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Christmas is just around the corner! And we are all jolly and happy! Getting ready for big celebrations. Well, that’s at least the case for some people. My family is not that big on Christmas celebrations but, who doesn’t like Christmas markets? So I decided to visit Christmas markets in Vienna this year. I’ve been there around 12-13 years ago, and in the last years, I went to the Christmas markets in Zagreb and Budapest! So this year it was time for Vienna!
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So let me tell you a little bit about the Christmas Markets in Vienna
Christmas Markets in Vienna really do have a long tradition, dating all the way back to the year 1298. When the ruler Albrecht I let the citizens of Vienna hold a December market called “Krippenmarkt”. But in the next centuries, it was changed all the way to the nowadays Christmas markets that are happening all around the world.
Today there is over 20 official Christmas Markets in Vienna!
Well, I visited only a few of them since I’ve spent most of my day at Schönbrunn.
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Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market
Since I was at Schönbrunn, of course, I took some time to walk around the Christmas market there. It’s located in front of the Schönbrunn Palace, so it has the most beautiful backdrop. After the Christmas, it transforms into New Year’s Market. Here you can buy some nice handcrafted goods or try some mulled wine or hot punch.
Christmas market is here from 24th of November till 26th of December. Opened from 10AM to 9PM with exception of 24th of December when it’s opened from 10AM to 4PM.
After this, there is New Year’s market from 27th of December till 6th of January, that will be opened from 10AM to 6PM.
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Christmas Market on Stephansplatz
This one is one of the newest ones and one of the smallest. With around 40 stalls offering high-quality products from around Austria. But it’s setting is very nice with St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the back and big Christmas tree on a side. I had quite a few mugs of mulled wine here. You can also try mulled gin.
This one is opened from 16th of November to 26th of December. Opening hours are every day from 11AM to 9PM, with exceptions – 24th of December 11AM – 4PM and on 25th & 26th of December from 11AM – 7PM.
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Am Hof Advent Market
It’s a nice little market not far from Stephansplatz. Here you can buy some handcrafted goods as well. But I was here mostly for mulled wine. If you are lucky you will hear some Christmas music here or even a choir singing. Also, this market has tons of food stalls so you won’t leave hungry. It’s best if you visit when it’s dark cause there are beautiful lights in the shape of the circus tent roof.
This Christmas Market is open from 16th of November to 23rd of December. And the opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 11AM to 9PM and Friday to Sunday from 10AM to 9PM. But the food stalls are open till 10PM.
Freyung Christmas market is close by, but I opted for the one at Rathaus.
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Vienna Magic of Advent at Rathausplatz
This Christmas market is as good as it gets. It’s definitely the biggest one and it’s settled on City Hall Square. There is around 150stalls and a big illuminated ice ring that goes through the park. Trees are all wrapped in Christmas lights and there is even a tree of hearts. The ground floor of the City Hall has an area dedicated to kids. Here they learn how to make cookies and candles. The Children’s World outside also offers a reindeer train and carousel. From Friday to Sunday you can also hear international choirs singing Christmas carols. And of course, there is a big Christmas tree that glows so bright. You definitely have to come to this market in the evening.
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Here you can find some special Christmas decorations, gifts or some great food and drinks. Anything your heart wishes. Again I went for mulled wine. But there is so much more for you to try. Get some roasted almonds or piece of bread with lardo or ham. Or maybe langos and some punch. Really, whatever you feel like.
To get the best shot of the market go on the stairs of Burgtheater.
This market is opened from 17th of November till 26th of December. Typically it’s opened Sunday – Thursday from 10AM to 9.30PM, Friday and Saturday from 10AM to 10PM. With exceptions on 7th of December 10AM to 10PM, 24th of December from 10AM to 6PM and 25th, 26th of December from 11AM to 9.30PM.
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Art Advent on Karlsplatz
This one was my favorite out of all Christmas Markets in Vienna. Repeatedly voted as favorite advent market in the city. Situated in front of beautiful Karlskirche is full of handcrafted goods and organic food. Beautifully decorated, even has straw in the middle and farm animals. So as said before all the food is organically certified and you can also have some mulled wine or punch with it.
Very interesting is the fact that all the handcrafted goods that are sold there have to qualify and be selected by a jury. I really loved everything. My favorites were pottery items. Especially teapot with some cat eyes drawn on it. I wanted to buy it, but it was very unpractical to carry it around the whole evening, but I got a card from the lady so might order it online.
You can also catch some live music performances, pony rides or some other activities. Quite a big selection of events going on on this one.
It’s opened from 23rd of November till 23rd of December, from midday till 8PM.
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So these are the Christmas Markets in Vienna that I had a chance to visit, but there is much more to see. If you have 2-3days in the city you should manage to cover most of them.
The ones I really want to see next time are:
– Christmas Village Belvedere Palace
– Christmas Village Maria-Theresien Platz
– Christmas Village in the Former General Hospital
– Winter Market in the Prater at Riesenradplatz
– Christmas Market at Spittelberg
– Winter at MQ
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And to conclude. Christmas Markets in Vienna are free to visit. Best way to navigate around the city is by foot or by public transport. They are also a great place to shop for Christmas gifts or just to enjoy Christmas spirit. The best time to visit them is during the evening because then you can see all the lights, but it’s also the busiest then. So if you are not keen on crowds maybe opt to visit them during the day.
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Also, check out my blog post about Christmas markets in Budapest and in Zagreb!
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This year’s Best Christmas Market in Europe is in Tallinn!
