Spectacular, festive, and charming, the Christmas Markets in Vienna were everything I imagined and more. Filled with local delicacies, handmade crafts, and delicious local foods, giving you something to look at around every turn. Wash it down with a mug of gluhwein, a warm mulled wine, or punsch, a hot rum or brandy cocktail with numerous sweet and citrusy variations to put you in the holiday spirit.

Schloss Belvedere

One of my favorite Christmas markets is at the Belvedere Palace (aka schloss). When you enter, you see a beautiful pond leading to the lit up stalls, with the palace as a backdrop for it all. Absolutely stunning.

Stalls here offered handmade wooden ornaments and figurines, a variety of gnomes, gingerbread, beautiful painted glass ornaments and more. Foodwise, you’ll find most of the traditional options, including several types of krapfen– yummy doughnuts, pretzels, wurst-sausages, chestnuts, kartoffelpuffer– potato pancakes, and more.

The Belvedere is a nice market to start off with, because the offerings are fairly traditional, the size is large enough to offer a variety, but not too big to overwhelm. And did I mention how beautiful it is?

Wiener Christkindlmarkt (Rathaus)

The largest market and one not to be missed, the City Hall Christmas market features a multi-level ice skating rink, two-story carousel, children’s section, enormous decorated trees, and endless stalls with food and drink. With the beautiful city hall setting the backdrop, this market is a true winter wonderland.

With such a big market, most of the traditional craft options are here, including beautiful ceramic and glass candle displays, ornaments, and more. Some highlights amongst the stalls were delightful books, advent calendars, and cards, knit and handmade toys, cookie cutters of all shapes and sizes, and nutcrackers. In the food section, I found gigantic pretzels, uniquely-flavored arancini balls, and delicious warm nuts.

Art Advent at Karlsplatz

An alternative market filled with only Austrian-made products, and mostly organic foods, is well worth visiting. With the beautiful Karlskirche as a backdrop, and cute animals in the center, this market oozes with charm.

The market was full of fun handmade items perfect for unique gifts, much like the craft markets and maker fairs sprouting up everywhere I go, but with an Austrian flair. Think knit caps, crocheted socks, handpainted ornaments, and more. I loved the Vinylograph booth, where you could record your own short personalized record! This was also one of few markets selling actual Christmas trees, which I thought was a nice touch. Washed down with an organic gluhwein, it was a perfect stop on the market tour.

Am Hof/Freyung

Two markets one block apart!

At the Am Hof market, you’ll find some of the best traditional foods and drinks, including langos– a fried dough rubbed with garlic and stuffed with your choice of cheese, ham, or more- all manner of sausage and charcuterie, kartoffelpuffer and potato spirals, and a wide variety of punsch. I found unique woolen goods, beautiful ornaments, and homemade bottled liquors.

Nearby at the Freyung Altwiener market, you could sample melty raclette cheese on bread or baked potatoes, a flaming punch from the Feueranzgebowl, and kaiserschmarrn– a chopped up pancake-like confection topped with warm plum sauce. Unusual leather goods, candles and incense, and teas, including a spice blend to make your own gluhwein at home, were great finds here.

With over 20 advent markets in Vienna, it can be hard to choose just a few favorites. I hope this list helps you narrow down your options as you plan your visit.

Have you been to Vienna for the holiday season? What is your favorite Christkindlmarkt?