Spending a Sunday in Berlin can feel a bit daunting if you’re not prepared. With many shops closed and a quieter vibe taking over, you might wonder what exactly there is to do.
As a former local who lived in Berlin, Sundays were my favourite day of the week.
In this article, I’ll share what to do in Berlin on a Sunday. From hidden flea markets to quiet parks and unexpected cultural gems, I’ve curated a list that breaks the mould of typical tourist activities. Whether you’re looking to savour Berlin’s famous brunch culture, stroll in the city’s best neighbourhoods or dive into its art scene, this guide will help you uncover the city’s unique Sunday charm.
No more wondering or aimlessly wandering—just a day filled with memorable moments.
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Local’s Pick of What to Do on Sunday in Berlin
1. Linger Over a Delicious Brunch
Join the locals and start your Sunday with a leisurely brunch at one of Berlin’s cozy cafes or hip spots in neighbourhoods like Prenzlauer Berg or Kreuzberg. Enjoy delicious local favourites like avocado toast with poached eggs or stacked pancakes.
Discover my favourite vegan brunch spots
Craving a classic English-style breakfast that’s popular with locals
Insider’s tip: Be sure to make a reservation. Berliners love to go for brunch, and many of the best spots will be booked.
2. Browse a Flea Market
Visit a local flea market, like the famous Mauerpark or Boxhagener Platz, to browse vintage treasures, unique antiques, and local crafts. It’s the perfect way to soak up Berlin’s eclectic atmosphere while hunting for one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
Discover the best flea markets to visit and what you can expect to find
3. Relax in Berlin’s Parks and Gardens
Join the locals in Berlin’s beloved parks and gardens, such as the Tiergarten or Tempelhofer Feld, where you can relax, picnic, or people-watch. These green spaces are where you’ll find the locals hanging out as they offer a relaxing escape from the buzz of the city centre. Having a dog meant I was at a park daily.
Discover things to do in Tiergarten, Berlin’s well-known park
Explore any one of these parks and gardens in Berlin
4. Enjoy Nature in Grunewald
Berliners love to escape the city centre and head to Grunewald Forest. This sprawling woodland invites you to enjoy nature on a Sunday, whether it’s hiking, biking or simply taking a serene walk along the picturesque Havel River. It’s also a spot where you can find great panoramic views of the city from the historic Grunewald Tower.
5. Head to Brandenburg Lakes
Another relaxing spot locals love to escape to is the serene Brandenburg Lakes. Here you’ll find lovely lakes and surrounding woodlands. Activities like kayaking, swimming, biking or simply enjoying a lakeside picnic, the Brandenburg Lakes are the place to go!
6. Explore Berlin’s Neighbourhoods
Discover Berlin’s unique neighbourhoods, each with its unique charm. Wander through the artistic and boho foodie streets of Kreuzberg, window shop in the hip boutiques of Prenzlauer Berg, and savour the multicultural flavours of Neukölln. One of the most pretty areas is Nikolai Quarter, Berlin’s oldest neighbourhood, with its cobblestone streets and historic colourful buildings.
7. Enjoy a Relaxing Spa Day
For a blissful and rejuvenating day consider indulging in a day at one of the city’s renowned spas. Berlin offers a variety of wellness spaces where you can unwind and pamper yourself. Although I never did this while living in Berlin, I was told by others their favourites were:
- Liquidrom for its cool water therapy treatments
- Vabali Spa for Finish saunas
8. Enjoy Kaffee und Kuchen
Indulge in the traditional German Sunday ritual of Kaffee und Kuchen, enjoying a delicious slice of cake with coffee at a local café. Try classics like Black Forest cake or apple strudel to sweeten your day.
9. Sip a Beer at a Local Beer Garden
Experience Berlin’s fun beer garden culture. On a sunny Sunday, head to one of the city’s beloved beer gardens like Prater or Café am Neuen See. Sip on a refreshing German beer and soak up the friendly atmosphere.
10. Catch a Movie at an Open Air Cinema
As the sun sets, one of the favourite things to do on a Sunday in Berlin is to catch a movie under the stars at one of the city’s open-air cinemas, called Freiluftkino. From historic venues like Freiluftkino Kreuzberg to the modern deck chairs at Friedrichshain’s Freiluftkino, you can enjoy diverse films while relishing the mild Berlin evenings.
Touristy Things to Do in Berlin on a Sunday
1. Go to a Museum
Spend your Sunday exploring one of the 170 museums in Berlin. As with many European cities, the first Sunday of the month is free for many of the museums, but it also means it is the busiest. What I love most about Berlin is the vast array of museums. There are museums focused on history, art, design, and technology.
Access my list of recommended free Berlin museums worthy of a visit
Discover the famous museums of Museum Island
Find out if the Welcome to Berlin Museum pass is worth it based on your itinerary
2. Admire Charlottenburg Palace
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Berlin is the stunning Baroque palace that exudes regal elegance. Admire its opulent rooms while learning about its history. But perfect for a Sunday is to take a stroll through its beautifully landscaped gardens that you can visit for free.
3. Go for a Stroll
Take a relaxing walk along the Spree River and enjoy picturesque views of Berlin’s historic landmarks like the Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island. It’s an ideal way to experience the city’s charm at a slower pace, with plenty of photo opportunities.
Take a self-guided walking tour along Berlin’s most famous street Unter den Linden Boulevard
Walk along the East Side Gallery and its art murals
4. Cruise Along the Spree River
Enjoy a leisurely Sunday afternoon on a boat whether you rent a row boat in Tiergarten Park or Treptow Park or a boat tour, nothing says relaxation than being by the water.
Take a scenic boat tour and admire the city’s architecture
5. Visit the Holocaust Memorial
Pay your respects and reflect on history by visiting the Holocaust Memorial. This poignant and sombre site, officially known as the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, consists of 2,711 concrete slabs arranged in a grid-like pattern.
6. Walk the Berlin Wall Trail
This is one of the things to do on Sunday in Berlin that I do quite often. Discover history along the Berliner Mauerweg, a 160 km path tracing the former route of the Berlin Wall. Either walk or cycle along this trail, passing remnants of the wall, watchtowers, and informative exhibits.
7. Admire Some Street Art
Discover Berlin’s thriving street art scene. Wander through neighbourhoods like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain, where vibrant murals adorn the buildings.
Interested in knowing where to find the best street art in Berlin?
Get this guide to the locations of the city’s most iconic street art and hidden murals (it’s free for every subscriber).
8. Visit Berlin Landmarks
There are a lot of iconic sites to visit dotted around the city, sites as the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral and Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
How to visit Checkpoint Charlie
Explore this list of 30 iconic Berlin sites
9. Take a Day Trip
Dedicate your Sunday to taking a day trip outside the city! Just a train ride away, you can explore a new city.
Decide whether or not Potsdam is worth visiting (I say yes it is!)
Explore my list of 10 easy day trips near Berlin
10. Eat Schnitzel
Don’t you wish every day was a Sunday now? I knew you would! So, this is the last idea I have for you to do on a Sunday, and it’s an insider secret.
Dine at Schnitzelei, a restaurant that specializes in schnitzel and get the Sunday schnitzel special. Enjoy the vegan oyster mushroom schnitzel or the Wiener-style schnitzel for only €16.61 at any of their three locations in Mitte, Charlottenburg, and Wilmersdorf.
Find out the recommended places to eat schnitzel
My recommended list of amazing traditional German restaurants
An Ideal Itinerary for What to Do in Berlin on a Sunday
Of all the above things to do in Berlin on Sunday, here’s a typical itinerary of how I would spend my day – a perfect blend of culture, relaxation and food.
| Time | Berlin Sunday Activities |
|---|---|
| Morning 9:00 AM | Mauerpark Flea Market (or any other flea market) |
| Late Morning 11:00 AM | Sunday Brunch |
| Early Afternoon 1:00 PM | Visit a Smaller Museum |
| Mid Afternoon 3:30 PM | Biergarten or Kaffee und Kuchen |
| Late-Afternoon 5:00 PM | Relax at Tiergarten Park (or any other park) |
| Early Evening 6:30 PM | Explore a neighbourhood |
| Dinner 8:00 PM | Enjoy a dinner at a German restaurant |
What’s Open in Berlin on Sunday?
These businesses can open on Sundays, which some choose to open.
- Shops in train stations, airports and bus terminals
- Restaurants and food delivery
- Petrol stations
- Pharmacies (Apotheken)
- Spatis (similar to a convenience store)
- Bakeries
- Tourist attractions and souvenir shops, including most shopping stores near Alexanderplatz
- Flea markets and art markets
- Museums
Final Thoughts
I hope this inspired your planning on what to do on Sunday in Berlin.
For a more comprehensive guide to Berlin, including its history, attractions, and practical tips you’ll want to get my digital guide. It’s your all-in-one convenient guide that includes curated Google Maps helping you navigate on the go.
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