Brunnenmarkt and Yppenmarkt are two connected markets in Ottakring, Vienna’s 16th municipal district. Merged into one whole, this piece of Vienna is the longest street market in Europe. After the Naschmarkt, the Brunnenmarkt is the second-largest market in Vienna and is also called “the Orient around the corner”. The cuisine on offer here is known for specialities from the Middle East.
But Austrian organic farmers are also represented here on Saturdays. And compared to the Naschmarkt, the Brunnenmarkt is quite a bit cheaper. Although the crowd unites a colourful mix of languages and cultures, the Brunnenmarkt is still less touristy. After all, visitors here mainly stock up for their daily needs. But in recent years, a hip local scene focusing on alternative designer and organic goods has joined the down-to-earth street market.
On Yppenplatz, market life also continues in the evening, once the market stalls have already closed. Here, alongside international cuisine in hip venues, you also find cocktails and live music. Whether Turkish, Indian, local and rustic, Slovenian or Italian? At the Brunnenmarkt, one pleasant surprise or another is guaranteed to await you.
Art and culture at Yppenplatz
Alongside the culinary art, there are further artistic attractions at Yppenplatz. For example, the square offers a stage to international graffiti artists. Thus the wall graffiti form a characteristic frame for the Yppenmarkt ambience. In addition, the Brunnenpassage with the “ArtSocialSpace” provides a stage for the multicultural scene. Here, theatre plays, dance shows, workshops, concerts and exhibitions are performed in German, English, Turkish, Arabic and Persian.
Since 2013, there has also been an annual festival. The so-called StraßenKunstFest (Street Art Festival) delights young and old every year on the first weekend in June. Then there are impressive performances by artists from all over the world, always taking place under a common theme. In addition, there is a comprehensive supporting programme in cooperation with other cultural organisations in Vienna. You can then, among other things, take part in dance and theatre workshops, the making of handicrafts, acrobatics or simply night shopping until midnight.
Ambience and origin
The architectural design of the Brunnenmarkt also differs from the Naschmarkt in that it looks naturally grown and less planned. The dismountable, mobile stalls further reinforce the bazaar character.
The Brunnenmarkt originally emerged in the 18th century around a well (Brunnen) that served to supply water to the Hofburg. This quickly explains the naming as well. The Brunnenmarkt is located on Brunnengasse, which opens onto Yppenplatz. There, in turn, is the Yppenmarkt. In 2009, both market areas merged into one large street market.
