Naschmarkt, Historic food market between Wieden and Mariahilf districts, Vienna, Austria

Naschmarkt is a market on the Wienzeile over the vaulted Wien River in Mariahilf, running about 1.5 kilometres from the Getreidemarkt to the Kettenbrückengasse U-Bahn station. From 1910 more than 120 masonry stands were built in a uniform style; today stalls under white awnings and green metal roofs sell produce, meat, seafood, spices and prepared food, with restaurants added since about 2000.

This market started as a milk market in the 1770s but gained prominence when Vienna ordered all riverside trade of fruits and vegetables to move here in 1793. That decision made it a central hub for food distribution in the city.

The name Naschmarkt has been documented since around 1820, likely from the sweets and exotic goods once sold here, such as candied orange peel and dates. The market's earlier name, Aschenmarkt, may refer to the ash dump on the site or to milk pails made of ash wood. Today vendors sell sushi, kebab, Kaiserschmarrn and Palatschinken, and on Saturdays a flea market extends the market along the Wienzeile.

The location is easily reached by public transport and offers plenty of space to walk around and shop during the day. The best time to visit is early in the morning when selection is widest and crowds are smaller.

The market sits above a covered river called the Wien, so its structures were built on bridges and platforms above it. This unusual construction shows how the city creatively worked around a natural obstacle.