In 2020, both markets in Linz will be open from 21 November to noon on 24 December 2020. The main market is held in front of the neo-Gothic Rathaus (Town Hall) but several further Christmas markets are scattered through the picturesque, romantic capital of Austria. No wonder it's extremely popular, and busy. It is famous for Marchengasse Alley featuring fairy-tale characters. We are looking forward to welcoming you again in 2021 with hot Glühwein! The most well-known is the Old Town Christmas Market located in front of the iconic Golden Roof. Best for: Trendy gifts and tobogganing. Book now and save with TourRadar.com! The best advent Christmas markets to visit in Austria are the Christkindlmärkte in Vienna (Wien), Mozart city Salzburg, Innsbruck in Tyrol, and Linz on the Danube. A large Christmas tree dominates the centre with dozens of surrounding stalls offering the full spectrum of seasonal offerings. Nestled beneath snowed-covered mountains, Innsbruck offers one of the most romantic settings for Christmas markets in Austria. ... Salzburg – One of the more traditional market cities in Austria, Salzburg has a stunning old town with a hilltop fortress and Christmas decorations and markets all around the city. You will find more than 150 booths, with handmade decoration, Christmas treasures, and delicious foods. Cities are dressed to impress with twinkling fairy lights and giant Christmas trees, Christmas markets entice visitors with their tempting aromas of roasting chestnuts and gingerbread, and snowy landscapes put everyone in the festive spirit. The most original, biggest and - arguably - the best Christmas markets in the country, Manchester Christmas Markets are an ideal destination for a festive outing. Whether in search of food, furniture or simply looking to engage in some general thrifting, Austria will have a market for you. Great care is taken in writing these articles but no responsibility is taken for errors or omissions. Credit: Getty Images. Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland. In 2020, the main markets in Innsbruck will be open from 15 to 23 December while the market in Maria-Theresien-Street will continue until 6 January 2021. Berlin, Germany. Miles of fairy lights illuminate this city … October 10, 2020 by Henk Bekker in Austria, Salzburg, Vienna / Wien. Viennese Christmas Market, Vienna, Austria. Other Destinations for Christmas Markets in Europe Linz has much to offer visitors but being located on the Danube River in between Salzburg and Vienna is often overlooked by tourists visiting Austria. Christmas markets in Vienna are some of the oldest and most historic ones. During Advent, the old town of Salzburg is beautifully lit in the evenings and Christmas markets and stalls are set up throughout the old town. It was here that the city’s first Christmas market was held, back in the late 1400s, but it isn’t the only game in town these days. In 2020, most Christmas markets in Austria will be open but with some social distancing and other hygiene measures in place. This guide covers the best places to spend Christmas in Austria. In my opinion, Austria's Best Christmas Markets are those of Salzburg! In stark contrast to German Christmas markets, Austrian Christmas markets often function on December 24 and even Christmas Day itself. Where to go in Germany for the best Christmas markets. Best Christmas Markets in Austria. The Viennese Dream Christmas Market in front of the City Hall … We will update this page when we have further information. The Christkindlmarkt in the old town of Innsbruck is usually active a few days after Christmas while the one in Maria-Theresien-Straße continues until Three Kings Day (January 6). The city of Linz might be more metropolitan than fairytale, but the scent of gingerbread houses is never far away at Christmas. Sign up today for free and be the first to get notified of new articles, new competitions, new events and more! and never miss out again. Vienna has the best Christmas markets, but snow is unlikely. Karlsplatz Christmas Markets. However, expect markets to close early on Christmas Eve and to have shorter hours on Christmas Day too. There are so many reasons to enjoy Christmas in Austria. Christmas World at City Hall One of the best Christmas markets to visit is the Vienna Christmas World Market. More information: Vienna's Christmas Markets, A Christmassy market in snow-soaked Salzburg's Old Town (Shutterstock). Austrian Christmas markets usually run the full advent period and sometimes even continue a few days after Christmas (and occasionally up to January 6). Most spectacularly, Lameé’s splendid roof top bar hosts Vienna’s highest Christmas market in the run up to Christmas Eve. The Christkindlmarkt in Vienna (Wien) is by far the largest in Austria. As you might expect from stately Vienna, its Christmas markets tend to err on the grandiose side. A Christmassy market in snow-soaked Salzburg's Old Town (Shutterstock) With its snow-topped Alpine setting and hilltop… Christmas cheer runs from: 15 November to 23 December 2019 in the Old Town, and in Hungerburg from 25 November to 23 December 2019, More information: Innsbruck's Christmas Calendar, One of Vienna's twinkly Christmas markets from above (Shutterstock). Some of the best Christmas markets in Salzburg, including the main market in front of the Dom (Cathedral), continue a few days after Christmas and some are even functioning on Christmas Day itself. Cologne Christmas Market, Germany. Christmas on ice: A huge skating rink is part of the … Vienna and Salzburg are the most popular places for Christmas markets in Austria but Innsbruck, Graz and even the small town of Hallstatt are excellent choices too. An increasing number of Christmas markets remain open after Christmas Day as New Year’s markets with some operating the first week of January as well. As well as being one of the best places in Europe for hosting festive markets, there are also some excellent flea and farmers stalls worth a visit, as our guide reveals. Christmas cheer runs from: 22 November to 26 December 2019 at Belvedere Palace and 23 November to 26 December 2019 at Schönbrunn Palace. More information: Graz's Christmas Markets. Twinkling lights are just the beginning to this city’s celebration. This site is not responsible for the content of linked external sites. Find the best Austria And Germany European Christmas Markets tours with TourRadar. the Christkindlmärkte in Vienna (Wien), Mozart city Salzburg, Innsbruck in Tyrol, and Linz on the Danube. The market has become a bit commercial in the last few years, but it still one of the best Christmas markets in Vienna, as it offers a romantic atmosphere and focused on things such as crafts and local arts. The Vienna Christmas markets are one of the most famous and popular in all of Europe. France. At this hotel you will get your own in-house Christmas market. Vienna is by far the Christmas Market capital of Austria and one of the most stunning European Christmas markets, with its various historic Christmas markets. Location: Cologne Cathedral. From the boutique jewellery and ceramics stalls that cluster in the Baroque shadow of Belvedere Palace, to the imperial pomp of the Schönbrunn Palace, which captures the senses with its jazz concerts, gallons of spiced weihnachtspunsch (a local take on glühwein) and some 80 stalls huddled under the auspices of the Habsburg’s former summer retreat - the city of Mozart hits all the right notes. Strasbourg Christmas Market. Innsbruck's Old Town Square is where Christmas tree lights twinkle against the gilded copper shingles of the 16th-century Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof). Don’t miss the nearby ‘Ice Crib’ (an annual ice sculpture) in the courtyard of the Renaissance-era Landhaus, then finish at the arts and crafts market of Färberplatz, run by a collective of local craftspeople, for the best gift selection in the city. A giant Christmas tree sparkles against the dramatic backdrop of the lit up cathedral. Christmas cheer runs from: 21 November to 26 December 2019 at Salzburg’s Christkindl, and at Hellbrunn from 21 November to 24 December 2019), Graz's main Christmas market (Shutterstock). Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland Trip Reviews Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. Basel Christmas Market consists of nearly 200 wooden stalls … Dates: November 23 to December 29, 2020. In that case Salzburg may fit the bill. The most famous, however, is Christmas World, which is hosted on Rathausplatz (Townhall square). In Austria, as in Bavaria, Christmas markets are usually referred to as a Christkindlmarkt rather than the standard High German Weihnachtsmarkt – both terms are readily understood in the German-speaking world. Hundreds of thousands of people flock to the capital of Austria every year to indulge in the holiday markets, festivities, and events that are like no other across all of Europe. So, grab a steaming glass of glühwein and step back in time…. The Christmas Market at Stephansplatz is the best place for a drink and people watching. With its fairy tale frisson and traditions dating back to the Middle Ages, Austria (along with Germany) is where Christmas markets all began. Tradition is top of the menu in Graz. Please note: These Christmas markets may be affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-christmas-markets-in-austria Austrian Christmas markets are a popular advent tradition throughout Austria. The choirs make their stand in the glow of the cathedral, where stalls of crafts, traditional toys and sweets scatter the cinnamon-scented square. Contact service providers directly before making any arrangements. Find dates and plan your trip in 2019. Having only started in the 1950s, this market is a relative newcomer, but well worth a visit. Christmas cheer runs from: 23 November to 24 December 2019 at Volksgarten, More information: Linz's Christmas Market, Sign up for our newsletter today It’s not so crowded as the one at the Rathaus. Vienna Hotels for Christmas. Innsbruck hosts some of the oldest Christmas markets with a historical atmosphere and scenic views against beautiful winter mountains and colourful lights. Most festive action takes place on the main square, but Volksgarten market makes a cute escape from the crowds, with its ice-sculpture exhibition and scattering of live workshops showing how its traditional gifts are made. You’ll find very traditional Christmas markets here in Austria’s capital. A more contemplative option lies high up in Hungerburg, where a funicular takes you to a Christmas market and the best view in town, and where an annual ‘Krampus run’ (6 December) sees the festive devils of Alpine folklore let loose on the mountain slopes. Christmas cheer runs from: 22 November to 24 December 2019 in Graz’s Old Town, and 29 November to 23 December 2019 on Färberplatz. Spittelberg Christmas Market . Here, the scent of fried kiachl (sweet and savoury doughnuts) wafts over stalls filled with old crafts and spiced biscuits. Why we love it: This market has … With its snow-topped Alpine setting and hilltop fortress, Salzburg’s Christkindl market is a fairy tale incarnate. The Christmas market in Hall in Tirol is one of the best in Austria if you’re looking for a traditional medieval setting. 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