Most Beautiful Christmas Markets in Salzburg 2026

The big Christmas market between the cathedral and the Residenz is the heart of Salzburg's Advent. The tradition goes back to the 15th century, and you can feel it: wooden stalls, the smell of gingerbread, mulled wine and roasted almonds, and the illuminated cathedral dome above it all.

Between the stalls you'll find nativity scenes, wooden toys, ceramics and hand-knitted goods, plus Salzburg classics such as Kaiserschmarrn and baked apples. Choirs, brass groups and the Krampus runs of the Salzburger Schiachpercht'n appear regularly.

In the Willibaldarkadenhof courtyard of St. Peter Stiftskulinarium the Advent becomes a winter wonder forest: the 500 square metre garden turns into a setting of warm light, fir scent and candlelight – right in the Old Town, and still far from the bustle.

The mulled wine stand serves homemade Glühwein and punch, with festive sounds and live music. Because the courtyard belongs to one of Central Europe's oldest restaurants, the stroll can lead straight on to a warm meal – booking a table is wise.

The Plain Christmas market lies on the Plainberg high above the city, in the outdoor area of Gasthof Maria Plain. The view from up here over Salzburg, the fortress and the Salzach valley is the real reason many prefer it to the Old Town market.

Everything around is genuine craft: wooden chests and carved nativity scenes from Bergheimer Holzkisterl, ceramics by Elfriede Dums, incense from the Weihrauchhüttn, gingerbread from backebackekuchen, organic cosmetics from MARíAS and more. Food has its own huts: potato or goulash soup, Plainer Bosna, toasted sandwiches, roast chestnuts, Kaiserschmarrn and caramelised almonds.

It is open Friday to Sunday, plus 7 and 8 December. Parking is scarce, so arriving by S1, trolleybus 6, 21, 120 or 121 is explicitly recommended.

For the first time the beer garden of Die Weisse turns into a winter meeting point in Advent: fairy lights, decorated fir trees and warm blankets make the traditional tavern in Schallmoos a calm counterpart to the crowds in the Old Town.

There is Weisse mulled wine, punch, mulled beer and food from the grill. The highlight is the ice-stock lane – stocks are lent on site and it is best played in a group. Anyone who wants a warm meal afterwards simply stays in the tavern.

The charity Advent market is the modest sibling of the big Christmas market, and that is exactly what makes it likeable. Social organisations from the city and the province sell homemade goods, and the proceeds go to people in need.

The baroque Florianibrunnen column stands among the stalls and coffee houses around invite you to warm up. If you want to escape the crowds at the cathedral, walk two lanes further.

Around the Renaissance palace of Hellbrunn, thousands of lights glow in Advent. The path leads through the illuminated palace park to huts with craft, mulled wine and a children's programme.

For families this is the most rewarding market in the city: plenty of room to run, less crowding than in the Old Town. Hellbrunn is easy to reach by car, and buses run there directly from the centre.

In front of the baroque facade of Mirabell Palace, with the fortress behind you, stands the Christmas market on Mirabellplatz. It is more compact than the Old Town market and can be walked in half an hour.

If you prefer the Salzach side: the river is three minutes away and the Staatsbrücke five – a good start to the evening.

In Advent, large paper and metal stars hang in the courtyard of the Sternbräu – hence the name. The market is small, winding and pleasantly low-key.

Around it there is beer and hearty food in the brewery tavern. Handy: it runs into early January, when the others have long been taken down.

The smallest and highest Advent market in Salzburg sits in the courtyard of Hohensalzburg Fortress. From up there you look over the Old Town, the rooftops and the Salzach – on a clear day as far as the mountains.

Get up there by fortress funicular or on foot over the Mönchsberg. It is windy and cold at the top: bring gloves, but the mulled wine up there is earned.

At Lake Salzachsee in Liefering, Salzburg families gather: small huts by the water, punch, a campfire mood and no crowds.

In Advent the lake is not for swimming but a backdrop – the path around the water is short and combines well with a walk.