Well, you can always go for a postcard, t-shirt or a plastic replica of Vienna’s giant ferris wheel. After all, what home is truly complete without a miniature giant ferris wheel on the mantelpiece?
- Book a concert experience* in Vienna for the coming days (or later)
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What to take home
If you want something a little more edible or artistic than the usual holiday purchases, here are some top ideas for souvenirs and gifts from Vienna.
The cheapest costs no more than a Euro or two, the most expensive a four-figure sum.
1. Sachertorte
Photo © Sacher Hotels
This is the big one. Mr Sacher “invented” the famous Sachertorte chocolate cake in Vienna in 1832. His family later founded the equally-famous hotel opposite the State Opera House.
Apart from being a true Viennese specialty, the “original” cakes from Sacher come in various sizes and beautiful wrapping (see photo). The Demel Konditorei also does a lovely boxed version of their own interpretation of the cake.
Vienna’s not short of good-looking cakes in appropriate packaging. Another gift option, for example, is the Imperial Torte. And see entry no.9 below, too.
Where to find one: the Sacher Hotel’s cake store (Kärntner Straße 38) or online.
2. Mozartkugel
America has its eagle, Britain its bulldog, and Austria its Mozartkugel balls.
The “Mozart ball” is a mix of pistachio, marzipan, nougat and chocolate. It traces its origins back to the 1890 recipe of a confectioner in Salzburg.
Various companies now produce Mozartkugel products, and the variety of pack sizes, shaped boxes and alternatives (such as bars or coins) lets you choose just the right amount to spend as a gift.
Where to find them: Don’t wait to buy these at the airport or in souvenir shops: most supermarkets stock Mozartkugel in presentable packaging for much less.
3. Manner Schnitten
(A common sight in Vienna)
These tasty Neapolitan hazelnut wafers make tiny little thank-you gifts when you’re back home: they’re inexpensive, yet typically Viennese.
Manner Schnitten first appeared in 1898, and their distinctive pink packaging pokes out of lunch packs and snack boxes across the city.
The Stephansdom logo emphasises the local origins: Manner’s founder opened his first shop in the shadow of that cathedral, and the Manner company still has its headquarters and a factory here in Vienna.
Where to find them: any decent supermarket or at Manner flagship stores (for example, at Stephansplatz 7 next to the cathedral).
4. Mini pralines
(Gorgeous pralines, lovely packaging)
If you eat with your eyes, then a feast awaits.
Altmann & Kühne is a small, traditional confectioner making its own chocolate and pralines. Nothing unusual so far for a city like Vienna, but what makes their products particularly great for souvenirs and gifts is the gorgeous packaging.
Miniature chests, books, drawers, hat boxes and similar actually turn out to be chocolate boxes.
I’ve seen the look of delighted surprise on someone’s face when they pull open a dresser draw to reveal the mini pralines within. This all comes at a price, mind you: the boxes are not cheap.
Where to find them: the confectioner’s own premises in the centre (Am Graben 30) or online.
5. Viennese wine
(A fine white from the city’s own winery)
Yeah, right. Wine. From a city. LOL (as the kids no longer say).
No, really.
Outlying slopes produce a surprising amount of (quality) wine, and the city’s wine-growing history dates back to around 750BC.
The municipal authorities even own one of the biggest and best vineyards: Weingut Cobenzl. At the 2021 Vienna Wine Awards, for example, Cobenzl took home first prize in three categories (with another first prize claimed at both the 2022 and 2023 awards).
Where to find a bottle: specialist wine stores and bigger supermarkets. Look, for example, for the WienWein brand, which features wines from several leading Viennese vineyards.
6. Staud’s preserves
(Inside the Staud’s pavillon; press photo courtesy of and © STAUD’S WIEN)
Staud’s is another traditional Viennese company, with its roots in the main market of Vienna’s working-class 16th district. It’s known for its jams, pickles and compotes (and classic-looking jars).
If chocolate’s not your thing, the miniature Staud’s jam jars with art motifs on the lids (they come in packs of three) make lovely little souvenirs or gifts.
Where to find them: the main Staud’s shop is in the 16th district at the Brunnenmarkt market (Schellhammergasse). You should come across the products in other stores and museum shops, too.
7. Augarten porcelain
(This way for porcelain)
1718. That’s when the Viennese Porcelain Manufactory began a long history of production that included “nationalisation” (by Empress Maria Theresia in 1744), closure (1864), and reopening with a name change (1923).
Famous for its vases and tableware, Augarten also produce figurines and other porcelain items, all stamped with the blue-striped shield as a sign of authenticity.
Where to find it: the flagship store in the centre (Spiegelgasse 3) or at the Porcelain Museum (Obere Augartenstraße 1 in the 2nd district).
8. A snow globe
Not, you might think, the most original of souvenirs. But did you know the snow globe was actually invented in Vienna?
You can still buy them direct from the original manufacturers. They feature a variety of Viennese landmarks and personalities, like Stephansdom, the Ferris wheel and Empress Elisabeth, but also more general motifs.
Where to find them: the factory shop is in the 17th district (Schumanngasse 87). The company usually has stands at the major Christmas markets, too.
9. Lobmeyr glassware
(The lovely shop entrance)
A glass is more than just a drinking vessel. At least when you look at the history of J. & L. Lobmeyr, Viennese glassmakers since 1823 and former suppliers to the Emperor.
Still family-run, the company is particularly famous for its drinkware, chandeliers and lamps, but also for its historical influence on design and even engineering (in 1883, they produced the first electric chandelier). Clients have ranged from Mao Tse-tung to the Maharajah of Baroda.
Where to find it: the flagship Lobmeyr store is also in the centre (Kärntnerstrasse 26).
10. FREYWILLE jewellery
Founded as recently as 1951 (shock!), Freywille is a relatively new addition to the Viennese landscape. The success of their handmade jewellery – particularly the bracelets – stems from the colourful, artistic designs and special enameling technique.
Where to find it: the two main stores in the centre are at Stephansplatz 5 (behind the cathedral) and at Lobkowitzplatz 1 (opposite the Albertina Museum. You can also buy online.
11. In the Konditorei
(Florentiner biscuits from L. Heiner)
Yeah, this list goes up to 11.
Pop into any Konditorei (café-confectionery). Alongside a display counter full of fresh cakes, you should discover beautifully-packaged boxes of chocolates and similar, unique to that location or group of confectioners. Look, for example, for:
- Demel (Kohlmarkt 14): like stepping into an upmarket Regency store where each product seems like a little work of art in its own right. As mentioned earlier, they have their own boxed Sachertorte, too
- Konditorei Oberlaa and L. Heiner both have shops dotted across the city. And both produce lovely little wrapped delights to take away with you
- And not a Konditorei as such, but the Haas & Haas tea house and shop (Stephansplatz 4) does a similar trade in uniquely-packaged gifts that might go well with a cup of tea
Bonus tips
- If you wish to immerse yourself in the Viennese shopping experience, this is where to find all the right stores and locations
- Check the Wien Products website for a group of businesses whose products have a “unique flair and very special Viennese aesthetic” – plenty of good ideas there, too
- Finally, if you’re here during the Christmas, Easter or New Year markets, you’ll find more artistic, original and handmade gifts than you can shake a Santa at
- All the museums have their in-house shops, of course, with souvenirs related to the exhibits and topics covered. Three locations that have stuck with me after visits:
- The little souvenirs in the Dom Museum, styled with the iconic roof pattern of Stephansdom cathedral
- The Naturhistorisches Museum shop with its minerals and prehistoric relics
- The mumok shop, whose products are a little more classy and inventive than the norm
Happy shopping…