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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.
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.
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 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 small shop might be hard to find (look for the Tissot sign), but once you do, you'll find a large watch selection. Reingold also specializes in jewelry design, especially pearls and diamonds.
This established Vienna jeweler has been creating a range of jewelry, watches, silverware, and gifts since 1902. Now run by the fourth generation of the Heldwein family, the shop sells not only its own designs, but those from the likes of Carrera y Carrera, Georg Jensen, and more.
In Vienna's prestigious "Golden Quarter," this Italian fine jewelry store offers a unique collection of precious stones and silver.
Ireland has its Waterford, France its Baccarat, and Austria has Swarovski, purveyors of some of the finest cut crystal in the world. You'll find your typical collector items and gifts here, but also high-style fashion accessories (Paris couturiers now festoon their gowns with Swarovski crystals the way they used to with ostrich feathers), crystal figurines, and home accessories. This flagship store is a cave of coruscating crystals that gleam and glitter. Breathtakingly beautiful window displays change monthly.
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