100 Best Shopping in Austria

The Dorotheum was the first imperial auction house, established in 1707 by Emperor Josef I as a pawnshop. Occupying the former site of the Dorothy Convent (hence the name), it has built up a grand reputation over the years. If you're looking for something truly special—an 18th-century oil portrait or a real fur, a Rococo mirror or a fine silk fan, a china figurine or sterling-silver spoon, an old map of the Austrian Empire or even a stuffed parrot—the best place to try and find it is Dorotheum, Vienna's fabled auction house. Have you ever wanted to see how the Austrian aristocracy once lived, how their sumptuous homes were once furnished? Well, don't bother with a museum—you can inspect their antique furnishings, displayed as if in use, for free, and without the eagle eyes of sales personnel following your every move.

The neo-Baroque building was completed in 1901 and deserves a walk-through (you can enter from Spiegelgasse and exit on Dorotheergasse) just to have a look, even if you only admire the gorgeous stuccoed walls and palatial interiors, or peek into the glass-roofed patio stocked with early-20th-century glass, furniture, and art. With more than 600 auctions a year, this has become one of the busiest auction houses in Europe. There are auctions held frequently throughout the week, though not Saturday, and it's closed entirely Sunday. And if you don't fancy bidding for something, there are sale areas on the ground and second floors where loads of stuff can simply be bought off the floor.

Old skis become coat stands, bowling pins turn into vases, traffic signs are transformed into lamps, and garbage bins find new lives as chairs here at the fabulously offbeat Gabarage.

The Heimatwerk shop is associated with the local folklore museum and stocks a good variety of regional crafts and luxuries.

One of Vienna's original purveyors to the Imperial Court, A. E. Köchert has been Vienna's jeweler of choice for nearly two centuries. In the 19th century, Emperor Franz Josef commissioned 27 diamond-studded stars for the Empress Elizabeth's legendary auburn hair. A new European trend was born, and today "Sisi's stars" are again fashionable after Köchert started reissuing them. Plus, if you're ever in need of a crown, Köchert will craft one for you.

As the Imperial Court Jeweler and Personal Jeweler to Emperor Franz Josef I, the Köchert goldsmiths have crafted such world-renowned treasures as the Austrian imperial crown and the diamond stars adorning Empress Sisi's hair in her famous portrait. Today's sixth-generation jeweler creates modern pieces using traditional techniques, replicas of the "Sisi Stars," and offers stunning antique jewelry in the firm's small Salzburg outpost.

If you want to enter an old-fashioned interior that has changed little from the time when Empress Sisi shopped here, Albin Denk is the place. The shop is filled with glass cases holding everything from armies of kitsch porcelain figurines as well as modern glassware and ceramics.

Are you looking for a vintage postcard, a hand-carved walking stick, a classic record, or even an old photograph of the Opera House from before the war? Head to Alt-Österreich—its name translates as "Old Austria"—and you'll find that this treasure trove has just about everything dealing with that time-burnished subject.

This festive seasonal market is held on one of Vienna's cozier squares.

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.

Russian designer Lena Kvadrat treats Viennese hipsters to cutting-edge fashion, unveiling two collections each year.

Also known as Donau Stein Design (Danube Stone Design), this shop creates little works of wearable art from stones found along the river's shore.

The best china in town can be found at this flagship store, designed by Philipp Bruni, which has a sleek, modern design that shines a contemporary light on the traditional side of historic porcelain products.

More than 2,000 cookbooks from every corner of the world are piled on every conceivable space in Bernadette Wörndl's shop. Exotic aromas linger in the air; Wörndl is skilled at creating superb dishes, which she serves herself at the counter. Spices are also for sale, and cooking classes are held regularly (call to arrange an English class).

Located in the Westbahnhof train station at one end of the busy Mariahilferstrasse shopping zone, BahnhofCity has about 80 shops selling clothing, electronics, shoes, sporting goods, and more. There's also a food court, plus a small grocery store that's open Sunday.

This gallery specializes in Viennese Jugendstil with furniture and accessories, but also has an impressive selection of paintings by Austrian artists and small collections of watches and silverware. There's a second location at Dorotheergasse 12, a 10-minute walk away.

Crafting made-to-order, handmade ceramics for his customers for 40 years, Herr Berger has now been joined in the business by his daughter Lisa. Here you might find a handcrafted ceramic stove made to measure for your Alpine chalet, or a decorative wall plate blooming with a hand-painted flowering gentian.

Haute couture and prêt-à-porter are by appointment only in Susanne Bisovsky's Neubau district studio. Email or phone ahead for an appointment.

Reproductions of old pewterware, using the original molds when possible, are among the items you'll find here, along with locally produced, hand-decorated beer mugs with pewter lids.

For one of the best selections of watches head to Bucherer's, a famous Swiss watch store, where the gold- and diamond-jewelry selections are also top-notch.

This could be the best-stocked bookstore in Vienna, with titles on everything under the sun. Thankfully, help is always at hand if you can't find that specific one you're looking for. The magazine and newspaper section is particularly impressive.

If you're looking for the kind of Mozartkugeln (chocolate marzipan confections) you can't buy at home, try the store that claims to have invented them in 1890. It still produces the candy by hand, according to the original (and secret) family recipe. When here—or at the café's of its three other locations around town—you can also stock up on the Bach Würfel (coffee, nut, and chocolate truffle) and other delicacies

Rooms of gorgeous Christmas-tree decorations, notably an abundance of hand-painted blown egg ornaments for all holidays, fill this charming year-round shop.

For sheer holiday delight, nothing tops the traditional Christmas markets, which features wooden and glass handicrafts, Christmas-tree decorations, candles, and Tyrolean toys and loden costumes. There are half a dozen different markets around Innsbruck and its environs, but the highlight is the one in the heart of the Old Town. Here, market stalls are set up around the giant, illuminated Christmas tree next to the Goldenes Dachl. The markets are open from mid-November until 6 January.

This is one of the Vienna's most historic and best sources for such accessories as scarves, gloves, and especially hats, from modern creations to traditional Austrian felt and feather hats.

This is the shop to buy Austrian wine, which has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, as well as wonderful schnapps and rum. You can try everything before you buy, and the talkative, friendly owner will be happy to advise.

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.

This small shop has a bold concept: absolutely everything at Die Werkbank is completely handcrafted. From contemporary furniture to jewelry and ceramics, something truly memorable will be discovered by any shopper who stops by to browse.

This is a favorite among elegant Salzburgers for Trachten, the traditional Austrian costume including lederhosen and dirndl (region-specific dresses with white blouse, printed skirts, and apron). You can also get high-quality field and hunting gear, and unique home decorations.