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 top hotels located around 450 yards or less from Rathausplatz square, where the main Christkindlmarkt takes place. Each had a user rating when I last checked (January, 2024) of at least 7.5/10.
Find some general tips after the suggestions, too. And the map at the end shows more hotel and apartment options close to the market.
- Browse all nearby options*
- 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.
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 Pension Residenz
(Entrance to the main market with the central tower of the Rathaus behind)
This small, old-Viennese style hotel located in one of Vienna’s many late-19th century buildings might just be the closest of all: the park hosting the market is literally just around the corner.
Near to 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. You can probably see the church towers from rooms in the Hotel Rathauspark, too.
Radisson Blue Style Hotel
(The entrance opposite 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, Michaelerplatz, 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 frequent).
Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof
(Once home to Café Herrenhof, home to 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.
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, a leading contemporary art venue (the Kunstforum) and Austria’s constitutional court.
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. So hotels in the central part of town will be close to a Christmas market of some description.
Equally, the compact old town 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 Schönbrunn market and all that the palace has to offer visitors (tours, park & gardens, zoo, carriage museum, etc.), then try these specific suggestions.