Leslie Massey
Austria is known for its high-quality products, from clothing to kitchenware, and its delicious culinary delights. So, when visiting this beautiful country, what are some things you can bring back home?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Food | Mozartkugel balls, Sachertorte chocolate cake, Viennese wine, Viennese cider, gingerbread, mulled wine, apricot schnapps, marshmallow liqueur, Styrian pumpkin seeds, cheese, chilli products, saffron, wasabi, black garlic, truffles, jams, herbal salts, tea, chocolate, snails |
| Drinks | Schnapps, liqueur, cider, wine, mulled wine, apricot schnapps, marshmallow liqueur |
| Clothing | Traditional Austrian clothing, Dirndl, Lederhosen, Trachten, shoes |
| Homeware | Snow globes, glassware, ceramics, kitchen items, hand-knit scarves, painted wooden toys |
| Art | Art by Gustav Klimt |
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What You'll Learn
Austrian chocolates, including Mozartkugeln and Mozart Balls
Austrian chocolates are a must-buy when visiting the country. Among the many varieties, Mozartkugeln and Mozart Balls are iconic and unique treats to bring home from Austria.
Mozartkugeln, also known as Mozart Balls, are chocolate confections with a rich history. They were originally created by Paul Fürst in Salzburg in 1890 and have since become a symbol of Austrian culture, often appreciated as gifts. These chocolates have a unique combination of flavours and textures. They consist of a marzipan centre, made with pistachio and nougat, encased in a layer of dark chocolate. The result is a delicious harmony of sweet and nutty flavours that has gained worldwide fame.
When buying Mozart Balls in Austria, you may come across different varieties. The original Mozart Balls, known as "Original Salzburger Mozartkugel", are only available in Salzburg at the Fürst Konditorei locations. They are wrapped in distinctive blue and silver foil. Other variations, often found in supermarkets and souvenir shops, come in red and silver wrapping.
Mozartkugeln chocolates are a popular choice for souvenirs due to their association with the renowned composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was born in Salzburg, Austria. These chocolates are often presented in elegant packaging, featuring traditional Austrian designs, making them a delightful treat to share with family and friends back home.
In addition to Mozartkugeln, Austria offers a plethora of other chocolate specialties. Vienna, in particular, is renowned for its chocolateries, offering premium single-origin bars and uniquely flavoured truffles. Leschanz Wiener Schokolade König, for example, is known for its variety boxes, which make excellent souvenirs. The chocolates are often packaged in ornate boxes or rustic wrappers, adding to their appeal as gifts.
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Local Viennese wine
Vienna is one of the few cities in the world with stunning vineyards within its city limits. The city's winegrowing contributes to its cultural identity and is an important economic factor for the Austrian capital. The vineyards are typically located near former villages that were incorporated into the City of Vienna in the early 1900s and reflect the long history of wine-growing in the region. About 700 hectares of Vienna's surface is covered by vineyards, with 80% dedicated to white wine varieties and 20% to red. The most popular white wines include Grüner Veltliner, Rheinriesling, Weißburgunder, Chardonnay, and Welschriesling. As for reds, popular varieties include Blauer Zweigelt, Blauer Burgunder, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Viennese wines are known for their quality and score well in national guides. In 2024, a list of the most influential wine producers in Austria, based on the opinions of top sommeliers, included five from Vienna. The city also hosts the annual Wiener Weinpreis (Vienna Wine Awards), with formal evaluations conducted by an independent jury. One of the award-winning vineyards is Weingut Cobenzl, owned by the municipal authorities. You can find their wines, along with other leading Viennese vineyards, under the WienWein label in specialist wine stores and bigger supermarkets.
If you're visiting Vienna, a visit to a heuriger wine tavern is a must. This unique Austrian and Viennese phenomenon offers a pleasant evening, with traditional taverns serving local food from a buffet alongside their home-produced wine. Some popular destinations include Grinzing, Neustift am Walde, and Nussdorf, all located in the 19th district.
So, if you're looking for a unique souvenir that captures the spirit of Vienna, be sure to bring home a bottle or two of local Viennese wine!
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Ceramics and glassware
Austria is known for its ceramics and glassware, with a variety of unique and intricate designs. When it comes to ceramics, you can find a range of decorative and functional pieces. For example, you can purchase delicate Augarten porcelain, which is renowned for its intricate designs and high quality.
Additionally, you can explore Austrian Art Nouveau and Art Deco ceramics, featuring elegant vases, teapots, and figurines. These pieces often showcase distinctive patterns, such as large layered leaf motifs, and are crafted by renowned artists like Paul Dachsel and Vally Wieselthier.
If you're seeking something more contemporary, Austrian ceramic designers on platforms like Etsy offer a diverse range of handmade and personalized items, from tableware to decorative figurines.
In terms of glassware, Austrian craftsmanship is exceptional. J. & L. Lobmeyr, established in 1823, is a renowned glassware manufacturer that has supplied emperors. They are known for their exquisite drinkware, chandeliers, and lamps, showcasing their historical influence on design and engineering.
When visiting Austria, you can also find a variety of glass ornaments, vases, and decanters. These pieces often feature stunning Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, with iridescent and hand-blown techniques that create unique, shimmering decorations.
Whether you're seeking elegant tableware or decorative pieces, Austria's ceramics and glassware offer a range of choices to bring home as souvenirs or gifts.
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Traditional clothing, like Dirndl and Lederhosen
Traditional Austrian clothing is a great way to bring a piece of Austrian heritage back home. The Dirndl and Lederhosen are perhaps the most recognisable country-specific outfits in the world. These outfits have a long history that parallels the lifestyle, development and culture of Germany and Austria.
The Dirndl is a feminine dress that originated in German-speaking areas of the Alps and is traditionally worn by women and girls in some Alpine regions of Austria, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. It consists of a close-fitting bodice with a low neckline, a blouse worn under the bodice, a wide high-waisted skirt and an apron. The Dirndl is regarded as a folk costume (in German, Tracht). It developed as the clothing of Alpine peasants between the 16th and 18th centuries. The Dirndl was eventually adopted by the upper and middle classes, and richer versions were made of silk, satin and expensive fabrics.
The Lederhosen is the male equivalent of the Dirndl. They are usually made from genuine leather sourced from deerskin, goatskin or cowhide. Lederhosen were originally peasant clothing but were later adopted by the upper class in the 18th century. In the 19th century, they were replaced by jeans as working apparel, but they were revived as costume wear. Lederhosen and Dirndls became the official garb for attendees of Oktoberfest in 1887.
Today, Dirndls and Lederhosens are worn during Oktoberfest and other festivals celebrating German and Austrian culture. They are also worn as comfortable homewear. You can purchase these outfits from various online stores, such as the Lederhosen Store, which offers a range of sizes, colours and designs to suit everyone.
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Christmas and Easter market crafts
Christmas and Easter are both popular holidays in Austria, with many unique traditions and crafts to discover.
Christmas Market Crafts
Austria's Christmas markets are a delight, with snow-covered landscapes providing the perfect backdrop for a festive celebration. The markets are filled with regional delicacies, including gingerbread, punch, local mulled wine (Glühwein), and sweet treats like Linzertorte and Schneeballen (snowballs)—a deep-fried dough ball dusted with powdered sugar.
But it's not just about food and drink. Christmas markets in Austria also showcase a variety of crafts and handmade gifts. At the Altstadt Christmas Market, you'll find stalls with handcrafted gifts, wooden toys, and festive decorations made by local artisans. The Advent market in St. Wolfgang is another charming option, where you can witness authentic handicrafts alongside glassblowing and blacksmithing demonstrations.
Innsbruck's Christmas markets, particularly the Marktplatz Market, offer a magical experience for children, with stalls selling gifts and hot drinks, as well as performances of traditional Austrian Christmas carols.
Easter Market Crafts
Easter is the second most important holiday in Austria, and the Easter markets are filled with colourful eggs, chocolate rabbits, and various handicrafts. The Schönbrunn Easter Market, held in front of Schönbrunn Palace, is considered one of the most romantic. It offers a wide range of culinary delights, attractive Easter decorations, and handicrafts. The Am Hof Easter Market is another popular choice, featuring skilfully decorated eggs, flower arrangements, and a variety of pretty handicrafts.
The Old Viennese Easter Market on Freyung, a picturesque old square in the Old City, boasts a tower made of around 40,000 painted Easter eggs, along with various Easter specialties, handicrafts, and a creative Easter workshop for children.
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Frequently asked questions
Some unique food items you can bring home from Austria include Mozartkugel balls, which are a mix of pistachio, marzipan, nougat, and chocolate, and bottles of schnapps, which are often sold by local farmers at Christmas markets or farmers' markets. You can also bring home Austrian delicacies like Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Glühwein (mulled wine).
Some non-food items you can bring home from Austria include clothing, shoes, and handcrafted items such as wooden toys, ceramics, and glass. You can also bring home souvenirs such as snow globes, which were invented in Austria, or items featuring Austrian symbols like the Osterbaum, which is an Easter tree decorated with intricate ornaments made of hollowed-out Easter eggs.
Vienna, the capital city of Austria, is known for its chocolateries, vineyards, and local markets such as the Naschmarkt. You can find a variety of souvenirs in Vienna, including delicate Augarten porcelain, traditional Austrian clothing, and colorful Hundertwasser-inspired items. Salzburg is another city in Austria known for its Easter markets and Christmas shops, where you can find handcrafted items and decorative eggs.
In addition to schnapps, Austria offers a variety of unique drinks to bring home, such as local Viennese wine, cider, and craft beers. You can also find organic produce, including wine and cheese, grown and produced across the country.
