- Year the market began, then on the site of today's Wiedner Hauptstraße
- 1774
- Year it opened at its present site, according to the City of Vienna
- 1916
- Stalls, according to wien.info, plus a market hall
- About 130
What it is and why it is worth your time
The Naschmarkt is Vienna’s best-known food market, and it is free to wander. The City of Vienna describes stalls selling fruit, vegetables, spices, fish, meat, cheese, dried fruit and delicacies from many regions. Its nickname is “the belly of Vienna.” The market dates back to 1774, when it stood where Wiedner Hauptstraße is today, and it opened at its present site in 1916.
It is worth an hour if you like food or people-watching. It is not a sight in the way a palace is, and it draws large crowds of visitors, so treat it as a place to snack and browse rather than a bargain shop.
What to see and how long to allow
The market stretches along the Wienzeile between Karlsplatz and Kettenbrücke. wien.info counts around 130 stalls, plus a market hall with 13 regional stalls whose green roof is open to the public.
Walk it end to end and sample as you go: cheeses, dried fruit and spices are easy to taste. On Fridays and Saturdays farmers sell local produce, some of it organic, at stalls marked with table flags. Food stands and restaurants line the market, so check the menu prices before you take a table.
The flower sellers have a small Sunday exception. The City of Vienna lets them open from 9am to 7pm on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and All Saints’ Day. Wi-Fi is free across the market area, according to wien.info.
On Saturdays there is also a large flea market at the Kettenbrücke end, with around 400 sellers offering antiques, books, vinyl and household goods. An hour is enough for a stroll. Allow longer if you plan to eat, or if you want to go through the flea market properly.
Tickets and opening hours
There is no ticket. The City of Vienna’s Naschmarkt page and flea market page give the hours, checked October 2026.
- Market stalls: maximum hours are 6am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 6am to 6pm on Saturdays.
- Restaurants and bars: up to 11pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 9pm on Sundays and public holidays.
- Sundays: the stalls are not listed for Sunday, and wien.info says the market is closed then, although the restaurants open.
- Flea market: every Saturday from 6:30am to 3pm, with no market on 25 and 26 December, or 1 and 6 January. wien.info gives an earlier finish of 2pm, so aim to arrive well before 2pm.
These are maximum hours, so individual stalls may close earlier.
Guide or no guide
No. A food tour can introduce you to stalls you would not otherwise try, and some travellers like the structure, but the market is simple to explore alone. If you want a tasting-led tour, look for one that includes the Naschmarkt, and check the length and stops before you book.
Getting there from the Hofburg
Tram 1, 2, D and 71 stop at Burgring beside the Hofburg and at the Oper stop beside Karlsplatz. From the Oper stop, walk to the Karlsplatz end of the market. The U-Bahn (Vienna’s underground) gives you a second route: the U4 runs from Karlsplatz to Kettenbrückengasse, the next station, near the flea market end. Karlsplatz is also served by the U1 and U2. Check the Wiener Linien planner for live times, and our getting there guide for other routes.
One practical tip
Come on a weekday morning for the stalls and fewer people. Come on a Saturday for the flea market and farmers, but expect crowds, and remember that stalls close at 6pm. On Sundays you can still eat, as the restaurants open, but you will not see the stalls working.
How it fits with a Hofburg visit
The Naschmarkt is a lunch stop rather than a visit in itself. Start with the Hofburg using our main guide, then travel to the Oper stop and walk the market for lunch. The Vienna State Opera is beside the same stop, so a market lunch and an Opera tour fit easily. If you want a bigger plan, the Vienna itinerary shows how it slots in, and tickets and tours covers the Hofburg tickets to book first.
