The Best Christmas in Berlin Travel Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do & How to Enjoy the Christmas Markets 2025

If you’re still on the fence about spending Christmas in Germany, consider this your sign to just book the trip. I promise you won’t regret it! Germany is hands-down one of the best countries to visit during the holidays, and Berlin, the capital, is a huge part of that magic.

Yes, I might be biased (I am German, after all), but the Christmas markets here are authentic, cozy, and absolutely charming. I’ve spent multiple Christmases in Berlin, and each time I’ve had the best experience, hopping between markets, nibbling on bratwurst, and sipping plenty of mulled wine.

Because I know so many of you plan trips to Germany around Christmas, I wanted to finally put together a guide. Today, I’ll cover Christmas in Berlin in general, including where I usually stay, the best neighborhoods, my favorite Christmas markets, and a few extra tips for making the most of your festive Berlin trip.

In a Rush? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in Berlin Germany

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Boutique Hotel Chateau Royal – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️⭐️ Locke at East Side Gallery – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️ Sly Berlin – Click here for rates & availability

Christmas in Berlin: Where to Stay, What to Do & How to Enjoy the Christmas Markets 2025

Christmas in Berlin – My Experience

I recently took a trip to Berlin during Christmas, and I loved it. I’ve also visited a few times over the years, so even though I’m not a local, I have a good sense of what the city is like during the festive season.

Landing in Berlin straight from Australia, going from midsummer to midwinter was a huge change, but I absolutely loved it. I had missed German Christmas markets and the holiday atmosphere so much that I definitely overindulged in market food and mulled wine… but honestly, who can blame me?

I made a point to check out a few of Berlin’s major Christmas markets. We visited the market at Alexanderplatz and the one at Humboldt Forum and both were fantastic. Yes, they were busy and not the most authentic, quaint or rustic, but I had an amazing time.

I enjoyed plenty of food and mulled wine, and the Humboldt Forum market was especially cool because part of it is set in the palace courtyard, giving it a really unique atmosphere.

Overall, I loved Christmas in Berlin. As a German, I personally prefer smaller towns with a cozier, more traditional feel. But from a tourist’s perspective, Berlin is perfect: you get the festive Christmas markets and all the iconic Berlin sights and landmarks. It’s the best of both worlds.

When to Visit Berlin & Tips for Planning

Best time to go: Not all of winter counts as Christmas in Germany. If you’re planning a festive trip, make sure it’s in the 4–5 weeks leading up to Christmas. Most Christmas markets open in mid- to late November. If you want to be safe, plan for 28 November or later, by then, everything will be up and running.

Location matters: Out of all German cities, I think location matters most in Berlin because it’s so spread out. That said, there are so many Christmas markets here that you’ll always find one close by no matter where you stay. Personally, I recommend staying somewhere between the Brandenburg Gate and Alexanderplatz, that central area makes exploring so much easier. My go-to here is the Boutique Hotel Château Royal, where I’ve stayed before and loved the location.

Book early: Christmas is peak season for Berlin (and Germany in general). Hotels, flights, and trains get more expensive and sell out quickly, so book as far in advance as you can, ideally right now.

Get an eSIM: I’ve been using eSIMs for a while, and they’re a complete game changer. Wherever I travel, it’s literally one click and I have data. It’s especially handy in Berlin for navigating public transport. I use SimLocal and highly recommend them, they’ve been fantastic. You can sign up here and even use my discount code GIRLONAZEBRA.

Pack accordingly: Winter in Berlin (and Germany in general) can be unpredictable. It’s usually somewhere between freezing and snowy or just above freezing and rainy, with plenty of grey skies in between. I always pack a waterproof jacket or coat, plus layers (thermals if you feel the cold easily). Nothing ruins a Christmas market faster for me than frozen toes, so don’t underestimate warm socks and waterproof shoes.

Have cash on you: Germany still has plenty of pubs, cafés, and market stalls that are cash only (which drives me crazy because I love tapping everywhere). On Christmas markets, many vendors only take cash, so I always carry around €50–100 to be comfortable. A mulled wine is about €5, a bratwurst the same, and trust me, you’ll want several of both.

Where to Stay in Berlin for Christmas

As I mentioned earlier, figuring out where to stay in Berlin can be tricky because the city is so spread out and doesn’t really have one neat city center. There are loads of great neighborhoods like Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, and Neukölln, plus Mitte, which I usually count as the closest thing to a city center.

Even though I love the vibe in all those neighborhoods, I almost always end up staying in Mitte. For me, it’s just the most convenient. I usually pick somewhere near Alexanderplatz or closer to Hackescher Markt. From there, I’m centrally located, have easy access to public transport, and can even walk to three or four Christmas markets without much effort.

That’s honestly one of the biggest things I consider when booking a hotel for a Christmas trip, I want to be close to landmarks, museums, and of course the Berlin Christmas markets.

Here are a couple of my favorite hotels in Berlin that I’ve stayed at before and would definitely recommend checking out:

Book Here: Boutique Hotel Chateau Royal

Book Here: Hotel Zoe Berlin

My Favorite Berlin Christmas Markets

Christmas Market at the Humboldt Forum (Berlin Palace)

When it comes to Christmas markets right in the center of Berlin, the one at the Humboldt Forum (aka the Berlin Palace) is probably my favorite. Half of it is spread out in front of the palace, while the other half is tucked inside the courtyard, which makes for a super unique setting.

I’ve been to this market a few times over the years, and it always delivers. There’s plenty of good food, mulled wine flowing everywhere, and what I especially love: proper seating areas, fire pits, and standing tables with heaters. I like to linger a bit, eat, sip, chat and not just grab food and run, so cozy spots like these are always a win. When I visited, it was freezing, and the fire pits were basically the hottest (literally) hangout spots.

The atmosphere is also amazing, with the Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island just across the street, it’s hard to beat that backdrop. In the courtyard, you’ll find more of the souvenir and handmade craft stalls. I even ended up buying some homemade walnut salami from one of the vendors, which sounded weird at first but turned out to be delicious. Overall, this one is my number one pick when it comes to Berlin Christmas markets.

Info Here: Christmas Market Humboldtforum

Christmas Market at RAW Compound

For something completely different, I like to head to the Christmas market at the RAW compound in Friedrichshain. This one is medieval-themed, and it’s a whole experience: mulled wine served in chunky mugs, giant one-meter-long grilled meat skewers, beer in tankards, and vendors dressed up to match the vibe.

There’s even a petting zoo, which makes it a great spot for families with kids, but honestly, I had just as much fun as any child there. The atmosphere is quirky, playful, and a little offbeat but very Berlin, in other words. Definitely worth checking out if you want to mix up the more traditional markets with something a little more unique.

Info Here: Christmas Market RAW Compund

Food in Berlin – My Favorite Berlin Restaurants

Cafés & Breakfast

Father Carpenter: A tucked-away café with great coffee, flaky pastries, and a calm vibe. One of my regular stops in Berlin. The menu here is very ‘Australia Cafe’ which is right up my alley but I also love their location which is really cute.
Sofi: Another favorite for coffee and baked goods, especially their pastries, which are dangerously good.

Quick Lunch Stops

Azem Bistro: My go-to spot near Alexanderplatz for a proper döner kebab. I always get the chicken kebab here which is just so good!
Curry61 (Hackescher Markt): A must for currywurst. Order it “mit Pommes Mayo” (with fries and mayo) for the full Berlin experience. I was surprised but how good the currywurst was, definitely one of my new favorite food spots in Berlin.

Dinner

Hofbräuhaus: Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also great fun: big beers, big schnitzel, and Bavarian vibes. Honestly, even I as a German love to come here because it’s just such a fun time and actually really good food too.
Die Ständige Vertretung: Classic German dishes in a lively atmosphere. I love their Schnitzel with fried potatoes, that’s what I usually order when I’m here.
Berliner Republik: Another authentic German restaurant, right next door to StäV, so you could even do both.

Other Activities in Berlin That Are Not Christmas Markets

If you’re coming to Berlin for Christmas, the markets should absolutely be a top priority, but they don’t need to be the only thing you do.

Personally, I like to spend my mornings sightseeing and then ease into the Christmas market mood by late afternoon. It works perfectly since the markets really come alive in the evening with all the lights and atmosphere.

Here are some of my favorite non Christmas market things to do in Berlin during Christmas:

Brandenburg Gate & the government district: A wander around the Brandenburg Gate is always a must, especially with the Christmas lights around. Just around the corner, you’ll find the Reichstag (Germany’s parliament building). I once did the tour inside, including the glass dome on top, and it was genuinely fascinating, not just for the history but also for the views over the city. Definitely worth booking in advance.

Museums in Berlin: I’m a bit of a museum nerd, and Berlin has spoiled me for choice. Museum Island is one of my favorite areas in the whole city, it’s home to five of Berlin’s best museums, and the architecture alone makes it worth a visit. Even if you don’t go inside, wandering around this part of town is really beautiful.

Berlin Wall & East Side Gallery: The East Side Gallery is one of the most important places to visit in Berlin. It’s moving, it’s heavy, and it’s something you really need to see to understand Berlin’s history. My tip: book a guided tour. Otherwise, you might just find yourself staring at a wall without fully grasping the meaning behind the murals.

Exploring Berlin’s neighborhoods: One of my favorite things about Berlin is its neighborhoods. Each has such a distinct vibe. Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg are gritty, creative, and full of cool cafés, clubs, and street food.
I love Friedrichshain the most, but it’s a bit removed from the main landmarks, which is why I usually don’t stay there when I’m visiting as a tourist. Still, it’s a great place to spend an afternoon wandering, people-watching, and soaking up Berlin’s personality.

FAQs About Christmas in Berlin

Is Christmas in Berlin worth it?

Absolutely. Honestly, Christmas anywhere in Germany is worth it, but Berlin has the edge because you don’t just get Christmas markets, you also get world-class sightseeing, museums, and plenty of other things to keep you busy. It’s the best of both worlds.

Where should I stay in Berlin at Christmas?

I always stay somewhere central in Berlin because it just makes life easier. You’ll want to be able to walk (or at least take a short tram ride) to Christmas markets and big landmarks instead of hopping on a train every time you want a mulled wine refill. Berlin Mitte is my go-to.

What is the best Christmas market in Berlin?

If you’re sticking to the city center, I think the Christmas market at the Humboldt Forum is fantastic, especially because part of it is set in the Berlin Palace courtyard. But Berlin also has loads of smaller, more authentic markets tucked into different neighborhoods. If you have time, definitely check out one or two of those as well.

When is the best time to visit Berlin for Christmas?

The sweet spot is always the 4–5 weeks before Christmas Day. Most markets start opening somewhere between the 14th and 28th of November, so if you come at the end of November or early December, you’ll be right in the middle of the action.

Final Thoughts on Berlin at Christmas

Berlin is a fantastic choice for a Christmas trip to Germany. I’ve spent a few Christmases here, and what I love is that it’s not just Christmas markets. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll happily sip mulled wine and eat roasted almonds every night of the week, but I know myself, and I’d get bored if that was the only thing on the agenda.

What makes Berlin special is the mix. My typical routine goes something like this: in the mornings, I’ll tick off sightseeing, maybe I do a walking tour, a river cruise, or one of the museums on Museum Island. Then, around 5 p.m., I make my way to a Christmas market, order my first Glühwein of the evening, grab something hearty to eat, and settle into the festive atmosphere. It’s the perfect rhythm for a Berlin Christmas trip.

I hope this guide helps you plan your own Christmas in Berlin and makes your European holiday trip just a little easier.