December is a magical time to be in Europe, when its charming cities are decked out in sparkling decorations for the holiday season. Bundle up and head to Berlin this Christmas for a city full of exciting corners to discover, even in December.
1. Visit Berlin’s most popular Christmas market
Gendarmenmarkt is worth a visit any time of year. It’s an architectural stunner boasting German and French cathedrals and the opera house, but it also houses one of Berlin’s most popular Christmas markets in December. Open through the New Year, this is one of the best spots in Berlin to go for a spin on the ice rink and then warm up with a mug of Glühwein.
2. Visit the Berlin Wall Memorial
In 1989, the Berlin Wall began to crumble. Today, a memorial stands at Bernauer Strasse, where the historical Wall once stood. The memorial includes a section of the original wall where it once stood. Visit The East Side Gallery to see one of the few remaining pieces of the wall with more than 100 historic paintings created just after the reunification of Berlin in 1990.
3. Dine in a winter garden
Literaturhaus Berlin’s Cafe Wintergarten is a quiet oasis in the center of Berlin. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner in this idyllic garden setting for a brief respite from the city. Stop by Literaturhaus’ bookstore to discover your next winter read for the trip home.
4. Shop Berlin designers
Check out the latest Berlin street styles at Voo. German utilitarian design meets Berlin’s gritty street aesthetic in Voo’s clothing and homegoods collections. Pop in and outfit yourself with a pair of cool kicks to take to the streets of Berlin.
5. Tour the art of Berlin
Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, artists have found a creative home in Berlin. Context Travel’s Berlin Art Scene tour is the perfect primer on the city’s influential artists. A local curator or arts writer will lead you through Berlin’s vibrant galleries.
6. Warm up in Berlin’s cozy cafés
Berlin has a vibrant café scene, perfect for sipping a cozy winter cuppa. Enjoy Berlin’s burgeoning roasting scene at The Barn, located in the heart of the gallery district, and Bonanza Coffee, a third wave café focused on lighter roasts.
7. Experience Winter World
In December, Potsdamer Platz transforms into Winter World, packed with winter sports such as snow tubing, ice skating and curling, as well as hearty German dishes and warming tipples. Potsdamer Platz is also home to a charming Christmas market, filled with Christmas goodies.
8. Try traditional German Flammkuchen
Flammkuchen is a German dish very similar to pizza. At Gasthaus Figl, Flammkuchen is topped with carefully paired ingredients. Try the Wilder Kaiser, topped with sage roasted potato slices, half-dried tomatoes and prosciutto. Figl offers vegan options and has a hidden bowling alley downstairs, too.
9. Sip expertly mixed cocktails
Berlin is home to a few bars that have no menus at all. Instead, guests are asked which spirit they prefer, as well as their flavour preference, and a cocktail expertly tailored to them will be whipped up on the spot. Visit the expert mixologists at Rum Trader and Schwarze Traube for a one-of-a-kind cocktail.
10. Give the gift of memories
Take advantage of the dazzling decorations and surprise your sweetie with the gift of memories! Book one of our Berlin Flytographers to capture your trip and come home with the sweetest gift ever.
Flytographer: Sarah in Berlin
See more: Berlin – couples – love – romantic getaways
