Shopping in Austria
 Where? When? How? Here you get to know everything on the shopping malls within the town.
Shopping hours:
Legally permitted opening hours for stores: Monday to Friday 5:00 a.m to 21:00 p.m, Saturday to 18:00 p.m.
The actual opening hours for stores may vary, usually from 09.00 a.m – 18.00 p.m (Grocery stores from 08.00 a.m), Saturdays to 13.00 or 17.00 p.m
Exceptional regulations with longer opening hours exist in tourist areas; shops at railway stations and at airports are open during the travel timeschedules (in part until 23:00 p.m).
Tobacco merchandise
is available at tobacconists' shops (Tabaktrafiken) at original prices, and at hotels, restaurants, coffee houses and inns with a surcharge.
Souvenirs:
Craftmanship is a popular souvenir – i.e. ceramic, woodcarving, artistic iron welding – traditional dress, Augarten-Porcellan, enamel jewelry and glass creations.
Refund of Value-Added Tax (VAT):
Foreign tourists with residence outside the EU may obtain a refund on the VAT they pay on single purchases totalling over € 75.-, by completing certain customs formalities when taking the goods out of the country. The relevant form is issued directly at the store, and the goods must be taken out of the country within 3 months and must receive a stamp from the EU border customs office as confirmation.
The VAT refund voucher, with which you receive a tax refund upon leaving the EU internal market is available at all stores displaying the signs “Global Refund TAX FREE SHOPPING” and “Premier TAX FREE”.
Attention: For tourists with residence within the European Union obtaining refunds on VAT is unfortunately no longer possible!
Nightlife in Austria
Flirting, partying, wining and dining, enjoying music – simply having fun. In Austria you will find many reasons not to go to sleep - life after sunset fulfills almost every wish. Visit one of the many festivals, enjoy an evening  at the opera, a theatre performance or a concert, and afterwards a refined dinner. A visit to the disco or a club – the perfect end to an evening out on the town.
The centre of activities are of course the cities with their numerous coffee houses, “Beisl” (pubs), bars and in-scene meeting points. A synonym for the latter is usually the term “Bermuda-Triangle” – where quite a few revellers have mysteriously disappeared. In the summer they are a single huge ‘Schanigarten’ (outdoor pubs). But in smaller spots in the countryside there is a bustle of activity, too - especially the discos and bars all round Austria’s lakes. The trend decides which place is ‘happening’ at the moment.
In Vienna, Lower Austria, Styria and Burgenland the Heurige (early wine taverns) or wine taverns are also a popular meeting point. Here one can sit comfortably out in the open under trees drinking a glass of wine or a ‘G’spritzn” (a mixed drink of wine and soda water). And once in a while there is even live folk music.
Tip: You may find the current event programmes at your hotel. Or simply ask the porter or cab driver for the latest happening scenes and locations.
Health & Fitness
Spa treatment provides relaxing holidays while also being an ideal remedy for health problems caused by some of the unhealthy, and in some cases detrimental, aspects of 21st century life. An Austria spa holiday has the reputation for creating the space in which to relax, recuperate and revitalise in a great natural environment, with the benefit of expertise and experience for which spas in Austria are renowned.
Spa holidays abroad often offer good quality treatment options, plus excellent rates, and none more so than in Austria, just a two-hour flight away. Some of the top spas in Austria offer a range of treatments from the therapeutic to the sensual, ensuring that the needs of those seeking relaxing holidays are met. Every Austria spa has something exclusive to offer the discerning spa user from the weekend break to the two-week stay.
Winter Wonderland
Year - round glacier skiing
In Austria's glacier resorts winter sports can become summer sports. Where else can you spend the morning skiing and the afternoon swimming in an Alpine lake or playing tennis on outdoor courts?
At an altitude of 3000m and more there is sunshine and snow for everyone, from beginners to champions. The peak season never stops on the glacier slopes, so you can just keep on skiing from winter through spring into summer, or get into shapein autumn for the coming winter.
The lodges, whether at the base or at the top of Austria's year-round skiing areas, are service centres that accommodate restaurants, rental shops, ski school offices, rescue and first-aid rooms, sanitary facilities etc.
 Best time for skiing in Austria
The ski season lasts from early December to late March. A small number of ski resorts keep their lifts open all year on glaciers.
The best conditions for skiing are in mid-January, the coldest time of the year. Late February is a good time for sun-seekers.
The most crowded time is the period from December the 25th until January the 2nd. Advanced skiers may want to avoid this time as slopes can be too congested to be enjoyable. All of February is also rather crowded because of school and university vacations. The least crowded times are early December, mid-January and late March.
Mountains & Hiking
When it comes to hiking holidays or mountain holidays – Austria has a wealth of options for holiday makers wanting to enjoy the great outdoors. The beautiful countryside of the Austrian mountains, rivers, lakes and forests, offers an unrivalled choice of different locations and, because Austria is a country designed for hiking holidays, its numerous easy to follow trails through picturesque landscapes guarantee both fun and adventure. So what are you waiting for? Whether you are a beginner or seasoned explorer, pack your bags, get into your walking shoes and discover that the Austrian mountains offer unforgettable hiking holidays every step of the way.
For the seasoned mountaineer to the novice, mountaineering in Austria is truly enjoyable – it all comes down to the right preparation! We have put together a list of practical tips on tour planning, hiking equipment, mountain conduct, plus the appropriate measures to take in case of storm or accident, ensuring that your experience of the Austrian Alps is the best it can be. |
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