None of the big 2025 Christmas markets are going to let you down. The general standard is high, so you’ll be fine if you wander into one of the larger ones at random. But if you’ve specific needs or tastes, then these tips may help.
- Add a light classical concert* to your trip
- See also:
Bear in mind this is just my opinion, based on my own experiences at all the markets mentioned and assuming things remain the same in 2025.
Want lovely views?
(The gateway to Schönbrunn Christmas market)
Vienna’s full of historical buildings, so you have to try quite hard to find a market without impressive views and surrounds.
My favourite in this context is Belvedere, simply for the view across the lake toward Upper Belvedere palace.
The vista took my breath away when I first saw it and feels almost like a fairytale. You quite expect some Disney princess to suddenly appear on a sleigh pulled by animated frogs. (This has, however, yet to happen.)
A close second is the Schönbrunn market, which sits with its large Christmas tree on the giant forecourt in front of the magnificent Habsburg summer palace.
(The Christkindlmarkt occupies the square in front of the Rathaus)
The two markets bordering the central Ring boulevard both enjoy a more-than-decent imperial backdrop:
- The popular Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz has the neogothic Rathaus city hall, whose façade recently completed a 10+ year renovation so looks rather pristine. A small illuminated wooded park also surrounds the market
- The market on Maria-Theresien-Platz square has two gorgeous 19th-century museum buildings, the Burgtor gates and the Museumsquartier around it (with a large monument to Empress Maria Theresa as a centrepiece). Though it seems the market takes a break in 2025 due to construction work
In the very centre of town, the market on Stephansplatz curls around Stephansdom cathedral. And the small Freyung market looks rather nice tucked away against the Schottenkirche church and Schottenstift abbey walls.
All the above appear really rather impressive at night, when the surrounding architecture lights up, too. Though energy prices and environmental concerns have seen the amount of illumination reduced in recent years.
Want unusual gifts?
(The Art Advent market on Karlsplatz remains unbeaten for product diversity and quality)
You find unique gifts at pretty much any market. However, two locations fill this niche particularly well:
- The stalls on Karlsplatz only sell products they’ve made themselves and must pass a jury-based quality test. So the market has a justified reputation for fine, original (and often a little unusual) handmade items; art and design studios commonly have booths here as well
- The Spittelberg market has a strong reputation for an eclectic mix of stands, including unusual arts and crafts booths you don’t find elsewhere
Want a wider food choice?
( I do like my raclette cheese)
Traditional seasonal treats appear at all the locations. No Christmas market dare call itself such without roast chestnuts, for example. But two alternatives add notably more specialties to their menus:
- The Am Hof market has a central area dominated by food stalls and a champagne bar as an additional unique bonus
- Locals often meet at the market at the Altes AKH. As well its own indoor restaurant and other restaurants edging the host courtyard, the market has a largish central plaza with booths selling food from across Austria’s provinces
Need decorations?
(Ceramic decorations at the Christmas market on Karlsplatz)
You’ll have to walk a long way to find a Christmas market that doesn’t sell decorations of one kind or another.
However, the Freyung makes a solid choice with its large central stall dedicated to decorations. But any of the larger markets (like Schönbrunn, the Rathausplatz or Maria-Theresien-Platz) should have you covered.
Got young kids?
Keep them occupied at just about any market with visions of unfeasibly large pretzels covered in chocolate or other such sweet distractions. Roasted almonds and chocolate-coated strawberries used to work on me on our kids.
The Karlsplatz market also has one or two rides, animals, and a large, open, straw-strewn area for kids to mess around in.
The Schönbrunn market contains several family-friendly elements that include a small artificial ice rink, rides and plenty of space to romp around.
Schönbrunn’s market also sits among all the tourist attractions that make up the palace and park complex. This includes the Children’s Museum in Schönbrunn and, of course, the kid favourite that is Vienna zoo.
The main Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz has the surrounding park kitted out in advent splendour. This includes nativity scenes, lighted ice skating, rides, and other delights. A giant merry-go-round also dominates the market entrance.
(The carousel on the Rathausplatz)
The Hirschstetten market typically has a couple of small rides, a kiddies workshop and a huge winter wonderland landscape which has the young ones pointing and squealing at regular intervals. (And not just the young ones: I’m always massively impressed.)
Then we have the Wintermarkt. Don’t consider this location a traditional market in the true sense of the concept, being almost entirely populated by food and drink booths. However, it occupies a square at the entrance to the giant Prater funfair and entertainment complex.
Just on the square itself you have, for example, Madame Tussauds, a carousel, dodgems, and the famous Riesenrad ferris wheel.
Incidentally, if you do have children with you, then you might like a few general tips for visiting Vienna with children.
Short on time?
(The central Christmas market on Stephansplatz)
Public transport in Vienna offers easy access to all of the markets, but the Altes AKH, Belvedere, Wintermarkt, Spittelberg, Hirschstetten, and Schönbrunn locations do mean travelling outside the old town.
If you’re in the very centre of the city, pop up to the Am Hof or Freyung markets. They’re not far from Stephansplatz (the central square in front of Stephansdom cathedral) and relatively small, so you can get around them quickly.
And, as mentioned earlier, Stephansplatz itself now provides a home for a Christmas market, too.
Don’t like crowds?
(Expect fewer crowds earlier in the day, like here at the Am Hof market)
Good luck with that. (I feel your pain as an introvert myself.)
No market never gets busy. But, actually, you can avoid the crowds simply by going earlier in the day, as many markets open from mid-morning.
I’ve had a plate of goulash and a mug of Glühwein more or less on my own in the late morning or at lunchtime. (Like I said, a natural introvert.)
If you want to enjoy the soft lights in the darkening twilight of imperial Vienna, though, then go late afternoon midweek for the best chance of space and dusk.
The crowds arrive as the sun sets, and the famous Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz, for example, gets packed very quickly. However, that market now has a far more open layout than in past years, so you probably won’t need a Search and Rescue Service to get you out. Probably.
Easily tired?
First off, avoid the crowds (see above). But if you need to be able to sit down, it gets a little trickier: the markets are mostly standing only.
Curiously, the busiest market may be your friend, here. The park surrounding the main Christkindlmarkt has benches to sit on and munch your toffee apples.
(Look for benches in the illuminated park adjoining the Christkindlmarkt)
The streets of the Spittelberg market burst with bars and restaurants, so you can escape easily (the downside is the market alleyways are quite narrow).
As mentioned earlier, a handful of restaurants also ring the large courtyard location of the Altes AKH, which is also rich in benches and even has its own sit-down restaurant.
Not a Christmas fan?
(The Winter event at the MQ has lights and fun, but not a place for handicrafts; press photo courtesy of the MQ)
If you develop a sudden allergy to pine needles or advent choirs, then pop into the Winter event at the MQ: not a traditional market stall in sight and very little mention of Christmas at all in fact. Though you may still find one or two suitably-decorated trees around the place.
Don’t worry
Finally, let me again stress that the quality of the main locations ranges from good to excellent: you really can’t make a mistake. Whichever markets you do visit, be prepared to enjoy the experience.