Sundays in Norway have a different rhythm than the rest of the week. The streets are quieter, families head out for hikes, and the retail scene slows right down. If you are visiting from a country where Sunday shopping is the norm, it can be surprising to find shutters down on most stores. With a little planning, though, you can still pick up essentials, enjoy great food, and make a full day of it.
Short answer: most supermarkets and shopping centers are closed on Sundays in Norway. You can still count on convenience stores, kiosks, and petrol stations with mini markets. Many cafes and restaurants open as usual, some pharmacies open with reduced hours, and shops at airports and major transport hubs usually trade as normal. Alcohol is not sold in grocery stores on Sundays, and Vinmonopolet, the state-run wine and spirits shops, is closed.
Let’s take a deeper dive into shopping on Sundays in Norway so you can plan smart and enjoy the slower pace without any stress.
Why so many shops are closed on Sundays
Norway treats Sundays and public holidays as quiet days. The country has a strong tradition of keeping one day a week for rest, family time, and the outdoors. That culture shows up in retail. Large supermarkets and shopping malls typically do not open, and many independent shops choose to remain closed too. The result is a city or town that feels calm, with restaurants buzzing and parks full, while retail takes a break.
For travelers, that can feel inconvenient on arrival day or when you are changing cabins mid-trip. The good news is that exceptions exist, and once you know where to look, you will never go hungry or get stuck without basics.
What is usually open on Sundays
Convenience stores and kiosks. Chains like 7-Eleven, Narvesen, Deli de Luca, and MIX are common in cities and towns. They sell snacks, fresh pastries, sandwiches, hot dogs, soft drinks, coffee, and a small selection of household items. Some branches carry a limited range of groceries such as milk, bread, eggs, spreads, and fruit. Prices are higher than in regular supermarkets, but the convenience is worth it when you need something quick.
Petrol stations with mini markets. Circle K, Shell, Esso, and other stations often have surprisingly well-stocked shops. Expect ready-to-eat food, dairy, bread, frozen pizzas, pasta, cereal, and basic toiletries. If you are staying in a cabin or Airbnb and forgot salt, oil, or dish soap, this is where you will find it on a Sunday. Many stations open early and close late.
Small-format neighborhood groceries. In many neighborhoods you will find compact branches of larger grocery brands or small independent markets that are allowed to open on Sundays. These are often branded as “søndagsåpen” or “søndagsbutikk,” which simply means Sunday-open. The selection focuses on essentials, not a full weekly shop, but you can put together a proper meal.
Transport hubs and airports. Shops at airports and major train stations often trade on Sundays. You will find bakeries, convenience stores, pharmacies, and sometimes fashion or electronics stores. If you are landing on a Sunday, plan to grab snacks or a few basics before leaving the airport.
Pharmacies with Sunday hours. Many larger towns have at least one pharmacy open on Sundays, often with reduced hours. You can pick up over-the-counter medication, personal care items, and travel essentials. Look for “apotek” on maps and check hours before you go.
Garden centers in spring and early summer. When Norwegians go all-in on planting season, garden centers in many areas open on Sundays. If you are visiting between roughly April and June, you might see lively garden shops selling soil, seedlings, and flowers. Hours are usually shorter than weekdays.
Tourist-heavy locations in peak season. In cruise ports and popular fjord villages, some souvenir and outdoor stores open on Sundays when there is traffic. This is less predictable than city kiosks, so treat it as a bonus rather than something to rely on.
What is closed or restricted on Sundays
Regular supermarkets and malls. The big names in Norwegian grocery retail generally close their standard stores on Sundays, and shopping centers mostly shut their doors. Even where a center is open, you may find only a handful of kiosks or cafes trading.
Vinmonopolet. The state-run wine and spirits stores are closed on Sundays. If you want wine for a dinner at home, buy it earlier in the week. Hotels and restaurants can serve alcohol, so you can still enjoy a glass out with a meal.
Alcohol in grocery stores. Grocery stores do not sell beer or cider on Sundays. You can order alcohol at licensed venues, but you cannot take it home from a shop.
Public holidays and “red days.” On national or religious holidays, Sunday-style restrictions apply and can be even stricter. That includes Easter, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Constitution Day on 17 May. Build that into your plan if your trip overlaps with these dates.
How to plan your Sunday grocery strategy
Shop on Saturday for the essentials. If your stay includes a Sunday, do your main grocery run on Saturday. Pick up breakfast supplies, coffee, snacks, and anything you need for a home-cooked dinner. This is the single best way to avoid Sunday stress.
Use maps to search “søndagsåpen butikk.” That phrase will surface many Sunday-open options. You can also search for “bensinstasjon” if you need a petrol station mini market. Double-check hours, since Sunday schedules are often shorter.
Expect a limited selection and higher prices. Convenience outlets stock the basics, not the entire product range of a full supermarket. Pack your expectations accordingly. If you need specialty ingredients, buy them earlier in the week.
Lean on cafes and restaurants. Norway’s cafe culture shines on Sundays. Bakeries sell excellent bread and buns, brunch spots fill up, and many restaurants open for lunch and dinner. If the fridge is bare, let someone else do the cooking.
Keep a small backup kit. A few travel-friendly extras go a long way. Instant oatmeal, a jar of peanut butter, some nuts, and a couple of noodle cups can turn a Sunday into something simple and cozy at home.
What a Sunday can look like in the cities
Oslo. Start with coffee and a cinnamon bun in a neighborhood bakery, then visit a museum on the Bygdøy peninsula or the National Museum. Have lunch by the waterfront at Aker Brygge, stroll through the Opera House area, and end in a cozy restaurant in Grünerløkka. If you need groceries, look for a Sunday-open mini market or a petrol station near your accommodation.
Bergen. Enjoy early pastries at a cafe near Bryggen, ride the Fløibanen funicular for views, and spend the afternoon exploring art museums like KODE. Many small kiosks around the city center open on Sundays, so you can grab milk, bread, and fruit for the next morning without a long detour.
Tromsø. Walk the bridge to the Arctic Cathedral, visit the Polar Museum, and warm up with fish soup in town. Given Tromsø’s compact center, it is easy to find a kiosk or petrol station for basics on the way back.
Food and drink specifics to know
Coffee and bakery culture thrives on Sundays. Excellent bread is easy to find any day. Many bakeries pull fresh loaves and pastries on Sunday mornings, though they may close by mid-afternoon.
Hot meals from convenience outlets. You will see hot dogs everywhere, often served in a soft potato flatbread called “lompe.” Many places also offer salads, wraps, and warm pastry pies that are better than you might expect from a kiosk.
Alcohol rules at venues. While shops cannot sell alcohol on Sundays, restaurants and bars can serve it within their licensed hours. If you want wine with dinner, plan to dine out or pick a hotel bar.
Rural and fjord area realities
Outside the big cities, Sunday options thin out. In small fjord villages, a single petrol station may be your lifeline for groceries. Tourist hubs in peak summer might have a souvenir store or outdoor shop open for a few hours, but it is not guaranteed. If you are driving scenic routes or hiking, buy supplies the day before and keep some shelf-stable items in the car. Do not assume you can “just grab something” on a Sunday in rural areas.
Special cases around Christmas and summer
In the run-up to Christmas, some areas allow extra Sunday openings for selected stores, usually with shorter hours. Summer tourist towns sometimes extend Sunday trade when the crowds arrive. The pattern is uneven, and it changes by location. Treat any extra Sunday opening as a welcome surprise rather than a promise. Always check local hours in map apps the day before.
Payment and practicalities
Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, and contactless works smoothly. Mobile payments like Vipps are common among locals, but international visitors should rely on physical or digital cards. Keep a tote bag with you, since plastic bags cost extra, and bring a refillable water bottle. Norway’s tap water is high quality, so staying hydrated is easy even when stores are shut.
Quick phrases and signs to recognize
Look for “søndagsåpent” or “søndagsåpen butikk,” which means Sunday-open. “Apotek” is a pharmacy, “bensinstasjon” is a petrol station, “kjøpesenter” is a shopping center, and “Vinmonopolet” is the wine and spirits store. If you see “stengt,” the place is closed.
A simple checklist before your trip
- If your itinerary includes a Sunday, plan your main shop for Saturday.
- Save a map list of nearby kiosks, petrol stations, and Sunday-open mini markets.
- Book restaurants for Sunday lunch or dinner if you have your heart set on a popular spot.
- Stock a tiny pantry: coffee or tea, breakfast basics, and a snack or two.
Sundays in Norway reward a slow approach. With expectations set and a few smart moves on Saturday, you will still eat well, explore plenty, and maybe discover a neighborhood bakery that becomes the highlight of your day.