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. The best shopping streets are the elegant city center with Kärntner Strasse, Graben, Kohlmarkt and Tuchlauben and the bustling neighbourhood high street of Mariahilfer Strasse, which starts next to Museumsquartier.
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.
Austria Fashion Shopping
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Dirndl Dresses
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Evening Dress Shops
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Vienna Culture Shopping
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Austrian Jewelry
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Austrian Design Shopping
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Vienna Shopping For Luxury
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Insider ShoppingBuy 'natural' souvenirs at small independent shops selling regional produce, quality fashion design, fashion jewelry and homeware. |
Design 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.
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:
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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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