After the German “Ladenschlussgesetz” (‘business hours law’) it is normally not allowed to open regular shops on Sundays. So basically shops all across Germany are closed on Sundays. But of course for every rule there are exceptions – and this makes it very well possible to go shopping on Sundays. At least on some Sundays and/or in certain areas. On this page I’ll try to give you a broad overview of the different options you have if you want to go shopping on a Sunday.
The German law used to be very strict about the opening hours. And even today owners of ‘regular shops’ like department stores and shoe shops still risk losing their license if they open their shop on a regular Sunday. But on some Sundays throughout the year it is actually allowed to have your shop open. And in some ‘high profile’ areas, where lots of travelers are expected that might be in need of this and that, shop keepers are even allowed to have their shops open every Sunday.
Here is the list of the official Berlin Shopping Sundays for the year 2023:
Berlin Sunday Shopping in 2023
- 29. January 2023 – Internationale Grüne Woche<
- 03. September 2023 – Internationale Funkausstellung IFA
- 03. Dezember 2023 – Pre-Christmas Shoppting
- 17. Dezember 2023 – Pre-Christmas Shopping
Opening hours:
On Shopping Sundays shops are usually open between 13:00 (1pm) and 20:00 (8pm) – some smaller shops may be only open until 18:00 (6pm).
Sunday Shopping for Food / Groceries / Supermarkets
In case you badly need to buy food, groceries or other basic products on a Sunday: there are some supermarkets in certain ‘high profile’ areas, that are allowed to be open on Sundays. In these areas there are generally a lot of commuters, travelers and tourists expected – so there is a special license for groceries and supermarkets and eventually also other neighboring shops in these areas:
- Edeka at Friedrichstraße U- and S-Bahn station
- Kaiser’s at Central Station / Hauptbahnhof
- Ullrich at U- und S-Bahn station Zoo / Zoologischer Garten
- Edeka at Train and S-Bahn and U-Bahn station Lichtenberg
- Edeka at Train and S-Bahn station Südkreuz
- Rewe and Penny at Train and S-Bahn station Ostbahnhof
- Denn’s Biomarkt at Train and S-Bahn and U-Bahn station Gesundbrunnen
Happy Shopping!
Berlin Flea Markets
Most, if not all Berlin Flea Markets are open on Sundays. For further information check this page about Berlin Flea Markets.
Spätis: Berlin’s Late Shops and Kiosks
In some areas you may find small shops that have their very own business hours: the so called Spätverkauf or Späti – which would translate into Late Shop.
Some of these Late Shops are almost legendary neighborhood institutions. People know each other, have a chat, have a drink – some of these Late Shops have been in business for decades. See also: Berlin’s Late Shops and Kiosks: sunday shopping re-thought
Pharmacies
Usually Pharmacies have opening hours similar to regular shops. Some pharmacies however have special opening hours. Some are open open on all 365 days of the year – some are even open 24/7. Here’s a quick overview:
- BerlinApotheke “Oranienburger Tor”
Friedrichstraße 113a, Berlin-Mitte
Opening hours: Monday –Sunday daily 08:00 – 24:00
www.berlinapotheke.de/24uhrapotheke.php - Apotheke Berlin Hauptbahnhof
inside Central Station, Europaplatz 1, Berlin–Tiergarten
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 00:00 – 24:00 (24/7)
www.einkaufsbahnhof.de/berlin-hauptbahnhof/apotheke-s5725 - Neptun Apotheke
at S-Bahn Station Alexanderplatz
Dircksenstraße 2 · 10179 Berlin-Mitte
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 08:00 – 21:00 / Sunday 13:00 – 18:00
www.neptun-apotheke-berlin.de
- Nordkreuz Apotheke
at S-Bahn / Train Station Nordbahnhof
Hanne-Sobek-Platz, Berlin-Wedding
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 08:00 – 20:00 / Sunday 10:00 – 16:00
www.einkaufsbahnhof.de/berlin-gesundbrunnen/shoppen/apotheken/…
- Lichtenberg-Apotheke
at S-Bahn / Train Station Lichtenberg
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 08:00 – 20:00 / Sunday 10:00 – 16:00
www.lichtenberg-apotheke.de
For more information about pharmacies etc. see also: The German Health Care System
Service Stations / Filling Stations / Gas Stattions
Another exemption applies to Filling Stations / Gas Stations / Service Stations. As far as I know most of Berlin’s Service Stations are open 24/7 – and most of them have at least a small range of products on offer. But chances are you will at least find everything you might need for a breakfast – or to keep a party going. Usually you’ll find milk, butter, bread – sometimes even “freshly baked” bread and buns, cakes and pastries at relatively low prices. But of course you’ll also find crisps, sausages, frozen pizza, beer, wine – and even sparkling wine, Champagne and spirits like Vodka, Gin, Whiskey and Schnapps.
You’ll find a list of gas stations grouped by district (“Stadtteil”) at the Berlin city website: BerlinFinder » Tankstelle
> back to Berlin Shopping
Do you have and thoughts, suggestions, additional recommendations or comments? Please feel free to leave your comment below. Thank you!
Two corrections:
1. Lidl at U-Innsbrucker Platz is no longer open on Sunday as of Fall 2015
2. Lichtenberg is S-Bahn, Train (Regionalbahn), AND U-Bahn (U5)
Thank you very much!
Thanks, very helpfu postl!
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hello are the shops/stores/bars are open on these days in Berlin 25/12-27/12 ?
thank you
sorry, but in Germany / Berlin all shops are closed on 25th and 26th of December – but must restaurants and bare should be open.