Christmas market on the Freyung
The Freyung is the name given to an open area in the heart of Vienna, ringed by city palaces and the Schottenkirche, a church whose origins date back to the middle of the 12th century.
The area is home to a well-known organic farm market, which converts to the "Altwiener Christkindlmarkt" (a small but delightful Christmas market) during Advent. The market stretches across the front of the Bendiktushaus, a guesthouse run by the Schottenkirche, down to the Austriabrunnen, a fountain put up around 160 years ago.
The Freyung's version of a Christmas market offers a gentler alternative to the crowds on the Rathausplatz, with around fifty stands featuring traditional food, drink and arts and crafts.
Spittelberg
Schloss Schönbrunn
Rathausplatz
Freyung
Karlsplatz
Overview
Weihnachtspunsch
Santa or Christkind?
The artistic flair bears comparison with the Karlsplatz and Schönbrunn Christmas markets with none of the incongruous tack that occasionally spoils the image of its more popular competitors. The surrounding palaces also give the market a tucked away feeling that isn't quite so brash and dominating as some other advent markets.
A particular highlight, not surprising given the organic farm market normally held here, is the farm shop with its meats and cheeses. The Bergkäse (lit. mountain cheese) is possibly the best cheese in the world, though sharp enough to hurt your teeth. The owner normally plys his trade up at the zoo's Tirolerhof.
It won't take you long to get round and is worth visiting in combination with the Am Hof Christmas market, which focuses on arts, crafts and antiques, and is just a short skip up the road toward the city center.
Getting there
The market is a short walk from the major sights in the city center and just south of Schottentor (U2 subway, Trams 1, D, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44). The 1A bus stops at the Freyung (Teinfaltstrasse).
Address: Altwiener Christkindlmarkt, Freyung, 1010 Vienna
Website: http://www.altwiener-markt.at/ (includes English pages)