Vienna offers one of the world's best locations for shopping breaks - from designer stores to traditional shops.

A profusion of the arts is just one of the trademarks of the Austrian capital. There is also a strong sense of enjoyment and lifestyle. And, last but not least, a love of shopping - a Vienna experience that will not fail to delight.

You will find designer stores, shopping temples and trendy pubs and restaurants right next door to traditional shops where purveyors to the imperial court once served the emperor personally.

In the historic center

Kärntner Strasse, Graben and Kohlmarkt, in the heart of the historic center, are the classic streets to head to if you want to take a little piece of Vienna home with you. And there are thousands of opportunities to do so, with the vast choice including precious jewelry, quality Viennese glassware and porcelain, fashions of timeless Viennese elegance or international contemporary design, and famous, mouthwatering chocolate temptations.

An exquisite box might hold all kinds of treasures - a sparkling emerald ring from jewelers Haban, a pearl necklace from Heldwein, a diamond-studded star similar to the one that once glittered in Empress Sisi’s hair from Köchert, a Rolex watch from Hübner, an art nouveau brooch from Siedler, a futuristically styled piece of jewelry by Schullin, or an exquisite writing implement by S.T. Dupont or Caran D’Ache from Mayr & Fessler - all giving lasting pleasure in the esthetically beautiful.

Slightly larger mementoes that will do honor to any display cabinet include gossamer-thin glasses from Lobmeyr, exquisite porcelain from the Augarten manufactory, and elegant table and bed linen from Schwäbische Jungfrau. You will find cool steel and classic tableware at Ostovics; country-style loden fashions at Kettner, and precision hunting supplies and huntingwear at Springer. And design aficionados will find everything to make their own four walls even more homely in the recently opened Flamant store.

International luxury has also found its way to Vienna in recent years. Exquisite brands can be found at a wealth of stores such as Don Gil Donna, Cartier or Louis Vuitton. Dolce & Gabbana, Bulgari and Tiffany are yet further top brands that now also have their own outlets in Vienna. And Escada, Hermès, Gucci, Chanel, Akris and Ferragamo stock everything that is exclusive, exquisite and expensive.

A further highlight in the international designer scene is the recently opened multibrand store "No. 7" at Kohlmarkt, whose products include creations by Kenzo, Scherrer and Yikai. Incorporated in it is the "Shop im Shop", where Flavio Briatore sells his luxury label billionaire couture, satisfying the fashion wishes of male clientele with limitless budgets.

Knize am Graben is synonymous for class and style in menswear. The first impression you get as you cross the narrow threshold of this elegant store designed by Adolf Loos is understatement. You have no idea that when you ascend to the next storey, you will encounter a vast suite of rooms with creaking parquet floors, wall cupboards and display cabinets. Of course, you do not go to Knize for jackets off the rack. Served by courteous, obliging staff, this is a place where a man of the world is outfitted with made-to-order suits, tailor-made shirts, cashmere sweaters and the matching accessories.

In the old city even small, inconspicuous-looking shops can be treasure troves of tradition and original shopping ideas. Just one example is Kober toyshop, founded in 1868. Not so small but even older is Gunkel, Established in 1796, it is today an exclusive bed, bath and table linen shop.

Shopping mecca with culinary delights
"Shop until you drop" is not an expression you should associate with the imperial city of Vienna. Here you do not shop just as an end in itself, but to have fun and relax, stopping off for a coffee, glass of bubbly or piece of cake on the way.

One of the places to undertake such a relaxing shopping spree is the spacious Ringstrassen-Gallerien, designed by architect Wilhelm Holzbauer. Steffl department store on Kärntner Strasse, formerly a popular discount store, is now a shopper's paradise where you will find fashions, fragrances and accessories. At the very top of the store, the Skybar and the trendy Barbaro's restaurant afford a lovely view over the rooftops of the historic center and the store's namesake, "Steffl" (the Viennese nickname for St. Stephen's Cathedral).

Designer fashions from Prada to Robert Horn

One of the top addresses in Vienna for contemporary trends and labels is Boutique Sterngasse 4 with creations by Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, Alberta Ferretti et al. Avant-garde prêt-a-porter fashion can also be found at Firis, where the city's upper crust fill their wardrobes with creations by Kristensen du Nord, Tommaso Aquilano & Roberto Rimondi or Dries van Noten.

Lovers of elegant Italian handbags will be in their element when heading from the main portal of St. Stephen's Cathedral to St. Peter's Church. Furla in Goldschmiedgasse stocks exclusive handbags from Bologna. Shoes to go with them may be found at d'Ambrosio. And the woman who loves extravagance will find what she is looking for at Austrian designer's Michaela Mayer, who markets her collections under the Michel Mayer label. Interesting styles, unconventional materials and attention to detail are the hallmarks of this daring, non-everyday fashion.

Shoes by Ludwig Reiter have experienced triumphant successes around the world. Arnold Schwarzenegger wears them, as do Wall Street executives. They can be purchased in one of Vienna’s most beautiful stores at Mölkerstiege. Robert Horn, too, has become synonymous with top leather products. This internationally celebrated designer makes bags, rucksacks and wallets with a reverent bow to the timeless esthetics of Adolf Loos. His handsome pieces are manufactured domestically, and they are sold in a small store in Bräunerstrasse.

The creative team at Vienna Bag, Ursula Engelmann & Gabriel Hofstätter, have explored new channels with their creations made of high-tech materials. Hand-made shoppers, handbags and accessories demonstrate uncompromising modernity and quality.

In Weihburggasse, just a stone's throw from Kärntner Strasse, you can discover the amazing world of top designer Susanne Kitz, who masterfully experiments with materials, shapes and colors. Her bags, accessories and jewelry reflect a love for perfection and are an absolute must for the style-conscious woman.

Elegant antiques, exciting auctions

Traditions are there to be upheld, and Vienna honors this obligation gladly. In the side streets of Graben, you enter the realms of immortal beauty and antique elegance. In Dorotheergasse, Stallburggasse, Bräunerstrasse and Spiegelgasse, there is one upmarket store after the other, each offering gorgeous objects such as baroque cabinets, renaissance trunks and carpets, timepieces, paintings, lamps, china and antique jewelry.

An important address for music lovers is Musikhaus Doblinger, whose antiquarian section contains first editions of some of the works of the Strauss and Lanner families, as well as other Viennese classics. And Hölzl antique book shop offers magnificent folios and etchings from centuries past.

Dorotheum auction house is a world unto itself. Founded in 1707 as a pawnbroker's, this institution - where you could formerly turn grandmother's shabby Persian carpet into much-needed cash - has become one of the largest auction houses in the world. On the magnificently renovated floors of the mansion of the same name, you find the largest selection of jewelry, paintings, furniture, glass and china in Austria. Items can be acquired singly, at auctions and also over the Internet. Some of the highlights that come under the hammer include everyday objects from the former imperial household such as Sisi's lace handkerchief or imperial silver cutlery.

Young and dynamic shopping in Vienna
International fashion chains and designers in Vienna have in recent years been joined by a young and highly dynamic fashion scene. Taking a completely new approach, they impressively implement their ideas - courageous, unconventional, sometimes playful, often reduced to the extremes, with unusual materials, and always perfectly finished. Creations also meet with serious international approval, such as those by Petar Petrov & Co. or designer duo Wendy & Jim. A number of these young trend-setters sell their wares in their own stores - all found in top city locations.

Sandra Thaler and Annette Prechtl focus on themed collections for their Elfenkleid label, producing unpretentious and straightforward styles, which are highly charismatic. Creations by PiaMia, not far from Naschmarkt market, are eye-catchers thanks to their airiness, playfulness and fun details. The Austro-Persian duo Nina Kepplinger and Ali Rabbani market a label called Ninali. These fashions ingeniously combine streetwear with classical styles and clarity of form with glamorous details. la petite boutique is the name of the small yet exquisite shop by Sandra Gilles, who stocks not only entrancing lace lingerie and nightwear, but also Ginettes, fabric bags inspired by the classic shopping bag.

Yet there are also shops which are presentation and sales areas for several designers. A notable example is Combinat at MuseumsQuartier. Fashionistas encounter creations that depart from the usual trends and are sure to find what they are looking for with brands such as Pitour, meYoTa, Artista and km/a on offer. Artup at Bauernmarkt goes yet a step further and takes things beyond the fashion sector, also offering object design. A place for individualists and collectors.

Strolling around outdoor markets

As pleasurable as it is to wander around the stores, there is also plenty you can shop for outdoors in Vienna - particularly groceries. Almost every district has its own open-air market. The largest and most impressive is Naschmarkt near the Secession, a colorful multicultural market with specialties from all over the globe. Here, you find a vast array of fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, herbs and spices, as well as small eateries taking you on a culinary trip around the world - to India, China, Japan, Italy and Turkey. Every Saturday, a farmer's market at the edge of Naschmarkt is where you can purchase agricultural produce from farmers direct.

In recent years, the Brunnenmarkt, Karmelitermarkt and Rochusmarkt markets have done some serious catching up. They are smaller in area and very clearly arranged. They boast not only an incredible range of wares but also an exceptionally friendly atmosphere.

From Naschmarkt, it is only a stone's throw from the Saturday flea market where you can browse through valuable antiques, old books, records, bric-a-brac and curios. And in the run-up to Christmas, the Christmas Markets in front of Vienna's City Hall, on Maria-Theresien-Platz between the museums of fine arts and natural history, in the Spittelberg district, at Freyung, Uni-Campus, Karlsplatz and in front of Schönbrunn Palace, enchant young and old alike. Aromas of punch and gingerbread, the sound of chiming bells and Christmas carols, and even - so they say - the beating of a Christmas angel's wings are all there to be enjoyed. And you will find a host of great gift ideas as well as an enormous range of handicrafts to place under the Christmas tree for your loved ones.

The young Mariahilfer Strasse

Younger shoppers are drawn to Mariahilfer Strasse. This is where - long ago - one could cheer the emperor in his coach on his way from his summer residence Schönbrunn Palace to the Imperial Palace (Hofburg). Today, it is the "hippest" shopping thoroughfare in the city. Now that the U3 underground line is complete, the street boasts extra wide sidewalks, acacias, benches and pavement cafés, as well as enough space for youngsters and teens to shop around for the requisite rave, clubbing and party garb in bright and noisy stores such as Turek, H&M, Jones, Mango and New Yorker. Orsay and Gaggl, Foot Locker, C&A, Diesel, Promod, Bernhart and Europe's largest Benetton (besides Milan) are out to top each other, with the sonic background provided by Libro.

The article The joy of shopping in Vienna originally appeared on 999 Today