It’s almost a month until Christmas and down here in the Southern Hemisphere the weather is heating up.
So as these blistering summer days go by, I begin to miss the Christmas markets of Vienna.
I miss the twinkling lights and warm gluhwein (or kinderpunsch), the delicious chocolate treats and all the interesting wares, along with the Christmas decorations of every kind.
If you hate Christmas, people and eating definitely give the markets a miss.
However, if you don’t mind strolling around a platz (piazza) listening to music, drinking warm beverages and eating chocolate, freshly fried spiral chips or every kind of sausage you can imagine accompanied by a sprinkling of snow …
What are you waiting for?
Jump in the car, or book your flight or train now!
To help you out once you arrive, here are the 6 best Vienna Christmas markets:
1. Vienna Christmas World
Rathausplatz 1010
- 11 Nov-26 Dec 2016 – 10am to 9:30 (10pm Fri/Sat, 4pm 24 Dec)
This market is very central and features lots of beautiful lights.
It also had rides for children and lots of amazing food from different parts of the world.
Its main feature is the ice skating rink, where you can hire skates and spend the night on the ice.
Beware, on the weekends and holidays it’s packed!
2. Belvedere Palace
Prinz-Eugen-Strasse 27, 1030
- 18 Nov-23 Dec 2016 – 10am-9pm
The market is quite small but it has great atmosphere.
It’s a bit of a hike on public transport, but if you are visiting the museum it’s definitely worth stopping at the market.
3. Old Vienna Christmas Market
Freyung, 1010
- 18 Nov – 23 Dec 2016- 10 am – 9pm
This market often has gluten free goodies, and lots of unique gifts.
It’s close to the Rathaus so it’s easy to do in the same trip.
4. Schönbrunn Palace
- 19 Nov- 26 Dec 2016 – 10am – 6pm
- 10am – 9pm (4pm 24 Dec, 6pm 25-26 Dec)
- New Year’s Market 27 Dec 2016 – 1 Jan 2017
This is another beautiful market with a palace backdrop.
The Schönbrunn market has lots of unique stalls and is open until the new year.
It can get very cold when the weather is windy so rug up warm!
Even when there are lots of people around, there is a lot of space so it doesn’t feel too crowded.
5. Karlsplatz
- 18 Nov – 23 Dec 2016 – 12 noon – 8pm, food until 9pm
There are children’s playgrounds right next to this market, and they also have rides and a petting zoo for kids.
This is a very arty market, with lots of unique and creative gifts for sale.
It is very close to the Ubahn and the centre of town.
6. Spittelberg
Spittelberggasse, Schrankgasse, Gutenberggasse, 1070 Vienna
- 12 Nov- 23 Dec 2016 – 3 pm – 9 pm (9:30 Fri)
- 12 noon – 9.30 pm Sat (9pm Sun and hols)
The cutest of them all, this market winds around cobbled lanes instead of being dwarfed by elaborate palaces.
Many of the stall holders are local businesses and there is also a basic children’s park off one of these streets.
The great thing about this time of year in Vienna is that as you make your way around the city, feasting your eyes on one Christmas light display after another, you will undoubtedly discover your own hidden market gems.
There are so many markets to find, see if you can find them all!
And have a Kinderpunsch for me!
