How hard can it be? Visit the market. Eat. Drink. Admire the items for sale. Buy the items for sale. Go home happy and at peace with the world.
One or two tips, however, can help make your visit to a Christmas market in Vienna just a little bit more of a pleasure.
- Book a classical concert experience* for your Vienna trip
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1. Find your market
(The market on Stephansplatz)
Many people assume Vienna has just the one market: the famous Christkindlmarkt. We actually have quite a few, though.
So start by deciding which market is best for you. Fortunately, none of the main markets disappoint so you can’t make a bad decision. But for advice on matching the market to your particular needs or interests, see this guide.
2. Dress for the cold
(Vienna can look gorgeous in winter but it can also be chilly)
Austria is good at winter sports for a reason. Hint: we have a lot of winter here.
Vienna’s had fairly mild winters of late, to be fair. But a visit to a market after the sun goes down can still involve chilly temperatures.
Hot punch and a steaming plate of Bratwurst might give you a warm glow inside, but gloves and a warm jacket offer more permanent warmth.
3. Take cash with you
(The entrance to the Schönbrunn market)
Electronic transactions have become more popular at the markets, particularly for those with debit cards. Nevertheless, you may have trouble paying with cards at some stalls. So stock up on Euros, just in case.
All the main markets should now have an ATM somewhere on the premises or nearby. You’ll also make lifelong friends if you carry small notes and coins so you don’t require change.
4. Visit at/after dusk
(The Art Advent market on Karlsplatz)
Obviously, the dark provides the right backdrop for lighted stalls and surrounds. And it also reveals the tasteful splendour of Vienna’s Christmas lights. The markets certainly look their best after dusk; you get a whole different ambience.
However…a lot of people know this.
So expect markets to be (much) busier once the sun hits the horizon. Weekends are always crowded toward the end of the day. And many locals meet up at a market after work, for example, to share a mug of punch.
Just before sundown on a weekday evening is probably your best chance of combining the perfect atmosphere with plenty of room to enjoy it. Which means late afternoon, but not so late that the post-work folk are out in force.
Alternatively, avoid the crowds completely by going late morning just after the markets open. No twilight ambience, but a lot more space. Then, perhaps, save the evening for an atmospheric Advent concert.
5. Take public transport
(The market on the Freyung is a short walk from the Schottentor transport hub)
Finding street parking in Vienna is a delicate skill requiring many years of intensive training. As a visitor, you can also easily fall foul of local parking restrictions without knowing it.
Unless you want to pay fees for a garage, use public transport if you can.
The main markets all have subway stations or tram stops nearby. Many markets also fall within walking distance of central hotels.
Frankly, you don’t really want to be driving around the centre anyway if you can enjoy the seasonal atmosphere on foot.
6. Punch need not pack a punch
(Punch is not the only drink available. The Am Hof market even has a champagne bar)
Steaming mugs of Christmas punch form a traditional part of any Christmas market visit. You find a lot of different punches on offer, from the traditional fruit punches to more esoteric varieties.
If you want to keep off the booze, Kinderpunsch (literally, “children’s punch”) is the name often used for the alcohol-free (alkoholfrei) version.
For a few other useful German terms, try this market glossary. For example, Glühwein is the local name for what Brits and Americans might call mulled wine.
7. Punch costs less than it seems
(Mugs from the previous market at Stephansplatz)
The mugs carry a deposit so don’t be shocked when they ask for €10 for the punch priced at just €5 on the board above the stall.
Return the mug to reclaim the deposit or simply keep it as a souvenir: most markets have their own unique annual design, which many visitors treat as collectibles.
Incidentally, you can often buy the mugs separately for the same price as the deposit. Look for a dedicated mug stall or a market’s information booth.
8. Be patient
(Karlsplatz is great for unique gifts)
Unless you fall head-over-heels in love with an item, don’t buy anything straightaway. The markets have lots of interesting stalls, and you might regret having spent your holiday money when you turn the next corner.
Each market has its own set of stalls, too, though an increasing number do seem to repeat across locations. If one market has nothing for you, the next one might.
Should you be searching for unique gifts, then consider these two options in particular:
- Art Advent market: every booth must make its own goods and pass a jury test
- Spittelberg market: has the touch of the Bohemian about it
9. Don’t buy bulk decorations
If you’re looking for special handcrafted decorations, the markets are the place to buy.
For more standard packs of Austrian-style decorations, shop at a Viennese department store: they’re much cheaper there and rarely sold at the markets, anyway.
Nip into those department stores just after Christmas and seasonal stock should be on sale.
10. Be prepared to stand
(The Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz)
Most markets provide few opportunities to sit down. For notable exceptions, see the guide on which market to visit.
The big markets in the very centre get quite intense if busy. If you’re a bit sensitive to crowds (like me), then the smaller markets a little out of the way can be a delight. Try Belvedere, for example.
If you merely wish to try the Viennese approach to punch, then you have the option to avoid the markets completely.
Standalone punch stalls often pop up around town, particularly on well-travelled pedestrian or shopping streets like the Graben or Mariahilfer Straße.
Bonus tip 1: Be careful
Vienna is relatively safe when compared to other big cities. Remarkably so, given its size.
But Christmas markets can get busy, so may be targets for pickpockets. Follow the relevant tips offered by the US Embassy in Paris.
And most importantly…
Bonus tip 2: Enjoy yourself
(Like it says…punch and Glühwein)
The big Viennese Christmas markets deserve their reputation. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere and enjoy the sights, sounds, scents, and tastes of Vienna at perhaps its best time of year.
I’ve lived here 30 years and still enjoy dropping in for a sugared monstrosity on a stick and some hot punch, regardless of the price.
Just be careful with timing.
As I mentioned before, the markets can get incredibly busy at weekends and in the evenings, particularly as you get nearer to Christmas. And jostling for space can take some of the pleasure out of browsing.
So, at the risk of repeating myself, aim for early dusk (preferably on a weekday), which leaves the rest of the day free for some other evening activity.