If the reviews of shopping in Vienna are to be believed, cruising the local shopping streets is just as much fun as excursions to historic sites.
Any time of year, Vienna's picturesque local markets, budget outlet malls and modern shopping centers will welcome you. Note that most outlets (both stores and markets) are open Monday through Saturday, with Sunday off.
Malls
When talking about Vienna's major shopping centers, one cannot fail to mention Shopping City Süd (SCS) and Shopping City Nord (SCN). These shopping centers are home to numerous stores and cafes.
Outlets
Those who go here for discounts should mark the Parndorf Gallery in their notebook - it's a huge outlet near Vienna, 40 kilometers from the capital. The outlet village offers goods from 150 famous brands. You can get to Designer Outlet Parndorf by bus or suburban express train. Outlet address: Designer-Outlet-Straße 1. Opening hours are Mon-Fri from 09:30 to 20:00, Fri from 09:30 to 21:00 and Sat from 09:00 to 18:00.
Shopping Streets
If you're organizing a shopping tour of Vienna, you should definitely add Kohlmarkt (the capital's most expensive shopping street), Kärntnerstrasse and Mariahilferstrasse to your itinerary. It's here that you'll find luxury boutiques from big-name European brands, as well as the prestigious Stefl department store and its more democratic counterpart, Gerngross.
Markets
To choose an original handmade souvenir, check out the Altviner market. By the way, one of the best options for Viennese souvenirs is a porcelain set. If you want to buy the freshest products, local delicacies and wines, go to the largest Viennese market "Nashtmarkt". For antique lovers, head to the flea market, which takes place on Saturdays at the Naschtsmarkt.
Discounts and sales
Before you go, check out the site to find out in advance about sale dates. You can usually pick up a lot of fashions for 30-70% cheaper than the usual stores.
The sale season in Austria is summer (July/August) and winter (January/February), with tempting Christmas sales (starting December 26) ahead of the winter promotions.
Note that for shopping in Vienna, you can take advantage of the VAT refund system (Tax-Free Shopping). To do this, you need to fill in a form at the store and have it stamped at customs.
