Ultimate Guide to Innsbruck’s Christmas Market
Innsbruck is one of my favorite mountain towns. It’s colorful buildings, winding river & epic mountain backdrop are stunning in all seasons, but the winter really does feel like a post card.
Austria has some of the best Christmas Markets and Innsbruck did not disappoint, although it tends to get outshined by larger markets like Vienna & Salzburg, Innsbruck is definitely worth a visit! Despite being a smaller city, Innsbruck boasts 6 different Christmas Markets. Keep reading for my full guide on visiting the Innsbruck Christmas Markets!
Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!
Jump To:
- Innsbruck Christmas Market Locations & Map
- Tips for Visiting Innsbruck Christmas Markets
- Innbruck Christmas Markets Dates & Hours 2024
- Where to Stay in Innsbruck
- Getting to Innsbruck
- Innsbruck Christmas Market Overall Rating
Innbruck Christmas Markets Locations
Innsbruck has 6 different Christmas Markets throughout the small city, 3 of which are all nearby one another in the main Old Town area, and 3 that are a little more off the beaten path for those looking to visit!
- Old Town Christmas Market
- Maria-Theresien-Straße Christmas Market
- Marktplatz Christmas Market
- Hungerburg Christmas Market
- Other Innsbruck Christmas Markets
Old Town Christmas Market
The classic Old Town Christmas Market sprawls Innsbruck’s winding Old Town Streets with the main attractions under the infamous Golden Roof. The colorful stalls are filled with Christmas decor, woolen hats, scarves & gloves, and souvenirs.
You’ll also find tons of stalls selling traditional Austrian food, tons of sausages, meats & cheeses. Try kiahln, piping hot donuts filled with sauerkraut or fruit. And you’ll find plenty of places serving Glühwein to keep you warm!
Also make sure to take a stroll down Kiebachgasse, right near the Old Town. During Christmas this street is lined with lights & fairy tale characters. It’s great if you have kids too!
Maria-Theresien-Straße Christmas Market
Right near the Old Town you’ll find another one of Innsbruck’s biggest Christmas Markets. The Maria-Theresien-Straße Christmas Market is a more modernly decorated Christmas Market compared to the traditional Old Town Market. Maria-Theresien-Straße is Innsbruck’s picturesque main street, lined with the best shopping options in the city.
This modern market is filled with International specialties and is a good area to explore if you’ve had your fill of traditional Austrian fare and souvenirs. Although you’ll still find traditional classics, like Glühwein!
Marktplatz Christmas Market
Innbruck’s most lively Christmas market is located not far from the Maria-Theresien Straße & Old Town Christmas Markets. Head towards the river to Marktplatz for a Christmas Market with a stunning river & mountain views. This Christmas market is colorful & loud. There’s a carousel & petting zoo sprinkled among the stalls serving Glühwein and selling souvenirs.
This is market is family oriented during the day with puppet shows and other entertainmenet for kids, but is also where people tended to gravitate towards for drinking later in the night!
Hungerburg Christmas Market
For the best views over Innsbruck & the surrounding Austrian Alps, take the Nordkette up to Hungerburg. This small Christmas Market has less to offer in terms of food, drinks and shopping than the three located in downtown Innsbruck, but the views are unreal, especially around sunset!
This is the best spot for a mug of Glühwein with a view!
To get there you’ll take the funicular from downtown Innsbruck to Hungerburg (the second stop on the way to the top of Innsbruck) Tickets can be found here. It’s 12 euro round trip to Hungerburg, if you want to also go all the way to the top (which I highly recomend) it’s 47 euro round trip.
Other Innsbruck Christmas Markets
Innbruck has a few other smaller Christmas Markets you can visit if you have time!
- St. Nikolaus – a smaller, quieter Christmas market across the river from Marktplatz
- Christmas Magic in Wilten -a smaller market located near the main train station, Wilten features organic Glühwein, Sardinian treats & entertainment in a more tranquil setting
- Stiftskeller – Innsbruck’s most famous ale house is located right in Old Town and turns their patio into a small Christmas Market, serving only drinks & food. It was super cute & had a fun vibe.
Tips for Visiting Innsbruck Christmas Markets
- Bring cash, everywhere is cash only!
- When buying Glühwein or other hot drinks they’re served in reusable mugs. You’re charged a deposit for the mug (usually 3-5 euro) and the deposit will be given back when you return your mug, alternatively you can keep the mug as a souvenir!
- Make sure to visit the Hungerburg Market for the very best views, it is epic at sunset!
- You can easily visit the Old Town, Maria-Theresien-Straße & Marktplatz Christmas Markets in the same day!
- Make sure to try a kiahln, an Innbruck speciality. It’s a hot donut filled with sauerkraut or fruit!
Innbruck Christmas Markets Dates & Hours 2024
Old Town Christmas Market
Dates: 11/15-12/23/24
Hours: 11AM – 9PM
Maria-Theresien-Straße Christmas Market
Dates: 11/25/24-1/6/25
Hours: 11AM– 9PM
Marktplatz Christmas Market
Dates: 11/15-12/23/24
Hours: 11AM. – 9PM
Hungerburg Christmas Market
Dates: 11/22/24-1/6/25
Hours:
Monday – Friday from 1PM – 7PM
Sat, Sun & holidays 12PM – 7PM
St. Nikolaus
Dates: 11/22-12/23/24
Hours: 4PM – 9PM
Wilten Christmas Market
Dates: 11/22-12/23/24
Hours: 4PM – 8PM
Where to Stay in Innsbruck
I highly recommend staying in the area around Old Town Innsbruck. Innsbruck itself is fairly small and walkable, so most places are easy to get to from one another. I’ve stayed at a few different hotels in Innsbruck and have enjoyed the all. A few of my favorites:
The Penz Hotel
I absolutely loved The Penz Hotel right in downtown Innsbruck. It’s right off Maria-Theresien-Straße and easily walkable to Old Town and Marktplatz. The hotel is stunning and has a rooftop bar with some of the best views in Innsbruck.
AC Hotel Innsbruck
I stayed at the AC Hotel on my most recent stay & loved it. They upgraded me to suite with the view above – so stunning! It’s close to the train station and about a 10-15 minute walk to the Old Town area. They had an amazing breakfast, and a nice bar/restaurant located in the lobby that was a great place for a nightcap!
Getting to Innsbruck
By Train
Innsbruck is super convenient to get to via train. The main train station is located in walking distance to the Old Town and other popular areas of Innbruck. It’s also connected to other major cities in Austria via train.
- Salzburg to Innsbruck – 1 hour 50 minutes direct
- VIenna to Innsbruck – 4 hours 15 minutes direct
By Plane
Innsbruck also has an international airport, Kranebitten. It’s only 4 kilometers from the city center, making it super convenient to fly into Innsbruck as well!
Innsbruck Christmas Market Overall Rating
6 of 12
I’ve visited 12 Christmas Markets across Europe and for me Bolzano, and Innsbruck was 6th in my opinion. I absolutely love Innsbruck and it’s my favorite place in Austria, but in terms of Christmas Markets Salzburg & Vienna had an edge! It’s super close to Salzburg, so if you have time it’s worth spending a day or two!
One of the absolute best parts of Innsbruck is the unbeatable views in every direction. In the winter it really does feel like a post card!
This is absolutely incredible – thank you for creating!