72 hours in Vienna

Exciting young Viennese designer Gabriel Baradee uses his study of Japanese culture and his design experience in London and Tokyo to infuse his new label Shakkei (Burggasse 43-45, +43 699 10232116) with eastern touches. Baradee strives for timeless beauty, with a subtle esthetic that calls to mind the peace and tranquility of a Japanese garden. As a plus for the eco-aware, Shakkei produces men’s suits from 100-percent certified organic and sustainable materials.

The atelier of talented bag designer Ina Kent (Siebensterngasse 50, +43 1 699 14777477) is located near the busy shopping street, Neubaugasse. A modern-style studio, the space mirrors her intention for the design of her bags to combine aesthetics with functionality. Using only high-quality leather, Kent focuses on simplicity and a process of collaboration that results in statement pieces that reflect the buyer’s unique identity.

Sitting just across from the Church of St. Ulrich, Eigensinnig (Sankt-Ulrichs-Platz 4, +43 1 8906637) markets its clothing as wearable art. An unconventional and avant-garde fashion house, its offerings will appeal to the customer who is creative, strong-willed and who wants to avoid the mainstream. With little color and sleek, minimalist design, they aim to always be “one step ahead of the Zeitgeist.

Named for Europe’s longest road, which connects Rome to Amsterdam, E35 (Schottenfeldgasse 67, +43 1 9564452) is devoted to making international styles available to its discerning clientele. From eyewear to perfumes to stylish tees and shoes, their prices are reasonable without ever sacrificing quality.

Gössl (multiple locations) offers you the unique experience of traditional Austrian fashion or “Tracht”. Here you can shop for fun accessories and off-the-peg dresses, but you can also have a Dirndl tailored especially for you. But you don’t have to visit Vienna to try out Gössl, as they have 66 locations around Austria, with dozens more in Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

If you ever have the urge to break into song on a mountaintop with, then at least wear the right outfit. In Austria, you will be welcomed at any special event wearing a traditional Dirndl dress. Sportalm Wien (Brandstätte 8-10, +43 1 5355289) has taken this folk costume and reinvented it to suit the present-day. It’s not just formal wear, though; they also have a new line of sportswear and bikinis. And for the ultimate indulgence, you can get married in a distinctive wedding Dirndl.

A one-stop-shop for all your vintage needs, Burggasse 24 (Burggasse 24, +43 677 61641784) is stocked full with an extraordinary array of second-hand items—according to co-founder, Angie, “that's what happens when you go away to Paris and party for a year.” The store is situated in a hip part of town and even has a bar right inside. So, maybe a little late-night shopping is in order? And while you’re there, enjoy beats from the occasional DJ or take in one of its frequent art exhibitions.

A manufacturer of hats since 1903, Mühlbauer (Seilergasse 10, +43 1 512 22 41) stocks timeless classics as well as couture-style headwear. All they do is hats, but they do it with style and poise. Over the years, the expert craftsmanship of this family-run business has drawn in the likes of Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep, Madonna and Yoko Ono. As experienced milliners, they can create customized hats for you within two weeks, or four if you need something extra special.

A hop, skip and a jump from Vienna's famous Stephansdom Cathedral, Artup (Bauernmarkt 8, +43 1 5355097) carries a wide selection of Austria's trendiest, handcrafted fashion labels. At a glance, they offer the quirkiest, most innovative, and yet environmentally-friendly styles, all of which will make a unique fashion souvenir. They also sell lifestyle accessories and unusual souvenirs unique to Austria.

Made from the finest materials, Eva Blut’s (Kühfußgasse 2, +43 1 890656-15) elegant bags are all hand-crafted by skilled Austrian designers versed in the Viennese leathergoods tradition. So you can be sure that each bag is an exceptional, one-of-a-kind from Vienna. They have everything from sackpacks to clutches, and for the sporty yet stylish, they even have a range of bicycle accessory bags.

Hot beats and cool sounds above the streets of Vienna? You want to be at this party on July 9. Beat the heat of the day and party till dawn, then watch the sun rise over the rooftops of this romantic city.

This July 16 event is the open-air cinema experience of the summer. Use the Smartphone app to vote on the film or TV series you want to see, just like Netflix! There’s a ton of street food from trucks and cool drinks available. During the breaks, top local DJs provide entertainment. 

The third "Cash, Cans & Candy" street art festival will be held this year from June 11 to September 10. Shepard Fairey from the USA and Peter Phobia from Austria have already confirmed their participation, and other artists include ROA from Belgium, Ben Frost from Australia and D*Face from the UK. Plus there will be Street Art tours (9 July, 16 July, 23 July, 3 September, 10 September), children's workshops, screen printing workshops and live performances.

Acclaimed Chinese artist Ai Weiwei will have an exhibition at the 21er Haus from 14 July until late November. The centerpiece is the ancestral temple of a tea producer from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)—the main hall is faithfully rebuilt in the 21er Haus. The 14-meter high wooden temple consists of over 1,300 items and will be shown for the first time outside of China. This is a unique chance for visitors to Vienna to see the work of this challenging and internationally recognized Chinese artist.

Vienna has one ice cream store for every 15,000 people, putting it well ahead of Rome and Naples as the world capital of the frozen treat. From vegan to ultra-healthy herbal ices, there’s something for everyone. On the August 6 and 7 in Vienna’s Burggarten, the annual Ice Cream Festival will give visitors a chance to chill out with the latest flavors and trends.

If you can tear yourself away from the city lights of Vienna for a weekend, check out the largest bodypainting festival in the world in the lakeside village of Poertschach from July 1 to 3. With its world-class artists and awesome designs, nobody paints the human body better than the teams at this festival—and there are plenty of beats to party all night.

This free outdoor event kicks off on Bastille Day and runs until early September, showcasing the best classical music and concert films. The Music Film Festival has been running for 26 years, and doesn’t look like it will be shutting up shop anytime soon, with last year’s event attracting 860,000 visitors.

Some 1,300 young choristers and musicians from around the world will come together in the world’s classical music capital at the Summa Cum Laude Youth Music Festival 2016. They sing and play in the best concert halls—in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein, the MuTh Concert Hall (home of the Vienna Boys’ Choir) and in the Konzerthaus—from July 1 to 6.

This August, venture beyond strawberry fields, deep into the middle of the forest, between lush green fields and idyllic hills, to Wiesen, where Summerville will open its gates. The weekend-long festival of music, culinary delights, art, culture and literature is just an hour’s drive south of Vienna.

Vienna’s Harvest of Art Festival will kick off on July 8 at the Marx Halle Festival Park, with a treat for lovers of indie crooners. This year, festivalgoers can gather round to be serenaded by the likes of Element of Crime, PJ Harvey, Glen Hansard, Matt Corby and more.