In Germany, most businesses are closed on Sundays and on public holidays. Even supermarkets are closed, so people who move to Germany quickly learn to do their grocery shopping in advance. Fortunately, some grocery stores and pharmacies in Berlin are opened on Sundays. There are also special Sundays where stores are allowed to open.
What is open on Sundays in Berlin?
On Sundays, most shops in Berlin must close. Only a few shops can stay open. Those shops are usually inside train stations.
Supermarkets
Those train station supermarkets are open on Sundays1:
- Friedrichstraße: Edeka
- Gesundbrunnen: Denn's Biomarkt
- Hauptbahnhof: SPAR Express, REWE City
- Lichtenberg: Edeka
- Ostbahnhof: REWE, Penny
- Südkreuz: Edeka
- Zoologischer Garten: Ullrich
These supermarkets are very busy on Sundays. There is often a queue outside the Edeka at Friedrichstraße.
Apotheke, Rossmann and dm
Those train station pharmacies and drug stores are open on Sundays1:
- Alexanderplatz: Rossmann
- Friedrichstraße: Rossmann
- Hauptbahnhof: Apotheke, Rossmann
- Lichtenberg: Apotheke, Rossmann
- Ostbahnhof: Apotheke, Rossmann
- Südkreuz: Apotheke, dm
- Zoolischer Garten: Apotheke
Restaurants, Spätis and flea markets
Most restaurants are open on Sundays. Most Spätis are open on Sundays. There are many flea markets (Flohmarkt) that only open on Sundays.
Museums
Some museums and tourist attractions stay open on Sundays.
Special Sunday shopping days
On certain dates during the year, shops can open on Sundays. These are called Verkaufsoffene Sonntage. The stores that decide to open usually announce it in advance in flyers and advertisements.
Next Sunday shopping days in Berlin
You can find the official list of Sunday shopping days on Berlin.de
Shops that participate to Verkaufsoffene Sonntage
The following shops habitually participate to special shopping Sundays in Berlin:
- Most shopping malls
- Furniture stores
- Electronics stores
- Some supermarkets