Bundesland Wien Shopping Tips by globetrott

the market with the Rathaus /

townhall

Adventzauber am Rathausplatz is the largest of all christmas-markets in Vienna and it includes a lot of activities for children, like rides in a train for children, pony-carriages, small huts, where professional actors are reading fairy-tales etc. A lot of the many giant trees in the park are lighted in a really beautiful way and there are benches as well (and in dec. 8th,2006 it was even warm enough to sit there...).
Some years ago you could buy socks, steam-irons etc. there as well, THAT IS OVER NOW : This market is a must, especially when you considder the scenic place between Burgtheater and the Rathaus (townhall), also the paths between the stands are wider now and mostly you will have enough space to walk through the market.
In 2006 this market is open Nov. 18th till Dec. 24th
daily from 09.00a.m. till 09.00p.m.
It ends already at 05.00p.m. at dec.24th !!
Dogs are allowed here !

What To Buy: There are almost the same goods that you may buy also at the other x-mas-markets as well.
The drinks are served in porcelain-cups that you have to pay 2 euros for a deposit !
You may take it home as well, the one of Rathausmarkt looks really nice !

What To Pay: Gl�hwein / Punch etc. starts with a price of 3 euros, same prices as all other markets !

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Directions: This market is between the townhall / Rathaus and the Burgtheater, directely at Ringstrasse, take tram #1 or #2 or metro U2, get out at station "Rathaus"
Website: www.christkindlmarkt.at

Weihnachtsmarkt in Schloss Schoenbrunn

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Written by globetrott

on Dec 4, 2006

The Weihnachtsmarkt of Schloss Schoenbrunn is in my opinion the most beautiful and most scenic one in Vienna :
That market will be set up inside the big court in front of the former summer-palace of the Austrian emperors and it consists of a large circle of shopping-stands and only 4 food-stands in the centre of that cercle, so you will hardly ever have to fight yourselves through crowds of people, but will have in fact a lot of space to walk freely and enjoy also the lovely scenery of the Schloss Schoenbrunn in the background.
This market is normally one of the first to open
and the last one to close :
In 2006 : from Nov. 18th - Dec. 26th
daily from 10.00a.m. till 08.30 p.m.
At December 24th : 10.00a.m. till 04.00p.m.
At December 25th+26th : 10.00a.m.-06.00p.m.

What To Buy: At this market you will find a few stands with special handicrafts, that you will not find at most of the other christmas-markets in Vienna !
For the food I may recommend :
Kaiserschmarrn - MY favorite desert
Raclette and other cheese-specialities

What To Pay: Prices will not differ a lot from other markets : Gluehwein is around 3 euro, for the beautifully decorated porcelain-cup you have to pay a deposit of 2 euros, and may keep it, some of the foodstands even give you a paper-bag to pack it safely !

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Directions: Take the metro U4, get out at station "Schoenbrunn" and walk about 300 meters to the palace !
Website: www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at

Spittelberger Weihnachtsmarkt

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Updated by globetrott

on Dec 8, 2006

Spittelberger Weihnachtsmarkt is famous mainly for 2 reasons :
1) Spittelberg is one of the old parts of the city with narrow streets, cobbled stones etc. and 2) in this area a lot of artists have settled and built their arteliers here, that are nowadays also part of the x-mas-market.
This market will mostly be the 1st one to open every year
in 2006 it is from Nov. 17th till Dec. 23rd
Monday-Friday 02.00p.m. till 09.00p.m.
Saturday, Sunday & holiday (dec. 8th)
10.00a.m. till 09.00p.m.

What To Buy: Besides a lot of things that you may get at all the other places as well, you will find some special works of art ONLY here at Spittelberg. In Spittelberg there are also some stands with handicrafts from Africa and other places from overseas

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Theme: Other
Directions: Spittelberg is a small street next to Burggasse
Website: www.spittelberg.at

Weihnachtsdorf am Schloss Belvedere

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Updated by globetrott

on Dec 8, 2006

Belvedere as seen from Suedbahnhof

Weihnachtsdorf am Schloss Belvedere is a place I may mainly recommend because of its special place in front of Schloss Belvedere, that will be beautifully lighted as well. This market is quite small and it will also have less visitors than other markets. At the end of the market you will find a lovely nostalgic merry-go-round, it sounds like driven by steam, but I guess it is a replica with artificial sound...
NO dogs allowed at this market !!
In 2006 it is between Nov. 24th and Dec. 24th
daily between 11.00a.m. and 09.00p.m.
At December 24th it closes at 03.00p.m. !!

What To Buy: Take a look at my last picture : that is the cup that you may get for just 2 euros deposit, when you buy a hot drink, and when you decide to take it home, you might even get a paperbag at the counter so you may pack it safely.

What To Pay: Most prices are the same as at the other markets in Vienna !

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Theme: Other
Directions: Tram "D" stops directely at the side-entrance of Schloss Belvedere, but you as well take tram #18 or "O" to Suedbahnhof, and walk the rest of 400 meters to Belvedere palace.
Website: www.weihnachtsdorf.at

Kunsthandwerksmarkt am Karlsplatz

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Updated by globetrott

on Dec 8, 2006

Kunsthandwerksmarkt am Karlsplatz

by globetrott , 3 more photos

Kunsthandwerksmarkt am Karlsplatz is the name of another christmas-market that is speciallized in unique handicrafts by various artists, and once again that main attraction of this market is the location next to the beautifully lighted Karlskirche.
They have some attractions for children as well, like the small train that you may see on my 3rd picture .
Kunsthandwerksmarkt am Karlsplatz is open
in 2006 from Nov. 24th till Dec. 23rd
daily between noon and 08.00p.m.

What To Buy: They have a nice cup with the Karlskirche on it, you have to pay a deposit of 2 euros for it, when you order a drink and of course you may keep it as a souvenir as well.

What To Pay: Prices are similar to the other markets

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Theme: Other
Directions: This market is at Karlsplatz, just in front of the Karlskirche ! Take U2 or U4, tram #62 or #65 and BadnerBahn
Website: www.divinaart.at

Altwiener Christkindlmarkt Freyung

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Updated by globetrott

on Dec 8, 2006

Altwiener Christkindlmarkt Freyung

Altwiener Christkindlmarkt Freyung is maybe the only christmas-market in the old Viennese tradition of the 19th century. It is quite small with just a few tiny huts and food-stands and they also have a place , where you may watch people, while they produce old-fashioned goods in the traditional way. There is also a small live orchestra performing traditional christmas-songs.
Altwiener Christkindlmarkt at Freyung is open
in 2006 between Nov. 25th and Dec. 23rd
daily from 9.30a.m. till 09.00p.m.

What To Buy: The cup of this market shows some angels, see it at my last picture. Hand-made baskets and other traditional goods that you will not find at any of the other markets may be bought there !

What To Pay: Mostly the same prices as at the other markets.

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Theme: Other
Directions: Altwiener Christkindlmarkt is at Freyung, opposite of Palais Ferstl, the closest metro-station is U3 Herrengasse.
Website: www.altwiener-markt.at

Weihnachtsdorf Maria-Theresien-Platz

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Updated by globetrott

on Dec 9, 2006

Weihnachtsdorf

Maria-Theresien-Platz

Weihnachtsdorf am Maria-Theresien-Platz is mainly important and worth seeing, because it is set in the middle between the Kunsthistorisches and Naturhistorisches Museum around the giant monument of empress Maria Theresia. All of these sights are illuminated at night and so that market is really very scenic.
Weihnachtsdorf Maria-Theresien-Platz is open
in 2006 from Nov. 29th till Dec. 24th
daily between 11.00a.m. and 10.00p.m.
At December 24th they close already at 03.00p.m.

What To Buy: You will find the same items as at most of the other x-mas-markets and maybe you like to keep their porcelain-cup as a souvenir (see my last picture !) - You get all drinks served in that cup and have to pay 2 euros deposit for it. Bring it back or take it home as a souvenir !

What To Pay: prices are the same as at the other markets !

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Theme: Other
Directions: Maria-Theresien-Platz is the large square between the museum of natural history (NHM) and the museum of fine arts (KHM). get there by U3, U2, tram #1 or #2.
Website: www.weihnachtsdorf.at

Antique & Kunstmarkt am Hof

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Updated by globetrott

on Dec 9, 2006

Antique & Kunstmarkt am Hof is a market that is held normally only each saturday throughout the year, BUT before christmas it gets some "X-mas-touch" added with some food-stands and christmas-decorations and is held the whole week according to the schedule below !
This market is certainly a lot better than the ordinary flea-market of Vienna (In Naschmarkt), you will find old books, works of art, jewelery, fine furniture etc.
Antique & Kunst-Weihnachtsmarkt am Hof is
in 2006 between Nov. 24th and Dec. 23rd
daily Mon-Thu : 12.00 noon - 08.00p.m.
Frid + Sat + Dec 8th : 10.00a.m. - 08.00 p.m.

What To Buy: At this Christmas-market you will find plenty of things that you will not find at any other place : "Blechspielzeug" - see my 2nd picture, they are toys made of thin steel, like they are collectable items rather than toys for children. You will also find vintage clocks, great furniture, porcelain etc.
The cup that you get here for the drinks is not fancy at all, in fact it shows advertisments for taxis etc., MY favorite food there, and not to be found at any other place "Fladenbrot" similar to Pizza, but a lot thinner

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Theme: Other
Directions: This market is between Freyung and Graben, you actually have to walk there, the closest public transportation is U3 with station Herrengasse.
Website: http://www.kunsthandwerksmarkt.at/

Adventmarkt: Am Steinhof

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Written by globetrott

on Dec 4, 2006

Name of Shop: Adventmarkt

The Adventmarkt am Steinhof is the only christmas-market in the outskirts of Vienna that is worth seeing for some special reasons : First of all it is quite small and rather old-fashioned and all of the handicrafts that you may buy there are made by the mentally sick people in the "Otto-Wagner-Spital". So you also make sure that these people may see the "fruits of their work" and you get something, that you will not find at any other place.
Adventmarkt am Steinhof is open
only the first 3 weekends of Advent !!!
ONLY Friday-Sunday + December 8th
from 02.00 p.m. till 07.00p.m.
On each saturday you may combine it with a visit
of the "Otto-Wagner-Kirche"
For the children : Pony-riding

What To Buy: stationary, nativity-cribs, candles, mirrors in mosaique-technique, wooden handicrafts, ceramics etc. all made by the mentally sick people of the hospital

What To Pay: Prices are average, Punch and other drinks are obviously ONLY available NON-alcoholic !!!

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Theme: Other
Directions: Take the Bus 48A, it starts at the Ringstrasse, close to the parliament, get out at the terminus, that market is in the first court of the hospital !

Altes AKH -: Weihnachtsdorf am Uni-Capmus

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Updated by globetrott

on Dec 8, 2006

Weihnachtsdorf am Uni-Capmus