January 1st in Berlin: What Locals Actually Do (And What to Skip)

Opening Scene: You wake up on January 1st, hungover from last night's party at the Brandenburg Gate—or relieved you stayed in. The city is eerily quiet. Most shops are closed. Supermarkets are dark. It's 8 AM and you're looking out the hotel window wondering what the hell is actually open in Berlin today.

We've been there. So here's what really happens on January 1st in Berlin, what tourists waste time doing, and how to actually enjoy the day like someone who knows the city.

The Reality: Most of Berlin Is Closed (By Law)

January 1st is a German public holiday. This isn't just a suggestion—it's law. Banks, supermarkets, museums with regular hours, most restaurants, and shops are closed. If you're expecting to wander into a typical café or grab groceries, you'll find locked doors and sad faces.

But here's the thing: Berlin isn't empty on New Year's Day. It's just different. The city divides into two camps—those recovering from Silvester (the massive New Year's Eve parties), and those enjoying the rare quiet.

What's Actually Open on January 1st

Transport: The U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and buses run on a Sunday/holiday schedule—less frequent, but they run. Get there a bit earlier than you'd expect.

Some Restaurants & Bars: Many stay closed, but some—especially in tourist areas and ethnic restaurants—open for brunch or dinner. Nothing is guaranteed. Check ahead.

Train Station Shops: The major stations (Hauptbahnhof, Südkreuz, Ostbahnhof) have supermarkets open. They're packed, expensive, and chaotic—but they're open.

Spätis (Corner Shops): Berlin's beloved late-night convenience stores often stay open. They have basics: coffee, snacks, alcohol, cigarettes. That's it.

Hotels: Of course. Your hotel stays open.

Some Attractions: The Zoo is open. The Botanical Garden might be. Most museums have irregular hours—check their websites directly before you go.

What to Avoid on January 1st

Don't expect museums to have normal hours. Many are closed. Some open at noon or 1 PM. Don't show up planning to "catch a museum this morning"—call or check online first.

Don't plan a restaurant dinner without booking weeks in advance. The few restaurants open on January 1st are either fully booked or mediocre. If you didn't reserve, you're eating döner from a kiosk (which, honestly, isn't the worst option).

Don't rely on supermarkets. Train station shops are your lifeline, but they're picked over by 10 AM. If you need real groceries, go January 2nd.

Don't expect to "explore neighborhoods" the way you normally would. Half the shops and cafés you'd normally pop into are closed. It feels weird. Some find it peaceful; others find it depressing.

Don't go if you're expecting Berlin to be festive. New Year's Day in Berlin is quiet, introspective, almost sleepy. It's the opposite of the chaotic energy of Silvester. If you love that contrast, great. If you want more party, you'll be disappointed.

What Locals Actually Do (And You Can Too)

Walk Through Empty Neighborhoods

This is the hidden gem of January 1st. Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg—these places are nearly empty. No tourists. No crowds. You hear your footsteps. You see the streets as they actually are, not as backdrop.

Bring a coffee from a Späti and just walk. There's something about experiencing Berlin when the city is resting—it feels like you're seeing something most visitors never get to see.

Go to the Zoo

Yes, the Berlin Zoo is open. Yes, it's touristy. But on January 1st, it's genuinely quiet. The penguins don't know it's a public holiday. If you like animals and want to avoid crowds, this actually works.

Have Brunch (if you plan ahead)

Some hotels do special brunch spreads. Some restaurants that cater to tourists stay open. If this matters to you, book on December 30th. Don't show up hoping.

The alternative: Grab bread from a train station shop, some cheese from a Späti, sit in your hotel room, and pretend you're doing something sophisticated.

Go to a New Year's Concert

The Konzerthaus Berlin hosts a New Year's concert at 4 PM, and the Berlin Philharmonie has one at 4:30 PM. visitBerlin.de These are elegant, classical, civilized. Tickets exist, and they're worth it if you like that vibe.

Participate in the New Year's Run

The Berlin New Year's Run starts at Pariser Platz by the Brandenburg Gate at noon on January 1st. Registration isn't necessary, and the four-kilometer route goes to Berlin Cathedral and back—all proceeds go to the Björn Schulz Foundation. visitBerlin.de It's free, communal, and a genuinely nice Berlin tradition.

Just Rest

Honestly? A lot of people use January 1st to recover. Sleep until noon. Watch something. Take a long shower. Order food delivery. There's no shame in this, especially after Silvester.

Food Delivery on January 1st: Your Actual Options

The major delivery services—Lieferando, Wolt, and UberEats—operate in Berlin Moving to Berlin, and most do deliver on January 1st, though options are more limited than usual. Some restaurants don't operate; others do only pick-up.

Check the apps directly—they'll show you what's available in your area. Don't assume your favorite place is open. Don't assume anything.

Realistic options for hotel room delivery:

• Pizza (always exists somewhere)

• Asian food (many Asian restaurants open on New Year's Day)

• Döner/kebab (if you order from a kiosk-based place)

• High-end restaurants (the ones that cater to tourists and hotels tend to be open)

Pro tip: Order by 5 PM. After that, options shrink and delivery times stretch.

The Real Experience: What January 1st Means in Berlin

January 1st in Berlin feels like a reset. The city spent December 31st in absolute chaos—thousands of people, fireworks, screaming, dancing. By midnight on January 1st, it's over.

What you get instead is quiet. Streets. The actual neighborhoods where Berliners live. A reminder that this city exists for people who live here, not just visitors.

Some find it magical. Others find it boring. Depends what you're looking for.

If you want Berlin to be "on" for you—open, available, performing—January 2nd onwards is better. But if you want to see the city differently, reset yourself, and understand why Berliners love living here even without the nightlife and tourist attractions, January 1st offers something real.

Last-Minute Checklist for January 1st

✓ Check restaurant hours online (don't assume anything)✓ Download Wolt or Lieferando (food delivery apps)✓ Plan to visit train station shops if you need groceries✓ Book concerts or special experiences by December 30th✓ Charge your phone (BVG app for public transport)✓ Bring cash (some smaller places don't take cards)✓ Wear warm clothes (it's winter, Berlin is cold)✓ Accept that it's quiet—that's the point