There’s no doubt that markets are not Vienna’s strong suit; don’t expect extremely colorful stalls and intoxicating scents like those in authentic markets in the Far East. What you will find at the Naschmarkt and other markets in the city are special and fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, sweets, souvenirs, and also some stalls with traditional Austrian food alongside a culinary abundance from all over the world. Many stalls at the Naschmarkt are owned by Jews, so don’t be surprised if someone suddenly speaks to you in Hebrew at the vegetable shop.
On Saturdays, a large flea market is held next to the Naschmarkt, selling second-hand goods and antiques. The flea market is a place with an interesting atmosphere and also a good opportunity to buy an original souvenir from your visit to Vienna.
Please note: The Naschmarkt is definitely not cheap; it is a tourist attraction, and the prices are accordingly. The market is closed on Sundays.
The Story of the Naschmarkt
As early as the 18th century, there was an active market in the area where the Naschmarkt is now located. At that time, it was a market for dairy products, and farmers from the villages around Vienna would come to sell and trade milk and its products.
The original name of the market was Kärntnertormarkt due to its proximity to the bridge called Kärntnertor. At the beginning of the 19th century, its name was changed to the Asch (Ash) Market, and only at the beginning of the 20th century was its name changed to the “snack market” or, in German, Naschmarkt. The name of the market is probably a distortion of the name Asch Market, but it certainly reflects its essence and therefore became its official name.
The Vienna River once flowed where the market is today. Over 110 years ago, the river was dried up in this area, and a spacious street was built on it. The new space led to the rapid development of the market, and many stalls were added.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the market stalls were temporary, and only at the beginning of the 20th century were permanent stalls built for the vendors. In 1980, the market underwent an upgrade and improvement to the existing stalls, but most of the old structures were preserved. Between 2010 and 2015, extensive renovations were carried out in the market, and it underwent a serious modernization.
Today, the market consists of three parallel rows of stalls. The outer row, closer to the street, is reserved for restaurants and bars, and the two inner rows for other stalls.
The Stalls at the Naschmarkt
The Naschmarkt is a place where you can find food from all over the world. Alongside typical Austrian dishes, you can find Italian, Japanese, Indian, Vietnamese, and also Israeli food. The fruits and vegetables in the market are considered fresh and good, and there is a great variety from all over the world. You can find exotic fruits that you have probably not seen elsewhere.
As you walk along the market, the vendors will offer you tastes of various sweets, pickles, cheeses, and other delicacies. You can enter small shops along the way and be impressed by the variety. Towards the end of the market, in the direction of Karlskirche, there are some Austrian stalls with wines and folk food.
If you want some Israeli food, you can sit down for lunch at the Neni restaurant, which is considered one of the most beloved restaurants by Austrians (in Israeli terms, it’s hard to compare it to the level of food in Israel). The restaurant is located at stall 510. Alternatively, you can enjoy fresh and well-prepared fish at the Umar restaurant, which is considered the best fish restaurant in Vienna (stalls 38-39). For falafel lovers, there is the option to eat at Dr. Falafel; they have very different hummus spreads.
The market experience is enhanced on Saturdays when the flea market takes place in the square next to the market.
The Market at Night
As darkness falls, the stall owners close for the day, and the market changes its face. The narrow street with rows of closed stalls definitely makes the market an interesting place at night as well. It’s nice to walk through the street at a leisurely pace, enjoying the quiet, the old market buildings, and the extensive graffiti on the stalls. During the day, when the market is bustling, it’s hard to notice all the small details, but at night it’s a special experience. In addition, in the outer row where the restaurants are, the day continues as usual. The restaurants are full, and the atmosphere is great. If you feel like going out for dinner, the market’s restaurants are a great place for it.
The Flea Market (Flohmarkt)
In 1977, the flea market opened in the parking lot area next to the Naschmarkt. Today, it is an experiential place for tourists and locals alike. The market is quite large and has about 400 stalls that change every week. Anyone can rent a space in the market and offer their goods, and sometimes you can find real bargains. The market has works of art, household items, books, music, and of course, antiques.
The market is open every Saturday from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Address: Kettenbrückengasse, 1060 Wien
Essential Information for Visiting the Naschmarkt
Opening Hours:
The market is open every day of the week except Sundays.
Food Stalls:
- Monday – Friday: from 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM
- Saturday: from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Restaurants:
Open from around 9:00 AM until before midnight.
How to get to the Naschmarkt and the Flea Market?
The market is located between two subway stations: Karlsplatz and Kettenbrückengasse. The U4 subway line (the green line) runs between these two stations. If you get off at Kettenbrückengasse station, you will be at the back of the market (where the flea market is held), and from there you can walk among the stalls towards Karlsplatz and the church.
You can also arrive from Karlsplatz station. The U1 (red line) and U2 (purple line) also stop at this station. From there, you have to walk about 10 minutes to get to the market.
More information about the market
Address: Wienzeile, 1060 Wien
Map:
Other Interesting Places in the Market’s Vicinity:
Majolikahaus (Majolica House)
As you walk along the market, look to the left side of the street (the side called Linke Wienzeile) and look for houses number 38, 40, and 42. These houses were designed by the architect Otto Wagner. House number 40 is particularly impressive and is uniquely decorated with colorful ceramic tiles.
Fillgraderstiege Staircase
A magnificent staircase built in 1905, the fourth most beautiful in Europe. It is located about 200 meters from the flea market square near the Kettenbrückengasse subway station.
Address: Fillgraderstiege, 1060 Wien
Secession Building (Secessionsgebäude)
The Secession was an artistic movement belonging to the Art Nouveau and Jugendstil movements. The movement was founded in Vienna in 1897. The artists’ aspiration was to create unique art, detached from the classical motifs of art and from the principles of the Austrian Academy of Art. The first president of the movement was the famous painter Gustav Klimt.
In the year the movement was founded, the Secession Building was also built, designed by the architect Joseph Maria Olbrich. It is easy to recognize the building, located at the end of the market near Karlsplatz station, due to the golden dome that adorns it. The building displays art objects and works related to the Secession movement, the most famous of which is Klimt’s painting called the “Beethoven Frieze”.
Address: Friedrichstraße 12, 1010 Wien
Other, Less Touristy Markets:
If you love markets and want to be impressed by Vienna’s less touristy markets, you can choose these markets:
1. Karmelitermarkt
This small market is one of the oldest in Vienna. It is located a short distance from the old city center, Schwedenplatz, and Taborstraße (the Jewish street). This is definitely a local market, and you probably won’t see many tourists there. The market has about 80 stalls, including vegetable, fruit, cheese, and meat stalls (they even sell horse meat). In addition, there are many restaurants, bars, and galleries. The market is surrounded by the old buildings of the second district.
On Fridays and Saturdays, a farmers’ market is held in the permanent market complex, where you can find fresh food, vegetables, and fruits.
Opening Hours:
The market is open every day of the week except Sundays.
- Food Stalls: Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM; Saturday: 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Restaurants: Open from around 9:00 AM until before midnight.
How to get there?
The closest station to the market is the Taborstrasse subway station (the Jewish street). The U2 line (the purple line) stops at this station. From there, you have to walk for about 6 minutes. Alternatively, you can get to the Schwedenplatz subway station, where the U1 (red line) and U4 (green line) stop. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk.
Address: Krummbaumgasse / Leopoldsgasse / Haidgasse, 1020 Wien
2. Brunnenmarkt
This market is located in the heart of Vienna’s 16th district and is known as the “Turkish Market”. If you want to buy cheap food and household items, this market is especially suitable for you. The long and narrow market street is crowded with many shops and stalls, and the selection of goods is definitely great. In the streets adjacent to the market, interesting galleries and shops of young artists and creators have opened in recent years, and slowly the area is changing its face and becoming hipster and interesting.
Opening Hours:
The market is open every day of the week except Sundays.
- Food Stalls: Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM; Saturday: 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Restaurants: Open from around 9:00 AM until before midnight.
How to get there?
The shortest way to get to the market is to take the subway to the Josefstädter Straße station. The brown line, U6, stops at this station. From there, you will have to walk for about 5 minutes to the market.
Address: Brunnengasse / Yppenmarkt, 1160 Wien
Map:
Planning to continue touring the city after visiting the market? You can head towards the city center and the Karlsplatz area. You can visit the Opera House, the Albertina Museum, the City Park, or Karlskirche, where the famous Vivaldi concert is held.
