The Best Shopping Spots In Austria

We love shopping in all its forms. Whether it’s for detox or discovering a local market or having a fun memory with friends, there are endless possibilities. Shopaholics are up for a treat when they head to Austria as it offers the best shopping streets and malls.

From high-end international brands to unusual boutiques and handcrafted souvenir shops, fit for all budgets often surrounded by historical buildings, allowing you to combine shopping with sightseeing in your favourite Austrian city.

Vienna

A dream destination to those who love elegance, contemporary style, and architecture.

Vienna's city center is a picturesque area worth exploring, not only for its tourist facilities, but also for the shopping experience.

Make sure to visit Vienna's top shopping destinations: Kärntner Strasse, Graben and Kohlmarkt, including the Goldenes Quartier.

Kaerntner Strasse

One of Vienna's most popular shopping areas, Kaerntner Strasse, is also home to the biggest Swarovski Kristallwelten store outside of Swarovski Crystal world

The pedestrian zone starts from the Vienna State Opera – to be exact at the corner of the Hotel Sacher.

You might have guessed it from the name, Hotel Sacher is home to the Original Sachertorte cake. Luckily, you can enjoy it at the Sacher Café or purchase it from an elegant wooden box as a precious Vienna souvenir.

Kaerntner Strasse during Christmas Time

Street Graben

The exclusive and vibrant shopping street Graben starts at the end of Kaerntner Strasse at St. Stephen’s Square (Stephansplatz).

You won’t miss the "plague column" at Graben which is a reminder of the outbreak of this pest in Vienna during the 17th century.

For the shopaholics out there, the street offers mix of high-end labels and independent boutiques, shoe stores, beauty stores, and popular label boutiques, as well as luxury boutiques selling jewellery and watches.

Graben in Vienna

Julius Meinl

As for those who cherish their belly the most (just like us), visit the famous Julius Meinl Supermarket at the end of the Graben Street, where you can find delicatessen and delicious and high-quality food souvenirs that symbolize Vienna.

Enjoy a traditional cup of coffee and cake in its café with views of the wonderful Graben Boulevard.

Kohlmarkt

Standing in front of Julius Meinl Café, you can turn left to stroll down Kohlmarkt towards Hofburg Palace.

The palace is a historic avenue of high fashion and houses of prestigious jewelry and rare gemstones and flagship stores of many famous luxury brands such as Tiffany, Chopard and Cartier.

Kohlmarkt Vienna with Hofburg Palace in the background

Golden Quarter

If you turn right from Julius Meinl Café, you will reach Golden Quarter, Vienna’s newest and most exclusive shopping venue.

It is the destination for High-end brands from Louis Vuitton to Emporio Armani, Miu Miu, Prada and Saint Laurent.

We also know that shopping can be tiring, regardless of how proud we are of the goodies, which makes it a good chance to try the Viennese “Gemütlichkeit” by taking a break and enjoying a delicious Viennese coffee at one of the inviting street cafés.

Golden Quarter Vienna

Mariahilfer Strasse

Now the cherry on top would be the Mariahilfer Strasse shopping street, Austria’s longest shopping street.

It starts from Museumsquarter leading all the way up to Westbahnhof. It offers visitors more modern and youthful stores as well as a range of many popular high-street brands and big department stores.

Mcarthurglen Designeroutlet Parndorf

Offering up to 70% discount on more than 160 international fashion brands, the Mcarthurglen Designeroutlet Parndorf is a beautiful outdoor shopping center.

It can easily be reached via the complimentary shuttle from opposite Vienna’s State Opera House or by train.

Mcarthurglen Designer Outlet Parndorf

Salzburg

Located in the bustling heart of Salzburg's Old Town, Getreidegasse is probably one of the most amazing shopping streets in the world.

Getreidegasse

The street offers international fashion brands and traditional shops in century-old houses, characterized by beautiful doorways, plaques with names of their former owners or important dates in history and windows that become steadily smaller from the first floor up.

Ornamental guild signs protruding from the building facades, high above pedestrians’ heads make the street the perfect Instagramable spot.

Getreidegasse in Salzburg

Imagine getting into a building and going out in a whole different street. The so-called “through-houses” are famous in Getreidegasse.

The front and back of the buildings let directly out onto different streets, with an arcaded passageways with small shops, traditional inns and art galleries connecting the two.

Getreidegasse in Salzburg

One of the magnets for visitors is Mozart’s birthplace in Getreidegasse No. 9, in which the world-famous composer was born in 1756.

Birth House of Mozart in Salzburg

Linzer Gasse

Those looking for local traditions, everyday crafts and artistic innovations, cross the river Salzach, to find Linzer Gasse. Over the past few years, international fashion brands have opened stores on this historic street as well.

Mcarthurglen Designeroutlet Salzburg

Just 10 minutes from the center of Salzburg, is the Mcarthurglen Designer Outlet Salzburg, another paradise for shoppers. The outlet is fully air-conditioned enclosed shopping center. It offers over 100 stores offering up to 70% discount on luxury designer brands.

Mcarthurglen Designer Outlet Salzburg

Innsbruck

Maria Theresien Strasse

Innsbruck’s most popular shopping street is Maria Theresien Strasse. You can not only go shopping but also enjoy a nice stroll or enjoying a coffee at one of the many outdoor cafés, marveling at the baroque architecture of the old town.

Maria-Theresien-Strasse in Innsbruck

Kaufhaus Tyrol

Offering luxury designer brands, this hotspot is one of the biggest shopping malls in Innsbruck is also located on this historic street.

Special tip for shoppers in Austria

Don’t forget: As tourist residing outside the European Union you can get a refund of VAT on purchases over EUR 75, which you can claim back at the airport before your departure.

Main Image Credits:

Kohlmarkt Vienna with Hofburg Palace in the background

This article was previously published on UAE Moments.To see the original article, click here