Local Vienna Shopping – Best Shopping Areas, Paying In Cash And More

If you are looking for local Vienna shopping tips, let me share some of the best addresses in my home city. I've got them straight out of my personal address book.

Is It Worth Shopping In Vienna?

Vienna is definitely worth shopping in. To start with Vienna falls in the middle range – more expensive than Eastern European capitals like Prague and Budapest, but more affordable than London, Paris, or Zurich. Within the EU Vienna ranks just above average, price-wise. This means you get reasonable prices compared to other major European cities.

Depending on what you are after you can choose between major shopping streets like Mariahilfer Strasse, historic markets like Naschmarkt, artisan and delicatessen shops, and amazing selection of vintage and thrift shops. There are also modern shopping centers and traditional Austrian specialty stores. The city has well-organized shopping districts, excellent public transport connections, and a mix of pedestrian-friendly areas that make shopping convenient and enjoyable.

Whether you look for Austrian Trachten, dirndl dresses, fine local jams and coffee, jewellery made from real horn, even Alpine marmot ointment, you will find them in Vienna. As Austria's capital it collects a vast range of authentic Austrian products, vintage items, and high-quality crafts that you won't find elsewhere in that variety.

What Is The Famous Shopping Street in Vienna?

Vienna's most famous shopping street is Mariahilfer Strasse in the bustling neighbourhood of Mariahilf, at the border of Neubau. Called Mahü among locals, a large part of this street represents one of the longest pedestrian zones in Europe, starting next to Museumsquartier. Apart from major international fashion chains you will find Austrian and European brands. The street houses several department stores such as Gerngross, as well as electronics stores, bookshops, and specialty boutiques. My favourite Austrian store: Walter Weiss, a third-generation family store offering fine daily care products, some natural brushes to colognes and soaps.

For dining, there are numerous cafés, restaurants, and quick food options representing both traditional Viennese cuisine and international flavors. You'll also find pharmacies, banks, and service providers mixed throughout the commercial areas.

More central shopping streets are the elegant Kärntner Strasse, Graben, Kohlmarkt and Tuchlauben.

The best central Vienna shopping centers are luxurious Ringstrassen Gallerien along Ringstrasse, well sorted Steffl Department store in Kärntner Strasse, and international luxury brand paradise Goldenes Quartier (Golden Quarter) at Tuchlauben. At Mariahilfer Strasse, don't miss traditional department store Gerngross.

What to Buy in Vienna

Since Wien has a distinctive culture you will find a vast range of special pieces that will remind you and loved ones of your trip. Although I like laughing about kangaroo-shirts and cheap mugs I eventually turn to buying quality gifts. After all, local Vienna shopping is what locals buy, too.
Especially those that remind me of my life in my home town. To get a flavour of what is on offer, visit my guide What to Buy in Vienna.

Best Addresses in Vienna

Local Vienna Shopping. Whenever I buy things in Wien I find that I get high quality products for less than in many other European metropolises. Actually, Vienna has many original shops that you won't find anywhere else; either perfecting their tradition, evolving their traditional offer in a novel way or inventing new exciting products; You can do great gift shopping of authentic products that locals themselves use. And if you don't like to search around you can get a local shopping guide to help you out.

To get the exact addresses of each shop in the list below simply click on the headline.

Designer Shopping Outlet

Local Vienna Shopping.  Arguably, the best designer shopping outlet for Vienna is at Parndorf in Burgenland. At a 45 min drive from the city center, the Arthur Glenn Outlet houses 130 designer brand stores.  As for international brands, expect top labels like Armani, Burberry, Calvin Klein and Desigual to Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Swarovski and Timberland. Discounts are up to 70 per cent, with additional sales during winter and summer sales seasons.

When shopping for Austrian fashion brands, go for Wolford and Palmers (lingerie). As for homeware accessories, watch out for brands Riedel (glasses), Berndorf (cutlery) and the German brands Fissler and WMF (bakeware and knives). For a smooth trip to Parndorf, find out about a private shopping and chocolate tasting tour to Parndorf.

Should You Bring Cash To Vienna?

Cash is still king in Austria and Vienna. Card payments are common, but you will most definitely encounter cash only establishments, especially local insider tips like Salettl pavilion and café. Cash still reigns for in-person transactions, though this is steadily declining year after year.

A study of Austrian payment behaviour shows around 40 percent of citizens prefer cash to cashless payment options and the same amount highlighting the value of physical money for budgeting.

While debit cards are widely accepted in Vienna, the same can't always be said for credit cards. Visa and Mastercard usually work fine in hotels, larger restaurants and international chains, but don't be surprised if a small café or boutique shop doesn't accept them at all.

Best Payment Strategy Bring a mix of payment methods:

• Cash: Essential for small cafés, local shops, markets, and tipping
• Debit cards: You can use your Maestro card (bank ATM card) almost everywhere - especially in shops - even for small amounts
• Credit cards: Good for hotels, major restaurants, and international chains

ATM Access: You can withdraw cash with Maestro and credit cards at cash dispensers, which can be found everywhere in the city so you can always get cash when needed.

The ideal approach is to have some cash on hand for smaller establishments and traditional venues, while using cards for larger purchases and major businesses.

Sales Seasons in Vienna

Since seasonal, mid-season and out-of-season sales have become such a given, when and where are the best sales opportunities in Wien? In fact, the sales seasons pretty much align with most seasonal sales in other European countries: Definitely the best months to strike a bargain are late December to end of January, and mid June to end of July. That said, many shops always find a way to squeeze in a mid-season sale.

However, it is mostly international fashion chains that offer heavy seasonal discounts. If you go for quality Austrian products, from fashion to home ware, do expect less bargains.

Free Vienna Shopping Guide

Since smart local shopping simply adds to a fun trip, I thought I'd share a comprehensive printable Vienna shopping guide with you. As a thank you for signing up to my fortnightly free newsletter, expect a handy PDF loaded with dozens of original gift shopping ideas, addresses and a map Sign up and download it here for free.

Vienna Shopping Map

To find the best shopping streets and malls, and department stores for luxury, design and mainstream shopping just click on this map .

Tax Free Local Shopping

If you live outside the European Union and your single local Vienna shopping bill exceeds EUR 75.01, you can claim back Austrian value added tax.

Most importantly, ask the seller for a Global Blue Cheque and the Global Blue Envelope that includes a list of all refund offices. (Global Blue is an international payment provider for tax free shopping.) While you are buying, make sure the original invoice is stapled to the Global Blue Cheque.

When you leave Austria (or the European Union), go to the customs officer at the eValidation service counter at Vienna International Airport and get your Global Blue Cheque stamped on presentation of your purchase. Then cash your refund at one of the more than 700 refund offices world wide, including at Vienna airport or possibly in your home country (see the list in the Global Blue envelope). Alternatively, send the Global Blue Cheque of your Vienna shopping to Global Blue and they will transfer the money to you.

Refund offices in downtown Vienna and airport:

• • Mariahilfer Strasse 38-48

Opening Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 09.30am to 7pm; Thursday and Friday 09.30am to 8pm; Saturday 09.30am to 6pm; closed on Sunday.

• • Kärntner Strasse 19, third floor?

Opening Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 09.30am to 7pm; Thursday and Friday 09.30am to 8pm; Saturday 09.30am to 6pm; closed on Sunday.

• • Vienna airport:

AMEX airport Vienna, Pier Ost

ERSTE BANK Money Exchange, Terminal One

Interchange Austria GmbH, transit area

Interchange Austria, Terminal 3

My tip: Clearly most of you will not just visit Vienna to load things into their shopping bags. Therefore, the challenge is to blend retail therapy with great attractions and insider things to do. If you’d like to integrate your local Vienna shopping into your sightseeing program, find out about Vienna Unwrapped’s travel itineraries;

To get more granular on shopping, here are detailed local shopping tips in Wien:

To find exactly the shops you like, check some tips and private insider shopping tours in Shopping in Vienna Austria. For the best local gift shops visit Austrian Design Shopping. If you are into international designer brands check out Vienna Shopping for Luxury. For romantic and contemporary bling made in Austria, check my shortlist of best Austrian Jewelry stores.

If you are short on time consider hiring a local shopping guide to unearth those kind of shops you are after.

Whether you like full ethnic style or just single accessories, access my tips for Austria Fashion Shopping and this guide to Dirndl Dresses. As and when you attend a Vienna Ball and would like to buy or rent a fabulous gown, get a few top tips in Evening Dress Shops in Vienna.

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