Best Austrian Souvenirs To Bring Home

what souvenirs to buy in austria

Austria is known for its delicious food and rich heritage, so it's no surprise that travellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to souvenirs. From edible treats to decorative items, there's something for everyone. If you're looking for something unique, you might want to consider a traditional snow globe, which was invented in Austria. Alternatively, you could bring home some local delicacies, such as Mozart balls, or apricot-based products like jams, liqueurs, and chocolates. For those seeking a more luxurious memento, Austria is famous for its porcelain and glassware, as well as its crystal jewellery.

Characteristics Values
Traditional Snow globes, Mozart balls, Linzer cookie cutters, sausages, craft beer, porcelain, glassware, crystal
Food and Drink Mozart balls, apricot-based products, jams, liqueurs, chocolates, coffee, wine, tea
Location-Specific Items featuring Viennese landmarks and personalities, such as St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Great Ferris Wheel, and Empress Elisabeth
Practical Whipped cream dispenser, cookbooks, aprons, posters, prints, postcards
Luxurious Jewelry, Swarovski crystal, enamel pieces by Frey Wille

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Austrian food and drink: Mozart balls, coffee, wine, apricot products, and more

Austria has a lot to offer when it comes to food and drink souvenirs. Here are some of the most popular and unique options to consider:

Mozart Balls

The Mozart ball, or "Mozartkugel" in German, is a famous chocolate confectionery from Austria. These delicious treats are made with pistachio marzipan, nougat, and dark chocolate, and are named after the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart balls are a popular choice for souvenirs and can be found in many shops across Austria, as well as online. They are often sold alongside other chocolate treats such as Mozart rounds and Manner wafers.

Coffee

Austrian coffee culture is renowned, and coffee is a popular drink in the country. While you can, of course, enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the many cafes in Austria, you can also purchase coffee-related souvenirs to bring back home. This could include unique blends of coffee beans, coffee mugs, or even coffee-making accessories. Vienna, in particular, has a rich coffeehouse culture, so be sure to explore the city's coffee offerings.

Wine

Austrian wine is well-known and makes for an excellent souvenir. The country has a long history of winemaking, and there are several wine regions worth exploring, such as Styria and Tyrol. You can find a variety of wines, including white, red, and sparkling, at local wineries, vineyards, or specialty shops. If you're looking for a unique wine-related souvenir, consider purchasing a wine bottle stopper or a decorative wine bottle holder.

Apricot Products

Apricot is a popular fruit in Austria and is used in various local dishes and products. One of the most famous apricot products is apricot jam, which is a staple of a typical Viennese breakfast. Staud's is a well-known brand among locals for its delicious apricot jam. Additionally, you can find apricot schnapps and liqueurs, and even apricot-themed souvenirs, such as apricot-scented candles or apricot-themed kitchenware.

Other Food and Drink Souvenirs

Austria offers a variety of other unique food and drink souvenirs. You can explore options like Austrian beer, herbal and fruit teas, spices, oils (such as Styrian pumpkin seed oil), natural cosmetics, cookbooks, and traditional Austrian sweets. If you're visiting during the Christmas season, be on the lookout for Linzer cookie cutters, which are widely available at Christmas markets and specialty kitchen stores.

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Austrian-made porcelain and glassware

Austrian-made glassware and porcelain make for timeless souvenirs. Austrian glassware is known for its Art Nouveau style, also known as Jugendstil in Central Europe. This style is characterised by slender shapes and flowing organic motifs. In Vienna, the J. & L. Lobmeyr glassmakers are particularly notable.

In the 18th century, alchemist Johann Friedrich Böttger discovered the materials required to produce a white, translucent, high-fired porcelain body. This discovery had a significant impact on the European ceramics industry, which had previously been unable to replicate Chinese and Japanese porcelains. Böttger's formula included the development of a high-fired red stoneware, which formed the basis for what became known as Böttger stoneware. This stoneware was used to create wares and figures, including one depicting Augustus the Strong, elector of Saxony. In 1710, Augustus established a factory in Meissen, just outside Dresden, which produced a creamy white porcelain now known as Böttger porcelain. In the 1720s, the Meissen factory developed a new range of enamel colours, with painters specialising in chinoiserie scenes.

In the 18th century, one of the greatest modellers of porcelain figures was Franz Anton Bustelli, who worked at the Nymphenburg factory from 1754 until 1763. His figures always display a pronounced elegance and a slight exaggeration of pose that reflects some essential aspect of the character’s personality. During this period, the Du Paquier porcelain body was quite similar to that produced at Meissen, but the forms and styles of decoration employed at the Viennese factory were entirely original.

Today, Herend is a notable producer of Austrian porcelain, with an endless variety of products, including dinner plates, tea sets, and soup cups with saucers and lids.

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Austrian-themed jewellery

Austria has a lot to offer when it comes to souvenirs, from sweet treats to interior pieces and jewellery. If you're looking for something timeless to remind you of your visit, consider buying a piece of jewellery.

Austria has a long history of producing high-quality jewellery, with the Austro-Hungarian Empire establishing itself as a place to buy jewellery of the highest craftsmanship during the Georgian Period. In the 19th century, Austrian jewellers combined elaborate filigreed metalwork in silver and gold tones with shimmering experimental pastes, semi-precious stones, seed pearls, and brightly coloured enamels to create ostentatious regal pieces.

Today, Swarovski has been producing crystal in Austria since 1895, and you can find their shops all over the country. A simple pair of earrings may cost you approximately 100 EUR. If you're looking for something other than crystal, Frey Wille has been producing enamel jewellery in Austria since 1951. Their designs are known for their colourful abstract patterns, and their bangles range from 220 EUR to 500 EUR, depending on the design and size.

If you're looking for something more vintage, you can find antique Austrian jewellery boxes and chests from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These boxes are beautifully handcrafted and decorated, often featuring brass, enamel, and bronze. Some even come with stands to be displayed as decorative pieces.

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Prints and posters of Vienna's architecture and landmarks

If you're looking for a timeless souvenir that will remind you of your trip to Austria, consider purchasing prints and posters of Vienna's beautiful architecture and landmarks. Whether you're interested in a vintage travel poster, a modern cityscape, or a stunning aerial view, there are plenty of options to choose from.

UKposters.co.uk offers a wide range of Vienna-themed posters and wall art prints, including the Vienna vector city skyline, the Royal Palace of Hofburg, the Austrian Parliament Building, and the famous Schloss Belvedere. Prices for these prints start at a very reasonable £12.49 and go up to £33.49, making them accessible to most budgets. The website also has positive reviews, with customers praising the quality, affordability, and timely delivery of their orders.

If you're looking for something more high-end, you might want to consider purchasing a fine art print of Vienna's landmarks. AllPosters.com offers a selection of over 3,000,000 images, including classic masterpieces and up-and-coming artists. While prices may vary depending on the artist and size of the print, you're sure to find something that suits your taste and budget.

Of course, if you prefer a more traditional souvenir, there are plenty of other options available in Vienna. Foodies might enjoy bringing home some Austrian sweets, such as Mozart balls (pistachio marzipan and nougat encased in dark chocolate) or beautifully packaged chocolates and pralines from Altmann & Kühne. For a non-edible option, you could opt for a piece of jewellery from Swarovski or enamel bangles from Frey Wille. And let's not forget the classic snow globe, which was actually invented in Vienna! You can find these in many souvenir shops, or you can go straight to the source and buy one from the original manufacturer, Perzy.

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Traditional Austrian snow globes

The snow globes are made of glass and filled with Viennese spring water. The figures inside have evolved from being handmade to now being created using 3D printers, allowing for modern updates to the motifs. Despite this, each snow globe is still handcrafted and unique, with the "snow" made from a secret ingredient that has been passed down through the generations.

You can purchase these iconic snow globes at the Original Viennese Snow Globe Manufactory's factory shop in the 17th district (Schumanngasse 87) or at their stands at major Christmas markets. The company also has a Snow Globe Museum, where you can learn about the history of snow globes and see how they are made before purchasing one from the museum shop.

If you're looking for other unique souvenirs in Austria, you can explore a range of options, including Austrian sweet treats such as Mozart balls, handcrafted chocolates, and miniature jam jars with art motifs. For something more timeless, jewellery made by Swarovski or enamel jewellery by Frey Wille can be a special reminder of your trip.

Frequently asked questions

Traditional Austrian souvenirs include snow globes, Mozart balls, porcelain products, and crystal glassware.

Mozart balls are small Austrian sweets made from pistachio marzipan and nougat, encased in dark chocolate. They are handmade by the Fürst family since 1890, and are available in most souvenir shops across Austria, particularly in Salzburg.

Some unique souvenirs you can buy in Austria include Austrian sausages and mustard, miniature jam jars with art motifs on the lids, and local herbal teas with unique blends inspired by Viennese flavors.

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