European Sunday shopping varies dramatically. Here's the honest sort.
Cities where Sunday shopping is normal
- London: Most stores open 12-6pm Sunday. Some 11-5.
- Most UK cities: Same pattern.
- Iceland: Reykjavík open Sundays.
- Most Scandinavian cities: Open Sundays.
Cities where Sunday is restricted
- Most German cities: Almost everything closed Sunday. Just bakeries + small Spätis.
- Vienna, most Austrian: Closed Sunday.
- Most Swiss cities: Closed Sunday.
- Most Italian cities: Sunday-only-morning shops; afternoon closed.
- Most Spanish cities: Sunday afternoon closed.
What's always open Sundays
- Restaurants and cafés (most).
- Tourist sights and museums.
- Pharmacies (rotating).
- Train station shops + airport shops.
- Bakeries (especially Sunday morning).
Sunday markets
- Madrid Rastro Sunday flea market.
- Paris Saint-Ouen Sunday flea market.
- London Brick Lane Sunday market.
- Berlin Mauerpark Sunday flea + karaoke.
Strategy
Plan Saturday-shopping or accept Sunday-museums-only. Many travelers do major shopping Saturday afternoon, sights Sunday, museum-closed Monday.