CC Johann Werfring via Wikimedia Commons

Although it does not feel like it, winter is coming and with it all those beautiful traditions, which grace our precious city in December. Although temperatures and weather indicate differently Christmas markets all over town celebrate their opening this weekend and in our opinion it does not have to be freezing in order for punch and mulled wine to be tasty.
You can find Christmas markets at nearly all the famous hot spots in the city like Heldenplatz, Karlsplatz or most famously Rathaus or Stephansdom, that’s why we have gathered a list of Christmas markets besides the common touristic places:

Traditional Viennese Christmas Markets

If you are looking for a traditional feeling we recommend visiting Freyung. Not really an insider tip the Freyung market has a cozy and beautiful atmosphere in the midst of the center, while being not overrun with tourists like others in the area. Its tradition goes back 300 years and is a sought-out destination for Viennese Christmas lovers.
If you don’t mind a good portion of kitsch the Christmas market at Schloss Belvedere is own of a kind. The Christmas village in the marvelous Schlosspark creates an intimate and nearly reverent atmosphere.

At the “Christkindlmarkt am Hof” you can find a lot of manufactured accessories and jewelry besides the obvious bakery and punch.

Idyllic insider tips

If you don’t mind to get away from the city for a while the ”Weihnachtsszauber am Wilhelminenberg” offers all of Christmas’ charms and calms you can’t as easily find in the city. Small, but intimate Wilhelminenberg is all about its incredible view down on the city and you can even go ice-skating!

A true secret gem and insider tip finds itself at Spittelberg. For many the Spittelberg market is one of the most beautiful and a not-so-well-kept secret, to preserve the intimacy of the small alley in the 7th district. Spittelberg is constructed less like a common market, but offers stalls the small pubs and venues. It’s the perfect place to just saunter through, while enjoying a cup of hot punch.

More than honorable mentions

If you aren’t really into tradition and more into urbanism, you must not despair and miss out on all the punch. Museumsquartier turns itself into a winter-wonderland ignoring all the kitsch and Christmassy vibes. Instead you find creative design and modern art.

The punch market at University campus (AAKH) is the winter-meeting point for all the students of the city and trumps with idyllic flare, a lot of space and a younger demographic. The stalls are arranged in the form of a village and are numerous!

We wish you a merry christmas time!