The Easter market on the huge Am Hof square is like a modified version of the Christmas market at the same location (with fewer lights, steamy drinks, and panicking gift buyers).
- Home to a seasonal art and craft market
- Top place to eat regional specialties
- Close to the Freyung for a double dose of Easter market goodness
- 2024 dates: Mar 15 – April 1
- See also:
Ostermarkt am Hof
(One of the market alleys)
Many of the stands at the Am Hof Easter market are similar to the Advent version on this square, but without the Christmas themes that make December events so magical.
Plenty of Easter flavours abound, though, at what is one of Vienna’s larger seasonal art and craft markets.
So you’ll find the usual mix of clothes, jewellery, ceramics, leather goods, handmade soaps, and similar. We buy rose and lavender bath salts here each year to send to my mum.
In particular, be sure to browse the Kunsthandwerkmarkt double line of stands on the northeast side of the market.
These arts and crafts booths are a solid source for novel or unusual gifts. On my last visit (2023), the choice varied from Klimt-inspired candle holders and beer-bottle clocks to unique paintings and items of clothing.
The market offers plenty of space to enjoy a glass of wine and a snack, too. In 2023, they kept the large open area at the centre (ringed with food & drink booths) that first appeared the previous year.
The variety of fare typically runs from local favourites, such as Langos, chocolate-covered fruit, Spätzle, Gugelhupf and raclette to more upmarket choices like a prosecco booth and champagne bar.
The traditional Speckstandl stand, in particular, carries echoes of medieval farmers’ markets with its house beer, pickles, and great strings of sausages hanging down from the rafters. All of which is rather apt, given Am Hof did actually host markets back in the late middle ages.
Conveniently, the Am Hof market is just a tiny walk from the Freyung, home to another Easter market with a greater emphasis on egg decorations. So you can do both very easily.
(Rustic gastronomic congeniality in the from of the Speckstandl booth)
Take the time, too, to enjoy your surroundings.
The Am Hof square dates back to at least the 12th century, when the first Duke of Austria (Henry II Jasomirgott) set up home here. Earlier, in fact, since they keep finding Roman remains whenever any building work takes place.
One end of the square has, for example, Palais Collalto: site of Mozart’s first public performance in Vienna. Outside the front of a neighbouring insurance office hangs a golden ball, which turns out to be a cannonball from the 1683 siege of Vienna.
Don’t you love history?
Opening times 2024
Dates for the 2024 market are March 15th to April 1st (Easter Monday). Expected opening times are:
- 11am to 8pm (Monday to Thursday)
- 10am to 8pm (Friday to Sunday, plus Easter Monday)
- Food/drink stalls serve an hour longer
How to get to Am Hof
The market and square are right in the centre of town and a short walk from several major subway stations:
Subway: U1/U3 (Stephansplatz – 5 mins walk), U3 (Herrengasse – 4 mins walk) or U2 (Schottentor – 7 mins walk).
Bus: Take the 1A to Teinfaltstraße, Herrengasse or Schwertgasse, the 2A to Herrengasse or the 3A to Schwertgasse.
Address: Ostermarkt Am Hof, Am Hof, 1010 Vienna | Website