A Detailed Guide to Vienna’s Christmas Markets

We planned a trip to Austria for Christmas markets because of Salzburg’s Perchten tradition, which meant Vienna was somewhat of an afterthought.

That was our bad.

We knew the Vienna Christmas market scene was a big deal, but we didn’t think we’d be this impressed by the atmosphere there. The Austrian city doesn’t mess around at Christmas, especially at the biggest markets.

While that means you won’t have these places to yourself, there are enough options for Christmas markets in Vienna to find the one that speaks to you. For me, that often means the easiest access to mulled wine, but you may have other priorities.

Vienna’s Christmas markets are worth visiting.

Vienna’s Christmas markets are pretty magical, with the largest options going to town on the illumination displays, Christmas decorations, and wooden stalls. While not as diverse as markets we’ve visited in France, the food and drinks are warming and delicious.

If you only have one day, there are plenty of markets to explore on foot from central Vienna, but the city’s public transit is excellent if you want to get to the outskirts.

The only bummer is that Vienna’s holiday scene isn’t some secret. You’ll be sharing the big markets with loads of other tourists, so pack your patience.

Vienna Christmas Market Start Dates

Vienna’s markets usually kick off in mid-November and run through Christmas Eve or New Year, but it varies by market. I’ll include exact dates and opening times for each one I mention below so that you have everything you need to plot out your time here.

Where to Find Vienna’s Christmas Markets

Vienna is in northeastern Austria, along the banks of the Danube River. The city’s Christmas markets are scattered throughout the historic center and in a few scenic spots outside the core, making them easy to combine with sightseeing.

Some of the most popular markets are at Rathausplatz, Schönbrunn Palace, and Belvedere Palace, but you’ll be spoiled for choice here.

A Guide to the Vienna Christmas Markets

Vienna’s Christmas markets are spread across the city, each with its own vibe. I personally like partying in front of palaces when I’m sipping on hot wine, but you have options. Here’s your detailed roundup of what to expect at the most popular spots.

These aren’t in order of preference, but listed in the order we experienced them on our trip to Vienna. I’ll include a few bonus markets that we missed at the end of the list.

Belvedere Palace Christmas Market

2025 Market Dates: Nov. 14-Dec. 31
2025 Market Times: Monday-Friday 11am-9pm; Saturday-Sunday 10am-9pm; Dec. 24 11am-4pm; Dec. 25-30 11am-8pm

This was our first market in Vienna, as we had plans to see Gustav Klimt’s famous painting, The Kiss, at the Upper Belvedere beforehand.

While lovely, it isn’t super big, but it’ll also be quite a bit calmer than some of the larger offerings around town. We had our first warm beverages here to kick off a few days of fun.

Note: I’d highly recommend a visit to the Upper Belvedere for a little art escape. It wasn’t too busy at the first ticket of the day, but booking in advance is still a good idea to avoid potential crowds.

The gardens here are lovely, too. With more time, you can also visit the Lower Belvedere, the former winter residence of Prince Eugene.

Art Advent at Karlsplatz

2025 Market Dates: Nov. 21-Dec. 23
2025 Market Times: Daily 12pm-8pm

This Advent market is known as the arts and crafts market. We thought it was cute, and it definitely had more gifts and things to buy, which is never a bad thing. If you’re looking for unique gifts to bring back home, this is your stop.

An added bonus was that they had a cute little farm setup with pigs, goats, and sheep, and this city girl loves farm animals.

READ MORE: One of the highlights of my life was yoga with goats in Ramona, California. Check it out!

The backdrop of Karlskirche, or St. Charles Church, doesn’t suck, either. This is one of Vienna’s most famous Baroque churches, and it’s easily recognizable by its green dome. We walked to this one from the Upper Belvedere in less than 20 minutes.

Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market

2025 Market Dates: Nov. 6-Jan. 6
2025 Market Times: Daily 10am-9pm; Dec. 24 10am-4pm; Dec. 25 10am-7pm

You can’t beat the scenery at this one, and we loved the diversity of hot drinks and treats. We visited this one at magic hour, and it became even more atmospheric as the lights started to twinkle.

You can see a short clip of what we experienced below:

There is a curling rink here that you can reserve in advance if you’re traveling to Vienna in a group. Our group didn’t partake, but it looked like a lot of fun. This market has more activities overall, with ice skating available for some fun, too.

Fun fact: Schönbrunn Palace remains open during market hours if you’d like to stop by. I’d suggest doing so upon arrival, as hours there are more limited than at the market. Leave time to walk its extensive gardens, too.

This market isn’t walkable from the rest. To get to the palace, take the U4 subway to Schönbrunn station. It’s an easy walk from there.

Maria-Theresien-Platz Christmas Market

2025 Market Dates: N/A
2025 Market Times: N/A

This was a quick market stop for us after visiting the impressive Kunsthistorisches Museum across the street. It’s quite large and atmospheric, with the museum domes overhead.

Unfortunately, it won’t be operating in 2025 due to some renovation work on the museum campus. Redevelopment is expected to take a few years, but I’ll keep you posted!

When it reopens, I bet it’ll be just as impressive. Expect more food, drinks, and handcrafted gifts at over 70 stalls.

Stephansplatz

2025 Market Dates: Nov. 8-Dec. 26
2025 Market Times: Daily 11am-9pm; Dec. 24 11am-4pm, Dec. 25-26 11am-7pm

The market here is much smaller, but I’m calling this one an essential stop because it’s at the base of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, one of Vienna’s most iconic landmarks.

Our favorite part of our visit here wasn’t the market itself, though. It was riding the elevator to the top of the North Tower for up-close views of the cathedral’s colorful roof tiles.

Fun fact: You can also climb the South Tower for panoramic views from all four sides, but you won’t get the closeups of the tiles that way.

Linger if you must at one of the stalls back at the bottom, or continue to some of the city’s bigger markets.

Altwiener Christkindlmarkt

2025 Market Dates: Nov. 14-Dec. 23
2025 Market Times: Daily 10am-9pm

This market on historical Freyung square is one of the oldest markets in Europe. It’s been around in some form since 1722!

We liked that this one had live music. Check their website for times on special events if you’d like to time your visit for some bonus revelry.

While it’s a smaller option, we lingered at this one through a full set of the band on the afternoon of our visit. Good times.

Weihnachtsmarkt am Hof

2025 Market Dates: Nov. 14-Dec. 23
2025 Market Times: Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm; Friday-Sunday 10am-9pm (Food and drinks are served for an hour after closing time.)

This one is known for its Champagne hut, but honestly, after visiting Champagne, France, several times, your money is better spent elsewhere.

Note: There’s a prosecco hut selling drinks at this very market that’s cheaper, for example.

We did it once for the experience, but it’s nothing like the Champagne huts in Reims back in France. This one is an easy stop just to check it out if you’re walking from the Freyung, as we were.

Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt

2025 Market Dates: Nov. 14-Dec. 26
2025 Market Times: Daily 10am-10pm; Dec. 24 10am-6:30pm

This is the largest and most famous Vienna Christmas market, set in front of the city hall. They really go all out with this one. The Christmas lights are impressive and thematic, and it has one of the largest ice rinks I’ve ever seen at a market.

It’s really beautiful, but it’s also very crowded, especially the later you get into December. If you want to skate, get there early. We left this one for the evening to see the illuminations, so you’ll need to weigh what’s most important to you with this one.

We were able to walk to this one from Weihnachtsmarkt am Hof, but it’s most accessible by U2 to Rathaus if you’re coming from elsewhere.

Weihnachtsmarkt am Spittelberg

2025 Market Dates: Nov. 14-Dec. 23
2025 Market Times: Monday-Friday 2pm-9:30pm; Saturday-Sunday (and public holidays) 11am-9:30pm

We walked through Weihnachtsmarkt am Spittelberg in the evening on the way to our hotel, and it felt like more of a neighborhood-type market. It was a little greener and a little hipster, with foods and other local goods you may not find elsewhere.

I liked how this one was set up, too, as it ran in between the side streets of the neighborhood. As it was the end of the night for us, we didn’t linger too long. It was a LONG day.

Spittelberg is walkable from Rathausplatz or accessible via U2 to Volkstheater.

Weihnachtsdorf Campus Universität Wien

2025 Market Dates: Nov. 14-Dec. 23
2025 Market Times: Monday-Thursday 2pm-10pm; Friday 2pm-11pm; Saturday 11am-11pm; Sunday 11am-9pm; Dec. 23 11am-8pm

We didn’t have time to make it to this one, but I’ve read that it’s a popular local option with fewer crowds. This one is set in the courtyard of the old General Hospital, Altes AKH, and its proximity to the university campus makes it feel a little younger.

You’ll find food trucks, local snacks, and artsy gifts. It seems like a great option if you want to escape the big tourist crowds for a bit, and you can walk here from central Vienna.

Wintermarkt at the Riesenradplatz

2025 Market Dates: Nov. 21-Jan. 6
2025 Market Times: Monday-Friday 12pm-10pm; Saturday-Sunday (and public holidays) 11am-10pm; Dec. 24 10am-5pm; Dec. 31-Jan. 1 12pm-2am

This is another one we missed, but I wanted to include it as a family-friendly option. The Prater Christmas market is set in Vienna’s historic Wurstelprater, the world’s second-oldest amusement park, dating back to 1766.

The star attraction is the Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel. Rides aren’t cheap, but I’m sure your trip hasn’t been, either. You’ll also find bumper cars, an amusement arcade, and a wax museum nearby if you’re a glutton for punishment.

To get here from starting points like Rathausplatz, take the U2 to Praterstern. From there, it’s about a 5–10 minute walk south along the main park entrance toward the Ferris wheel.

Hirschstetten

2025 Market Dates: Nov. 13-Dec. 21
2025 Market Times: Thursday-Sunday 10am-8pm; Dec. 8 10am-8pm

Plant lovers, head to the Botanical Gardens in Hirschstetten on the outskirts of Vienna’s 22nd district for beautifully decorated greenhouses and artisan foods.

Of the three we missed on this list, I probably had the most FOMO over this one. It just looked like such a lovely, calmer setting, but it just seemed like a lot of effort that we were lacking by the end of our trip.

To get there, take the U2 to Stadlau, then connect to bus 86A or 87A.

What to Buy at Vienna’s Christmas Markets

Vienna’s Christmas markets are bigger and offer a wider range of treats and souvenirs than Salzburg, but the focus is still on stalls selling indulgent food and festive crafts.

Here’s what to look for as you browse:

• Glühwein: Mulled wine is everywhere, often with a splash of rum or brandy for an extra little something. This is essential for keeping warm, I say.
• Grammelknödel: These aren’t at every market in Vienna, but if you see these rich, hearty potato dumplings, you should give them a go.
• Heiße Schokolade: If you’re done with mulled wines and punches, pick up some hot chocolate. Many booths will add a liqueur for an added fee.
• Kaiserschmarrn: Fluffy, shredded pancakes are dusted with powdered sugar and served with a fruit compote. They’re super sweet and indulgent.
• Käsekrainer: Much like markets across Germany and the rest of Austria, sausages are a must-try. Skip the brats for once and go for this cheese-filled version.
• Lebkuchen: I don’t love the flavor of these heart-shaped gingerbread cookies, but they’re a popular gift from Austrian markets.
• Leberkässemmel: It’s like a meatloaf sandwich if the meatloaf were swapped for a pork loaf. The mini sandwiches are popular at German markets, too.
• Ofenkartoffel: You’ll find these baked potatoes served up savory with cheese, cream, or vegetables.
• Ornaments and Crafts: Upgrade your Christmas tree back home or pick up some artisanal crafts as festive gifts.
• Punsch: Kinderpunsch is the non-alcoholic version, but you’ll find punches of varied fruit flavors and added liquors at most Viennese markets.

Extra Tips for Visiting Vienna at Christmas

Some of the advice out there seems outdated, so here are a few tips from our recent visit to Vienna’s Christmas markets:

• Bring cash. While many larger stalls in Vienna now accept cards, smaller or traditional chalets remain cash-only. Assume you’ll need to take some money out before you head to the markets, so you’re not battling for ATMS last-minute.
• Bring small change. Public bathrooms at markets usually charge a small fee (€0.50–€1), and each stall or station sets its own price. I hate that this is a thing, but it’s customary all over markets in Austria and Germany.
• Visit on a weekday. Central markets get very busy on weekends, particularly in the evenings. Weekday visits make it easier to take fun photos and enjoy your hot drinks without spillage, especially if you visit in November.
• Keep track of your mug. Many stalls serve hot beverages in reusable cups or mugs with a small deposit. It’s a green thing, and a good thing. You can return the cup for a refund, or keep it as a souvenir.
• Return the mug to the right stall. Some markets have branded mugs tied to specific chalets. Look for the stall where you bought the drink to redeem your deposit, with any chip you got if relevant.
• Layer up. Vienna’s markets are spread out, and you’ll likely walk between multiple locations in cold weather. Winter boots, scarves, and gloves are essential if you want to be more comfortable out there.

How to Get to the Vienna Christmas Markets

The best way to get to Vienna depends on your starting point. We flew into Vienna from our home base in France. Flights into the Austrian hub are plentiful and generally not too pricey, but book in advance for the Christmas season.

The Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Central Station) is well-connected and near many hotels, with easy access to the city center, where most of the markets are located.

From the station, you can walk or take public transport. U-Bahn lines and trams will get you to Stephansplatz, Rathausplatz, or Karlsplatz efficiently.

If you’re staying for several days, the Vienna City Card can be helpful. It covers unlimited public transit and offers discounts for many museums and attractions, which can save you money while exploring the city.

Apart from Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna’s main Christmas markets are all walkable from the city center, so you won’t need a car if you plan to stay downtown.

More Things to Do in Vienna

You may be here for the markets, but there’s so much more to do in Vienna that isn’t connected to the winter holidays and the city’s Christmas villages.

I have a detailed guide to my favorite things to do in Vienna, but here’s a quick list to help you plan:

• Experience Viennese coffee culture. We liked Café Hawelka, but make sure you bring cash for your coffee and treats.
• Visit the Spanish Riding School. If you can’t make a show, you can book tickets to their exercise program and see the horses prep for their performances.
• Tour the Leopold Museum. Discover modern Austrian art, including works by Egon Schiele and more from Klimt, in the MuseumsQuartier district.
• Visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Explore vast art collections, admire the architecture, and see the incredible Tower of Babel painting.
• Admire the Grand Hall and National Library. The library is visually stunning, but you’ll find rotating exhibits inside about artifacts from Vienna’s past.
• Climb Stephansplatz North Tower. Get up close views of St. Stephen’s Cathedral’s roof tiles and panoramic sights of Vienna from above.
• Walk along the Graben. Stroll Vienna’s iconic shopping street, which gets even prettier with the holiday lights.
• Eat all of the things. We loved the Austrian pastries served by pensioners at Vollpension and classic schnitzel at Schnitzel One.
• See a show at the Vienna State Opera. This is world-class opera in one of the most prestigious and architecturally stunning opera houses in the world.
• Visit Heuriger 10er Marie. Escape the city center for a traditional Viennese wine tavern with local wines.
• See a Christmas concert. OK, so this one is related to the holidays, but it seemed so friggin’ whimsical. Here’s a lovely option.

READ MORE: Planning activities outside of the market scene is one of my favorite tips for avoiding Christmas market fatigue!

Best Christmas Markets Near Vienna

If you want a smaller, but still picturesque market nearby, Krems an der Donau hosts its annual market along the Danube. It’s just under an hour by train or car from central Vienna.

If you like country-hopping, Bratislava in Slovakia is only about an hour by train, too. Their markets are more compact, but still lovely. Salzburg, which we visited as part of the same trip to Vienna, is about two hours and 30 minutes by train.

I have a detailed guide to Salzburg’s Christmas markets if you’re interested in the same combo of holiday fun, plus a detailed guide to my favorite musical tour!

Hotels Near the Vienna Christmas Markets

The Weekend Hotel was our pick in Vienna, and we had no complaints. It offered easy access to the center and easy access to trains, and our nights there were comfortable. We didn’t partake in the buffet breakfast, but it’s an option for you.

Use the map below to search for more options:

Start in Vienna for Austria’s best Christmas markets.

Vienna is a natural base for quite a bit of holiday fun in the region, but that doesn’t mean you should rush out of the city if you’re here for Christmas markets.

Vienna boasts some of Austria’s best Christmas markets, whether you’re here to shop, indulge, or do some curling in front of a palace. Where else can you think of that’d offer that opportunity? (Feel free to tell me if you have some insight!)

Planning travel in France, too? Read these next:

• Paris Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
• Oyster Lovers, Plan a Trip to Cancale
• Why Visit Charming, Historic Saint-Malo
• Strasbourg is a Christmas Wonderland!
• Plan a Trip to France With an Insider Guide

More destinations that are popular in winter:

• My Preferred Winter Activities in Chicago
• Why See A Christmas Story House in Cleveland
• How to Plan Your Big Trip to Poland
• What to Do on Trips to Breckenridge Beyond Skiing
• Plan Your Next Winter Trip to Colorado

Want to see more?