Christmas Markets are the main reason to visit Vienna from mid-November to late December. The Austrian capital sparkles during this time and feels truly magical. Wandering around and photographing markets here is a unique experience.
Each Christmas market adds festive colours and cheer to squares, cobblestone streets, or courtyards. Most markets open between 10 AM and 11 AM. Going early helps you avoid the larger afternoon and evening crowds. This gives you time to walk around and take photos at your own pace.
Be polite and ask sellers before photographing their stalls. In my visits, people have almost always allowed it after I asked. If a stall has many visitors, wait and return later instead of shooting immediately.
Daylight helps keep camera ISO low and improves image quality. Photograph details like colourful decorations using a low aperture. This reduces clutter in the background. Morning light is also best for tripod use. Nights can be difficult because crowds make moving and setting up gear harder. It gets dark early — around 4 PM — during the market season.
Dress warmly. Vienna can be very cold at Christmas, especially at night. Low temperatures can drain camera batteries quickly, so bring a spare battery.
My three favorite Vienna Christmas Markets
Rathausplatz
Rathausplatz is home to the most famous and largest Christmas market in town. About 150 variegated and colorful stalls selling every Christmas good you may have in mind, from wood nutcrackers to Santa Claus puppets, from mulled wine to sweet pretzel pastries.
Beside the market, you can shoot (best at night) the giant maple tree adorned with hundreds of glowing red hearts and the Rathaus (City Hall) building behind. Also local people or tourists having mulled wine at the food and drink stand is a good photo option.
For a great night view over the illuminated market, its sparkling neon signs and the Gothic style Rathaus building as massive background, just head to the close Burgtheatre simply by crossing Ringstrasse where the tram stop is located and from the top of its staircase you will get the best picture of Rathausplatz Christmas Market.
Freyung
Freyung is the oldest Christmas Market in Vienna as dates back to 1772. Located in a small triangular square and surrounded by elegant baroque style buildings, this Christmas Market detains a special atmosphere due also to the picturesque small wooden cottages shape stalls that reserve almost an alpine touch in the very heart of Vienna.
Stalls selling typical Austrian delicatessen as sausages and traditional cheese give a mere touch of authenticity to this Market and this is enough to name it as my favorite Christmas Market in town.
Look for the lovely mountain hut shape stall selling every kind of Christmas baubles to get a lovely photo.
Belvedere Palace
The small Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace is worth for a visit to shoot the beautiful view across the small lake with dozens of star shape lights emerge from and Upper Belvedere palace in the background.
Come here at dusk for the best light.
Don't forget the tripod and remember to keep off the grass next to the lake despite your strong temptation to set your tripod right there! Most of stalls at Upper Belvedere Christmas Market sell the usual and typical Christmas crafts and decorations.
Being quite far away from the city center is not that crowded at night.