital is sure to enchant, astound and impress. The lovingly-decorated 60 alpine hut stalls that make up the market are set into quaint narrow alleyways that make the place feel cosy and welcoming. From creamy cheese fondue, hearty roasted meats and delicious baked potatoes to warm woolly hats, one-of-a-kind pottery and wonderfully-smelling soaps, there’s plenty to browse here.
Although the stalls are certainly a major attraction, most people visit this Christmas market for the family-friendly extras. A children’s railway, traditional carousel, curling lanes, Ferris wheel and hot air balloon-inspired ride present adults and children alike with hours of fanciful entertainment. There’s even a small petting zoo with donkeys and other farm animals!
Address: Former General Hospital (“Altes AKH”), Universitätscampus, Alserstrasse
Dates: 17/11/2018 - 23/12/2018
Times: Monday and Tuesday 2pm-10pm / Wednesday 11am-10pm / Thursday and Friday 2pm-11pm / Saturday 11am-11pm / Sunday 11am-9pm
The distinguished and world-famous gardens provide the ideal location for the Christmas Village Belvedere Palace. Despite its relatively small size (the market is comprised of around 40 stalls) the stunning baroque backdrop of one of Vienna’s most astounding landmarks more than makes up for it.
A wonderful place to shop for traditional handicrafts native to the city, elaborate Christmas decorations you’ll want to show off to everyone and epicurean delights you won’t be able to refuse, the Christmas Village Belvedere Palace delights all the senses.
To add to the festive atmosphere, Austrian brass bands and highly-acclaimed gospel choirs perform at the Christmas market, while a nostalgic merry-go-round enchants little ones and makes their winter trip to Vienna one they’ll never forget.
Address: Belvedere Palace, Prinz Eugen-Straße
Dates: 23/11/2018 - 26/12/2018
Times: Monday-Friday 11am-9pm / Weekends 10am-9pm / Christmas Eve 11am-4pm / Christmas Day and Boxing Day 11am-7pm
Which do you think is the best Christmas market in Vienna? Leave us a comment below with the name of the market and the reason it’s your favourite. We might add it onto our list!