A Guide to Lazy German Sundays
We were confused.
On one of the few weekend mornings that we have free on this Dialogue, my friends and I were stuck standing outside of the Mall of Berlin, looking forward to a day of shopping and dining and relaxing after yet another jam packed week here.
Then we remembered.
It was Sunday.
Since 1956, there have been laws in Germany surrounding weekend opening hours for shops. Now, the rules are more relaxed and each individual German state has the power to decide their own stance on Sunday shopping hours. We learned this the hard way in Bavaria, where I can’t remember a single shop open on a Sunday. Here in Berlin, it’s a little easier – souvenir shops are open in addition to most restaurants.
But luckily, in Germany, there’s far, far more than shopping. Stuck? I spent three Sundays in Germany – here’s what I did on each.
1. Relax with the locals
We spent our first Sunday in Munich at the Englischer Garten, which is a 910 acre park in the heart of Berlin. The park, which has bike trails and walking paths, is bigger than Central Park in New York City. We packed a picnic lunch and brought it to the Englischer Garten, where we picked a spot alongside the Isar River that runs through the park. The lunch was unncessary, because the park has countless snack vendors (so much gelato!) and a classic Bavarian beer garden with German classics. The water is clean enough here to swim, and on a hot July day the banks were packed with locals floating downstream in the current.
2. Find a flea market
In Berlin, artists and chefs take advantage of closed shops and flock to different flea markets across the city, where you can indulge in unique foods, quirky souvenirs and local people. We stopped by the flea market at Mauerpark. We stopped for lunch at one of the food stands and walked around, talking to vendors and coming away with unique jewelry, stickers and posters. In the afternoons, a huge crowd assembles for legendary karaoke performances and live music that has those interested lining up for a seat hours before.
3. Study!
That’s the whole reason we’re here! Sundays in Germany are the perfect day to sleep in, then wake up and hit the books. Take your notebook and laptop and grab an outdoor table at a Starbucks or a smaller, local cafe and get your work done. People watching is the best distractor for when you need a break, and sitting outside will make you feel like you aren’t wasting your time away in the hotel. Plus, if you get your work done ahead of time, you’ll feel better throughout the week.
If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Deutschland on a Sunday, take advantage of it. It’s a unique experience and is always sure to lead to adventure.
