Berlin is one of my favourite cities – vibrant, fascinatingly historic yet somehow simultaneously modern … it’s just really cool.
We went for the Christmas markets in mid-December – definitely worth a trip! Beautiful lights and decorations everywhere, stalls brimming with unique gifts to bring home. Not to mention the delicious food and drink: Bratwurst, crispy fries, fluffy pancakes, hot chocolate, Eierpunsch (similar to eggnog), glühwein …. need I go on? Generally speaking, though the big Alexanderplatz and Weihnachtszauber market are better known, I would recommend the smaller set-ups. The Nikolaiviertel market is in a beautiful little church square, tucked away from the tourist masses and also hosts an outdoor cinema. Then if you fancy something a bit different, the Eco-Christmas market on Sophienstraße is fab too ❤
But be sure to take a warm coat at that time of year, as the markets are mostly open-air and the temperature has a habit of hovering below 0 degrees Celsius. It will also be incredibly busy; the markets are popular and therefore very crowded. It’s not a drawback necessarily, just something to be considered. As is the fact that, like many tourist attractions, the markets can be a little on the pricey side – you should expect to pay more for food/drink etc. Though you shouldn’t be put off visiting, be a little wary if you’re on a tight budget!
However, there’s A LOT more to Berlin and, even if you’re planning a Christmas trip, it’s worth exploring what else the city has to offer – to be honest, after a few markets you get the idea … In some cities you get the impression that a weekend break is long enough to see the highlights but here, we could have done with an extra week to fit everything in:
- East Side Gallery – I loved this! An open-air gallery consisting of various murals painted along a remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall.
- Alexanderplatz – a large main square, featuring the iconic TV tower. Though when we visited it was home to a huge Christmas market.
- Reichstag – The main feature is the unusual dome structure. I would definitely recommend going in the day to make the most of the 360 degree view of the city; unfortunately, the only slot we could get was late at night
- Bradenburg Gate – unlike the Reichstag, you should visit this monument in the evening – the way it’s lit up makes it all the more impressive.
- Tiergarten – a large park near both the gate and the Reichstag. It’s also home to the Berlin Zoo.
- Potsdammer Platz – this square is a transport hub so you’ll probably end up passing through it even unintentionally. Once again, like most of the public squares, it was dominated by a market at the time we visited.
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe – a memorial consisting of 2,711 concrete slabs constructed in remembrance of Holocaust victims.
- Berlin Wall Memorial – an open-air exhibition commemorating the division of the city.
- Checkpoint Charlie – the infamous crossing point is yet another reminder of the Cold War divisions
- Both the Jewish Museum and the DDR Museum include fascinating, interactive exhibits.
We didn’t have time to see the Charlottenburg Palace or the Botanical Garden (pity because, as anyone who has ever travelled with me will tell you, I love a good garden!) but many people have recommended both to me.
If you’ve visited Berlin, what did you enjoy most? Let me know what I’ve missed and what I should make time for on my next visit – no doubt there will be another!
x
Bookishly Abroad 