Looking for a dose of European Christmas cheer this year? The options for merry locales are plentiful, but few places are as festive as Berlin.
Germany is the birthplace of the Christmas tree, and the merrymaking grew from there. So, grab a Christmas sausage, a glass of Glühwein, and warm yourself by the lights of the season. Here are a few ideas to get your Christmas in Berlin started.
Image Credit: Getty Images, sborisov. Image Location: Berlin, Germany
Berliner joy: things to do and see at Christmas in Berlin
Christmas markets in Berlin
The Christmas markets in Berlin offer more than just shopping; they're a holiday extravaganza complete with food, drinks, rides, and entertainment. They can feel like a holiday version of fairs in the United States but with a distinctive German vibe. Be sure to pace yourself—there are over 80 markets awaiting your discovery. To start you off, here are some of the top Berlin Christmas markets.
1. Christmas Market at Alexanderplatz
A bustling spot, and a firm favorite for many, this Berlin Christmas market mixes traditional vendor stalls with funfair thrills, including a Ferris wheel, children's rides, and an ice-skating rink.
2. Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei
In addition to Scandinavian food and drink, this themed market offers lots of fun for kids.
3. Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace
The illuminated palace gardens with more than 250 vendors and many traditional rides for kids make up this beautiful market.
4. Rotes Rathaus Christmas Market
Famous for its Ferris wheel, this market at Berlin City Hall includes a fairytale forest, a large ice-skating rink around Neptune Fountain, with frequent visits from Santa Claus.
5. Christmas Market in Spandau
This traditional market has an old European feel. You will be charmed by the enormous tree and the festive huts and stalls where vendors sell wares and edible delights from all over the world.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Martin Diebel. Image Location: Kurfürstendamm Avenue, Berlin, Germany
Christmas lights in Berlin
Stunning light displays can be seen all over Berlin this time of year, but there are a few places that stand out in their brilliance. Two of the best streets to visit for luminous displays are Kurfürstendamm avenue and Unter den Linden boulevard. A stroll through the thousands of fairy lights is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.
For a beautiful holiday selfie, visit the light displays at Sony Center. If you need a bit of nature with your merriment, you can enjoy the festive installations at Tierpark (zoo) and Christmas Garden Berlin, which is a dazzling light display at the Botanical Garden.
Is Berlin worth visiting at Christmas?
Absolutely. The Christmas fun in Berlin doesn’t end at markets and lights. There are several locations for winter-themed activities. Winter World on Potsdamer Platz has all the seasonal fun you might remember from childhood. While it is also a Christmas market, adventurous folks will want to zoom down the toboggan run, twirl on the ice-skating rink, and maybe even try the winter sport of curling.
Is anything open in Berlin on Christmas Day?
Keep in mind that in Germany, Christmas Eve is generally more significant than Christmas Day, so for those seeking Christmas Day activities, some markets and museums will be open at certain times, so just be sure to plan ahead.
Reflect on history at the Jewish Museum Berlin, contemplate the photography collections at C/O Berlin, and explore ancient wonders at the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection.
Image Credit: Getty Images, fhm. Image Location: Potsdam, Germany
Spread the Christmas cheer with a day trip from Berlin
Curious to explore more German cities around Christmastime? Consider taking a quick day trip from Berlin to Potsdam. From Berlin, it only takes 24 minutes to Potsdam on the fastest services, so grab your Trainline App to book your ticket well in advance and to check train times and availability, especially during the busy holiday season.
Potsdam day trip from Berlin
This romantic winter village has its own charming Christmas market in the Baroque city center. The incredible beauty of Sanssouci Palace and Sanssouci Park inspire visitors year-round and should be primary destinations for your visit to Potsdam. The beauty and botanical variety of the palace gardens transport guests to a land that feels far from the ever-energetic Berlin.
While Potsdam is guaranteed to dazzle, few cities compare to the magic of Berlin. No matter what Christmas sights and activities you choose, Berlin is likely to be one of your favorite getaways this holiday season.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Travelpix Ltd. Image Location: Berlin, Germany