Tucked just a little bit away from the centre, the Christmas market in the Altes AKH has more of a local feel to it. Friends commonly gather here after work to toast the season.
- Officially Weihnachtsdorf Campus Universität Wien
- Top for Austrian food with gastronomy from across the provinces
- Special kids section with carousels, etc.
- 2025 dates: Nov 14 – Dec 23
- Around 44 stands
- Book a classical concert experience* for your trip
- Nearby:
- See also:
Altes AKH?
(Leaving no doubt as to the season)
The Altes AKH has a history of providing for the needy.
In the late 17th century, the complex offered safety and rehabilitation for the wounded of the wars with the Ottoman Empire.
The area later housed Vienna’s main hospital for many years, which explains the location’s name: AKH is short for Allgemeines Krankenhaus (“general hospital”) and altes means “old” or “former”.
Nowadays, people seek nourishment and succour of a more intellectual nature, since the buildings belong to the University of Vienna. Hence the official name for the market: Weihnachtsdorf Campus Universität Wien.
(The “alms house and soldiers hospital”, as drawn by Salomon Kleiner, engraved by Johann August Corvinus, and published by Johann Andreas d. Ä. Pfeffel in 1733. At the time, it was out in the country; Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 15737; excerpt reproduced with permission under the terms of the CC0 licence)
Come November and December, however, this nourishment and succour also take the form of snacks and hot punch at the Christmas market occupying the main courtyard.
A bit quieter
The park-like layout surrounded by university buildings protects the market from the hustle and bustle of the street outside.
Which is not to say things can’t get busy. But the Weihnachtsdorf is not as well known as, say, the Christkindlmarkt, so you’re unlikely to find yourself facing bussed-in tourists.
Not so many stands as elsewhere tend to sell market wares, but you still find a selection of the usual booths offering a variety of high-quality accessories, jewellery, ceramics, clothing, and similar.
In 2025, for example, we bought some lovely hand-knitted decorations.
You might find a few more unusual stands, too. This year, I spotted one selling dog accessories, for example. And at least three locations focusing on socks (I’m sure there’s some deeper meaning behind that observation).
Great for food
Many people visiting turn out to be locals sharing punch and a bite to eat with friends.
The reason the Viennese gravitate here is because the Altes AKH has always been one of the better markets for food and drink, with a wide choice of warm winter fare and food from Austria’s provinces.
For the more regional offerings, look for province or town names and emblems on the menu boards.
As well as numerous food booths, the market even has its own indoor rustic restaurant.
(A popular place to catch up with friends over a mug of punch)
Many of the food and drink stands surround a self-contained plaza with bar tables available for convenience and conversation.
That layout means you can browse the arts and crafts booths elsewhere in peace without needing to avoid people queuing for sausages and Glühwein.
The wider Altes AKH courtyard also houses several restaurants offering traditional Austrian meals and good beer (the university influence), adding to the weatherproof nature of the market.
And for a quick historical bonus, pop across the main road (Alser Straße) outside the market to see the Alserkirche, built around 1700. Beethoven’s funeral took place here, and Schubert wrote music for the church.
(A punch stall, which won’t come as a surprise)
2025 dates & times
The 2025 market opens from November 14th to December 23rd with the following times:
- 2pm to 10pm (Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs)
- 2pm to 11pm (Fri)
- 11am to 11pm (Sat)
- 11am to 9pm (Sun)
- Closes at 8pm on December 23rd
As such, the market stays open relatively late when compared to many of its colleagues.
How to get to the Altes AKH
When I say the market is a little away from the centre, it’s really not too far. You can even walk across to it from the big Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz square, for example. Alternatively…
Tram: the Lange Gasse stop is just outside the main entrance to the market area and reached via lines 33, 43, 44, 12 and 5.
Subway: U2 (get out at Schottentor and go two stops on the 43 or 44 to Lange Gasse or just walk up), U6 (get out at Alser Straße and take the 43 toward the city centre and the Lange Gasse stop).
Bus: 13a (get out at Skodagasse and go one stop on the 43 or 44 in the direction of Schottentor, or take a short walk).
Address: Weihnachtsdorf, Universitätscampus – Hof 1, Alserstraße, 1090 Vienna | Website