Vienna Top 12 Weihnachtsmarkts

Dear lilioftheworld.com reader, here is Lili, your co-editor.

It’s again Weihnachtsmarkts season. Most people know that one of the best times in the year to visit Vienna is the period before Christmas. After living in Vienna for some years, I can confirm this fact. The city is totally transformed by its Christmas decoration. The famous Weihnachtsmarkts, i.e. the Christmas markets, also known as Christkindlmarkt or Striezelmarkt, the last being used mainly in Germany. This is how I fell in love with the city a couples of years ago. I would like to inspire you as well.

Lili’s 5 good-know tips when visiting the Weihnachtsmarkts in Vienna:

• Timing

If you are coming to Vienna especially for the Weihnachtsmarkt season, coming in November can be more cost efficient option vs visiting Vienna in December. Most (if not all) markets open mid November, so you will able to experience the Christmas spirit of Vienna, but still benefit from the (slightly) lower prices. The hotel prices are doubling and tripling in December (also due to Christmas and New Year’s eve). So why not booking smartly. More tips about your stay in Vienna you can find in the section Vienna Transportation and Accommodation. 

• Opening hours

Check the opening hours of each Weihnachtsmarkt before visiting it as they differ. Here you can check the info for opening hours of all Vienna Weihnachtsmarkts.

• Payment

When ordering drinks at the Christmas markets, you will be asked to pay a deposit for the glass/ cup. The cups on most markets are very cute and it is worth keeping them as a souvenir. Having in mind that the price is not that high- around €3-4, it is a good deal. If you want to return it though, be careful to keep the token that you receive. You can return the cup in every hut of the same market. It is not necessary that you return it to the one you bought the drink from.

• Weather

On most Weihnachtsmarkts you will find tables where you can leave your drink. There are no chairs- having in mind that it is quite cold in this period of the year, you do not want to stay long in one place. It goes without saying, but dress properly for the weather (especially pay attention to comfortable and warm shoes). Another useful info- there are mobile toilets next to each Weihnachtsmarkt, so do not worry about this.

• The access to the Weihnachtsmarkt is free of charge; you then buy whatever you find appealing- be it drinks, food or souvenirs.

 

Weihnastmarkts history

Firstly some words about the tradition of these Christmas markets (which btw are also very popular in Germany). It is not clear when and where the first Christmas markets appeared. The first documentation dates back to year 1310 in Munich for such an open-air Christmas Market. In the past the main winter holiday was Saint Nicholas’ feast which happens on the 6th of December. This was the time when friends and family gather together. As in many other countries, the youngest ones received presents. With time the Saint Nicholas’ feast was replaced with the Catholic holiday, December 25th, or the birth of the Christ Child.

Instead of receiving presents on behalf of Saint Nick, children received presents from “Father Christmas” or Santa Claus. We all know the legend that he comes during the night and leaves the presents under the Christmas tree. What is very popular in Germany and Austria is the  period of Advent or of anticipation of the “arrival of the Christ”.

The Advent

These are the 4 Sundays before Christmas, which initially lasted for six weeks starting already in November. That is why most of the Christmas markets open somewhere mid of November. With this tradition are connected the Adventskalender which many brands from almost every industry offer. 24 days and respectively 24 products which you open on each day of December before Christmas. You can find Advetskalenders with chocolate and other sweets, beer, or even cosmetic products.

During the Advent period, farmers, tradesmen and artisans used to meet around the churches. These gatherings became open-air markets- the first versions of the Christmas Markets that we see today. Original celebrations included gathering around the Church with song, food and small gifts. These became such a hit with the locals that people would come and “set up shop” around the churches. They started selling homemade crafts (people immediately recognize any business opportunity).

As Weihnachtsmarkts become really popular, they were not longer held only around churches, but also on smaller or bigger squares. Among the craft goods, the most popular things you can find on these markets are grilled bratwurst, gingerbread cookies, candied nuts, baked apples, Glühwein (spiced warm wine) and punsch with different taste. Of course in Austria you can also have spritz (white wine with sparkling water) or even beer.

Get your cup as a souvenir

Our favourite thing are the cups in which they sell the Glühwein. They are different almost every year and the best thing is that almost each market has its own design. These cups are one of the main differences we have noticed between the Christmas markets in Austria and Germany- in Germany the cups are not that fancy and nice.

Every year there are Weihnachtsmarkts in almost every district in Vienna. Although their number increases each year, we counted around 26 different markets in Vienna over the last years. Below you can see our recommendation for Top 12 Weihnachtsmarkts in Vienna with description about location and some specific details what to expect there. It is difficult to say which are our preferred ones as each one has its own spirit.

Top 12 Weihnachtsmarkts in Vienna:

1. Spittelberg

This is actually our favourite one. It is located in the small cute streets of the 7th district (Neubau), which is considered one of the trendiest districts in Vienna. The market consists of huts located in several streets close to each other. Besides visiting the huts, you can also enjoy some of the restaurants in the area. There is a huge choice of both modern and traditional places where you can taste local Austrian cuisine).

2. Rathaus

Although the place is considered by many locals as very touristy (and it in fact is), we love going there as there is special atmosphere. It is located on the square in front of the City Hall ( Rathaus in German) which is used for many events  throughout the whole year. The Rathaus Christkindlmarkt is one of the biggest ones in Vienna. This is also stays open even after New Year’s eve (most of the Weihnachtsmarkts close on the 24th of December).

From our experience here the design of the cups is the best one. Beware that the prices might be slightly higher than those in the other areas, because of its popularity. After New Year’s eve, somewhere end of January, the area in front of the Rathaus hosts an ice-skating rink. It is a romantic place in fact. If you happen to be in Vienna in Feb, you can enjoy ice skating in an amazing atmosphere.

3. Prater

You cannot come to Vienna and skip the oldest amusement park in Europe- the Prater. In November and December you have also one more reason to go there.

The Weihnachtsmarkt in Prater is located at its main entrance and is one of the few markets where you have heating lamps. We really wonder how locals are able to stay that long in the cold. Not only because of the heating lamps, but also because of the lovely Giant Wheel, this market stays among our favorite. This market is especially suitable if you are coming with children. Children will love this amusement park. And most of the attractions are open also during this time of the year.

4. Museumsquartier

Museumsquartier is a huge area located also in the 7th district. The Weihnachtsmarkt is located in the closed square surrounded by the different museums (where the name of the place is coming from). This is one of the non-standard markets in Vienna. As this place is meeting point for younger Austrians, the huts are in the form of wagons. You actually enter inside the wagons. On this market you find prevalently drinks and food there (and not many crafts).

The market is actually located where in the past the Imperial Stables were (quite funny fact, isn’t it). There are also some music events held in the area, so it is more a party place rather than a typical Christmas market.

5. Maria Theresien Platz Christkindlmarkt

Just opposite Museumsquartier, you will find another very nice and charming Christmas market. It is located between the identical buildings of the Natural History and Art History Museums. The whole atmosphere is very royal because of the monument of Empress Maria Theresa and the two museums.

6. Karlsplatz

This is another very charming market, located in front or the big Karlskirche (Karls Church). The big circle fountain in front of the church is turned into a playground for the kids with straw on the bottom of the fountain. This is the other place which is suitable for families with children. You will find some Bible scenes in the straw as well (the birth of Christ).

7. Belvedere

The Weihnachtsmarkt in Schloss Belvedere (Belvedere Castle) is located in the backyard of the castle, just next to the artificial lake. You can combine the visit to Belvedere and its painting expositions with a visit to this market. We recommend visiting it in the evenings when you can peacefully enjoy a cup of Glühwein and admire the beauty of the Belvedere majesty.

8. Am Hof

Located in the 1st district (on a walking distance from both Stephansplatz and Rathaus), this Adventmarkt occupies a big square in front of Mariensäule monument. This Christmas market have different from the other markets huts (in terms of things they offer for sale) and it reminds of a market located on the central square in a smaller Austrian town/ village.

9. Altwiener Christkindlmarkt

As its name suggest, this is a cute small Christmas market with very traditional Austrian look&feel (taking the place of an old open Viennese market). This area is famous for holding other events throughout the whole year (we can specifically recommend the place for Easter). There is a stage on this market where you can enjoy entertainment both for the youngest ones and also some traditional Austrian performances. In 2018 this market will be open for a 32nd time and thus speaks for itself that it has kept the Viennese traditions. The market also claims to have “the longest crib in Austria”.

10. Schönbrunn Palace

The Christmas market in the front yard of Schönbrunn Palace is also one of the best ones in Vienna. Although it can be a bit touristy (due to its location), you can visit it in the evening in order to avoid the crowds with tourists (they are usually coming during the day in order to combine it with a visit of the palace, which palace we highly recommend).

The area is quite big, there are 80 huts (which makes Schloß Schönbrunn Weihnachtsmarkt one of the biggest ones in Vienna) and most of the stands go there every year, so it also has long traditions. The market stays until New Year’s eve, so you have longer chance to enjoy it.

11. Stephansplatz

Although this is most probably among the most visited Christmas Markets due to its proximity to Stephansdom, one of the main attractions in Vienna, it is one of the least appealing in our opinion. It is quite small and very touristy one and our assumptions are that the prices can be a little bit higher compared to the other places (honestly we never bought anything from there, we were just passing by).

12. Mariahilferstraße Christmas market

This one is not even on the map with Christmas markets in Vienna as it is very small. It is located next to Mariahilfer Kirche on one of the main shopping streets in Vienna- Mariahilferstraße. The street where the market is located is very narrow which give cute feeling of the market. Why not taking a sip of Glühwein in between your shopping.

An interesting fact is the on the 8th of December most companies give a day off to their employees in order to prepare with Christmas presents. All the shops are open on this day. This is the only public holiday in Vienna when the shops are open. Shops are normally closed on Sundays and all public holidays, just a few grocery and souvenir shops are open.

Interesting fact: 

After New Year’s eve locals give small giveaways to friends and colleagues. By small we mean small in size- most of them are as big as a hazelnut. They are in the shape of a pig (in most cases, the pig a symbol of good luck in Austria), a coin or a 4-leaf clover. You can already buy them at the Weihnachtsmarkts.

As mentioned above, there are more than twice more Weihnachtsmarkts in Vienna besides those listed above, but this was our selection for you. We are open for other recommendations if you have found other markets which are worth including in this list. 

Enjoy Vienna and Frohe Weihnachten!

If you are looking for recommendation for places to have the most delicious best spare ribs or the best rooftop bars in Vienna, we have some good tips for you. Also visit the section with some general tips about Vienna, its transportation and where to stay. Do not miss Top 20 Things to Do in Vienna.