A different organisation is in charge of the market from 2025, so expect changes to the below description. They did a great job with the new Christmas market at Schönbrunn, so I have high expectations.
I will update the post fully at the start of the Easter 2025 market season with a review based on a visit.
The organisers have already announced, for example, more family-friendly entertainments like a straw maze, boules, a carousel and ferris wheel. The market runs from March 27th to April 21st.
Previous review:
Place a pile of hay in the Schönbrunn Palace courtyard, and it would soon acquire a certain imperial elegance, nostalgic charm, and a range of souvenir pitchforks.
You simply cannot beat the setting. And the Easter market here offers visitors a lovely seasonal treat.
- Beautiful surrounds in the forecourt of the Habsburg summer palace
- Top quality wares and edibles
- Giant Easter eggs make excellent photos
- 2025 dates: Mar 27 – April 21
- Book a concert experience* for your Vienna trip
- See also:
The market
(The previous version of the Schönbrunn Easter Market; press photo © www.ostermarkt.co.at / FOTOFALLY)
Given the Imperial location, the Schönbrunn Easter market already has an advantage over its colleagues elsewhere in Vienna. Add in that it’s the biggest and you have – in my opinion – the top option.
I like, for example, the organic foods and lovely decorated eggs at the Freyung and the art and food booths at Am Hof. But meandering past truffles and trinkets in the shadow of the great summer Habsburg palace has a particular flair to it.
Last time out, two rows of market stands curved around one side of the giant courtyard, with huge Easter eggs at a couple of locations. And most of those stands sold quality arts and crafts, some familiar from the Christmas market held at the same location.
(A stall at a previous market; press photo © www.ostermarkt.co.at / Katharina Schiffl)
The stalls offered jewellery, crafted glass and wood, cosmetics, candles, toys, handmade soaps, art prints, ceramics, textiles and more. Some had Easter decorations (several sold the inevitable painted eggs), thereby ensuring an Easter feeling flowed through the market.
You could find one or two booths with regional meats, honeys, mustards, spreads and similar in among the craft stalls, too.
Not that the food is ever only to take away and enjoy later.
I encountered, for example, Leberkäse, sweet and specialty dumplings, fried potatoes with Easter ham, Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake), crepes, waffles, and pulled pork.
And among the various vegetarian options: potato goulash, vegetarian bowls, spinach and sheep cheese on dark bread, and red bean, chickpea and lentil salad.
The location offered more seats than usual at a seasonal market as well as numerous free-standing bar tables.
So you could relax with your food and wash it down with a traditional drink, like Viennese beer or wine, or a not-quite-so-traditional one, like a strawberry fruit punch.
(Austrian specialties; press photo © www.ostermarkt.co.at / FOTOFALLY)
Be warned, however: even with all these seats and tables, space can get scarce at busy times.
Crowds were plentiful when I dropped by. Mind you, visitors still had plenty of freedom to get close to the wares. And queues only formed at selected food stands.
The Schönbrunn market also makes an effort to keep the kids happy, for example through a games hut. The little ones might also enjoy the Children’s Museum located in the same courtyard.
(Ostermarkt Schloss Schönbrunn; press photo © Angelika Kessler)
Once you’re done with the market, wander around to the other side of the palace and see what flowers and colours spring has hopefully brought to the landscaped gardens. Pansies have dominated in recent years.
Also consider Schönbrunn zoo, should you wish to see what baby animals the season also put into the world. Penguin chicks are a reliable bet.
And, of course, don’t forget a tour of the palace or one of the many other attractions the complex has to offer.
2025 dates & times
The next Schönbrunn Easter market opens from March 27th to April 21st.
Scheduled opening times are:
- 10am to 7pm
- 10am to 9pm (Fridays, Saturdays and Easter Sunday)
Which leaves time, I think, to combine a market visit with a concert in the nearby palace orangery.
How to get to the Schönbrunn market
The main entrance to the palace complex opens onto a courtyard where the market takes place. You can’t miss it. Follow these directions to get there.
Subway: U4 (either to the Schönbrunn or Hietzing stations, then a short walk). The U4 leaves, for example from the central Schwedenplatz, Schottenring and Karlsplatz subway stations.
Tram/bus: Take tram lines 10, 52, and 60, or bus line 10A, to the Schloss Schönbrunn stop.
The palace does have a large car park located close by: just over the road, diagonally opposite the main entrance to the complex.
Address: Schloss Schönbrunn, 1130 Vienna | Website (of the new organiser from 2025)