Who doesn’t love a good bout of retail therapy? Exactly! And the best place for a larger-scale shopping spree, inarguably, is a shopping mall with all major retailers under one roof, a tasty selection of eateries to revive flagging spirits, and -oftentimes- a cinema attached for some after-shopping entertainment.
Fortunately, Vienna has quite the selection of shopping centres to choose from, so that there’s little doubt that you’ll find your personal shopping paradies right near to where you work, live or study.
And here’s our run-down of Vienna’s best (and most popular) malls:
Auhofcenter
With more than 140 shops spread over roughly 48.000 m² the shopping mall in the west of Vienna is a hotspot for locals. Here you can find all the shops you’d expect (everything from Bijou Brigitte to Zara and from Billa to Tschibo), a nice selection of eateries and cafés (we are particularly partial to the Konditorei Groissböck, who sell the best Krapfen ever!), as well as a cinema, a bowling alley, and even a dancing school!
Where: Albert-Schweitzer-Gasse 6, 1140 Vienna
Opening hours: Shops: Mon – Fri: 9 am – 8 pm; Sat: 9 am – 6 pm; Sun & holidays: closed; Gastronomy & Entertainment: Mon – Fri: 9 am – 8 pm; Sat: 9 am – 10 pm; Sun & holidays: 9 am – 10 pm
Web: Auhofcenter
BahnhofCity Hauptbahnhof
The Vienna Central Station, the Hauptbahnhof, has been in operation since 2014 and therefore houses one of the youngest shopping centres. The BahnhofCity boasts some 90 different shops that sell everything from a quick snack to consumer electronics and from books to bras. It might seem odd to go on a shopping spree in a railway station, but if you do not live in the vicinity it, at the very least, is a great place to stock up on essentials outside regular opening hours. And the fact that the Interspar Pronto sells all things groceries until 11pm even on a Sunday doesn’t hurt either.
Where: Am Hauptbahnhof 1, 1100 Vienna
Opening hours: Shops: Mon – Fri: 9 am – 9 pm; Sat: 9 am – 6 pm; Sun & holidays: closed; exception: Interspar Pronto: Mon – Sun: 6 am – 11 pm; Gastronomy and Shops for Travel Needs: Mon – Sun: 9 am – 9 pm; Foodcourt: Mon – Sun: 9 am – 11 pm
Web: BahnhofCity Hauptbahnhof
BahnhofCity Wien West
Another BahnhofCity (which was the first one in Vienna), and another place where you can basically get everything and anything from Lego bricks to a baby carrier. And since the Westbahnhof lies directly at the Mariahilfer Straße, Vienna’s biggest shopping street, you can rest assured that you will find whatever you’ve set out to shop – even if it’s not directly available in the mall itself. And should you somehow manage to drop by outside the extended opening hours and find yourself in dire need of some food or other items of daily use, there’s the legendary U3 Shop located in the bowels of the station, right between the escalators to and from both U3 and U6, that is open 365 day a year until at least 1 in the morning.
Where: Europaplatz 1-3, 1150 Vienna
Opening hours: Shops: Mon – Fri: 9 am – 9 pm; Sat: 9 am – 6 pm; Sun & holidays: closed; Gastronomy and Shops for Travel Needs: Mon – Sun: 9 am – 9 pm; Foodcourt: Mon – Sun: 9 am – 11 pm
Web: BahnhofCity Wien West
Donauzentrum
The Donauzentrum in Kagran (that’s over the Danube, for all who are not completely on top of their districts yet) is Vienna’s largest and most frequented shopping mall and houses more than 260 stores on roughly 130.000 m² (and that’s without the cinema complex taken into consideration!). Why the Viennese flock to this mall in particular is easy to explain: at the Donauzentrum you can find some brands you don’t have anywhere else in Vienna. Here you can, for example, try on the perfect beach wear at Hollister, find the perfect lipstick at KIKO, before buying the perfect blend of tea at the russian-french teahouse KUSMI Tea.
Where: Wagramer Straße 94, 1220 Vienna
Opening hours: Shops: Mon – Fri: 9 am – 8 pm; Sat: 9 am – 6 pm; Sun & holidays: closed; Gastronomy & Entertainment: Sun – Wed: 11 am – 12 am; Thu – Sat: 11 am – 1:30 am; day before holiday: 11 am – 1:30 am
Web: Donauzentrum
G3
We admit that the G3 isn’t really a Viennese shopping mall, seeing as it is located in Gerasdorf, but as there’s a free shuttle bus running from the U6 station Floridsdorf, we figure we might as well include it. What’s so great about the G3 is the fact that everything (well, except for the electronics store Saturn) is located on the ground floor and therefore easily accessible for families with strollers and folks in wheelchairs. With 130 shops, the G3 offers a lot of brand diversity interspersed with some real fine eateries. The mall calls itself “shopping resort” and it kind of is – somehow shopping seems to be a bit more relaxed once you find yourself surrounded by open fields.
Where: G3 Platz 1, 2201 Gerasdorf
Opening hours: Shops: Mon – Wed: 9:30 am – 7 pm; Thu & Fri: 9:30 am – 8 pm; Sat: 9 am – 6 pm; Sun & holidays: closed
Web: G3
Gerngross
Most people probably would not think that there’s a shopping mall right in the middle of Vienna’s biggest and busiest shopping street, the Mariahilfer Straße. And yet, there is – kind of. The Gerngross with its 7 storeys offers a lot more vertical than horizontal space, and it also only fits around 30 stores including eateries and supermarket. But what you get inside is (often) on the more exclusive end of the shopping spectrum – here you can buy sparkly Swarovski jewellery and sturdy Samsonite luggage as well as high quality Kiehl’s cosmetics and unique goods and products from the ever-changing pop-up stores dotting the ground floor.
Where: Mariahilfer Straße 42-48, 1070 Vienna
Opening hours: Shops: Mon – Wed: 9:30 am – 7 pm; Thu & Fri: 9:30 am – 8 pm; Sat: 9:30 am – 6 pm; Sun & holidays: closed; Gastronomy: may differ slightly
Web: Gerngross
Lugner City
Known to a wide audience thanks to the annual reveal of Mister Lugner’s guest for the Opera Ball happening in the in-house cinema, the Lugner City oscillates between trash and trend, depending on whom you talk to. Basically, you can find any of the big shops and eateries you’d imagine to be located in a mall (everything from H&M to Subway and back again), and then some. A special delight (maybe?! – it’s definitely unique, no matter how you look at it) is the big plaza in the middle where everything from Bodybuilding contests to signing sessions and Christmas markets take place. And always remember: when shopping at the Lugner City there’s always the distinct possibility of Mister Lugner himself randomly straightening a stack of shirts next to where you’re browsing or handing you a hot dog at Mörtels Würstelstand. It’s an experience – if nothing else.
Where: Gablenzgasse 11, 1150 Vienna
Opening hours: Shops: Mon – Fri: 9 am – 9 pm; Sat: 9 am – 6 pm; Sun & holidays: closed Gastronomy & Entertainment: Mon – Thu: 9 am – 12 am; Fri & Sat: 9 am – 2 am; Sun: 10 am – 12 am
Web: Lugner City
Millennium City
Shopping in Vienna’s second highest building? Yes, it’s possible – kind of. While it is true that the Millennium Tower is one of the tallest office (and hotel) spaces in the city, the shops are located in the Millennium City that spreads out in two storeys at the base of the tower. With around 50 shops the possibilities for an extended shopping spree seem limited, but what the Millennium City lacks in quantity, it makes up in quality. And a really rich cafés, eateries and bars selection, as well as entertainment, cinema and fitness. In one single afternoon you can, for example, buy a nice suit at Dressman, get your nose pierced and your bum tattooed, have some Tauber Brötchen as a pick-me-up, buy some protein supplements, grab a coffee, catch the latest blockbuster, have a great dinner with cocktails, go and sing karaoke and face off at the bowling alley before ending the day with a sweaty weight session in the gym.
Where: Handelskai 94-96, 1200 Vienna
Opening hours: Shops: Mon – Fri: 9 am – 8 pm; Sat: 9 am – 6 pm; Sun & holidays: closed; Gastronomy & Entertainment: Mon – Wed: 10 am – 12 am; Thu – Sat: 10 am – 2 am; Sun & holidays: 10 am – 12 am
Web: Millennium City
Ringstraßen Galerien
Not really a classic shopping mall and most definitely not the place to go if you want to buy a lot for little money, the Ringstraßen Galerien is a lovely upscale venue located in the heart of the city right next to the State Opera. But if you’re in the market for a bespoke suit from an exclusive gentlemen’s outfitter, the latest Italian children’s fashion, the famous Alexandré hair brushes, or exquisite delicacies, the 50 boutiques located here are the perfect spot to shop in absolute comfort. And for all who just want to see what the fuss is all about and enjoy some really fine foods and drinks, the annual Christmas market is a great place to start.
Where: Kärntner Ring 5-7, 1010 Vienna
Opening hours: Shops: Mon – Fri: 10 am – 7 pm; Sat: 10 am – 6 pm; Sun & holidays: closed Gastronomy: Mon – Sun: 8 am – 12 am
Web: Ringstraßen Galerien
SCS
The SCS, the Shopping City Süd, is another mall that doesn’t exactly count as a Viennese shopping centre, but is so iconic and much-frequented that it basically is one of “ours”. Located slightly outside the city in Vösendorf, but easily reachable by public transport via the lovely Badner Bahn, the SCS with its more than 330 shops spread over 192.500 m² is Austria’s by far biggest shopping venue. It also ranks amongst one of the largest in the whole of Europe. And why should you go there? Because here, and only here, you can shop literally everything. If you need pots and pans or a bed, IKEA has got you covered. You’re on the lookout for the sweets and snacks you enjoyed on your last trip to NYC? AmeriCandy is your place to be. Looking for a present for the nerd in your life, Elbenwald is your best bet. You urgently need a belt? Gürtelbox is there for you. You feel like your jacket won’t survive the next alpine summit you plan for the winter? The Mammut store has you covered – literally. And, as you can imagine by now – the list goes on and on. As a rule of thumb: If you can buy it, the SCS has got it. Somewhere. You just have to find it.
Where: Vösendorfer Südring, 2334 Vösendorf
Opening hours: Shops: Mon – Wed & Fri: 9:30 am – 7 pm; Thu: 9:30 am – 9 pm; Sat: 9 am – 6 pm; Sun & holidays: closed Gastronomy & Entertainment: Mon – Sun: 11 am – 10 pm
Web: Shopping City Süd
Stadion Center
Located right next to the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, the Stadion Center is the first address when it comes to enjoying an extensive shopping experience without the masses of people many other malls see. Somehow, the Stadion Center remains a calm space, even in the midst of the seasonal Christmas shopping craze. And before you ask – those surprising circumstances are most definitely not down to a lack of shops or variety. The roughly 60 stores and eateries cover everything you might need or want and the Stadion Center offers a great all-weather fleamarket for extended shopping fun on Sun- and holidays.
Where: Olympiaplatz 2, 1020 Vienna
Opening hours: Shops & Gastronomy: Mon – Wed: 9 am – 7 pm; Thu & Fri: 9 am – 8 pm; Sat: 9 am – 6 pm; Sun & holidays: closed
Web: Stadion Center
Wien Mitte – The Mall
The Mall is another great shopping centre located in and around a railway station, in this case the Bahnhof Wien Mitte. Roughly 50 shops share a floor space of 30.000 m² and cover everything from your travel needs to the latest fashion and shoe trends. And if you’re in the mood for a good book or need some fresh fruit or a roll of toilet paper on a Sunday afternoon, both the Interspar Pronto and the Thalia bookstore have got you covered even outside normal opening hours.
Where: Landstraßer Hauptstraße 1b, 1030 Vienna
Opening hours: Shops: Mon – Wed: 9 am – 8 pm; Thu & Fri: 9 am – 9 pm; Sat: 9 am – 6 pm; Sun & holidays: closed; exception: Interspar Pronto: daily: 6am – 11 pm; Gastronomy & Entertainment: Mon – Wed: 9 am – 11 pm; Thu – Sat: 9 am – 12 am; Sun & holidays: 9 am – 10 pm
Web: Wien Mitte – The Mall
