If you’re looking for some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, and ones that are open on Christmas Day, then visit Vienna! One of the best parts about visiting Vienna at Christmas is that the city’s Christmas decorations are stunning, and many of its markets remain open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and even the day after Christmas. It’s why my husband and I chose to spend our first Christmas living abroad in this city. Vienna Christmas markets are spread out, so it gives you a perfect way to see the city, especially if you only have a few days. Each market is unique, with the bustling market and live music at Vienna’s Belvedere Palace, or the old European splendor at Stephansplatz market and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. There is a lot of information to take in, and many guides can be overwhelming. Don’t worry, I’ve broken it down below for you! Keep reading for a complete guide on the Vienna Christmas markets and why it is one of the best cities to spend the holidays!

Christmas Markets Vienna: A Comprehensive Guide

What you need to know before visiting the Vienna Christmas Markets

What date are Christmas markets in Vienna?

Many Vienna Christmas markets open in mid-November and last until after the New Year. As I said, the reason my husband and I chose to visit Vienna for their Christmas markets is that many are also open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after Christmas. Opening times and hours vary by market, so make sure to check the city’s official guide for details before visiting.

Are the Christmas markets in Vienna worth visiting?

The Christmas markets in Vienna are absolutely worth visiting because they’re open on Christmas, are quite varied and spread throughout the city, offer great Christmas gifts and other souvenirs, and have some of the best holiday decorations. They are considered some of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

Best Christmas markets in Europe

After living in London and exploring quite a few of the Christmas markets across Europe, I think Vienna has some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. While France and certainly Germany have some of the largest Christmas markets, some of these can feel quite repetitive, depending on the market. This is one of the best German Christmas markets I’ve found without the crowds. This city also has quite a variety of European Christmas markets without the crowds, and one of the best parts is that you can take a day trip to some of the German Christmas markets as well!

Do I need cash for Vienna Christmas markets?

You will need cash for some of the Vienna Christmas markets, but some also accept credit cards. Some of the markets are also located on sites that you can visit such as Belvedere Palace, Schonbrunn Palace, or St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Make sure when visiting these popular sites that you book tickets in advance if you’re able.

What time do the markets open and close?

The markets have different opening and closing times, but most are open from noon to 10 pm, and some open at 10 am. I also found that some of the smaller markets may not be open even if the city’s official site confirms they are.

One thing to note that’s not as glamorous, but there are minimal public bathrooms throughout these markets!

How many days do I need in Vienna to see the Christmas markets?

Plan to spend at least three to four days in Vienna if you want to see most of the markets. There are so many other wonderful things to do in Vienna, as well as admiring the city’s decor, so I wouldn’t rush through it.

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Vienna Day by Day Itinerary

If you’re traveling to this city solely for the Vienna Christmas markets, you can visit all the biggest markets in a weekend. Some of the best things to see in Vienna are the beautiful and historical Habsburg Schonbrunn Palace, a stunning baroque library, and the famous Spanish Riding School. If you’re traveling to Vienna, I highly recommend visiting all these popular sites. Here’s a proposed itinerary for you.

Day 1: See the Vienna Christmas markets Altwiener Freyung, Am Hof,  Stephansplatz at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben, and Karlsplatz Art Advent. Have dinks at the Ritz Carlton and dinner at Plachutta Wollzeile.

Day 2: Visit the State Hall Library, Hofburg Imperial Treasury, and Volksgarten. Visit Rathausplatz and have dinner at Restaurant Griechenbeisl. Attend Konzerte im Mozarthaus (Singerstraße).

Day 3: Take the U-bahn to Schonbrunn Palace. Spend the day at the palace and visit the Christmas market there. Have dinner at Gerstner K.u.K. Hofzuckerbacker.

Day 4: Arrive at Cafe Demel before it opens to avoid the crowds and then head to the 11 am show at the Spanish Riding School. Walk near the famous Popp & Kretschmer red bow and see the Hotel Sacher decor. Explore Belvedere Palace as much as you can before your flight home!

Best Christmas Markets in Vienna: A Detailed List

Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz

Located at the beautiful backdrop of Vienna’s Rathaus town hall is Vienna’s largest and most popular Christmas market. This is one of the most idyllic European Christmas markets I’ve ever seen. This market has everything you could want, and serves a variety of traditional food including sausages, potatoes and sweet treats. They will have around 100 stalls this year, and we found these stalls to be the most diverse. They also had the best gifts I’ve seen, including the most beautiful hand-painted ornaments. There are also activities, including an ice skating rink and a life-size nativity scene. The surrounding park is also so well-lit, it really is a European Christmas dream!

2025: November 14- December 26, opens 10 am to 10 pm, closing at 6 pm Christmas Eve

Schonbrunn Palace Christmas market

The Habsburg Palace is one of the best things to see in Vienna. The best part about this Christmas market is its location, and I would recommend pre-booking tickets to visit. There are many ticket options, so visit their website for details. We purchased the ‘Grand Tour’ tickets, which include the private apartments and the State apartments. One tour I wish I had also done is a guided tour of Maria Theresa. This tour takes you to the Bergl Rooms. These rooms require a separate ticket and are famous for the magnificent landscape paintings adorning the walls and the ceremonial state rooms. I wish I had known these require separate tickets, and aren’t available every day!

2025: November 6- January 6, opens 10 am to 9 pm, closing at 4 pm Christmas Eve and 7 pm on Christmas Day, and all days onwards

Stephansplatz at St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Located in the heart of Vienna is St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Stephansplatz market. This is a small market, but popular due to the stunning cathedral in the background. It’s also located at the end of Graben Street, which is where you’ll find some of Vienna’s best Christmas lights and decorations and horse-drawn carriages. Many of the stalls offer similar gifts, but their hot soup with a bread bowl was delicious! If you want to visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral for Christmas mass, they offer a few servi, but you may run into long queues, so arrive early!

2025: November 8 – December 26, open from 11 am to 9 pm, closing at 4 pm Christmas Eve and 7 pm December 25 and 26

Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace

There is no doubt that this is one of the most beautiful Vienna Christmas markets. It’s one of the bigger markets, and offers a range of food, drinks, and gifts. While visiting, make sure to explore the palace or gardens. You will need to pre-book tickets for the palace, but the gardens are entirely free to visit! They also have a small cafe on-site.

2025: November 14 – December 31, open from 11 am to 9 pm, and varied times on weekends and holidays

Karlsplatz Christmas market

Although this is one of the more popular Vienna Christmas markets, it was a disappointment for us. We visited before dinner so it wasn’t too late, but many stalls were already closed. It also didn’t seem like they had many stalls as all compared to photos I had seen online of the market. It only took us about thirty minutes to walk around, and we didn’t find much food or end up buying any gifts here.

2025: November 21- December 23, opens noon to 8 pm

Freyung Altwiener Christkindlmarkt

This Vienna Christmas market feels like it’s right in the heart of a residential area, with beautiful Viennese facades as a backdrop. It is one of the smaller Vienna Christmas markets, but what makes it unique is the large nativity painting lining the stalls. Even though I don’t believe it’s part of this market, there’s a lovely market across the street selling different shapes and sizes of handmade baskets!

2025: November 14- December 23, opens 10 am to 9 pm

Am Hof

This market offers unique gifts and takes up the entire square. Don’t miss the nearby Ferstel Passage and the popular Cafe Central.

2025: November 14 – December 23, open 11 am to 9 pm

Maria-Theresien-Platz

This Vienna Christmas market is located between two beautiful museums, the fine arts museum and the national history museum. It’s also very close to the Hofburg, which is one of the best things to see in Vienna. This market is a similar size to Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz, and sells high-quality gifts that you can also buy at the Christkindlmarkt. If you want to visit either of the museums, make sure to pre-book tickets as the holiday time is quite popular!

2025: November 13 – December 26, 11 am to 10 pm, closing at 4 pm December 24 and 7 pm December 25 and 26

Spittelberg

This is one of the Vienna Christmas markets that will already be closed by Christmas Eve if you’re visiting over the holidays. You can find this market in the narrow, cobblestone streets of the city, but can get quite crowded!

2025: November 14 – December 23, open weekdays 2 pm to 9 pm, weekends 11 am to 9 pm

Vienna Christmas Market locations

Vienna Christmas Markets Map

Where to Stay in Vienna for Christmas Markets

If you plan to stay near the city center or in hotels close to the Vienna Christmas markets, you will be able to walk everywhere. One of the exceptions is Schonbrunn Palace, you will need to take the train there.

Hotel Sacher $$$: One of the most luxurious places to stay in Vienna, this five-star hotel is right in the heart of the city. Make sure to dine in one of their restaurants or bars for an exceptional culinary experience.

Hotel Regina $-$$: Located a bit outside the hustle and bustle of central Vienna, but still very close to the city center is Hotel Regina. This is a four-star hotel that has been family-run for over a century. You’ll definitely feel the old Viennese charm when staying here. Don’t miss the lovely restaurant and bar attached to the hotel.

Hotel Altstadt $$: This boutique hotel is located in the popular Spittelberg quarter which is a stone’s throw away from the Museum Quarter. It’s recently renovated in the most beautiful historic building.

Best Things to See in Vienna: Besides Vienna Christmas markets

The Habsburg Schonbrunn Palace

The Habsburg Palace is one of the best things to see in Vienna. This palace was used as a hunting lodge and a summer home for the Habsburgs. It is home to one of the oldest zoos in the world; however, this may be closed for the season if you’re visiting during the holidays. Check all the details on their website when purchasing tickets, as they do offer many ticket options.

We purchased the ‘Grand Tour’ tickets, which include the private apartments and the State apartments. One tour I wish I had also done is the guided tour of Maria Theresa. You will need to buy this ticket separately, and I wish I had known before visiting!

Admire Belvedere Palace and its famous artwork

This massive palace includes Upper and Lower Belvedere Palaces, the Orangery, and the Palace Stables. It’s a beautiful baroque building, known for its Klimt paintings. One of the most famous pieces of Klimt’s artwork in Vienna is in this palace, a painting called ‘The Kiss’. If you don’t have time to explore the inside of the palace you can have a walk around the gardens. Don’t forget during the holidays you’ll find a beautiful Christmas market here!

Visit Hofburg’s Imperial Palace in Downtown Vienna

If you’re visiting the city for the Vienna Christmas markets Hofburg’s Palace needs to be on your list. Hofburg is the former imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty. You may have heard of Hofburg because of the famous Spanish Riding School or Vienna Boys’ Choir. Don’t miss the Imperial Treasury (Schatzkammer), Baroque library (Prunksaal), and the Silver Collection (Silberkammer) when visiting.

Enjoy a Show at the Spanish Riding School

This may be one of the most unique shows you’ll ever see- a horse show in the most beautiful Viennese building, complete with giant chandeliers! You can book tickets in advance to attend one of their shows, and I recommend you do. These horses have been a part of Viennese tradition and culture for many years, and actually compete around the world. The school dates back to the 16th century, when one of the Habsburg archdukes established his own farm to breed these horses. Seeing these horses perform is one of the best things to see in Vienna, and I highly recommend it!

Enjoy a Viennese concert!

Vienna is also famous for its classical music, and Austria is the birthplace of Mozart! We saw a ‘Konzerte in Mozarthaus‘ that was absolutely incredible. The concert actually takes place in Mozart’s first apartment in Vienna, and is a perfect activity for the holiday season.

Visit Kunsthistorisches Museum

The Kunsthistorisches  Museum was built in 1891 to house the collection of the imperial Habsburg family. It is quite beautiful inside and reminds me of the Louvre Museum in Paris. You will need at least three hours to see the entire collection, but you can really stay as long as you would like.

Attend mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church

This baroque church isn’t as grand as St. Stephen’s Cathedral, but it still is quite beautiful. It’s right off Graben Street, and worth a peek inside! They also offer a midnight mass on Christmas! We absolutely loved the service; the best part was singing in German.

Go Shopping on Graben

Not only is this street entirely picturesque but offers designer stores, chocolate shops, and quite a few others. Stop in the nearby St. Peter’s baroque church and St. Stephen’s cathedral.

Day trip ideas from Vienna

Want to travel to three different countries all in one trip? Here’s the perfect day trip from Vienna that will take you not only to Hungary’s Budapest but Slovakia’s Bratislava.

Here’s a day trip to one of the most beautiful towns in Austria, Hallstatt!

Here’s a day trip to the Austrian Alps, the UNESCO-listed Salzkammergut, and also Hallstatt. You will also be granted access to incredible views of the area via a Skywalk!

Here’s a day trip to Salzburg from Vienna all in one day!

Best Restaurants in Vienna

Dinner at Plachutta Wollzeile

This is one of the most popular restaurants in Vienna. Their specialty is boiled beef, but quality beef from the very best Austrian family farms. Emperor Franz Joseph made this dish popular in Vienna, and it has been ever since. They serve their famous boiled beef in the pots themselves, and have quite a few options you can order! It really is a unique experience.

Gerstner K.u.K. Hofzuckerbacker

This confectionery shop usually stays open on Christmas Day. They also have a beautiful restaurant on the second floor of the location next to the State Opera House, but you must book a reservation to dine.

Cafe Central

This is Vienna’s most famous coffeehouse and undoubtedly the most palatial.

Cafe Demel

This is Vienna’s famous pastry cafe. Try their specialties, including “Demeltorte” and the chocolate nougat “Annatorte”. You can also try an Einspänner, a double espresso with cream.

Hotel Sacher

Try some holiday drinks at this famous hotel’s Rote Bar and Grüne Bar restaurants. They both serve international and traditional Viennese cuisine, classic Viennese coffee, and the original Sacher-Torte.

How to get around in Vienna

The quickest and most reliable way to get around Vienna while visiting the Vienna Christmas markets is the U-Bahn. It operates seven days a week, and some 24-hour services even run on weekends and public holidays. There are ticket machines throughout the city including train stations. Don’t forget you need to punch your ticket before entering or upon boarding. If you’re caught without a ticket it might cost you a hefty fine.

You will find most of the best things to see and do in Vienna are located in the historic center. Even though my husband and I took the train a few times, we mostly walked. If you’re heading to Schonbrunn Palace and are staying in the city, you can easily take the train there as well. It’s about a half-hour ride from the city center.

If you’re traveling from the Vienna airport, take the CAT (City Airport Train). It runs every thirty minutes and operates between 5:30 am to 11:30 pm, including public holidays.

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