Ultimate Guide to Salzburg’s Christmas Markets
The Salzburg Christmas Markets were some of my favorites in Europe. Salzburg is absolutely stunning during any season, but Christmas really is magical. It also snowed the entire first day I was there, which felt like a fairytale. Then the second day the sun came out and everything was covered in the most pristine layer of snow. The whole place felt like being in a snowglobe.
I cannot recommend visiting these markets enough if you’re planning a European Christmas Market trip. Keep reading for details on the market locations, 2024 dates and times, what to eat, where to stay & more!
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:
- Salzburg Christmas Market Locations & Map
- Tips for Visiting Salzburg Christmas Markets
- Salzburg Christmas Markets Dates & Hours 2024
- Where to Stay in Salzburg
- Getting to Salzburg
- Salzburg Christmas Market Overall Rating
Salzburg Christmas Market Locations & Map
Salzburg has 4 Christmas Markets in the City Center with the main, Salzburger Christkindlmarkt, spanning 4 of the major squares in the downtown area. The other three are also worth a visit if you have time. Details on all 4 below!
- Salzburger Christkindlmarkt
- Mirabellplatz Christmas Market
- Sternbrau Christmas Market
- Fortress Hohensalzburg Christmas Market
Salzburger Christkindlmarkt
The infamous Salzburger Christkindlmarkt spans most of the city center. You’ll find stalls traditional stalls strung with stunning white lights and garland across Residenzplatz & Domplatz. In nearby Mozartplatz you’ll find an ice skating rink and some additional stalls serving drinks! This is where you’ll want to spend most of your time exploring!
Salzburg is consistently referred to as one of the worlds most beautiful Christmas Markets and I could not agree more. The decorations are absolutelt stunning, and it helped that it snowed the entire first day I was there making the entire place look like an actual snow globe.
In the main market you’ll find hundreds of stalls selling handmade Christmas decor and oher Austrian goods. There are tons of stalls selling woolen hats, scarves and gloves, which you may need to stay outside for so long. Another popular item you can find in Austrian Christmas Markets are small, handmade, wooden Nativity sets.
Salzburger-Christkindlmarkt Food & Drink
In terms of food & drink you will absolutely not go hungry at the Salzburg Christmas market. Don’t miss these highlights:
- Pretzels! All the differnt pretzels you can imagine. Savory options like bacon, cheese & onion, or sweet options like chocolate & cinammon.
- Christmas Cookies – frosted cookies with Christmas designs so delicious and addictive!
- Roasted chestnuts – these give the markets the most heavenly smell
- Baked potatoes – the choose your own toppings baked potato bars were my absolute favorite
- Kaiserschmarrn – traditional shredded pancakes with rum raisins & sugar
- Bosna – an Austrian sausage sandwich served on a baguette with onions and a special sauce
- Mozart Balls – small chocolates balls made of pistachio, marzipan and nougat and covered with dark chocolate
- Glühwein – DUH! Glühwein, or mulled wine, is a can’t miss at any Austrian or German Christmas Market!
Mirabellplatz Christmas Market
On the other side of the river from Christkindlmarkt is the charming Mirabellplatz Market. This makret is much smaller, but so picturesque! This market is closer to the train and many of the larger hotels. It’s definitely worth stopping by! It’s more popular with the locals and a fun place to grab a nightcap on the way back to your hotel!
Sternbräu Christmas Market
Sternbräu is a popular brewery in downtown Salzburg with a large beer garden. During Christmas the whole beer garden is turned into the most charming Christmas Market. It’s much smaller than nearby Christkindlmarkt, but it’s so worth a visit!
The night I was there there it was snowing big, perfect snow flakes and the whole place really looked like a movie set. The beer garden offers cozy seating with fur blankets for you to wrap yourself in while enjoying your glühwein!
I recommend stopping by this Christmas at night before or after dinner, it was so enchanting lit up.
Fortress Hohensalzburg Christmas Market
For the most stunning view over all of Salzburg head to the charing Christmas Market at Fortress Hohensalzburg. The fortress is accessible via a quick funicular from Festungsgasse, right near the main Christmas Market in Domplatz. A 13 euro ticket will get you a roundtrip on the funicular and entrance to the fortress. The funicular runs every ten minutes and only takes a few minutes to get to!
The fortress offers some of the most stunning 360 views over Salzburg & the countryside. You’ll find a bar serving glühwein with an epic patio overlooking the whole of Salzburg. I was lucky enough to visit on a sunny day right after it snowed, so everything was covered in the most pristine blanket of snow.
In the interior courtyard of the fortess you’ll find a small, but charming Christmas Market. I’d leave yourself at least a few hours to explore the fortress, the market and take in the views from all sides!
Tips for Visiting Salzburg 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 the Fortress Hohensalzburg Christmas Market for the very best views over Salzburg!
- You can easily visit all 4 Salzburg Christmas Markets in one day if you were short on time.
- Sternbräu Christmas Market is a great place for a nightcap
- Don’t miss these Salzburg’s specialties: Kaiserschmarrn, Bosna, Mozart Balls!
Salzburg Christmas Markets Dates & Hours 2024
Salzburger Christkindlmarkt
Dates: November 21, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Times:
Monday-Thursday 10AM -8:30PM
Friday 10m-9PM
Saturday 9AM – 9 PM
Sunday+holidays 9 AM – 8:30PM
Mirabellplatz Christmas Market
Dates: November 21 – December 24, 2024
Times:
Sunday-Thursday 10AM-8 PM
Friday-Saturday 10AM-9PM
December 24, 2023 10 am-3 pm
Sternbrau Christmas Market
Dates: November 21, 2024 – January 6, 2025
Times:
Sunday-Thursday 11AM-7PM
Friday-Saturday 11AM -8.30PM
24+31 December, 2024 10AM–3PM
January 1-6, 2025 11AM -6PM
Fortress Hohensalzburg Christmas Market
Dates: November 29 – December 22, 2024
Times:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday – 11AM- 7PM
Where to Stay in Salzburg
IMLAUER Hotel Pitter Salzburg
I stayed at IMLAUER Hotel Pitter Salzburg on my most recent trip and highly recommend! It was walking distance to the train (less than ten min) and also walking distance to the Old Town (20ish minutes)
The hotel itself was really nice, my absolute favorite part was the rooftop restaurant and bar. The views were stunning
Getting to Salzburg
By Train
Salzburg 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 Salzburg. It’s also connected to other major cities in Austria via train.
- Innsbruck to Salzburg – 1 hour 50 minutes direct
- Salzburg to VIenna – 2 hours 30 minutes direct
By Plane
Salzburg also has an international airport. It’s Austria’s second largest airport and only 20 minutes from the city center, making it super convenient to fly into Salzburg as well!
Salzburg Christmas Market Overall Rating
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Salzburg was one of my absolute favorire Christmas Markets & I cannot recommend it enough. It was the most picturesque market with the most stunning backdrop! If you’re choosing one Christmas Market in Austria, this is my top recommendation!
