Supermarkets & Drugstores in Darmstadt
The everyday shopping guide for international students
Where is the nearest PENNY? What do you buy at dm or Rossmann? And is everything really closed on Sundays? This guide walks you through everyday shopping in Darmstadt — supermarkets, drugstores, the nearest pharmacy, Asian groceries, and the quirks of German shopping culture.
Everyday shopping — supermarkets, drugstores, bottle deposits and German customs
🛒 Supermarkets Nearby
From the ORO complex (Eschollbrücker Str. 18, 64295 Darmstadt) you can reach several supermarkets on foot:
| Supermarket | Distance | Walk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PENNY | ca. 400 m | ~6 min | Budget-friendly, own-brand products, Rewe group |
| REWE | ca. 1 km | ~13 min | Wide selection, organic section, longer opening hours |
| Lidl | ca. 1 km | ~14 min | Budget-friendly, good weekly offers, in-store bakery |
PENNY Closest ~400 m
Quickest option for daily essentials. Budget own-brand products, basics (milk, bread, fruit, frozen goods). Bottle return machine (Pfandautomat) on site. Limited range but everything you need day-to-day.
REWE ~13 min walk
Larger range than PENNY: better fresh produce, organic aisle, more international products. Often open until 22:00. Great for the weekly shop.
Lidl ~14 min walk
Discounter like PENNY but with rotating weekly deals (new offers every Wednesday & Saturday). Good prices on dry goods, dairy, canned food. Popular for the in-store fresh bread station.
🧩 Drugstores — dm & Rossmann
In Germany, personal care products, cosmetics, household cleaners, and over-the-counter supplements are bought at a Drogerie (drugstore), not at the supermarket. The two major chains are:
dm-drogerie markt Own brand: alverde / Balea
Germany’s largest drugstore chain. Extensive range of personal care, cosmetics, natural cosmetics (own brand alverde), household products, baby supplies, and food supplements. Bonus: dm also sells food own-brands (vitamins, teas, cereals). Multiple branches across Darmstadt city centre.
Rossmann Own brand: Alterra / ISANA
Second-largest drugstore chain, similar product range to dm. Own brands for cosmetics (Alterra) and personal care (ISANA). Frequently cheaper prices on branded products through regular promotions. Branches centrally located in Darmstadt.
🏥 Asian Groceries in Darmstadt
If you need soy sauce, ramen noodles, tofu, rice vinegar, miso paste, or other East Asian ingredients, regular German supermarkets will often disappoint. That’s where Asian supermarkets come in:
Asian Supermarkets in Darmstadt Chinese / Japanese / Korean
Darmstadt has Asian supermarkets stocking a wide range of East Asian products: fresh tofu varieties, miso paste, various ramen types, rice varieties, sesame oil, kimchi, and much more. Easily reachable by public transport from the ORO complex.
💊 Pharmacy (Apotheke)
The nearest pharmacy is approximately 5 minutes on foot from the ORO complex. In Germany, all medicines — even over-the-counter ones like ibuprofen or paracetamol — are sold exclusively at pharmacies, not in supermarkets or drugstores.
🎉 German Shopping Customs
Coming from abroad, you’ll notice a few distinctly German shopping habits:
♻️ Pfand — €0.25 bottle deposit
Almost all single-use plastic bottles and cans for water, soft drinks, and beer carry a Pfand (bottle deposit) of €0.25 per item. You pay it at checkout and get it back by inserting the empty bottle into the Pfandautomat (return machine, usually near the supermarket entrance). The machine prints a voucher that you redeem at the till.
🚫 Sundays: Almost everything closed
Germany has strict Sunday trading laws (Ladenschlussgesetz). Almost all supermarkets, drugstores (dm, Rossmann), DIY stores, and clothing shops are closed on Sundays. Exceptions:
- Petrol station shops: open, but significantly more expensive
- Bakeries: often open until around noon
- Kiosks / late-night shops: in some neighbourhoods
- Station shops: open for travel essentials
Plan your weekly shop by Saturday afternoon — or enjoy the enforced day off.
💳 EC card and cash
Germany is still more cash-oriented than many other countries. Girocard (EC card) is accepted in virtually all supermarkets; credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are increasingly accepted but not guaranteed everywhere. Small bakeries, weekly markets, and kiosks often accept cash only.
👞 Bags cost extra
Plastic or paper bags at checkout cost €0.20–0.50. Bring your own reusable bag (Stoffbeutel) — it saves money and is the norm.
🍌 Freshness by day of the week
Fish counters often have limited fresh fish on Monday mornings due to weekend delivery gaps. Mid-week (Wednesday–Friday) is best for fresh fish. The Darmstadt weekly market (Luisenplatz, Tuesday + Friday) is a great budget-friendly alternative for fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, and bread.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
PENNY, approximately 400 m away (6 minutes on foot). REWE and Lidl are about 1 km (13–14 min). PENNY is best for quick daily errands; REWE is worth the walk for the weekly shop.
Almost everything — supermarkets, drugstores, clothing shops are closed by law. Petrol station shops are open (more expensive), bakeries often until noon. Do your shopping by Saturday afternoon.
Pfand (€0.25/single-use bottle or can) is added to the price. Insert the empty bottle in the return machine (Pfandautomat) at the supermarket entrance — receive a voucher — redeem at the till. Glass bottles and reusable crates work the same way.
Darmstadt has Asian supermarkets with Chinese, Japanese, and Korean products. For an even bigger selection, Frankfurt is just 20 minutes by S-Bahn (S3/S4) with several large Asian supermarkets near the main station.
Personal care products (shampoo, cosmetics, detergents) are sold at drugstores (dm or Rossmann), not supermarkets. Medicines (ibuprofen, paracetamol) are only available at pharmacies (Apotheke). Supermarkets focus on food; drugstores handle everything else.
Looking for accommodation in Darmstadt?
Fully furnished studios from €760/mo, steps from TU Darmstadt — fibre internet, induction kitchen, KNX smart home. Get in touch now:
Or use the enquiry form →