Why is shopping on Sundays in Berlin difficult? Well, one of the first things you’ll notice when you move to Germany is that Sunday shopping isn’t a thing. Yes—you read that right. Germany shuts down on Sunday for a day of rest. But every city has a few options for those in need of food, medicine, or other basics.
Why is there no shopping on Sundays in Berlin?
In Germany, including the capital city, Berlin, there are laws regulating the opening hours of stores, which prohibit most retailers from operating on Sundays and public holidays. This is known as the "Sunday rest law" or "Ladenschlussgesetz" in German.
The law was put in place to protect workers' rights and ensure they have a guaranteed day off to spend with their families or pursue other interests. It is based on the principle that workers should have a right to a certain amount of rest and leisure time.
There are some exceptions to the law, including gas stations, bakeries, pharmacies, and shops located in train stations and airports. Additionally, there are a few special shopping Sundays each year, typically around Christmas and other major holidays, when stores are allowed to open.
Below, we’ve put together a list of shops that are open on Sundays in Berlin. If you’ve got another favorite, let us know in the comments!
List of shops that are open on Sundays in Berlin
Supermarkets open on Sundays in Berlin
Those train station supermarkets are open on Sundays:
- Friedrichstraße: Edeka
- Gesundbrunnen: Denn's Biomarkt
- Hauptbahnhof: SPAR Express and REWE City
- Lichtenberg: Edeka
- Ostbahnhof: REWE and Penny
- Potsdamer Platz: Spar Express and go asia
- Südkreuz: Edeka
- Zoologischer Garten: Ullrich
These supermarkets are very busy on Sundays. There is often a long queue outside the Edeka at Friedrichstraße.
Apotheke, Rossmann and dm open on Sundays in Berlin
Those train station pharmacies and drug stores are open on Sundays1:
- Alexanderplatz: Rossmann
- Friedrichstraße: Rossmann
- Hauptbahnhof: Apotheke and Rossmann
- Lichtenberg: Apotheke and Rossmann
- Ostbahnhof: Apotheke and Rossmann
- Südkreuz: Apotheke and dm
- Zoolischer Garten: Apotheke
Restaurants, Spätis and flea markets open on Sundays in Berlin
Most restaurants are open on Sundays.
Most Spätis are open on Sundays.
Many flea markets (Flohmarkt) only open on Sundays.
Museums open on Sundays in Berlin
Most museums and tourist attractions stay open on Sundays.
Sunday delivery services
While restaurant delivery services like Wolt and Lieferando operate on Sundays with whatever open restaurants are listed, grocery delivery services are closed on Sundays.
Berlin Shopping Sundays
On certain dates during the year, shops can open on Sundays. These are called shopping Sundays, or Verkaufsoffene Sonntage. The stores that decide to open usually announce it in advance in flyers and advertisements—and often with big signs in their storefronts.
Next Sunday shopping days in Berlin
- January 29, 2023
- September 03, 2023
- December 03, 2023 (1st Sunday in Advent *)
- December 17, 2023 (3rd Sunday in Advent *)
In Berlin, there are usually 8 fixed dates for Sunday shopping, which are set by the Senate. Traditionally, shops are allowed to open on two Sundays during Advent. This will probably be different in 2023, since the 4th Advent is Christmas Eve. So let’s see how the Berlin Senate will regulate it this year. In addition, the shops can open on two more Sundays. The shops or shopping centers are allowed to determine these dates themselves.
* Please note that due to the Corona Pandemic and complaints from the trade unions, shopping Sundays can also be canceled at very short notice.
While the Sunday rest law has been the subject of debate and controversy over the years, it remains in effect in most parts of Germany, including Berlin. While it's a pain to adjust to it as a newcomer, with planning and foresight, it's easier to manage than it seems at first glance! 🔵
