Like all Easter markets, the one on the Freyung cannot easily compete with the Christmas market on the same spot, but it does have one major advantage…
Eggs.
- Probably the best place in the city for decorated eggs
- Adjoins a lovely (organic) food market
- Close to the Am Hof Easter market
- 2022 dates: TBA (likely first half of April)
- See also: Easter markets | The Freyung
The Freyung Easter market
When I say the Freyung market has eggs, I mean more eggs than an omelette factory that’s just opened new production facilities. Eggs in a myriad of colours and designs, ready to hang on your Easter tree.
The Ostereistand traditionally dominates the centre of the main square, offering box after box of painted eggshells and egg-shaped decorations. You can even buy ostrich eggshells to decorate at home.
It’s worth taking a few moments to browse the displays, as some of the egg designs are quite beautiful: painted scenes; Easter, imperial, floral, and animal motifs; lacework decor; eggs as globes etc. etc.
I was very taken with the sheet-music themed eggs, which seemed particularly appropriate for a city like Vienna:
This centrepiece – together with a giant painted egg – ensures the market has a genuine Easter feeling to it. This is helped by the workshop/stage area, where, for example, kids can decorate their own polystyrene eggs.
These Easter-themed displays balance the more generic arts and crafts flavour in the rest of the market (though you’ll still discover egg-shaped candles, Lebkuchen rabbits and similar).
The craft stands are high quality and feature the usual painted wooden shop signs, crockery, jewellery, clothes, leather items and more.
And no seasonal market in Vienna is complete without food and drink. This is your chance to stock up on specialties, like mustards, vinegars, oils and honey (try Schönbrunn market for greater variety, though).
I’ll admit to being particularly partial to the sharp Bergkäse alpine cheese they always seem to sell here. And when I say sharp, I mean eye-poppingly so.
Be sure to cross the road to the adjoining organic farmer’s market, too, where youthful acolytes and wizened old mountain folk serve up a delicious cornucopia of organic fare: pickles and pastries, pate and yet more cheese, sausages and salami, breads and beers.
Austria has a strong small-scale traditional agricultural landscape, so the Easter market makes for a good spot to sample the results of the farmers’ endeavours. (And the winemakers” endeavours: do try a glass of Austrian wine.)
Opening times 2022
I await 2022 dates from official sources but anticipate something like April 2nd to April 18th. Opening times are typically 10am to 7pm.
The COVID situation forced the cancellation of both the 2020 and 2021 markets, unfortunately, so we’re all keen to see a return in 2022.
How to get to the Freyung Easter market
The market is very central, about a five-minute walk from a major station (“Schottentor”), and not far from the cathedral and main tourist trail. So you might come across it on your travels anyway.
Incidentally, the next square down also hosts a major Easter market: the Ostermarkt Am Hof.
The Freyung represents one of the older parts of the city. The wall marking the upper boundary of the market, for example, is the Schottenkirche church (originally consecrated in 1200).
Subway: Take the U2 to Schottentor (go south down Schottengasse) or the U3 to Herrengasse (go north up Herrengasse).
Tram: The lines 1, D, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 71 all stop at Schottentor.
Bus: Take the 1A bus to Teinfaltstrasse (the stop is practically in the middle of the market).
Address: Altwiener Ostermarkt, Freyung, 1010 Vienna | Website