Vienna is a city of many wonders. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, especially during the Christmas time. The moody weather combined with some Christmas lights and a cup of mulled wine is a combination for a perfect atmosphere from the Hollywood movies. It is during the winter holidays that the city is lit up in all its glory. The streets and pavements of Vienna are decked up to the ninths to celebrate the season. The lights and decoration are not garish; they are meant to complement the ancient architecture that the city is so well-known for. The Christmas decorations add an extra element of magic and whimsical wonder to this spectacular city.
Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz
There are plenty of sites to see and visit in Vienna, but if you are going during the Christmas holidays, then the Christmas markets are the biggest attraction. The most popular is the Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz. This Christmas market is located in front of the Town Hall and is known as the Vienna Christmas Dream. Combined with the Christmas illumination and the so called “Ice Dream” ice-skating rink, the market is the best place for Christmas festivities.
Open from: 12.11. - 26.12.2021
Weekdays from 10:00 until 21:30, on weekends from 10:00 until 22:00 o'clock
Metro U2 U-Bahn station Rathaus
Christmas Market at Stephansplatz
At the Christmas market outside St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the heart of the old town. The wooden booths have handicrafts, Christmas decorations, candles, textiles, sausages, spice cakes and gluhwein (hot mulled wine) in a mug which you can keep as a souvenir or return to get your deposit back. There is also a souvenir stand with postcards, magnets, T-shirts, etc.
Open from 12.11. to 26.12.2021.
Daily from 11:00 to 21:00 o'clock
Metro U1 and U3 U-Bahn station Stephansplatz
Christmas Village at Marien-Theresien-Platz
Another amazing market to visit is the Christmas Village located at the Maria-Theresien-Platz. Its name derives from the Maria Theresa Monument that is at the center of the market square. The market is surrounded by museums which you can visit at your leisure.
Open from: 17.11. - 26.12.2021
Sun-Thursday from 11:00 until 21:00, Fr and Sat from 11:00 until 21:30 o'clock
Metro U3 U-Bahn station Volkstheater and U2 U-Bahn station Museumsquartier
Advent Market by the Karlskirche Christmas
One of the most friendly Christmas markets for kids in Vienna, there’s a workshop where they can make their own Christmas gifts, a train ride, a petting zoo, and hay bales to lark around on. All of the food and drink at the market is certified organic. This advent market is located directly in front of the huge Karlskirche and offers rather plain simplicity then colorful Christmas illumination. This markets are laden with Christmas goodies including candles, baubles, arts and crafts, cribs, toys, gifts and Christmas decorations.
Open from: 19.11. - 23.12.2021
Daily from 12:00 to 20:00 o'clock
Metro U1, U2 and U4 U-Bahn station Karlsplatz
Christmas Market at the Freyung Altwiener Christkindlmarkt
Freyung is an old neighborhood in central Vienna with palatial homes and the Schottenkirche (Scottish church) which dates back to the mid-12th century. The area is a farmers’ market that becomes the “Altwiener Christkindlmarkt” during the pre-Christmas Advent season. It is a short walk from the big Christmas market at Rathaus (city hall) along the Ringstrasse to Schottengasse to Freyung where the crowds are smaller and the atmosphere a bit quieter. Along the rear of booths backing onto the street is a 150-foot long nativity scene mural based on an1830 painting by Austrian artist Josef Ritter von Führich. On the other side of this street is the farm market with meats, cheeses and wicker baskets among their offerings. .All around are retail stores, selling berets, religious items and antiques plus a Billa grocery store.
Metro U3 U-Bahn station Herrengasse and U2 U-Bahn station Schottentor tram lines 1, D, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 71 tram station Schottentor The 1A bus stops at the Freyung itself
Christmas Market Am Hof
Am Hof means “at court”, but is also the name of a large central square in Vienna with a column dedicated to the Virgin Mary (the Mariensäule).
Henry II, the Babenberg Duke of Austria, resided at Am Hof in the 12th Century, so it’s no surprise to find a fair few historical buildings surrounding the market stalls.
Mozart first performed in Vienna at the Collalto Palace, for example, and the imposing Kirche am Hof dates back as far as the 14th century (the facade is 350 years old, mind you): three popes have spoken from its balcony.
Open from 12.11. to 23.12.2021.
Monday - Thursday from 11:00 to 21:00 o'clock,
Metro U3 U-Bahn station Herrengasse
Christmas Market Schönbrunn Palace
The Cultural World Heritage Site of Schönbrunn Palace is Austria's most frequently visited tourist attraction. In the palace the residential and state rooms with their original furnishings and decorations convey an authentic impression of the imperial lifestyle. The park and gardens surrounding the palace make Schönbrunn in a unique synthesis of Baroque art as well as providing a convenient and highly popular recreational area for Vienna's population. Gorgeous location in front of the Habsburg summer palace
The Schönbrunn market is perhaps the most aristocratic (in the positive sense) of all the Viennese Christmas markets. Around 80 stalls form a giant circle around the palace courtyard, offering booth after booth of high-quality arts and crafts from the workshops of candle makers, glass blowers, wood carvers, potters, needleworkers, and other artists and artisans. There’s gourmet food for sale, too: mustards and mountain cheeses, gingerbread and jams, honey and ham, schnapps and salamis. And not forgetting the food and drink you can consume on-site, such as steaming baked potatoes, waffles, crepes, dumplings, and much more…it’s nigh on impossible to walk around without buying something to eat.
This is a particularly good place to find unique Christmas gifts and traditional decorations harking back to a time when plastic was still a twinkle in some chemist’s inventive eye.
A giant Christmas tree dominates the palace side, where a small stage plays host to open-air (and free) advent concerts, with choirs and brass bands etc. usually performing daily.
Open from 20.11.2021 to 2.01.2022.
Daily from 10:00 to 21:00 o'clock,
Metro U4 U-Bahn station Schönbrunn
WHEN DO THE MARKETS START IN 2021?
November 12th: Spittelberg, Stephansplatz, Am Hof, Genussmarkt bei der Oper, and Altes AKH markets
November 13th: Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz
November 17th: Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz
November 19th: Karlsplatz and Belvedere markets
November 20th: Freyung, Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz, and the Schönbrunn Christmas markets
Take a tour on an E-bus
If you are wondering what is the best way to go around Vienna, then an E-bus is by far the best way to tour the city. E-buses are affordable and provide excellent services to tourists and locals alike. Planning on spending Christmas 2021 in Vienna, then don't forget to book a reservation with Ring-Tours. We provide the best services with a fleet of the latest vehicles that let you have a full view of the city and all its sites.
With a tour bus, you can go on your trip without any prior research as our trained drivers and guides will know where to take you to make the most of your experience in Vienna. Make your trip to Vienna special this Christmas with Ring-Tours.
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