The 5 Best Christmas Markets in Berlin: My Favorite Xmas Markets to Visit!

Christmas in Germany is honestly one of the best times of the year and I say that as a German. Even though I travel full-time, I make a real effort to come home every December because it’s just that magical.

Last winter I based myself in Berlin, and I loved it. Exploring Germany in December is always fun, but Berlin’s Christmas markets are just some of my favorites. The city has around 50 different Christmas markets, which makes sense, since it’s the capital, but that also means it can feel a bit overwhelming (and yes, some are very touristy).

I spent almost a week in Berlin over Christmas and managed to visit quite a few of the markets. Some were absolutely fantastic, while others were just okay. Since I know many of you are planning a trip to Germany during the festive season, I thought I’d put together this little guide to the best Christmas markets in Berlin, the ones I genuinely think are worth your time.

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

The 5 Best Christmas Markets in Berlin: My Favorite Xmas Markets to Visit!

Christmas Markets in Berlin – My Experience

I want to start this guide with a bit of my own experience, because I think that gives you a much better feel for what Berlin’s Christmas markets are actually like, rather than me just dropping a list.

I spent five days in Berlin last winter and made it my mission to see as many markets as I could. I visited some of the big, central ones and also went a little further out to find those that tourists often skip.

The very first market I went to was the one at Alexanderplatz (right under the TV Tower), and honestly, I was surprised by how good it was. It’s one of the bigger, more commercialized markets, but I still had a great time. I ate way too much, bratwurst, pretzels, and of course plenty of mulled wine, and I even went ice skating since they have a rink there. It was busy and super touristy, but still really fun.

That said, the real magic of Berlin’s Christmas markets is when you venture beyond the city center. I made the effort to visit a couple of smaller markets on the outskirts of the city, set up on little farms in almost countryside-style settings, and they were incredible. Rustic, cozy, and filled with locals, they had so much more atmosphere than the bigger markets in town.

So if there’s one piece of advice you take from this, it’s this: don’t just stick to the central Christmas markets. Take the time to go a little further out. That’s where Berlin Christmas Markets really shine.

Everything You Need to Know About Christmas in Berlin

Location matters: Berlin is huge and very spread out, so where you stay really makes a difference. I usually base myself somewhere fairly central so I can mix in a bit of sightseeing around Mitte without having to rely on public transport all the time. My favorite hotel for this is Boutique Hotel Chateau Royal, it’s stylish, central, and from there I can walk to a ton of landmarks and several Christmas markets in the city center.

Christmas Markets: The truth is, the markets on the outskirts of Berlin are way cuter, more magical, and definitely more authentic than the ones in the city center. That said, the central ones are still a lot of fun, especially if you just want to grab some hearty food, drink plenty of mulled wine, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Pack accordingly: Winters in Berlin can be brutal. We’re talking icy winds, freezing temperatures, and sometimes endless drizzle. Bring thick socks, proper winter shoes, gloves, and a rain jacket just in case. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

Pick the right time: Christmas markets in Berlin usually start opening from mid-to-late November and run until Christmas Eve. Some of the bigger ones stay open until New Year’s Eve, but if you want the full experience, aim for the four weeks before Christmas, that’s when everything is in full swing.

Stay connected: Berlin’s size makes navigating a bit of a challenge, and I rely on public transport constantly when hopping from market to market. To always have data on hand, I use an eSIM from Simlocal, it’s super easy to set up and has worked flawlessly for me. (Click here to sign up for Simlocal and use my discount code GIRLONAZEBRA.)

Getting around Berlin: Use the U-Bahn (subway). It’s hands-down the fastest and easiest way to crisscross the city and jump between Christmas markets. Honestly, that’s exactly what locals do too.

My Favorite Berlin Christmas Markets

1. Christmas Market at the Humboldtforum (Berlin Palace)

Opening Dates: 24.11.25-01.01.26
Click Here: Location
Click Here: Website

First up on my list (and not in any particular ranking!) is the Christmas Market at the Humboldt Forum, easily one of my favorites, and I’ll tell you why.

When I visited Berlin last winter, I loved how convenient this market was. I was staying in Berlin Mitte at the Boutique Hotel Château Royal, and from there I could just walk over, which is always a win. The market is set in the courtyard of the Berlin Palace, right across from Museum Island and the Berlin Cathedral.

I actually spent the afternoon wandering through the Pergamon Museum before heading straight to the market, which made for the perfect Berlin winter day.

The market itself really surprised me. Out in front, you’ll find plenty of food stalls, little carousels for kids, and lots of heated seating areas and fireplaces where I happily lingered with my mulled wine and bratwurst. Inside the palace courtyard, the vibe changes a bit, it’s filled with beautiful handicrafts, from woodwork to homemade sausages and regional delicacies. I loved browsing through everything and chatting with the vendors.

Considering this market is smack in the city center, I think it does a fantastic job of keeping things festive without feeling overly commercial. I had such a good time here and would happily come back on my next Berlin Christmas trip.

2. Christmas Market Alexanderplatz

Opening Dates: 24.11.25-26.12.25
Click Here: Location
Click Here: Website

The Christmas Market at Alexanderplatz (the big square right under Berlin’s iconic TV Tower) was actually the very first market I visited in Berlin and honestly, I had such a fun time. Yes, it’s one of the city’s largest markets and yes, it’s absolutely packed with tourists. But you know what? Who cares. I still had a great time, and that’s what matters.

It’s a big, lively market with all the classic Christmas food stalls. I worked my way through quite a lineup: Reibekuchen (potato pancakes), sausages, roasted almonds, currywurst, mushrooms in garlic sauce, you name it, I probably ate it.

One of the highlights here is the ice rink in the middle of the square. Renting skates was only €10, and even though it got a little questionable after my third mug of mulled wine, it was still super fun.

Would I travel across the city just to visit Alexanderplatz? Probably not. But since it’s right in the middle of Berlin, it’s an easy one to pop into, especially if you’re already sightseeing in the area.

3. Medieval Christmas Market at RAW

Opening Dates: 13.11.25-22.12.25
Click Here: Location
Click Here: Website

Another Christmas market I really enjoyed was the Medieval Christmas Market at the RAW Gelände. RAW is this old industrial complex in Friedrichshain that’s been turned into a super alternative cultural spot.

In summer it’s full of bars, food stalls, street art, nightclubs, and even the odd concert in a warehouse. In winter, though, they transform part of it into a medieval-style Christmas market, and it’s honestly pretty unique. It’s basically the most ‘Berlin’ Christmas market you could imagine.

When I went this past Christmas it was absolutely freezing, but that almost added to the whole medieval vibe. Loads of the people working there were dressed in period outfits, you could get a one-meter-long meat skewer (yes, a full meter of meat), drink mulled cider or beer out of these oversized mugs, and there was even a little petting zoo for kids. It felt quirky, rustic, and it just had a super cute and fun atmosphere.

I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it if you’re after something different from the more traditional Christmas markets. Plus, I can totally see this one being a huge hit if you’re visiting Berlin with kids.

4. Christmas Market at Späth’sche Baumschulen

Opening The 3 Weekends before Christmas
Click Here: Location
Click Here: Website

Ok, let’s move away from the Christmas markets in central Berlin and head out to one that feels a bit more special.

The Christmas market at Späth’sche Baumschulen is set in a historic tree nursery on the outskirts of Berlin, and it’s honestly such a cool setting. The grounds are huge, with old German farmhouses that get turned into rustic stalls and courtyards filled with Christmas lights and decorations.

I visited this one for the very first time on my recent trip to Berlin and absolutely loved it. It reminded me a lot of the Christmas markets near my hometown, smaller, cozier, more authentic, and with this charmingly rustic vibe. You won’t find a wild party atmosphere here, but that’s exactly the point: it’s more about sipping mulled wine in a magical courtyard than weaving through huge crowds.

Personally, these are the types of markets I enjoy the most. They feel more authentic and cozy, almost like stepping into a Brothers Grimm tale. That said, I like to mix it up, one day I’ll do a smaller, more low-key market like Späth’sche Baumschulen, and the next I’ll dive into the buzz of a big city-center market.

5. Domäne Dahlem Christmas Market

Opening Dates: 4 Weekends before Christmas
Click Here: Location
Click Here: Website

Another Christmas market I tried for the very first time last year was the Domäne Dahlem Christmas Market, and it definitely became one of my favorites.

The vibe here is quite similar to Späth’sche Baumschulen: rustic, cozy, and set on the outskirts of Berlin. We took the bus to get there, but after a few too many mulled wines we decided a taxi back was the smarter choice.

What I really loved about this market was how much more interactive it felt compared to others. It’s held around an old farmhouse, and besides the usual food stalls and mulled wine stands, there was loads of entertainment, live music, readings, wood-carving demonstrations, and activities for kids. It felt less about shopping and more about the atmosphere, which honestly was a nice change of pace after the bigger, more commercial markets in central Berlin.

If you want something authentic, a bit off the beaten path, and full of charm, Domäne Dahlem is absolutely worth the little trip out of the city center.

FAQs About Berlin Germany Christmas Markets

What are the best Berlin Christmas markets?

Personally, I think the markets outside the city center are the best. For example, the Domäne Dahlem Christmas Market is rustic, quaint, and super local, exactly the kind of authentic Christmas vibe I love.

Is Berlin worth visiting?

Absolutely. I honestly think Berlin is worth visiting any time of year. Christmas is magical, yes, but summer in Berlin is also incredible, maybe even better if you’re not a fan of freezing temperatures.

Is Christmas in Berlin worth it?

For sure. Christmas in Germany in general is something special. You don’t have to go to Berlin for that, Munich and Cologne also do Christmas beautifully, but if you’re in Berlin, you really can’t go wrong.

When is the best time to visit Berlin in winter?

I only like visiting Germany in winter if it’s also Christmas season. January or February feels just cold and gray without the festive magic. My recommendation: come within the four weeks before Christmas, when every market is open and the whole city feels festive.

Final Thoughts on Berlin Christmas Markets

Overall, Berlin’s Christmas markets are fantastic. If I’m being completely honest, they’re not my absolute favorite in Germany (Cologne still takes the crown for me), but Berlin’s markets absolutely deliver on festive spirit.

If it’s your first time visiting Germany, I’d say Berlin is a great choice. You’ll get to see plenty of Christmas markets and still fit in all the iconic sightseeing. That balance makes Berlin a perfect winter city break in Europe.

I hope this little guide to my favorite Christmas markets in Berlin gives you some inspiration for your own trip, and maybe helps you figure out which markets are actually worth your time (and mulled wine money).