In this article, you’ll find comprehensive information about Sundays in Vienna, which businesses are closed, what’s open, and what you can do on these days. You can navigate through the article sections by clicking on the links in the table of contents:
- When they say “everything” is closed in Vienna, what does that mean?
- What is open and operates as usual
- Supermarkets and shops that are open on Sundays
- Sundays in Vienna – Information and recommendations for attractions and activities in Vienna
- Day Trips Outside Vienna – Enjoying Austrian Nature
- Alternatives for shopping lovers – Visiting malls in neighboring Bratislava
It’s a good idea to join our Facebook group for travelers in Vienna! There are always recommendations and tips from locals there.
When they say “everything” is closed in Vienna on Sunday, what do they mean?
Sunday in Vienna is the Christian Sabbath, but the city continues to function just fine. Even on holidays in Vienna, not everything is closed (not even on the most important holidays of the year like Christmas). Many businesses, including shops, are closed, but all tourist attractions, as well as Vienna’s excellent public transport, operate as usual, or even more frequently.
The full list of places that will be closed on Sundays in Vienna:
- 99% of supermarkets and grocery stores (there are some supermarkets open on Sundays and holidays, more on that later)
- All shops (except for flower shops near cemeteries and shops located near subway stations)
- Shopping malls
- Offices and companies
- Currency exchange offices
- 99% of pharmacies and clinics (except for emergency clinics and hospitals which operate as usual)
What is open and operates as usual in Vienna on Sunday?
Here are 14 types of businesses across Vienna that operate on Sundays:
- Attractions
- Museums
- Restaurants
- Clubs and bars
- City parks
- City observation decks
- Selected supermarkets
- Selected pharmacies
- The wonderful public transportation
- The airport
- Several kosher shops and Turkish food shops
- Several bakeries (mostly until 12:00 PM)
- Most gas stations
- Intercity trains
Essentially, almost all places of interest to travelers are open as usual on Sundays. If you prepare properly for these days, there should be no problem making the most of the city.
Supermarkets and Shops That Are Open on Sunday as Usual
While most shops are closed, there’s a good number of supermarkets, bakeries, and shops that hold a special license to operate on this day. Here are the places that are open:
- Billa Supermarket at Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof. Open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Map.
- Billa Supermarket at Praterstern station. Open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Map.
- Billa Supermarket at 17 Herrnhuterhaus, Neuer Markt. Open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Map.
- Interspar Pronto Supermarket at the main train station. Open from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Map.
- Billa mini-market at Westbahnhof (Western Railway Station). Open from 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM. Map.
- The Kosher Supermarket “Shefa Market” located in the second district not far from Praterstern station. Open from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The place also has a kosher cafe. Map.
- Anadolu Bakery at Siebenbrunnengasse 55-57, 1050. Open from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Map.
- Prindl Bakery at Jägerstraße 2, 1200. Open 24 hours a day. Map.
- U3 Supermarket at Westbahnhof station, Europaplatz. Open from 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Map.
- Okay Grocery Store:
- Interspar Pronto Grocery Store at Wien Mitte station. Open from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Map.
Besides supermarkets and bakeries, there are also pharmacies on duty that are open on Sundays and at night. You can search for an open pharmacy at this link.
Sundays in Vienna – Where to Tour and How to Fill the Day?
Sunday in Austria is the Austrian Sabbath. It’s a day of rest and leisure for most Austrians, and because of this, many places are closed, especially shops, clinics, offices, and companies (as we already mentioned in the list above). Almost all tourist places are open as usual, and so are restaurants, bars, and clubs. The city’s wonderful public transportation also operates fully, and even with increased frequency!
Important to remember!
If you’re visiting Vienna for the weekend, it’s a good idea to stock up on all the groceries you need on Saturday. On Saturdays, supermarkets and shops are open until 6:00 PM, so it’s good to plan accordingly.
If your visit to Vienna happens to fall on a holiday or you’re arriving on a weekend, don’t worry! Here are the places and activities we recommend including in your itinerary for that day:
- Palaces – Schönbrunn, Belvedere, Hofburg
- Museums – Albertina, Natural History Museum, Art History Museum, and more.
- Vienna’s Oldest Zoo
- Opera performance at the Vienna State Opera. For more information on upcoming performances.
- Classical Concert
- Prater Park – Amusement and Nature Park
- The Original Vienna Strudel Show
- Danube Tower – 360-degree observation of the city
- Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
- City Park – Stadtpark
- Lainz Game Reserve – a “wild” park with wild boars
- The Old City and its heart, St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
- Vienna’s Spa – wonderful on cold days
- Kahlenberg Hill and Grinzing
- Hiking trails in Vienna’s nature
- Horse-drawn carriage tour
- Visit Christmas markets (November and December)
- Ice skating at City Hall (January to March)
Day Trips Outside Vienna – Enjoying Austrian Nature
Of course, you can also leave Vienna and enjoy the wonderful nature of the area (just remember that shops are also closed in these areas). There are several recommended areas outside Vienna. Click on the names of the places for more comprehensive information.
Alternatives for Shopping Lovers – A Mall Trip to Neighboring Bratislava
If you absolutely must go shopping on a Sunday or an Austrian holiday, there’s a fantastic option to enrich your trip and enjoy an exciting day out. A short drive of about an hour will take you to the heart of Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava. The journey to Bratislava is very simple, and there’s no need to rent a car at all. There are many buses and trains that run frequently.
In Bratislava, all malls and shops are open as usual until late in the evening. Bratislava has many malls and plenty of shopping opportunities that will even be cheaper than in Vienna (including a new Primark that recently opened in one of the city’s central malls).
Please note!
On Slovak holidays, shops and malls will be closed. Slovak holiday dates:
January 1, January 6, April 19, April 22, May 1, May 8, July 5, August 29, September 1, September 15, November 1, November 17, December 24, December 25, December 26.
On Austrian holidays on May 30, June 6, June 20, August 15, and October 26, shops in Bratislava will be open as usual.
In Conclusion
There’s no need to worry about Sundays or holidays in Vienna or throughout Austria. There’s plenty to do on these days, no matter when you visit Vienna. It’s always recommended to plan these days in advance and purchase what you need the day before. Even if you can’t buy things in advance, you can always go to the shops that are open or take an enjoyable trip to neighboring Bratislava.
Still not quite familiar with Vienna? Need more information for planning your trip? Read our comprehensive article on all the recommended attractions in the city, divided by districts. You can also read about accommodation options we’ve gathered from traveler recommendations in the city.
In any case, it’s a good idea to join our Facebook group for travelers in Vienna! There are always new recommendations and tips from us, the locals.
