Last Updated on November 25, 2023 by
Surrounded by music and Art Nouveau, Vienna is probably one of the most beautiful cities you can visit in Europe. During winter, a festive and warm atmosphere makes this city a perfect winter escape for a short Christmas break. In this blog, you will discover five of the best Vienna Christmas markets to explore this winter. Be ready to fill your bags with lovely souvenirs and your belly with delicious Christmas treats!
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Vienna Christmas Markets 2023
Vienna Christmas Markets Dates for 2023
Each of the Christmas Market planned in Vienna has a different starting date (read below for more details about this). However, for this year, the general opening dates for the Christmas Markets are from 11th November to 26th December 2023.
5 best Christmas Markets in Vienna
This below is a list of four of the best Christmas Markets in Vienna you should visit this winter! I admit these were my favourite when I visited! They are full of character and each one of them is special in its own way.
Viennese Dream Christmas Market at Rathausplatz – (Christkindlmarkt)
The Christmas Market at Rathausplatz is probably the most famous festive market in Vienna. Once you step a foot inside the market, you will be welcomed by a warm smell of sweet pastries and mulled wine, a charming atmosphere and a large number of festive stalls.
As many other Christmas Markets in Vienna and the rest of Europe, also the one on Rathausplatz has two main sections. One dedicated to Christmas decorations, craft and gifts and another one dedicated to traditional Christmas food.
What souvenir buy at the Rathausplatz Christmas Market?
Generally, I prefer to not buy many souvenirs at the Christmas Markets, they are overpriced and most of the time not so unique. However, if you want to take with you something that you can buy ONLY in Vienna, specifically only at the Rathausplatz Christmas Market, the heart-shaped festive mug is what you need! Indeed, one of the things I like to collect from Christmas Markets around Europe are their unique Christmas mugs.
Generally, each market has its own mug and sometimes they change design every year. However, the Viennese heart-shaped mug has become a kind of icon of the city’s Christmas Market. So, you should be able to find it also this year.
Where I can find the heart-shaped Christmas mug in Vienna?
The famous mug is sold exclusively at the Rathausplatz Christmas Market. You can buy it from any of the food stalls selling mulled wine/hot drink in front of the City Hall. Usually the mulled wine is served in one of those mugs. When you pay, the people at the counter will give you a coin. If you return the coin and the mug, they will return you part of the money you paid for the mulled wine. Otherwise, you can keep the mug by paying the full price. I remember we paid €6 and we kept the mug.
If you are not into wine, you can order other warm beverages or buy the mug without any drink.
Ice skating under the City Hall in Vienna
If you want to make your visit to the Christmas Market on Rathausplatz even more special, you can pop a visit to the Vienna Ice Dream. A large ice skating rink winding through the main square and magical Christmas stalls. The rink is one of the largest iced surface in the city. In fact, you can skate over 9,000 sqm of ice disposed on two different levels and connected via a 120 mt long-ramp called SKYRINK.
The ice rink is open until 6 March 2023. The entrance fee last year was of €8 for Adults and €5 for Children.
Christmas Market at Rathausplatz Dates and Opening Times
The Christmas Market at Rathausplatz will open from 10th November 2023 to 26 December 2023. The market is open daily from 10.00 am to 22.00 (Friday and Saturday from 11.00 to 22.00)
The Christmas Village at the Belvedere Palace
The Christmas Village on the Belvedere Palace is one of the finest in Vienna. Set against the glorious baroque facade of the Schloss Belvedere this little market hosts more than 40 stalls with unconventional Christmas gifts and traditional Viennese food, punch and mulled wine.
Bonus stop. Visiting the Belvedere Palace Gardens
The Belvedere Palace is one of the most unique places not only in Vienna but in the world. While visiting the Christmas Market, why not stopping for a tour of its beautiful historical gardens? Here you can have a peaceful walk and admire one of the finest example of French style gardens in Europe. Moreover, it’s totally free!
Christmas Market on the Belvedere Palace – Dates and Opening Times
The Christmas Market on the Belvedere Palace will open from 17th November 2023 to 23rd December 2023. The stalls opening times are Monday – Friday 11 am – 9 pm; Saturday – Sunday 10 am – 9 pm; 24 December 11 am – 4 pm; 26 – 30 December 11 am – 7 pm
Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square
The Christmas Market on Maria Theresien Square was personally one of my favourites. Not only because of the delicious food we tasted but for the festive atmosphere we experienced. I am not sure why, but it really felt like Christmas here! Lots of people, Christmas music, mulled wine and so many stalls!
The Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square is located within the iconic Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art.
One of the things I loved more of this Christmas Market was its wide variety of stalls selling different things. From hand-made gifts to international delicacies. For example, we found a stall selling Sicilian arancini!!! I felt so proudly Sicilian in that moment. Some of the foodie thing I loved more were the Käsekrainer ( a kind of frankfurter fried and filled with cheese) and the home-made fried chips (both of them pictured above).
Christmas Market on Maria Theresien Square – Dates and Opening Times
The Christmas market on Maria Theresien Square will open its doors from 15th November – 23rd December 2023.
The opening times are the following: Sunday – Thursday 11 am – 9 pm; Friday & Saturday 11 am – 10 pm; 24 December 11 am – 4 pm; 25 – 30 December 11 am – 7 pm
Christmas Market on Stephansplatz
The Christmas Market on Stephansplatz is considered the most “classic” market to visit in Vienna. This because of its central position and the uniqueness of its exhibitors. In fact, everything from the design of the huts to the quality of the products sold here is different from any of the other markets in Vienna. Indeed, differently from the market on Maria Theresien Square, the products sold here must be manufactured or refined exclusively in Austria.
One of the stalls I loved more was that selling hand-made wooden toys! It was so beautiful and unique! Moreover, the backdrop of the historical and beautiful cathedral of Vienna offers not only an impressive view but also a glimpse of the original medieval Christmas fair.
Christmas Market on Stephansplatz – Dates and Opening Times 2023
The Christmas Market on Stephansplatz will open from the 10th of November 2023 to 23rd December 2023.
The opening times are the following: daily 10 am to 21 pm
24. 12. 2021: from 11 am – 16 pm
25. 12. – 26. 12. 2021: from 11 am – 19 pm
Christmas Market “Art Advent” on Karlsplatz
The Christmas Market called “Art Advent” on Karlsplatz is a bit different from the other markets in Vienna. First, is a bit smaller but not less beautiful. Second, it’s more children friendly. In fact, the ground is covered in soft straw and there are stalls with little farm pets for the children to see (the animals are well-kept and people can’t touch them/play with them). Third, the market is organised by an association called “Divina art”. This supports artists and artisans in a variety of ways, particularly by helping them to sell their products to local markets.
Ergo, all the stalls in this location will display products that are crafted by local artisans. Visiting this market provides a great occasion to find exclusive gifts and help local artisans. Moreover, all the food and drinks sold here are organic and coming from local producers!
Christmas Market “Art Advent” on Karlsplatz Dates and Opening times 2023
The Christmas Market “Art Advent” on Karlsplatz will open from 24th November 2023 to 23rd December 2023. The opening times are the following: daily from 12 pm to 8 pm.
Where to stay in Vienna while visiting the Christmas Markets
Our visit in Vienna was even more special because of our stay at the 25hours Hotel Vienna at MuseumQuartier. In fact, this modern and colourful hotel is centrally located. It is at just at less than 10 mins walk from the Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square and at about 23 minutes walk from the Christmas Market on Stephansplatz (10 minutes with the metro).
Moreover, the hotel has a unique quirky design for each of its 184 rooms and a great Italian Restaurant. If you want to know more about our stay at the 25hours Hotel Vienna at Museum Quartier, read here.
Plan your European Winter Holidays
Read more about fantastic European destination for your winter and Christmas holidays!
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These Christmas markets all look so magical! I bet the market at Belvedere Palace is so grand! I’d love to visit the Christmas market at Stephansplatz too, you can’t beat a traditional market! Thanks for the great guide!
We visited Vienna in February so we just missed out on the Christmas markets, but the decorations and one of the skating rinks were still up. The markets looks great to visit!