Introduction
So, whenever a reader planning a visit to Berlin is considering shopping, they might be asking themselves about whether the shops are open on Sundays. Berlin is one of the most popular shopping cities that offer great markets and shopping experience However it is must to know that Sunday in Berlin is little different for shops and some markets restrictions. In this article, you will read about the Sunday shopping in Berlin and we will give you all the necessary information on shopping in the city.
Knowledge about Sunday restrains
Sunday is a Sunday in Germany, including Berlin and is a day for recreation, family and leisure activities. Some restrictions are placed to the opening hours of Sunday so that the aforementioned values are upheld in the country. Although there have been some relaxations, in general, most shops remain shut on Sundays in Berlin.
Exemptions and Exceptions
Nevertheless, there are some specified exclusions to the mere Sunday closing rule. Newstands, shops situated in airport, railway station and service stations are permitted to open on Sundays to cater to tourists & service needs. However, some sectors like pharmacy, baking business, and selling of flowers are allowed to operate for a limited number of hours in the Sundays. Most of these shops operate during limited hours, from morning to early afternoon at the least.
Sunday Shopping Days
Summer time in Germany is restricted in terms of the number of Sundays shops are permitted to open in Berlin. Such days are customarily referred to as “Verkaufsoffener Sonntag” or “Sunday shopping days.” On such occasions, different stores, shopping malls and areas, including Kurfürstendamm and Friedrichstraße are allowed to admit customers.
There are still opportunities for Sunday shopping today, but where are they?
Should you find yourself in Berlin on a Sunday when most shops are allowed to open to customers, then you can indulge in shopping. If you want to know when these special shopping days fall it is good to look at the event calendar, website of the city or you can consult with the receptionist at the hotel. Citizens of Berlin get ready for these times it means that there will be more people and much more active during these times.
Markets and Flea Markets
While most retail stores are closed on Sundays, Berlin offers an exciting alternative: markets and flea markets. These colorful and active markets are the feature of the cities’ life and it is great to shop in there on Sunday. Food markets showcasing fresh regional products, handmade stalls with jewelry, pottery and other hand-made handicrafts, clothes and shoes made from recycled materials, old articles and items, furniture, toys and everything else one can think of: Berlin markets are worth visiting.
Building Developers and Supermarkets
While the vast majority of small shops are usually closed on Sundays, you can shop in the major malls and department stores in Berlin. Many of these complex are a multi-level edifice comprising of various outlets and amenities such as stores, grocery, eateries, cinema, games, among others. Big shopping centers like Mall of Berlin, Alexa, and KaDeWe are ideal places for those shoppers who like to shop on Sundays during the sale days known as “Verkaufsoffener Sonntag”.
Tips for Sunday Shopping
Here are some handy tips to help you make the most of your Sunday shopping experience in Berlin:
Plan ahead: Visit the event calendars or the websites of the shops for more information on which days of the week they remain open until Sunday.
Arrive early: Shoppers go out in large numbers during Sunday shopping days, hence, the earlier you start your shopping mission the better.
Bring cash: Most shops do accept credit card and debit card or wallets but it’s preferable to carry physical money, especially for the smaller shops and street stands.
Consider public transport: This is because parking may be scarce, and the only convenient means to move within the city during Sunday is by using public transport.
Explore alternative areas: If there are too many people in main shopping districts, consider visiting peripheral neighborhoods and districts, perhaps more original shopping can be found there.
Plan ahead: To learn about the Sunday shopping days, refer to the event calendars or the relevant websites.
Arrive early: Since everyone loves shopping on Sundays the shopping days will be congested and hence the best thing is to start shopping early in the morning.
Bring cash: Of course, the majority of the shops expect payment in cash but it is always useful to have some cards in case, especially when you go to local markets or roadside stalls.
Consider public transport: Because parking may be restricted, taking public transport is the most convenient means of getting around on Sundays.
Explore alternative areas: If you think that the main shopping zones are too jam-packed, travel to the districts and neighborhoods that are not as famous, not only may find good shopping spots here, but you also won’t have to deal with hordes of people.
In Conclusion
Like most retail business, shops in Berlin close on Sundays because of legal provisions, but there are some relaxing measures and special shopping days in the year. The local markets in Berlin along with selected shops provide the nightlife shopping engagement of the Sundays so that the desire of those who love shopping will not be entirely quenched on this day. Don’t forget to always look at the schedule of events for the locality and utilize your shopping trips in this progressive place.
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