Naschmarkt
The Naschmarkt is Vienna's most popular open market and we highly recommend you spend some of your time strolling around those colourful stands. It will give you an excellent impression of just how much of a "melting pot" Vienna actually is. Vendors originally come from Eastern Europe or the Mideast and loudly praise their merchandise to customers and passers by. Located at the Wienzeile it is about 1,5 kilometers long. Locals use this market as much as visitors. It is a unique atmosphere to experience - for sure!
But it is not only the really original open market atmosphere that makes this place such a jewel to visit - make sure you visit some of the most unique examples of art nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture you can admire in Vienna here - our astonishingly beautiful 2 manor houses, and of course the Vienna Secession Museum!.
The Naschmarkt has existed since the 16th century selling mostly dairy products, fruits and vegetables that were brought to Vienna on carriages and by the road. All other goods arriving on the Danube river by boat were sold on other markets. Around 1900, when this part of Vienna was officially canalised and the channel covered, new space was created and the area became what is today called the "Naschmarkt".
The architect in charge was Otto Wagner, one of Austrian main Jugenstil architects. This was planned to be a provisory solution only: There were plans to build a pompous boulevard connecting Imperial Palace Hofburg with Schloss Schönbrunn not dissimilar to the Ringstraße (all sights mentioned in our TOP ATTRACTIONS section). Thanks to the 1st world war and the end of the Austrian Hungarian Empire, this plan failed and the Naschmarkt with its now approximately 170 market stalls is still in place unharmed - flanked by beautiful Jugendstil buildings.
The 2 most important Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) buildings by Otto Wagner are bordering the Naschmarkt at Linke Wienzeile 38 and 40 (check the map). Both buildings were erected in 1899. The left one is covered in majolica tiles. It is today among Wagner′s most famous contributions to Vienna′s architectural heritage. If you want to take pictures, come in the morning when it is in the sunlight! Also, you will find the Wiener Sezession, birth place of the Vienna Art Nouveau movement right next to the market.
Nowadays one can buy fresh fruit and vegetables at the Naschmarkt from around the world, exotic herbs, cheese, baked goods such as bread, kaiser rolls, cakes, meat and seafood. There are also a lot of small and highly recommended restaurants. Check out our restaurant site - the Naschmarkt offers all sorts of food e.g. sushi, kebab, fish, seafood, traditional viennese food such as Kaiserschmarrn or Palatschinken (compares to rolled up crepes). You sit outside in the open market watching the busy market atmosphere while you indulge in really good food.
On Saturdays the market extends further along the Wienzeile to an adjacent area where the very famous open flea market takes place. For those of you who are into antiques and old jewellery it is the place to go! You can ALWAYS make a bargain here!
