Sunday Silence in Germany: Eerie or Efficient?
Ever walk your dog on a Sunday morning in Germany and feel like you’ve wandered onto a deserted movie set? No zombies, just an unexpected hush.
Unlike some places, Sundays in Germany are all about peace and quiet. Shops, banks, and offices are closed, taking a well-deserved Ruhetag (day of rest) to recharge. It’s partly a nod to the Christian Sabbath, but mainly a chance for families and friends to connect.
Public Holidays: Any Day, Anytime
This serene silence isn’t limited to Sundays. Public holidays, which can fall on any day of the week, bring Germany to a similar standstill.
Bridge Day Bonanza
Here’s where Germany gets creative: Brückentage (bridge days). When a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, people often take the Monday and Friday off, creating a glorious four-day break for just one vacation day.
Planning is Key!
These bridge days are coveted, so you need to book them early. But even without one, expect a deserted office—perfect for catching up on emails or, let’s be honest, browsing cat memes and finally learning that new TikTok dance craze.
Mayday! Mayday! It’s a Holiday Extravaganza
Just recently, May 9th was Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension Day)—a public holiday in Germany (and some parts of Austria and Switzerland too!). This long weekend was a perfect prelude to the upcoming Pfingstsonntag (Whit Sunday) and Pfingstmontag (Whit Monday), making May a truly delightful month (a Wonnemonat).
The Takeaway?
Germany might seem eerily quiet on Sundays and holidays, but the Germans know how to maximise their relaxation time. Bridge days are genius, and who can argue with more family time?
So next time you experience the Sunday silence, embrace it.
Happy holidays (whenever they may fall).
PS: Don’t even think about using a lawnmower on Sundays—there are noise laws, and your neighbours have hawk-like hearing.
You experience the silence as eerie? Morning silence is the only reason why I get up early on Sundays to go for a walk or jog to capture this moment. The magical moment for me without thoughts and only with clear ideas of next goals. I think I’m turning into a lone maverick 🙂
I love the silence of the morning in Germany—and often go out over the fields and through the woods before breakfast. It’s so peaceful. So I fully understand you, Marina. It’s just that Sundays are often unnaturally silent. I quite like seeing and hearing people work in their gardens, for example. Why not? In England, we see gardening as a hobby. In Germany, people talk about „Gartenarbeit.“ Perhaps that’s the difference!