As the Christmas season comes around, towns and cities throughout Austria start to set up their Christmas markets for this festive season. There are numerous Christmas markets you can visit throughout this historic country. These markets will invite you in with warm glowing lights and the captivating smells of simmering apples, roasting chestnuts, and the spicy Glühwein. Here are some of the most popular Austrian cities and towns to visit for Christmas markets.
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Popular Christmas Markets in Austria
Austrian Christmas Markets #1 Vienna
Christmas markets in Vienna are some of the oldest and most historic ones. You’ll find very traditional Christmas markets here in Austria’s capital.
Christmas World at City Hall
One of the best Christmas markets to visit is the Vienna Christmas World Market. This is located in front of the City Hall and features over 150 booths you can browse through to search for handmade decorations, delicious foods, and other Christmas treasures. In the center of this Christmas market you’ll find a large Christmas tree adorned with lights and ornaments. It’s open from November 18- December 30.
Christmas Village at Maria-Theresien-Platz
This Christmas market is located at the Maria-Theresien-Platz and features over 70 booths you can visit. You can stroll along the Christmas market’s illuminated sidewalks while listening to festive music. If you’d like to take a break from shopping, you can try to curl at a special curling station located in this market. You can visit this market anytime from November 22- December 26.
Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung
If you’d like to visit a very historic Christmas market, be sure to check out this one. This Christmas market began in 1772 and features very traditional booths and activities. You can find unique products like handmade mangers and even local cheeses and wines. This market is open from November 18-December 23.
Where to stay in Vienna for the Christmas Markets
Perfectly located in the center of Vienna’s 1st District–a UNESCO World Heritage Site–many historic sites are within walking distance and friendly staff make it a top choice.
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Located in Vienna’s 8th district, each room is dedicated to a specific Austrian winemaker and the hotel has a wine list of over 450 wines.
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You might be interested in my 3-day Vienna itinerary.
Austrian Christmas Markets #2 Innsbruck
Just like Vienna, Innsbruck Christmas markets have a historic flair. They also have a very romantic ambiance with many of the markets being located beneath towering snow-covered mountains and colorful lights.
Old Town Christmas Market
This Christmas market is located in the historic Old Town right in front of the famous Golden Roof. This market features over 70 stalls and is known for the Marchengasse (Fairy Tale Alley). The Marchengasse features scenes of well-known fairy tale characters, like Snow White, on the ledges of buildings, in windows, and other locations. As you stroll through the market you will occasionally hear trumpets sounding from the Golden Roof. You can visit here anytime from November 15- December 23.
Hungerburg Christmas Market
To reach this market you can hop on a train which will take you on a scenic tour up the mountains. When you first step foot into this market you’ll have a fantastic view of the city below, which is why this market is also known as the Panorama Christmas Market. This market is open from November 25- December 23.
Family Christmas Market at Marktplatz
If you plan to travel with children, the Family Christmas Market at Marktplatz is one of the best to see. It features a petting zoo and carousel for children to enjoy. It also caters to adults as well. It features over 60 stalls that you can browse through to search for interesting ornaments and other handmade decorations. In the center of this market you’ll find the magnificent Swarovski Crystal Tree whose crystals glow and shine on the market below. It’s open from November 15- December 23.
Where to stay in Innsbruck for the Christmas Markets
Best Western Plus Hotel Goldener Adler Innsbruck
An excellent value in Innsbruck, this hotel is located in the heart of the city. Walk only 5-minutes to reach the Imperial Palace and the Hofkirche.
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Hotel Maximilian-Stadthaus Penz
The Maximilian Hotel is family-run one of the top-rated hotels in Innsbruck. It’s situated right at the edge Old Town and is perfectly located to all of the major sites, shopping, and dining.
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Austrian Christmas Markets #3 Salzburg
Salzburg has Christmas markets located under historic buildings. You can stroll under them while marveling at their architecture. Besides the history and architecture, Salzburg also features some new Christmas markets available for you to visit.
Salzburg Christkindlmarkt
This is considered to be one of the best Christmas markets in Salzburg. This market is one of the oldest Advent markets around and is situated right beneath the Cathedral of Salzburg. The market is lined with large decorated Christmas trees and features strings of garlands and lights hanging above you. You can browse through the many booths available while listening to the Cathedral’s bells chiming and looking at the majestic mountains in the distance. You can enjoy this market from November 23- December 26.
Mirabell Square Christmas Market
If you want to visit a new market, this one would be the best one for you. It’s located in the center of Salzburg and features some delicious foods for you to try, like fresh pretzels. It’s a smaller option as well which makes it great for those who don’t want to worry about crowds. It’s open from November 23- December 24.
Check out my one day Salzburg itinerary.
Where to stay in Salzburg for the Christmas Markets
This 5-star hotel dates back to 1377 and is perfectly located in the heart of Salzburg’s Old Town. The hotel was recently renovated and it’s centrally located to the sights.
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Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Salzburg
This traditional hotel is conveniently located near the Mirabell Palace. The Vier Jahreszeiten is within walking distance to the train station and Old Town.
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Austrian Christmas Markets #4 Graz
The city of Graz offers some of the finest Christmas markets due to their great festivity and fantastic locations. You can often find stunning Christmas displays here, like the ice nativity scene in the Landhaus Courtyard.
Hauptplatz Christmas Market
This market is located in front of the Gratz City Hall. It features many stalls for you to browse around in to find unique items. Besides this, the market is also known for its Feuerzangenbowle. This is a drink where wine and rum are mixed together and then set on fire. This market is open from November 17-December 24.
Glockenspielplatz Christmas Market
If you’d like to see something new and exciting each day at a Christmas market, you should consider this one. There are themed days to help give a creative atmosphere to this market. You can sip on the freshly mulled wine and listen to seasonal music as you walk and browse through the market’s 14 stalls. You can visit it anytime from November 17-December 23.
Where to stay in Graz for the Christmas Markets
The Hotel Wiesler has stylish rooms, is centrally located near the Mur River and the Old Town. The hotel also features a sauna, fitness area, and beard shaver’s shop.
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Schlossberg hotel- Das Kunsthotel
The Schlossberg hotel is located right at the foot of the Schlossberg in the city’s historic center. Rooms are uniquely decorated with art and antiquities.
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Kitzbühel and Linz Christmas Markets
Many of the Christmas markets previously mentioned are very large and popular ones. If you’d like to visit some that are a little smaller and out of the way, you should consider markets in Kitzbühel and Linz.
Kitzbühel
One of this town’s best Christmas markets is located at a local ski resort. It focuses not only on the shopping experience but St. Nicholas as well. St. Nicholas will make occasional visits to the market. There’s even a Grand St. Nicholas Parade that takes place. You can also listen to some singers and choirs perform at the market. This market is open from November 30-December 26.
Where to stay in Kitzbühel
Located in the center of Kitzbühel, the Schwarzer Adler is a modern boutique hotel with a traditional atmosphere that can be seen in the traditional wooden dining rooms and open fireplace.
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This traditional, family operated hotel is located in the heart of Kitzbühel. Enjoy the hotel’s casino or walk to the Hahnenkamm Cable Car in only 5 minutes.
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Linz
One of the best Christmas markets in Linz is in Volksgarten. Here you can eat local pastries while strolling through the booths and listening to classical music drift through the air. This market also has crib games you can play and features a stunning Christmas pyramid on display that lights up. It’s open from November 18- December 24.
Where to stay in Linz
Star Inn Hotel Promenadengalerien, by Comfort
Rated for the best value in Linz, this hotel is brand new and centrally located with an amazing view of the Mariendom church. Public transportation is easily accessible making this a great choice.
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This historic hotel is family-run and located on a quiet side street in the center of Linz. It has renovated rooms and is only a 3-minute walk from the main square
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Each Christmas market in Austria is unique in their own way. However, they all have the same purpose: to celebrate the Christmas season. You can choose between historic and new Christmas markets, as well as the type of scenery you’d like to enjoy looking at while shopping in one. No matter which one you choose you can be sure it will be an experience you’ll never forget.
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A long weekend in Vienna the weekend before Christmas has become a Jetset Boyz annual event. Vienna’s prettiest squares transform into magical Christmas markets. The aroma of Christmas baking & hot punch sets the mood in the run-up to Christmas.
We usually stay at the Hilton Vienna Plaza because it’s so close to the fabulous Christmas market at the Rathaus and about five other markets. Last year there were fourteen different markets – you’re absolutely spoilt for choice and you’ll feel like a kiddy in a sweet shop! So, if you’ve never been to Vienna in December why not make a plan and do it this December?
Vienna is so beautiful. What a coincidence. I stayed at the Hilton too when I was in Vienna. The location is fantastic.