Parndorf is the perfect day trip from Vienna! Discover two great shopping centers with big discounts, explore a Roman villa nearby, and relax by Lake Neusiedl. Easy to reach by train or car – shop, see, and save in one day!
Parndorf is a small town in Austria that is famous for shopping. It lies in Burgenland, about 50 km southeast of Vienna, and it is easy to reach by car or train. Many travelers looking for things to do in Vienna take a day trip from Vienna to Parndorf. It offers great designer bargains and a fun excursion outside the city. In this article, we will explore Parndorf’s two big shopping centers – Designer Outlet Parndorf and PADO Shopping Park. And also mention nearby attractions like a Roman villa and Lake Neusiedl. The tone here is neutral and informative, so you can get clear facts and tips for your visit.
Getting to Parndorf
from Vienna
Parndorf is only about 30–40 minutes from Vienna, which makes it a convenient half-day or full-day trip. You can drive on the A4 motorway towards Budapest and take the Parndorf exit, or you can use public transport. There are trains from Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof) that go regularly to Parndorf Ort station. The train ride is around 35–40 minutes. From Parndorf Ort station, you can take a local bus (line B10) that directly connects to the shopping area. An even easier option is the official shuttle bus from Vienna. A daily shopping shuttle departs from the Vienna State Opera and goes straight to Designer Outlet Parndorf. This shuttle runs Monday to Saturday and takes about 40 minutes.
Designer Outlet Parndorf
Designer Outlet Parndorf (operated by McArthurGlen) is the main attraction in Parndorf for shopping lovers. This outlet center opened in 1998 and has grown into the largest designer outlet in Central Europe. It started with just 40 stores, but today it offers around 160 stores in a charming, village-style setting. You will find luxury and premium brands here such as Gucci, Prada, Armani, Burberry, Michael Kors, all selling at discounts. In fact, items are marked down by 30–70% off regular retail prices all year round. This means you can hunt for designer fashion, and accessories at much lower prices than in a city store. The outlet is beautifully laid out like an open-air shopping village with stylish architecture and wide walkways.
One interesting fact is how popular this outlet has become internationally. In 2024 it welcomed a record 7.2 million visitors, which is more than even before the pandemic. Tourists from Vienna, other parts of Austria, and neighboring countries (Slovakia and Hungary) come often. Because it’s so famous, the center sometimes hosts special events to make shopping even more exciting. For example, there are Late Night Shopping events a few times a year. The stores stay open late and offer bigger discounts – up to 80% off. Thousands of people attend these big sale nights, creating a festival atmosphere with music and entertainment.
PADO Shopping Park
Right next to the famous outlet is PADO Shopping Park, also known as the Parndorf Shopping Galleries. This is a newer shopping center that complements the designer outlet. While the Designer Outlet focuses on luxury and fashion brands, PADO offers a mix of stores beyond just fashion. In PADO, you will find around 36 shops spread over a modern retail area of about 32,000 m². The atmosphere is like a large open-air mall with covered walkways. The architecture is quite modern and even features a section called “PADO Water Worlds”. Which has fountains and a small park area – a nice touch that makes the shopping park feel inviting. There are around 1,300 free parking spaces at PADO too, so it’s very convenient if you come by car
The store selection at PADO includes many everyday popular brands and services. For example, there is a Billa supermarket and a BIPA drugstore for groceries and daily needs. You also have fashion stores like H&M, C&A, New Yorker, and shoe outlets like Deichmann and Humanic Outlet. If you are into sports or electronics, PADO has you covered with Intersport, Hervis and MediaMarkt among its anchors. There’s even a TK Maxx, which is great for finding discounted clothing and home items. In addition, the shopping park hosts some specialty stores (for example, a pet store and a pharmacy). This variety makes Parndorf not only a fashion destination but also a place where locals can do regular shopping.
PADO is also a food and leisure hub. When you need a break, you can enjoy a meal or snack at one of the several eateries there. Options range from a quick bite at the Würstelboutique to sitting down at L’Osteria for pizza or pasta. There’s also an ice cream shop (Eis Greissler) for those with a sweet tooth. The terrace in PADO is a spot to sit on a sunny day. It doubles as an event space for shows or family activities. In summary, PADO Shopping Park complements the Designer Outlet by providing a broader shopping experience and extra dining choices.
Tips for Visitors
When planning your Parndorf day trip from Vienna, keep these practical tips in mind:
- Best Time to Go: If possible, visit on a weekday instead of the weekend. Parndorf gets very busy on Saturdays, and weekends see bigger crowds and longer lines. For a calmer experience, go early in the morning on a weekday, right when the stores open. This way, you can avoid crowds and have the first pick of items before things get messy. Avoid public holidays as well, because the centers can become packed when many people are off work.
- Opening Hours: The shopping centers in Parndorf are open Monday to Saturday, and they generally open around 9:00 or 9:30 AM. From Monday to Friday, the Designer Outlet shops stay open until about 8:00 PM (and even 9:00 PM on Thursdays and Fridays), while on Saturdays everything closes earlier (around 6:00 PM). Sundays (and public holidays) the stores are closed by law. This is very important for travelers to note – do not plan your shopping trip on a Sunday, because you will find all the shops shuttered. (One exception: some restaurants and cafés remain open on Sundays in the PADO area, so you could still grab a meal, but you won’t be able to shop that day.)
- Food and Facilities: Don’t worry about getting hungry during your shopping spree – both centers have plenty of food options. Inside the Designer Outlet, you will find coffee shops (like Starbucks), fast-food as well as sit-down restaurants offering Austrian, Asian, and Italian cuisine. PADO has additional eateries, including an ice cream parlor and a pizzeria. Prices at these restaurants are reasonable, similar to what you would pay in Vienna. If you prefer to save time, many places offer take-away snacks so you can eat and shop without a long pause. Restrooms are available in both centers, and the whole area is family-friendly (there are playgrounds and even a childcare facility at the outlet, so parents can shop more easily). The best time for lunch is before 12:30 PM, as the food courts can get crowded around typical lunch hours when bus tours arrive.
- Tax Refund and Payment: Almost all stores accept credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) and cash in Euros. If you are an international traveler from outside the EU, remember you can shop tax-free. Ask for a Tax Refund form at the store when you make a purchase over a certain amount (about €85) You can later get part of the VAT (Value Added Tax) refunded at the airport or other designated offices – this can save you roughly 10-15% on top of the outlet discount. It’s a nice perk for visitors who come to Austria for shopping. Also, keep your passport or ID handy if you plan to fill out tax-free forms, as some shops might ask for it.
- Other Tips: Wear comfortable shoes because you will walk a lot – the outlet village and PADO together are quite expansive. If you drive, note that parking is free and there is lots of space, but on extremely busy days it can fill up, so arriving early helps for a good spot. If you take the shuttle bus from Vienna, book your ticket in advance and be at the pickup point a little early, as it can leave on time. Lastly, check the official websites or social media of the centers before you go – sometimes they post news about special sales or events (for example, summer clearance or a live music event) that might coincide with your visit. Being informed can help you plan the perfect shopping day.
Nearby Attractions
and Things to Do
Parndorf is mainly known for shopping, but it’s also in a region of Austria that has some interesting attractions. If you want to combine shopping with a bit of culture or nature, here are two nearby places worth checking out:
- Roman Villa in Bruckneudorf: Just a few kilometers from Parndorf, in the village of Bruckneudorf, archaeologists discovered the remains of a large Roman palace complex from the 4th century AD. This site is often called the Kaiservilla Bruckneudorf. It was possibly a residence of a Roman imperial family around the year 375 AD, and today you can see the impressive ruins of this villa. One of the highlights is the mosaic floors – more than 300 m² of ancient mosaics have been preserved, showing the beautiful designs that once decorated the villa’s rooms. In total, the palace had over 34 rooms, which gives you an idea of its size. The site is open-air and freely accessible year-round, so you can walk around and imagine life in Roman times.
- Lake Neusiedl (Neusiedler See): After a busy morning of shopping, how about relaxing by a lake? Lake Neusiedl is a famous lake located just south of Parndorf (about 10–15 minutes by car to the nearest shore). It is the largest lake in Austria and a UNESCO World Heritage site, known as the Fertő–Neusiedler See Cultural Landscape. What makes this lake special is that it’s a shallow steppe lake – its depth is only about 1–2 meters on average! The lake is surrounded by extensive reed beds and vineyards, offering a peaceful, scenic environment quite different from the mountains and forests that Austria is usually known for.
Outlet Parndorf
Parndorf is a unique day trip from Vienna that combines modern shopping excitement with a touch of local culture and nature. It is very easy to reach from Vienna, and it offers two major shopping centers side by side: the Designer Outlet Parndorf with over 160 designer stores at outlet prices, and the PADO Shopping Park with everyday brands and leisure shopping in a contemporary setting. Together, they make Parndorf a shopping paradise where you can find everything from high-end fashion to daily necessities. Millions of people visit each year, enjoying the great discounts (30–70% off) on their favorite brands. The experience is not just about shopping, though. With plenty of restaurants and cafes, you can savor Austrian and international foods during your visit, and the centers often feel lively and fun rather than just commercial.
Burgenland
Beyond the shopping, Parndorf’s location in Burgenland means you are close to interesting sights. You can step back in time by visiting the nearby Roman villa ruins, or soak up the natural beauty of Lake Neusiedl, one of Austria’s most remarkable landscapes. This mix of activities makes Parndorf more than just a mall – it’s an outing that has something for everyone. Families, couples, and solo travelers can all enjoy a day here. Whether you are keen on finding the best fashion deals, looking for places to visit in Austria outside Vienna, or simply want a break from the usual city tour, Parndorf is a great option.
It’s a shopping trip and a mini-vacation combined into one. So next time you’re in Vienna and you have a free day, you might consider hopping on a bus or train to Parndorf. You can shop till you drop, enjoy a nice meal, see a bit of local history, and be back in Vienna by evening with bags full of finds and a memorable experience of a different side of Austrian life. Happy travels and happy shopping!
