Sundays in Switzerland: Why the Shops Are Closed & What to Do Instead
One of the first things that surprises many newcomers to Switzerland is how quiet it feels on a Sunday. In countries like the UK, Sunday is one of the busiest shopping days of the week, with families heading to supermarkets, malls and high streets together. But in Switzerland, it’s not all “shop till you drop” – instead, Sunday is traditionally a day when almost everything shuts.
Walk down the main streets of Zurich, Geneva, or Basel and you may think the whole city has vanished. Shops are closed, many businesses are shuttered, and the atmosphere is almost village-like. For newcomers, it can feel unusual at first, but this tradition has deep roots in Swiss culture.
Why Shops Close on Sundays
The practice goes back centuries. In AD 321, Emperor Constantine declared Sunday a day of rest throughout the Roman Empire and the tradition stuck. In Christian Switzerland, Sunday was long reserved for church, family and community life.
Even as the country has grown more secular, the principle of Sunday as a day of rest has remained strong. The idea is that everyone – including retail and trade workers – deserves one guaranteed day off a week. Many Swiss see it as an early form of protecting work-life balance.
The law reflects this. Shops that open on Sundays need special permission, and workers must be paid significantly more for Sunday shifts. As a result, Sunday openings are rare, limited mainly to shops inside airports, large train stations, petrol stations, or ski resorts. Cities like Zurich do however, offer a handful of shopping Sundays each year, usually in the run up to Christmas.
The Debate About Sunday Shopping
Over the years, there have been regular debates and referendums on whether to relax Sunday trading rules. But the public consistently votes against it. In fact, around 90% of votes have rejected liberalising Sunday hours, with trade unions arguing that protecting Sunday rest is vital for both employees and society.
That said, changes are on the horizon. In 2025, Swiss MPs voted in favour of allowing up to 12 shopping Sundays per year (currently the limit is four). Each canton will be able to decide whether to adopt this, especially in tourist-heavy areas like Zurich, Geneva, or Lucerne. Whether the public embraces this shift remains to be seen.
What Do People Do on Sundays Instead?
With shopping largely off the agenda, Sundays in Switzerland take on a different rhythm. For many families, it’s the day to spend time outdoors, catch up with friends, or simply slow down. Public transport still runs normally, so getting around is easy and the quiet streets give cities a more relaxed feel
If you’re wondering what to do when the shops are closed, here are
20 great Sunday activities in Switzerland:
Go for a hike in the mountains or nearby hills.
Swim in the lake or enjoy a riverside dip.
Take a scenic train journey to another part of the country.
Visit friends or family in a different city.
Discover a new village or region you haven’t explored yet.
Pack a picnic and head to a meadow or lakeside spot.
Fire up a Feuerstelle (public grill) in the forest or by the lake.
Visit a park and relax with a book or a ball game.
Go cycling along one of Switzerland’s many marked bike paths.
Attend a church service or simply visit a historic church.
Invite neighbours over for coffee, cake, or an apéro.
Enjoy a traditional fondue or raclette at home.
Visit a museum or gallery (many open on Sundays).
Head to a mountain resort — cable cars often run daily.
Take a leisurely boat trip on Lake Zurich, Lake Geneva, or Lake Lucerne.
Go for a long walk through the Old Town of Zurich, Bern, or Basel.
Visit a local farmers’ market (some operate on Sundays, especially in tourist towns).
Try out a new wellness activity — from spas to thermal baths.
Take part in a community or village event (concerts, festivals, Alpabzüge in autumn).
Spend the day cooking something special at home and enjoying it with friends.
Day Trips and Excursions In and Around Zurich
Ideas For Day trips and Excursions in and around Zurich
For suggestions on excursions in and around Zurich take a look here.
Ideas For Day trips Two Hours Or More From Zurich
For suggestions for day trips 2 Hours or more From Zurich take a look here.
The Quiet Charm of Sundays in Switzerland
Sundays in Switzerland may feel very different if you’re used to busy shopping streets, but that’s part of their charm. By protecting Sundays as a day of rest, the Swiss create space for family activities and nature it’s all an invitation to slow down and experience life in a different way.
And of course if you do have to go to the shops, you can always find some open on a Sunday at the railway station, petrol stations and at the airport. Find out more about shopping on a Sunday here.
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