Treat yourself to a visit to Germany’s capital to immerse yourself in a generous sprinkling of festive spirit. Berlin has nigh on 100 Christmas markets to explore – yes, all in one city – with something for all tastes, from traditional to eco-friendly and Bavarian to Scandi.
There are even Japanese-themed markets to explore. Get your holiday shopping done, see the sights and grab yourself a glühwein, with our pick of the top choices for a December weekend in this glorious snow-covered (here’s hoping!) city.
With so much to see and do, you’ll be hard pushed to fit them all in so here’s our pick of the best. Enjoy!
Visit Germany’s capital and immerse yourself in a generous sprinkling of festive spirit
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
WeihnachtsZauber
Where: Bebelplatz
When: 27 November to 31 December
If you only do one Christmas market, you’d be hard pushed to make a better choice than this one. One of the city’s most popular, it is located in the central Mitte district, where it attracts a whopping 600,000 visitors each year.
Set in a courtyard with the stunning backdrop of the State Opera House and Hotel de Rome, there are pop-up gourmet restaurants to enjoy (booking advised).
If you only do one Christmas market, then make sure it’s WeihnachtsZauber
(Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
Browse stalls selling everything from Neuburger rahmbrot (an Austrian open toasted sandwich with melted cheese – what’s not to love?) to fluffy shredded pancakes called kaiserschmarren, or emperor’s mess.
There are performances from acrobats, dancers and singers, and arts and crafts stalls featuring glass-blowers, goldsmiths and candle makers.
It all comes to a banging end on New Year’s Eve with DJ performances and a massive fireworks display.
Lucia Christmas market
Where: Kulturbrauerei
When: 27 November to 22 December
An old brewery in the cool Prenzlauer Berg district that now plays host to clubs, cinemas, theatres and restaurants, is the site of Berlin’s Scandinavian-style, super-cosy festive market.
Buy Nordic handicrafts while eating a kanelbullar pastry and sipping on Swedish glögg or Icelandic jólaglögg, or go for bold culinary adventures with elk meatballs, mousse goulash and reindeer salami, while the Lucia choir sings Swedish and German carols.
An old brewery in the cool Prenzlauer Berg district is where you’ll find Berlin’s Scandinavian-style, super-cosy festive market
(Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
Advent Eco Market
Where: Kollwitzplatz
When: The first three Sundays of December and Saturday 23 December
This Prenzlauer Berg market offers toys, textiles and handicrafts with impressive craftsmanship and an eco conscience, as well as organic food stores and children’s pony rides.
Treat yourself to an organic mead or mulled wine and some gingerbread, Christmas cookies or an apple strudel, or all of the above – you’re on holiday!
The Prenzlauer Berg market offers toys, textiles and handicrafts with impressive craftsmanship and an eco conscience
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market
When: 27 November to 31 December
Enchanting is the word for this magical market in front of the magnificent historical – and festively lit – home of the former queen of Prussia, which is found west of the city centre.
Some 250 stalls sell everything from nativity scenes to candy apples and freshly baked stollen. A glorious experience for children, with old-fashioned carousel rides and visits to Santa with his real-life reindeer in tow.
Enchanting is the word for this magical market by the historical home of the former queen of Prussia, just west of the city centre
(Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
Artisan Advent
Where: Karl-August-Platz
When: 3 and 10 December
The best choice of market for unique Christmas gifts. Watch local artisans as they handcraft sculptures, jewellery, wood figurines and beautiful Christmas decorations that will be a yearly reminder of your festive trip. Other stalls sell everything from ceramics and glass vases to silk and woollen scarves.
More shopping, anyone?
KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens – the “Department Store of the West”) is Germany’s most famous department store and second only to London’s Harrods in size.
Shop luxury brands and treat yourself to a fizz in the sixth-floor champagne bar. Stroll the shopping streets of Kurfürstendamm and Schlossstrasse for more festive retail action, and window-shop the designer stores of Friedrichstrasse.
KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens – the “Department Store of the West”) is second only to Harrods in size
(Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
While you’re there…
Save time for a whistle-stop tour of the sights, from Checkpoint Charlie, the former border crossing between divided East and West Berlin, to the East Side Gallery, an open-air museum of art on the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall.
Try a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, or even take a tour in an old East European Trabant or VW Beetle. Organise via activitygift.com and a tree will be planted through the Eden Reforestation Project for every booking.
Save time for a whistle-stop tour of the sights, from Checkpoint Charlie to the East Side Gallery
(Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
Where to stay
NH Collection Berlin Mitte, Friedrichstrasse
From 117 euros (£102) per room. Book at nh-hotels.com
Perfectly located for sightseeing and Christmas markets, the NH Collection hotel is a short stroll from the tree-lined Unter den Linden. Full of twinkly festive lights, the boulevard leads up to the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, Germany’s parliament building, as well as the Tiergarten, Berlin’s biggest park. It’s also close to Museum Island, and many of Mitte’s Christmas markets – WeihnachtsZauber is only a 10-minute walk away – and has special festive menus in the restaurant for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Moxy Berlin Airport
From 89 euros (£77) per room. Book at moxy-hotels.marriott.com
A great choice when flying over for a quick, budget-conscious Christmas shopping weekend. Unlike most hotels next to airports, the Moxy is a super fun, super cool, relaxed environment to chill out in after a hectic day pounding those snowy city streets. Play table football and a selection of games while lounging about on retro furnishings and drinking signature cocktails.
How to get there
EasyJet flies to Berlin from Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol, Luton and Gatwick. Travel by train to Berlin via Brussels (another beautifully festive city for a stop-off) from London St Pancras. Prices start at £149 return in December. Book with omio.co.uk
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