We spent two full days wandering around Vienna and trust me, we wished we had more time. The numerous little shops, the dozens of places to indulge in the traditional Viennese pastries, numerous museums and more caught our attention throughout our trip.
While we were there we also managed to sneak in a bit of shopping. Our new neighbor had told us that she wanted some rum. Mind you, she’s been here quite often and had a pretty good idea of what souvenirs from Vienna we should bring back.
Our long walks back home in Groningen were always filled with tales of her travels here and it really prepared us for our visit which was so different from just watching videos online and reading through articles.
Mind you, even without the initial preparation, you will find that Vienna is a pretty compact town. Not small mind you, compact. This means that you can easily travel its length and breadth on foot. Just make sure you wear comfy shoes. If you don’t want to walk a lot, you will find that the public transport system is pretty easy to use.
The city center is packed with different shops. Each one is unique in their own way and each one provides an opportunity to shop for some authentic souvenirs from Vienna. I must say that I spent a lot of time browsing here and I particularly got lost in the Christmas sections. That being said, whether its winter or summer in Vienna, you will always find great places to do souvenir shopping.
Anyway, since I’m getting a bit of the topic, let’s start talking about all the amazing souvenirs from Vienna that you can buy and take back home.
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Table of Contents
Souvenirs From Vienna: Decorative Items
1. Magnets
Magnets are and have always been one of the failsafe when buying gifts. I thought about it a lot before adding it to the list because it does seem so very obvious. I however know a lot of people who collect a magnet from every place that they travel to. Heck, I have a friend who asks me to get her magnets from every place that I have traveled to.
Magnets are popular souvenirs from Vienna because they are cheap(ish), small, portable and extremely cute. You will find that there are tons of shops in the city center that sell magnets in all different sizes and shapes. From city maps to shapes of landmarks, you will have a variety to choose from.
2. Swarovski Crystal
I absolutely adore Swarovski crystals. I’ll be upfront and honest though. It’s not something that I would wear. They are just so so pretty to look at. Many people have told me that they make great souvenirs from Vienna because the company was actually founded in Austria.
And yes! I think that they look so pretty as décor. But with two hyperactive toddlers running around I think I will be picking up Swarovski dust.
That being said, if you are a person who loves to collect dainty things, then know that Swarovski is one of the best items on this list of souvenirs from Vienna for you. Generally speaking you won’t find that they are cheaper here. Unless of course they have a sale of the older designs running. Then you could get lucky. Plus you can also get some Swarovski jewelry if that’s your thing.
Now if you are by any chance worried about it breaking then you can also buy your Swarovski Crystal online which means that you can always pick from the newer designs or check out the online sales.
3. Snow Globes
I’ve never been a fan of collecting snow globes but largely because they are pretty unwieldy to carry when I’m on a long trip. My girls on the other hand love shaking them and watching the snow cascade down which is why I’m a little upset that I missed the opportunity to pick up one from Vienna.
What makes snow globes in Vienna so different you may ask? Well if I’m going to buy a snow globe, it may as well be from the place that it was invented in. Yes! Snow globes were invented in Vienna which is what makes this particular souvenir fromVienna so special.
There are loads of different types of snow globes that are available in the city. Some are after the landmarks, others have prominent figures and some more creative versions exist. Finding one isn’t really hard.
4. Antiques
You will find that there are lots of antique shops all over the city. It should not therefore come as a surprise that some of the most sought after souvenirs in Vienna are antiques. Now the antiques come in all shapes and sizes. You could get a small ceramic piece or a huge grandfather clock.
The good stores will also give you a certificate of authenticity which is very important should you want to resell the item.
Make sure you also ask them to pack up your antique so that you know it is safe to transport it. Remember that these pieces are old and very delicate so its always a handle with care kinda situation.
5. Postcards
My kids have developed this obsession with postcards and while I really haven’t paid much attention to them, I have begun to realize that they make great souvenirs. One of the best things to do is write out a short message and send it back to yourself. Just take a pic in advance because it sometimes gets lost in post.
We’ve sent a lot of postcards to Goa because the kids love sending them to family. So far I think only one did not make it which is pretty good considering the number that have gone across. It also means that you have souvenirs from Vienna that reach people that you aren’t likely to meet anytime soon.
6. Beer Stein
I’ve talked about beer steins when I as talking about souvenirs from Germany and those from the Netherlands. The steins are also popular in Austria. What makes the beer steins different in each country is the patterns that are used to decorate them.
For those of you who don’t know what beer steins are, check the picture above. These huge mugs were traditionally used to serve beer. I haven’t seen anyone drinking from a beer stein so I take it that they are purely decorative nowadays.
7. Decorative Lamps
Many of the shops were full of these cute little decorative lamps. I’ve seen two types of these. One where you can light a candle inside it and one with a bulb and a switch. Both cast a pretty mesmerizing pattern when lit and are extremely cool.
Now while many people prefer these colorful lamps, I prefer the ones that are white and simple. They cast a beautiful shadows.
8. Christmas Decorations
You know how Vienna is known for its Christmas markets right? Well shopping for Christmas decorations as souvenirs from Vienna is one of the cool things to do. These markets usually open up in November so its way before the actual Christmas season. That’s why its one of the best vacations if you are taking a vacation during the Thanksgiving season. Yes! I’m looking at all the people who are headed here from the US.
But if by chance you don’t get to Vienna during the right season, don’t worry. You can buy some of these epic souvenirs from the souvenir shops in the city or in one of the Christmas shops that are open all year round. They are beautiful mementos of your trip. You will find Christmas decorations is also a great option if you are buying souvenirs for someone else too!
Souvenirs From Vienna: Food
9. Sacher Torte
Sacher Torte is the holy grail of Vienna. This cake is something that you would have tried in other parts of the world. Heck… I’ve had it in Goa which is where I first remember it from. The cake was actually invented in Vienna and trust me when I say this, there is no better Sacher Torte than the ones that you will get here.
So if you want to take some back with you, by all means do. Just know that it may not last for a very long journey and that you really should check the customs rules if you are flying across country borders outside the EU.
Some of the best Sacher Torte that we had was at Café Sacher. The lines here are insane and if you want a seat, try and head here early in the morning when they just open.
10. Coffee
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As much as Vienna is known for its pastries, it is also known for its coffee. In fact, the coffee culture is alive and active in town. Almost every turn will have a cafe and once you have secured yourself a spot within, you will find that no one will hurry you when it comes to finishing your cuppa.
Now while you definitely can’t take the cafes back home, you certainly can take the coffee. There are a number of very good brands of coffee that you can buy. Julius Meinl is one of the most popular ones. You will find the shop in the 1st District. So it is easily accessible when you are wandering around the city.
“Great taste and great for espresso. Dark and bold without being too bitter.”
A. Polsky (read more reviews now!)
The only issue is that coffee that is brought back from Vienna quickly disappears and you always regret not having bought extra. Luckily brands like Julius Meinl ship it all over the world. And yes! You can also order it on Amazon.
11. Mozartkugel
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Honestly when I saw this advertised all over the street I kept wondering whether I was a gimmick. My curiosity was piqued after about half an hour of wandering the main city and I resorted to the all knowing Google. The Mozartkugel is a mix of pistachio, nougat, marzipan and chocolate and while it was originally made in Salzburg, you will find that it is sold in the stores in Vienna as well.
If you still haven’t placed what I’m talking about just close your eyes and think of little chocolate nuggets with layers of white and green inside them. I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about.
We gave them a try and while I’m not the biggest fan, the kids really loved them so obviously this became one of the edible souvenirs from Vienna that we brought home. Well… It never really reached home because they got devoured over the course of our trip.
This is why I particularly like how the world functions nowadays. We actually managed to order Mozartkugels online! So now I can replenish my stock whenever I want.
12. Heindl Chocolate
One of the best places to catch some pralines is in the Heindl Chocolate shop. Here you will find an assortment of different types and flavors. It is really hard to choose and boy were we stuck there for a while. Finally we bought an assortment of the loose flavors so that we could taste different ones and a whole box of liquor filled pralines to take home.
An interesting note about the liquor filled pralines is that they have a sugary layer inside. This was very different from the other pralines I’ve tasted elsewhere because they give you a kind of a crunch. I’m still not sure whether I like it or not. I can say this, the Heindl chocolates make excellent souvenirs from Vienna whether it is for yourself or for someone else.
Note: In the summer months, the pralines could melt so make sure to keep them in a cool place after buying them.
13. Manner Wafers
The Manner wafers are super popular in Vienna and you will find them in just about any grocery store. Light, crisp and filled with different flavors, these wafers are the perfect snack if you want something on the go and are perfect for kids.
You will also find them served alongside a hot beverage like a cup of tea or coffee. I think that they make excellent souvenirs from Vienna because they are nice packed so they don’t crush easily, are light so they don’t increase your luggage weight too much and come packed in small cute packs. They aren’t very expensive either.
Oh and did you know that they come in so many different flavors. Original, hazelnut and dark chocolate are my favorites!
14. Cheese
Did you know that Vienna has this amazing selection of cheese that you can taste and buy. Vienna is literally paradise where this particular dairy delicacy is concerned. You’ll find that there are loads of small shops and big ones that sell different varieties of cheese.
When you buy cheese make sure that the cheese is sealed. Many of them come with a nice wrap and are perfectly sealed. If you still want a slab from the local vendors, you know the traditional way. Well just ask them to seal it. They have a machine in the back which will do just that. So you can buy cheese that you’ve tasted and in smaller quantities.
I made the mistake of not doing this during my first trip to Europe and the heat literally melted the cheese in my bag. Ugh! It was horrible. Don’t be me! This was when I was getting my Dutch souvenirs mind you. It had nothing to do with Vienna but it is still something that you should keep in mind.
Despite this unfortunate event, I will still say that that cheese is one of the best souvenirs from Vienna.
15. Sausage
The Viennese sausage is known the world over. Traditionally speaking, the sausage was made up of pork or beef. This was then stuffed into a casing made of sheep’s intestine. My kids absolutely loved it.
If you haven’t placed it yet, you will find these sausages stuffed in the bread. These are called the Käsekrainer hot dogs, which remind me of the bratwurst from Germany. The kids just called them hotdogs and had them slathered in ketchup and mustard.
You can easily get these sausages packed and take them home to eat. I would however advise you to check the seals properly before packing them and check the custom rules if you are flying or crossing borders.
While they are popular souvenirs from Vienna, I find that they are tedious to pack and carry so I usually never buy them to take back home. We do however take them to our accommodations where we can fry them up for breakfast.
Viennese sausages with bread are also one of the cheapest and most wholesome meals you can get in the city. I love mine with a bit of sauerkraut on the side.
16. Chocolate Truffles
Vienna is famous for artisanal chocolates and there are so many places that you can buy chocolate truffles at. The best part about the truffles is that there are so many different flavors. In fact, the artisans are known for mixing up
Let me take you back to the day in Vienna, where my family and I found ourselves wandering the charming streets, surrounded by the irresistible aroma of chocolate. As we stumbled upon numerous amazing shops that sold these delectable truffles, my kids couldn’t resist their allure. Who could blame them?
So, we did what any self-respecting chocolate lovers would do – we bought a bunch and indulged along the way. After all, who says chocolate and sausage bread can’t make a delightful meal? The kids were over the moon, and I must admit, so was I.
Souvenirs From Vienna: Alcohol
17. Wine
Austrian wine is famous but you could be forgiven if you thought that shopping for wine in Vienna is not a great idea. After all, Vienna is a city. There are however some really good vineyards near the city which produce some amazing wine. So checking out the local wine stores is always a great idea.
Even if you don’t buy the wine from the local vineyards in Vienna, you can also buy some of the other wines from the other Austrian regions. Finding a wine store is easy enough. Narrowing down on one is however harder than you think. My advice is to ask for help. There is usually always someone who will guide you so that you match your taste and likes with a wine for the region.
18. Stroh Rum
This was the very same rum that our neighbor asked us to get her as a souvenir from Vienna. Now when she said it first, I just heard rum. Luckily I asked her to type it out in a message. There are various variants of this available in the markets and it is easily available in any of the large supermarkets that sell alcohol.
What’s special about Stroh Rum. Well it has a pretty distinct taste and is used as an aperitif. Some of the versions of this rum contain as much as 80 percent alcohol. I had to blink twice to make sure that I read that right.
Obviously we bought her one and bought ourselves one too. My Christmas cake is really going to be boozy this year.
Souvenirs From Vienna: Clothes
19. Warm Gloves
I don’t know if it was because we were traveling through the city in autumn but on of the cool souvenirs from Vienna that we found were these soft woolen gloves. They had a lovely soft lining. The gloves come in all sizes so yes you can get them in kids sizes.
These gloves also come in different qualities. You could buy them for as cheap as 9 euros and love them or you could go to one of the designer shops to buy a pair. Mind you these come in all different types from merino wool to leather so you can take your pick!
20. Mozart Themed Souvenirs
You will find that almost every souvenir shop has loads of Mozart themed souvenirs on display. From spectacle cases to tiny little purses, chocolates, magnets and more. This is because Mozart actually stayed in Vienna. This is where he worked as an independent musician. In fact, he even gave piano lessons in the city. That’s why these themed souvenirs are one of the things that really sell with the tourists.
Wow! Okay so that was one long post and I’ve tried to include as many souvenirs from Vienna that I came across while we were there. Are there any other souvenirs from Vienna that you think should be a part of this list? Let us know in the comments below!