Altwiener Christkindlmarkt
1st District
This festive seasonal market is held on one of Vienna's cozier squares.
8 Best Shopping in Vienna, Austria
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As upscale as ever, Vienna remains an exclusive and high-end place to shop, even as young designers are raising their profiles and creating new ways to shop throughout the city. The Goldenes Quartier, or Golden Quarter, in the heart of the Innere Stadt, remains the most exclusive shopping area, located on the extension of the Kohlmarkt, between Tuchlauben, Bognergasse, and Am Hof. Flagship stores such as Prada, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and Louis Vuitton are just a few among the many that will entice all manner of serious shoppers. Visitors can also stroll easily along, as the area has been turned into a pedestrian zone.
In the pedestrian-only streets of Kärntner Strasse, Graben, and Kohlmarkt, shopaholics can readily give into their passion. Sleekly cut dresses and intricately crafted jewelry beckon from the windows of shops formerly occupied by purveyors to His Imperial Majesty. Even the Swedish clothing store H&M presents itself in exclusive garb; on Graben near St. Stephen’s Cathedral, it has found a home in the mahogany-clad building that was once home of the department store of Braun & Co. Where baronesses once bought fur muffs, tattooed teens now rummage for cheap T-shirts. Luxury brands such as Hermès, Burberry, and Cartier have set up shop on or around Kohlmarkt, the street leading up to the Hofburg.
As you walk along Michaelerplatz, in front of the imperial palace, be sure to explore the little passageway next to the Michaeler Church. You'll find a few wonderful shops selling precious stones and silverware. If you want to venture farther afield, explore Mariahilferstrasse, Vienna’s best-known shopping mile outside the city center. Much of this area has been turned into a "shared space zone"—part of it now pedestrian-only—making it very friendly to shoppers. Running from MuseumsQuartier to the BahnhofCity Wien shopping mall, it's peppered with department stores like Peek & Cloppenburg, Gerngross, and s.Oliver. Neubaugasse, which runs into Mariahilferstrasse about halfway up, is bustling with young designers who sell their wares in little boutique shops. The creativity continues on nearby Lindengasse, Kirchengasse, and Burggasse.
Am Hof
1st District
On Friday and Saturday from March to early November, a small outdoor market with arts, crafts, and collectibles takes place on Am Hof. It's open 10 am to 6 pm.
Danube Canal art and antiques market
From early May to late September, an outdoor art and antiques market springs up along the Danube Canal underneath the Salztorbrücke. The merchandise, including a lot of books, is slightly better quality than elsewhere. It's open Saturday from 2 to 8 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm.
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Flohmarkt am Naschmarkt
6th District/Mariahilf
In back of the Naschmarkt, stretching along the Linke Wienzeile from the Kettenbrückengasse U4 subway station, you'll find the city's most celebrated flea market. It offers a staggering collection of items, ranging from serious antiques to plain junk. It's held every Saturday, rain or shine, from 6:30 am to around 2 pm.
Karlsplatz Christkindlmärkte
4th District/Wieden
The Christmas market at Karlsplatz has some of the more refined stands in town, selling top-quality homemade wares.
Rathausplatz Christkindlmärkte
1st District
The biggest holiday market is the one on Rathausplatz, in front of the Gothic fantasy that is Vienna's city hall. An ice rink is set up around it and remains for ice-skaters to enjoy into the New Year.
Schönbrunn Christkindlmarkt
13th District/Hietzing
All the glitter and gilt of the season frames the market held at the Hapsburgs' Schönbrunn. The Schönbrunn market offers the one of the best selection of works by Austrian and Viennese designers of all the city's Christmas markets.
Spittelberg Christkindlmarkt
7th District/Neubau
The city's most fashionable love this artsy market, held in Spittelberg's enchanting Biedermeier quarter.
