So you’re in Vienna for the Christmas markets and want a hotel close enough to the lights and gingerbread that you can almost smell the scented candles?
I’ve listed highly-rated hotels located around 450 yards or less from Rathausplatz square, where the main Christkindlmarkt takes place. Each suggestion had a user rating of at least 8.5/10 when I last checked (early March, 2025).
Find some general tips after the listings, too, along with ideas for Christmas activities and a map showing more hotel and apartment options close to the market.
- Book a concert experience* for your Christmas trip
- See also:
Top alternatives…
Let us begin more or less next door to the market…
Hotel Rathauspark Wien
(Late 19th-century architecture)
Located in a town palace built in 1882 and now a member of the Radisson Individuals label. My parents stayed in this hotel when they visited at Christmas a few years back and were very happy.
My dad would always pop out in the early evening just to grab a quick bag of roast chestnuts from the market.
The Rathauspark of the hotel name is the park that flanks the market. It features its own seasonal displays that include the famous (at least locally) tree of glowing hearts.
The road behind the hotel has the Long Hall bar, which is an excellent choice should you also want to keep up with English and international football.
- Hotel & booking details*
- Address: Rathausstraße 17
The Levante Parliament
(Has its own unique collection of artistic glass inside)
Highly-rated “Design Hotel” with a large inner courtyard, located on the opposite side of the Christmas market from the Hotel Rathauspark, but equally close.
Your short walk to the market from here takes you past the rear of the newly-renovated 19th-century Austrian parliament: their free English tours lead you right into the centre of national politics.
You also pass Conditorei Sluka, who once served cakes to Empress Elisabeth of Austria. (I have a crush on their Birnentorte pear cake.)
Turn right out of the hotel and walk along the road south for around eight minutes to reach another major market on Maria-Theresien-Platz square.
- Hotel & booking details*
- Address: Auerspergstraße 9
Urban Rooms Rathaus
(All new in an older building)
This small hotel reopened in summer 2024 as a self check-in location without reception staff after refurbishment and modernisation.
Located in one of Vienna’s many late-19th century buildings, this might just be the closest of all: the park hosting the market is just around the corner…literally.
The hotel is also near the University of Vienna (founded in 1365) and not far from the neogothic and newly-renovated Votivkirche church put up in the late 1800s as thanks for a foiled assassination attempt on Emperor Franz Joseph.
- Hotel & booking details*
- Address: Ebendorferstraße 10
Radisson Blue Style Hotel
(The entrance opposite the famous Café Central)
With so many stars, you don’t have to worry about whether they have fresh rolls at the hotel breakfast.
The location on lovely Herrengasse on the other side of the Ring Boulevard from the Christkindlmarkt puts you in the heart of the historical old town.
This also means the hotel is close to the Freyung and Am Hof Christmas markets, as well as the two-day special market held in Palais Niederösterreich opposite.
Herrengasse has its own subway station on the U3 line. And, if you fancy a change from hotel food and drink, one of Vienna’s most renowned coffee houses sits opposite: Café Central (gorgeous interiors, but consider reserving a table as queues are guaranteed around this time of year).
- Hotel & booking details*
- Address: Herrengasse 12
Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof
(Once home to Café Herrenhof, which attracted writers and intellectuals like Franz Kafka)
As above in terms of location: the Radisson and Steigenberger practically adjoin each other.
Incidentally, Herrengasse also leads up to the giant Hofburg palace complex, with the Spanish Riding School, Sisi Museum, Crown Jewels, and other such attractions.
That end of Herrengasse links to the central pedestrianised streets with their luxury brands and historical architecture. These connect all the way down to Stephansdom cathedral (and another market!). Hard to get more central, frankly.
- Hotel & booking details*
- Address: Herrengasse 10
Benediktushaus im Schottenstift
(Your next door neighbour: the Schottenkirche)
This one’s somewhat unusual: a guesthouse run by the Schottenstift, a working Benedictine Monastery with its own museum and roots in the 12th century (fortunately, sanitation has improved since then).
A friend of mine stayed here and spoke very positively of the experience.
Expect a quiet ambience. The rooms have no TVs or radios, for example; you do have WiFi, though!
Excellent value for the incredibly central and historic location: the building actually backs onto the Freyung Christmas market on the same-named square.
The Benediktushaus also looks across to a baroque palais or two, not to mention various restaurants, and Austria’s constitutional court.
- Hotel & booking details*
- Address: Freyung 6a
Flemings Selection Hotel Wien-City
(A family-owned German & Austrian chain)
Not far behind the Rathaus in Josefstadt: a Viennese district that manages the trick of being both historical and trendy.
For example, a short walk up the road takes you to the local theater, where they filmed parts of The Third Man and the curtains first parted over 230 years ago.
You can stroll down to the Christkindlmarkt from here but the number 2 tram stops very nearby. A legendary vehicle that seems to go everywhere. Jump onboard to slip around the eastern and southern edges of the old town and reach some of Vienna’s main attractions.
I know folk who go to Flemings hotel just for the bar there, too (particularly the cocktails).
- Hotel & booking details*
- Address: Josefstädter Straße 10-12
Hotel Josefshof am Rathaus
(Josefstadt elegance)
Also in Josefstadt and tucked down a side street close to the rear of the Rathaus and around the corner from the Levante. Like another neighbour, Flemings, handy for the magical and mysterious No. 2 tram, for whom time and space are meaningless.
This 4* hotel merged three primarily 19th-century houses into today’s premises. According to the hotel, its rooms have proved popular with artistic guests like Umberto Eco and Vivienne Westwood.
- Hotel & booking details*
- Address: Josefsgasse 4/8
Other hotel options
(Map provided by booking.com*, who I am an affiliate of. The Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz is labelled at the centre)
Booking.comAlthough the Christkindlmarkt ranks as Vienna’s most popular and well-known market, the city has several others worth a visit, too, especially if you want to avoid too much seasonal bustle.
Hotels in the central part of town will be close to a Christmas market of some description, for example.
Actually, the compact nature of the centre means a little bit of walking usually lets you take in three or four markets without too much effort.
(Gateway to the Schönbrunn Christmas market with the palace behind)
Also, Vienna’s municipal transport system is top quality. Fast and frequent trams and subways let you reach most market locations quickly and easily, wherever you might be staying in town.
The below map shows where you find the main markets. And should you wish to stay close to the market at Schönbrunn palace and all the Imperial complex has to offer visitors (tours, park & gardens, zoo, carriage museum, etc.), then try these specific suggestions.
Christmas activities
(Entrance to the main market with the central tower of the Rathaus behind)
For seasonal activities and entertainments during your stay, can I recommend these articles?
- Christmas in Vienna: big overview for 2024 covering everything from the lights, markets and events to local traditions and shopping tips
- 9 things to do: my compilation of tips for the best Christmas experience including authentic Viennese traditions like visiting a roast chestnut stand
- Concert tips: my curated list of classical concerts and performances across Advent…from cathedral organ recitals to full-blown orchestras