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Austria is a great place to shop for traditional souvenirs and local delicacies. If you're looking for unique items to buy in Austria, consider visiting Innsbruck, the home of world-famous Swarovski crystals, or Vienna, where you can find the decadent Sacher Torte chocolate cake at Café Sacher. For centuries, Alpine herdsmen have worn clothing made of Loden and boiled wool, which you can now find in traditional Austrian department and clothing stores. You can also purchase miniature Staud's jam jars with art motifs or the famous Manner wafers as souvenirs. Snow globes, which were invented in Vienna, can be found in shops and markets throughout Austria, along with edelweiss-themed jewellery and accessories featuring the national flower.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artworks | Jewellery, paintings, sculptures |
| Clothing | Loden and boiled wool fabrics |
| Food | Sacher Torte, Staud's jam, Mozartkugel, chocolate, Manner wafers, beer, wine |
| Alcoholic drinks | Schnapps, a local fruit brandy |
| Accessories | Tea towels, bags, hats |
| Jewellery | Swarovski crystal, edelweiss jewellery |
| Cosmetics | Lipsticks, nail paints, etc. |
| Home Decor | Porcelain vases and tableware |
| Christmas Decor | Snow globes |
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What You'll Learn
Austrian chocolates and sweets
Austria has a lot to offer when it comes to chocolates and sweets. One of the most popular items is the Mozartkugel, a round, layered confectionery with a marzipan centre, surrounded by praline and chocolate. These chocolates are said to have originated in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, and can be found in almost any store in Austria. The brand Mirabell offers Mozartkugel in a convenient 2-piece snack pack. Another popular variant is the Salzburger Mozarttafel, which comes in the form of milk chocolate tablets, as well as the mini Mozartkugel, a miniature version of the original.
If you're looking for a more luxurious chocolate experience, Leschanz Chocolate, located behind St. Peter's Church in Vienna, offers a unique selection of chocolates in an old-world setting. The shop, which dates back to 1844, has retained much of its original charm, making it a dreamlike destination for chocolate lovers.
For those who enjoy nougat, the Austrian brand Ildefonso specialises in classic Austrian Nougat confectionery. Their range includes the Ildefonso Bonbonniere, Ildefonso Eggs, Ildefonso Nougat Confection, and the original Ildefonso Nougat Cubes, first created by master confectioner Victor Schmidt in 1880. Manner, another well-known brand, offers a variety of wafers, including the Original Neapolitan Wafers, which feature alternating layers of tender wafers and hazelnut cocoa cream. Their other products include Chocolate Cream Wafers, Vanilla Cream Wafers, Tartlets, Ladyfingers, and Plum Rounds. Manner's flagship stores can be found in Vienna, such as the one located at Stephansplatz 7, next to the Stephansdom cathedral.
When it comes to packaging, Altmann & Kühne stands out with their miniature chests, books, drawers, and hat boxes that reveal delicious chocolate and pralines within. These beautifully presented treats make perfect souvenirs or gifts, although they come at a higher price. For those seeking variety, Zotter offers a wide range of products, including praline bars, nougat, cracker chocolates, lollytops, and choco shots. Their chocolate tour in Riegersburg, Styria, includes access to a tasting session, making it a sweet addition to any itinerary.
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Local alcohol
Austria has a wide variety of local alcoholic beverages that you can sample or buy and take home as souvenirs.
Schnaps is a fruit brandy that is a local art form in Austria. It is produced by individual farmers or even people with fruit trees in their backyards throughout the country in small batches as each fruit comes into season. It is usually served at the end of a meal and can be found at Christmas markets or farmers' markets.
If you are looking for something a little stronger, you can try the local gin, which is made with local herbs. For something sweeter, there is the option of mixed fruits preserved in Jamaican rum, which can be enjoyed straight from the jar or with dessert.
If you are in Vienna, you could try the original snow globes, which were invented there in 1905. These can be found at shops and markets all over Austria, but for the original Perzy snow globes, look for the Perzy name and the signature black base.
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Clothing and accessories
Austria is known for its textiles, and there are plenty of clothing and accessory options to choose from when shopping in the country.
For traditional Austrian clothing, look for items made from boiled wool or Loden, a dense weave that is nearly waterproof and very warm. These fabrics have been used for centuries by Alpine herdsmen. You can find clothing and decor made from boiled wool in Austrian department and clothing stores. Jackets made from this fabric are particularly special, but they can be quite expensive.
If you're looking for accessories, consider purchasing something with an edelweiss flower design. Edelweiss is the national flower of Austria, and you'll find it featured on jewellery, accessories, and trinkets in shops across the country.
Austria is also known for its high-quality leather goods. You'll find a variety of leather items, including bags, shoes, and belts, in many of the country's shops and markets.
For those interested in fashion, there are several popular online and in-person retailers in Austria. Bonprix is known for its value-for-money offerings, with a wide range of affordable fashion items for men, women, and children. H&M, the global fashion retailer, is also a top choice in Austria, offering trendy and affordable clothing, shoes, and accessories.
In addition to clothing and accessories, Austria has many other unique items to offer shoppers, including Swarovski crystals, Christmas tree ornaments, porcelain and glassware, and traditional delicacies.
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Christmas markets
Austria is famous for its Christmas markets, also known as "Christkindlmarkt", which are held from mid-November until the end of the year. These markets are a beloved tradition in Austria, offering visitors a chance to experience the festive atmosphere, buy unique crafts and gifts, and sample traditional Austrian treats. The Christkindlmarkt in Salzburg is an enchanting winter wonderland in the heart of the city's historic centre, with the stunning Hohensalzburg Fortress as its backdrop. The market in front of the grand City Hall (Rathaus) in Vienna is widely considered the most famous in Austria. The beautiful Rathaus building provides a magnificent setting for the market, known for its enchanting lights and mesmerizing decorations.
The Christkindlmarkt in Innsbruck's old town is another romantic market, with the sounds of tower brass players from the Golden Roof and the scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts filling the medieval streets. The Linz Christmas market, located in the city's baroque main square, is a festive wonderland with twinkling lights, the aroma of traditional delicacies, and the famous Linzer Torte. The charming market town of Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut Region of the Austrian Alps boasts a unique and picturesque setting, with its market square set against the backdrop of a serene lake and towering alpine peaks.
The Hellbrunn Advent Magic in Salzburg is another popular market, featuring a fairy-tale forest of 700 fir trees adorned with 10,000 red baubles and fairy lights. The Culture and Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna offers a fine imperial flair, with traditional handicrafts, nostalgic toys, and decorative items. The Belvedere Palace in Vienna also hosts a Christmas village in a baroque setting, full of creative gift ideas and culinary delights. The Advent market in St. Wolfgang is a great place to experience regional traditions and authentic handicrafts, with the floating red Advent candle on Lake Wolfgang as a highlight.
At the Christmas markets, you can find handcrafted gifts, traditional decorations, and regional delicacies. The scent of mulled wine and roasted almonds fills the festively decorated streets. You can also find unique snow globes, which originated in Austria, with various Viennese landmarks and personalities. Another speciality to look out for is the Sacher Torte, a decadent chocolate cake made popular by the Hotel Sacher in Vienna. For those with a sweet tooth, there are also miniature Staud's jam jars with art motifs on the lids, sold in packs of three.
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Art and antiques
Austria has a lot to offer when it comes to art and antiques. Vienna, in particular, is known for its antique shops and markets. The city's rich history and cultural significance make it a great place to find unique and valuable items from different periods.
Antique Shops in Vienna
The first district of Vienna, known as the Kärntner Viertel, is home to many upscale antique shops. Here, you can find a wide range of items, including Gothic painted furniture, Renaissance chests, Baroque armories, fine carpets, timepieces, porcelain, paintings, and antique jewellery. The side streets around Graben, such as Stallburggasse, Spiegelgasse, and Dorotheergasse, are particularly well-known for their antique stores.
One notable shop in this area is Subal, which specialises in 20th-century design classics and art. They offer exquisite pieces from the 1920s to the 1970s, with a focus on French, Italian, and Scandinavian design. Another renowned auction house in this district is Dorotheum, which attracts antique lovers from around the world.
Antique Markets in Vienna
If you're looking for a bargain or a unique find, Vienna's flea markets and antique markets are worth exploring. The Naschmarkt flea market, held every Saturday, is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Here, you can find a variety of items, from high-value antiques to curious and kitsch objects.
The Art and Antiques Market Am Hof is another well-established market, offering high-quality items from different centuries. This market, open from March to November, features a range of goods, including oil paintings, antique picture frames, books, manuscripts, coins, and porcelain vessels.
Antique Fairs in Vienna
Art & Antique Vienna is an important event on the art world's calendar. This long-running fair is held in the historic 13th-century Hofburg Palace, where European galleries showcase their finest pieces for nine days.
Antique Shops Outside Vienna
While Vienna is a hub for antiques, other parts of Austria also offer some unique shopping experiences. In Linz, Masterpiece Antiques specialises in fine European antique furniture, with a skilled team that beautifully restores each piece. They offer a range of periods, including Baroque, Empire, Biedermeier, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco.
Another option is Antikhof Figl, located in Neulengbach, which boasts a heritage-listed building and a view of a historic hilltop monastery.
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