Opening Hours
Legal opening times for retail outlets are: Monday to Friday 5am - 9pm, Saturday until 6pm.
The actual shop opening hours vary, but most are open from 9am to 6pm (grocery stores from 8am) and on Saturdays until 1pm or 5pm.
Tourist locations are subject to special regulations, allowing longer opening hours. Shops in stations and airports are open during travelling times (often until 11pm).
Tobacco and related products
These are available in tobacconists (Tabak) at original prices, and also for a supplement in hotels, restaurants, cafes and guest houses.
High Streets
Renowned high streets include:
- in Vienna: Kärntner Straße, Mariahilfer Straße
- in Graz: Herrengasse, Annenstraße
- in Linz: Landstraße und Umgebung, Taubenmarkt
- in Salzburg: Getreidegasse, Linzergasse
- in Innsbruck: Maria-Theresien-Straße
- in Klagenfurt: Alter Platz
- in Bregenz: Kaiserstraße, Kornmarktplatz
- in Eisenstadt: Hauptstraße
- in St. Pölten: Kremser Gasse
Markets
Take time for a trip to the markets: the colourful bounty and international flair of Vienna's Naschmarkt, the regional delicacies of the farmers' markets or the buzz of the ever increasing number of the flea markets and jumble sales - you can be sure to pick up a bargain! The Christmas Markets, open during advent, are especially beautiful with their stands filled with Christmas decorations, gingerbread and artwork.
Popular Souvenirs
Austrian artwork and handicraft is highly sought after. Choose from:
- Traditional clothing and accessories (Trachten)
- Loden textiles from Salzburg and Tyrol
- Crochet from Vorarlberg
- Ceramic and porcelain (Augarten handicraft in Vienna, Gmundner ceramics, pottery from Stoob/Burgenland)
- Glass and crystal (e.g. Swarovski/Tyrol)
- Wood carvings and much more.
Or take home a culinary souvenir - pumpkin seed oil and schilcher wine from Styria, genuine Salzburg Mozart Balls, world-famous Viennese Sachertorte (chocolate cake), Zauner stollen from Bad Ischl, fine wines from Burgenland and Lower Austria, or schnapps and brandy.
Value Added Tax - Reimbursement
Tourists resident outside the EU are entitled to reclaim the VAT on purchases over EUR 75. A form must be completed in the shop where the goods are purchased, the goods must be taken out of the EU within 3 months of the purchase date and they must be stamped by a customs officer upon leaving the EU.
The voucher with which VAT is refunded upon leaving the EU is available in all shops with the signs "Global Blue TAX FREE SHOPPING" or "Premier TAX FREE".
Attention: VAT Reimbursement is not available for tourists with a registered address in an EU country.
