As Winter approaches, the town of Vienna transforms right into a magical wonderland full of festive lights and decorations. Probably the most cherished traditions on this enchanting capital are the Vienna Christmas markets, recognized regionally as “Weihnachtsmärkte.” These markets carry households, associates, and guests collectively to rejoice the spirit of the season in model.
We’ll take you on a journey to discover Vienna’s hottest Christmas markets, highlighting their distinctive choices and interesting histories. From the long-lasting Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt to the charming Spittelberg Market tucked away within the outdated streets, every market gives pleasant treats and treasures for each style. Get able to immerse your self within the festive environment that envelops this stunning metropolis throughout the vacation season.
Information to the Prime Vienna Christmas Markets
Vienna is likely one of the most stunning cities on the earth, and its Christmas markets are among the many finest in Europe. On this part, we are going to introduce you to a few of our favourite Vienna Christmas Markets, every providing a novel and festive environment.
On this article, we’ve got centered on the Viennese Christmas markets that we’ve got personally visited. All these charming Christmas markets are free to enter.
Tip: We extremely suggest shopping for a Vienna Metropolis Card, which may present free public transportation and discounted admission charges to cultural points of interest. Obtain their app and digital metropolis information, iVie earlier than you go.
1. Christkindlmarkt
Also called the Viennese Dream Christmas Market, Christkindlmarkt is the oldest and most famed Vienna Christmas market, held since 1294. This big Vienna Christmas Market takes place in entrance of the beautiful Metropolis Corridor at Rathausplatz.
Christkindlmarkt captivates guests with all kinds of stalls and leisure choices. This market is understood for its family-friendly environment, with quite a few points of interest designed particularly for youngsters.
There’s a big ferris wheel, and an illuminated strolling path with quite a few nativity scenes. We couldn’t resist the center formed mugs, which you should buy from a stall close to the well-known Coronary heart Tree.
Guests collect there to share their love and particular moments. This distinctive show is one other splendid facet of the market, showcasing the true spirit of the season.
This big Viennese Christmas Market is open from 10am-10pm day by day. There are bathroom services situated inside the market and underground on the Ringstrasse.
- Ice-skating: There’s a big ice-skating rink that gives enjoyable for individuals of all ages.
- Coronary heart Tree: The Herzerl tree is adorned with a complete host of illuminated crimson hearts.
- Kids’s workshops: Youngsters can discover ways to make Christmas decorations and sing creation carols within the kids’s hut.
2. Maria Theresien Christmas Market
With a major location on Maria-Theresien-Platz subsequent to the Kunsthistorische Museum (Artwork Museum) and Naturhistorisches (Pure Historical past Museum), that is one other widespread Viennese Christmas market.
The nineteenth century Maria-Theresa memorial statue is surrounded by elegantly adorned stalls promoting festive ornaments and items.
- Native merchandise: Pattern a variety of connoisseur Austrian meals, akin to Wiener schnitzel and apfelstrudel.
- The general public conveniences are situated pretty near the Naturhistorisches – be sure to carry 0,50 euros to make use of them.
- The opening hours are 11am-10pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 11am-9pm from Sunday to Thursday.
3. ART ADVENT Christmas Market
One other unimaginable market is the ART ADVENT, also called Karlsplatz Christmas Market. It’s set amidst the attractive backdrop of the baroque-style St. Charles’ Church (Karlskirche).
This market focuses on distinctive, handmade merchandise, making it the right place to discover a particular reward for associates and households. Benefit from the conventional picket fairground rides, excellent for households and youngsters.
There are public conveniences conveniently situated available in the market itself. This sustainable Christmas market is open from 12am-8pm day by day.
- Artisanal merchandise: Native artists and craftspeople showcase their work, out there for buy to provide your Christmas presents a private contact.
- Foods and drinks: Take pleasure in scrumptious native treats like Glühwein, a heat, spiced wine, and roasted chestnuts.
- Kids’s actions: from writing workshops to candle making and story telling.
4. Belvedere Christmas Market
Located in entrance of the magnificent Belvedere Palace, the Belvedere Christmas Market is likely one of the most picturesque areas to expertise Vienna’s festive environment. This market on Prinz Eugen-Straße is barely smaller than some others, providing a extra intimate and romantic setting.
Purchase a standard snow globe from one of many stands – they originated in Vienna! After looking the stalls, head to Café Goldegg on Argentinierstraße. Opened in 1910, this conventional Viennese café is widespread with locals. Strive the wiener schnitzel or the meat goulash, each are scrumptious.
- Distinctive items: Discover the artisanal stalls for unique and superbly crafted items to your family members.
- Surroundings: The beautiful palace serves as a improbable picture alternative, creating lasting reminiscences of your go to.
- Opening hours are from 11am-9pm Monday to Friday and 10am-9pm Saturday to Sunday.
5. Schonbrunn Palace
The backdrop to this stunning Viennese Christmas market is Schonbrunn Palace. Though it takes round half-hour to get right here from Vienna metropolis centre, it’s effectively value it.
As you stroll by Parade Courtroom, you’ll come throughout a big Christmas tree and a handcrafted nativity scene with over 250 collectible figurines. The tree is adorned with twinkling fairy lights and ornaments, creating an attention-grabbing, shimmering show.
Schonbrunn Palace Christmas Market is open from 10am to 9pm day by day till 4 January. There are bathrooms to the proper of the gates as you enter, with a 0,50 euro cost.
- Festive decorations: Discover the artisanal stalls for unique and superbly crafted items to your family members. We picked up a number of papier-mâché tree ornaments right here.
- Surroundings: The beautiful palace serves as a improbable picture alternative, creating lasting reminiscences of your go to.
- The Courtroom Carousel: set it in movement by pedalling!
6. Am Hof Creation Market
With a handy location within the 1st District within the centre of Vienna, Am Hof is widespread with locals at Christmastime. As such, it may get fairly crowded at Am Hof market. We recommend going early – the market opens from 10am to 9pm from Friday to Sunday and runs till 23 December.
- Foodie focus: Take pleasure in a tipple on the Champagne Bar or a kartoffelpuffer (potato pancake) at one of many different stands.
- Cute souvenirs: This yr, the ceramic mugs at Am Hof Creation Market are a number of the coolest going!
- Round 75 stalls, a few of that are miniature retailers that you could go inside!
7. Outdated Viennese Christmas Market
Also called Freyung or the Altwiener Christkindlmarkt, this conventional Viennese market focuses on craft objects and effective meals. It’s situated a couple of minutes stroll from Am Hof Creation Market, so you’ll be able to simply mix the 2 in a single go to.
This picturesque market can also be fairly packed at sure instances of the day, so go early if you wish to browse with ease. The market is open from 10am to 9pm till 23 December. There aren’t any public bathrooms at this market – head to those close to Am Hof as a substitute.
- Farmer’s market: a very good number of spice desserts, meats and cheeses.
- Historic environment: flanked by the twelfth century Scottish Church (Schottenkirche).
- Nativity scene: 150 foot lengthy mural painted on the again of the stalls.
8. Spittelberg Christmas Market
For a novel ambiance, head to the Spittelberg district in Vienna at Christmas. Right here, the slim cobbled streets are teeming with stylish retailers and bars.
We extremely suggest reserving a desk at TIAN Bistro for dinner. Situated at Schrankgasse 4, Tian focuses on sustainable vegetarian and vegan delicacies.
Their plant primarily based cooking is one of the best we’ve got ever had! Founders Christian Halper and Paul Ivić have created an unimaginable Sharing Chef’s Backyard tasting menu utilizing natural components and uncommon greens. The philosophy is about utilizing the entire vegetable, from root to leaf.
Take pleasure in a number of pure wines chosen by André Drechsel and Nico Hammerl, awarded Sommelier Crew of the Yr 2023 by Gault& Millau. TIAN even have a Michelin starred vegetarian restaurant within the centre of Vienna – TIAN Wien at Himmelpfortgasse 23.
Spittelberg Christmas Market is open from 2pm to 9pm from Monday to Thursday, 2pm to 9.30pm on Fridays, 10am to 9.30pm on Saturdays and 10am to 9pm on Sundays.
- Eco-friendly market: specializing in fair-trade, regionally produced and natural objects.
- Lovely structure: a lot of the buildings are within the Biedermeier model, relationship from 1815 to 1848.
- Attention-grabbing souvenirs: LED wax lights, distinctive piggy banks, hand-knitted merino clothes.
Different Viennese Christmas Markets
There are a number of different Christmas markets in Vienna, which we both didn’t get time to go to on this event or visited briefly. These embody:
- College Campus (Altes AKH) – massively widespread with locals, attributable to its deal with meals and lined seating. It is a good place to go when it’s actually chilly! Open from 2 pm to 11 pm on Fridays, 11 am to 11 pm on Saturdays and 11 am to eight pm on Sundays.
- Prater (Winter Market Riesenradplatz) – options dwell music, a ferris wheel and flying chair journey and is open from 12 midday to 10 pm on Fridays and 11 am to 10 pm from Saturday to Sunday.
- Creation Im Gartenpalais Liechtenstein – a smaller market in a picturesque setting, open from 4 to 9 pm on Fridays and from 11 am to 9 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Hirschstetten Creation Market – situated within the stunning Botanical Gardens within the twenty second District, and open from 10 am to eight pm.
- Michaelerplatz (Ok.U.Ok. Weihnachtsmarkt) – a small market situated on the sting of the Hofburg Palace, open from 10 am to eight pm.
- Stephansplatz Christmas Market – subsequent to St Stephen’s Cathedral, with round 40 stalls and open from 11am to 9pm.
- Creation Delights Market (Mahlerstrasse) – not happening this yr attributable to renovation work, however will reopen in 2024.
Vienna Festive Ambiance and Decorations
When visiting the Vienna Christmas markets, you instantly discover the pleasant festive environment and beautiful decorations. The markets are adorned with stunning Christmas lights, illuminating the streets and including an impressive glow to the town.
The festive environment, distinctive decorations, and fascinating shows set the Vienna Christmas markets aside, making them a must-visit vacation spot throughout the vacation season.
Among the best locations to see Christmas lights in Vienna is within the MuseumsQuartier. Spanning 90,000m2, this Viennese cultural hub is lit up superbly for Winter im MQ. Head to Museumsplatz from 4-11pm on Fridays or 2-11pm from Saturday to Sunday to admire the illuminated constructing facades.
You may as well e-book tickets to Austria’s largest backyard of lights, Illumina. It takes place at Laxenburg Palace Park from 24 November 2023 to 11 February 2024. The park is round 35 minutes from central Vienna and people with out a automotive can purchase shuttle bus tickets.
Culinary Experiences on the Viennese Christmas Markets
When visiting the Vienna Christmas markets, you may be delighted by all kinds of scrumptious meals choices. The market stalls are full of conventional Austrian meals which might be positive to entice your style buds and supply a memorable culinary expertise.
One of many widespread snacks discovered on the market are potato spirals. These thinly sliced and seasoned potatoes are served on a stick, making for a tasty and handy snack as we flick through the market. Moreover, you shouldn’t miss the possibility to savor the candy and fragrant gingerbread cookies. These conventional treats are available in numerous styles and sizes, usually adorned with festive icing and decorations.
In fact, your exploration of the markets’ culinary delights wouldn’t be full with out sipping on some sizzling punch. This heat and aromatic beverage, sometimes made with spices and fruits, supplies a comforting heat and provides to the festive spirit. Along with sizzling punch, many meals stalls provide numerous kinds of mulled wine and sizzling chocolate to maintain us cozy throughout our market go to.
Listed below are only a few of the various engaging meals choices chances are you’ll encounter on the Vienna Christmas markets:
- Schnitzel: A basic Austrian dish consisting of breaded and fried meat, sometimes served with potato salad or french fries.
- Bratwurst and Sausages: Obtainable in numerous flavors together with cheese-filled and spicy varieties, these will be loved as a standalone snack or in a hearty sandwich.
- Kaiserschmarrn: A candy, shredded pancake-like dessert, served heat with powdered sugar and fruit compote.
- Raclette: Melted cheese scraped over boiled potatoes, accompanied by pickles and onions, gives a gooey and satisfying deal with.
As you discover the various meals stalls on the Vienna Christmas markets, you’re positive to return throughout quite a few different culinary surprises and temptations that may make your go to a really unforgettable expertise.
Actions and Leisure
Dwell Music Experiences
Throughout your go to to Vienna Christmas markets, one of the vital fascinating experiences was having fun with the dwell music. We have been thrilled to attend a mesmerizing Christmas live performance on the market, which really put us within the vacation spirit. All through the season, many proficient musicians and choirs carry out at numerous venues inside the markets, making a festive environment with their melodic tunes.
Outside Actions
On the Vienna Christmas markets, there are many out of doors actions for all ages. For instance, the Rathausplatz ice rink and curling within the MuseumsQuartier are to not be missed. There are lots of enjoyable fairground rides on the Prater Christmas market.
Cultural Actions
In the course of the Christmas season, Vienna’s historic websites and cultural venues present the right backdrop for having fun with the vacation spirit. Whereas exploring the town’s distinctive markets, don’t neglect to immerse your self in these exceptional landmarks and treasures.
We suggest visiting the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Artwork Historical past) and the Museum of Pure Historical past. These two premier museums, located reverse one another at Maria-Theresien-Platz, are residence to an unlimited assortment of artworks, artifacts, and pure wonders.
The place to Keep in Vienna
No go to to Vienna can be full with out a keep on the historic Resort Bristol, situated at Kaerntner Ring 1. This world-class resort, situated straight reverse the Vienna State Opera, gives unique lodging, mixing the magnificence of bygone years with state-of-the-art facilities.
The Resort Bristol has many unique Artwork Deco options, in addition to a sublime Lounge and Bar, and has been going robust since 1892. A part of The Luxurious Assortment by Marriott Bonvoy, it’s a stone’s throw from right here to the town centre.
We stayed within the Chinoiserie Opera Suite, which is extraordinarily spacious and boasts fabulous views of the Opera Home. There are two stunning marble bogs and an oval salon adorned with valuable vintage chinoiserie. We loved a scrumptious breakfast on the resort, with omelettes and poached eggs cooked to order.
Journey and Transport Data
We flew to Vienna with Austrian Airways, however there are various airways flying into Vienna Worldwide Airport. We then took the CAT (Metropolis Airport Prepare) which takes simply 16 minutes into Wien Mitte. The ticket value was included in our Vienna Metropolis Card.
As you discover Vienna’s Christmas markets, it’s important to know easy methods to navigate the town and get round effectively. Fortunately, Vienna’s public transport system is well-designed and simple to make use of, making it easy to go to lots of the magical markets throughout your keep.
For many metropolis middle Christmas markets, a brief stroll is often all it takes to immerse your self within the festive environment. Vienna’s metropolis middle is pedestrian-friendly and excellent for a leisurely stroll with a heat beverage in hand.
The public transport system in Vienna consists of buses, trams, and metro (U-Bahn) traces, and it is a superb choice for reaching Christmas markets not situated within the metropolis middle. Due to Vienna’s intensive transport community, you’ll be able to simply entry all markets, even these positioned on the outskirts of the town.
Here’s a fast overview of the transport strategies out there:
- Metro (U-Bahn): Probably the most handy and quickest solution to journey inside the metropolis. It operates from 5:00 am to 12:30 am on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends. Tickets will be bought on the station or on the Wiener Linien app.
- Trams: A dependable and comfy solution to journey round Vienna. With over 30 traces, trams can carry us near quite a few Christmas markets all through the town. Trams sometimes run between 5:00 am and midnight, with some traces providing evening service.
- Buses: Buses complement the tram and metro techniques, connecting much less central areas. Most buses run between 5:00 am and midnight, however there are additionally evening buses out there.
When utilizing public transport, contemplate these ticket choices:
- Single ticket: €2.40
- 24-hour ticket: €8.00
- 48-hour ticket: €14.10
- 72-hour ticket: €17.10
- Weekly cross: €17.10 (legitimate from Monday to the next Monday at 9:00 am)
In abstract, navigating Vienna throughout the Christmas market season is a breeze, due to the town’s environment friendly public transport system and pedestrian-friendly metropolis middle. Bear in mind to decorate warmly and benefit from the stunning scenes Vienna has to supply throughout the vacation season.
Remaining Ideas on the Vienna Christmas Markets
The Vienna Christmas markets remodel the town right into a Winter wonderland, full with ice-skating rinks, snow-covered pathways, and warming treats to take pleasure in. With each step you’re taking, the Christmas spirit comes alive and gives an unforgettable expertise.
Total, the vary of actions and leisure alternatives on the Vienna Christmas markets made our go to an unforgettable expertise. By exploring these Vienna Christmas markets, you’ll be able to immerse your self within the festive environment that makes the town much more magical throughout the vacation season.
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