Vienna Shopping

Vienna Shopping information

Best Areas

Brand-name boutiques, quality jewellery, and crystal are found on the Kärnterstrasse and Graben, Vienna's two main shopping drags. For retail clothing outlets at more moderate prices try the shops around Mariahilferstrasse. Other than that you won't find too many shops apart from tiny privately run affairs off the main streets. These can be worth seeking out though, often they carry eclectic collections of bric-a-brac or interesting gifts and specialist items.

Shopping Malls

For some of the largest malls in Europe, travel to the outer districts of Vienna where you will find: Shopping City Süd (catch the "Badner Bahn" tram departing from the opera house); Shopping City Nord (catch a "S-Bahn" train to station Bruennerstrasse); and Donauzentrum (catch underground "U1" to station Kagran).

Markets

Vienna has a range of good markets ranging from the vibrant and eclectic Naschmarkt (check See & Do above for details) to the Heiligenkreuzerhof market which offers artworks in the historic courtyard of an art school. Great quality handmade glass and jewellery can be found among the wares on offer. The market is usually held the first weekend of the month from April to November as well as every weekend in December.

What to Buy

Vienna does rather well when it comes to specialist products. A refined city it has boasted the very best in craftsmanship for centuries, a tradition continued today in several distinctly Viennese items that make marvellous gifts or souvenirs for the visitor. Check out these suggestions: Sacher torte - The perfect chocolate cake, copyrighted by Hotel Sacher. The mandatory Vienna souvenir and a must-buy for anyone. Loden - Traditional woollen coats that don't actually originate in Vienna but nevertheless are good purchases. Petit-point - Popular hand-embroidery found on handbags and brooches. Lobmeyer Crystal - The world-famous Lobmeyer glass has been manufactured and sold in Vienna since 1822. The premises on Kärntner Strasse have both a showroom and museum. Tel: +43 (0)1-5120508 Augarten - Exquisite hand-painted porcelain. The main factory and showroom is located at Schloss Augarten, although there are several outlets in the city. Tel: +43 (0)1-2112-4200 Antiques are also a good buy in the city and many antique stores are located in the central parts of the city within the Ring. You'll also find assorted oddments in Vienna's many semi-antique, semi-junk shops which the city has a plethora of. Fashion is only just beginning to make an impression on Vienna, although things are slowly beginning to change and you'll see labels such as Versace, Armani and the rest in the centre. Still, don't rely on picking up a new wardrobe here just yet.

Opening Hours

Shops are generally open from 09h00-18h00/19h00 Mon-Fri and 09h00-13h00/17h00 Sat. Grocery stores will open earlier at 08h00. Sunday opening is almost unknown even in the city centre.

Tax Refund

A sales tax of 20% is levied on most goods and services in Austria. When leaving the country, non-European tourists can apply for a tax refund on any goods bought that are to be exported. In Austria, the minimum purchase to qualify for a refund is EUR75.01. To reclaim tax you will need to request a VAT refund request form when you make a purchase, which states the amount of refund due. Custom officials must stamp these documents as you leave the country. You can claim your refund from the appropriate desk at the airport or border station.