Visiting any country in Europe during the Christmas period means that you’ll come across at least one Christmas market. If you’re in Germany during this time of the year, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to Christmas markets. One of the largest European Christmas markets is located in Frankfurt, but cities such as Munich and Berlin also rank highly on the list. Some of the best Berlin Christmas markets are the more intimate ones, but it’s worth stopping by the larger ones too.
The origins of Christmas markets started in Germany and eventually spread to other German-speaking regions of Europe. The first winter markets recorded can be dated back to the 14th century, but it’s Dresden who claims to be home to the first ever Christmas market in 1434. There’s nothing quite like visiting Christmas markets in their origin country, and wherever you are in Germany you’re sure to come across them.
Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best Berlin Christmas markets to visit this year. I’ve also included a few examples of the types of food you’ll come across at the Christmas markets and which ones are worth trying out.
Getting around Berlin
Berlin has a very well connected transportation system, so it’s incredibly easy to travel between the best Berlin Christmas markets in a short period of time. Purchasing the Berlin Welcome Card will give you access to all modes of transportation within the city (as well as the train to Potsdam), and you’ll receive up to 50% discount on entry fees to attractions and certain restaurants in Berlin.
If this doesn’t seem beneficial to you, there are multiple ticket machines located at the subway and train stations where you can purchase a day or multi-day ticket. Tickets are also available to purchase on buses and trams.
Best Berlin Christmas Markets
Alexanderplatz
One of the best Berlin Christmas markets, as well as one of the biggest, is Alexanderplatz. It’s located in the heart of Berlin and offers visitors a unique mixture of a traditional market and a modern party zone. There are over 100 stalls here, selling everything from tasty food to crafts and clothing. A big highlight of the Alexanderplatz Christmas market is the walk-in Christmas pyramid which is the largest in Europe and has a nice viewing platform upstairs.
Food and drinks to try here include: Glühwein, Eierpunsch, Rostbratwurst, Quarkbällchen
Berliner Weihnachtszeit
Just a short walk from Alexanderplatz is the Berliner Weihnachtszeit. It’s considered to be one of the best Berlin Christmas markets for anyone who enjoys historic markets with a bit of modern fun. This Berlin Christmas market sits in front of the Town Hall and St Mary’s Church, with a stunning backdrop of the Berlin TV Tower.
You’ll find most of the stalls on the site of the old Berlin Marktgasse, and their facades are original depictions of houses from the 1900s in Berlin. Near St Mary’s Church is a beautiful medieval market where you can find all sorts of freshly prepared food. Don’t forget to take a ride on the Ferris wheel and test your skating skills on one of Berlin’s most beautiful skating rinks too!
Food and drinks to try here include: Champignons, Currywurst, Handbrot
Historische Weihnachtsmarkt
One of the most unique things to do in Berlin is head over to the Historische Weihnachtsmarkt. This market takes place on the RAW site and offers visitors an interesting experience where medieval entertainers and cuisines will transport you back in time. The area is lit by torchlight and there’s a good variety of vendors selling handmade goods, and many are dressed as tradespeople too. This Christmas market in Berlin is quite small, so you should plan to spend an hour or two here at the most.
Food and drinks to try here include: Langos, Hot Mead, Feuerzangenbowle
Gendarmenmarkt
The Gendarmenmarkt is considered by many to be the best Berlin Christmas market. Unlike most Christmas markets in the city, the Gendarmenmarkt has a small entry fee most of the time, but from Monday to Friday between 11:00 and 14:00 entry is free. The historic setting of this market is complemented by the wide array of high-end stalls, gourmet cuisine, the arts and crafts tent, and daily stage performers.
This is one Christmas market in Berlin that we came back to more than once because we enjoyed it so much. It’s a great area to find some souvenirs or Christmas presents too if you’re running short on time.
Food and drinks to try here include: Bratwurst, Chestnuts, Kaiserschmarren
Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt
Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt is a Scandinavian-themed Berlin Christmas market with a cozy atmosphere and a strong focus on Nordic folklore. It’s certainly a popular market in the city, so if you visit in the evening be prepared for large crowds all crammed into a relatively narrow space. As well as finding unique Scandinavian handicraft stalls and indulging in some tasty treats, make sure you take advantage of the wood stoves and fur coats that are laying around if you get cold.
Food and drinks to try here include: Kartoffelpuffer, Finnish Waffles, Salmon Potato Soup
Charlottenburg Palace
If you enjoy dramatic backdrops and iconic locations, one of the best Berlin Christmas markets to visit is at Charlottenburg Palace. This is a good sized market that’s situated in front of the palace, and there are more than 250 vendors offering everything from mulled wine to handmade decorations.
You’ll find a lot of traditional German classic sweets and savoury treats here, making it the perfect Christmas market to attend at any time of the day. I would recommend visiting in the evening when a light show is projected onto the walls of Charlottenburg Palace for a really magical experience.
Food and drinks to try here include: Glühwein, After Eight Hot Chocolate, Stollen, Marzipan
Spandau
Finding the best Berlin Christmas markets means you’ll need to venture slightly outside of the popular tourist areas of the city. If you have some free time, I would highly recommend taking the short journey to Spandau. This is where you can find Berlin’s traditional Christmas market set along charming cobbled streets.
All of the old town is decorated for Christmas and there are plenty of huts selling food, drinks, and handmade products. Walking around Spandau at Christmas is a magical experience and it really does make you feel like you’ve travelled to a small town miles away from the nearest city.
Food and drinks to try here include: Käsespätzle, Chimney Cake, Roasted Almonds
Breitscheidplatz
At Christmas, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church plays backdrop to the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market. This market has over 100 stalls to browse between, including those selling crafted toys, glass decorations, and traditional German food. There are a lot of festive lights set up at this Christmas market, so the atmosphere is fantastic in the evening. This is also one of the few Christmas markets in Berlin that remains open after Christmas, and it’s surrounded by shopping centres and department stores.
Food and drinks to try here include: Currywurst, Käsespätzle, Gingerbread
Other Christmas markets in Berlin to visit
- Queeres Winterwunderland
- Winter World on Potsdamer Platz
- LGBTQIA Winterdays and Christmas Avenue
What to eat at the Berlin Christmas Markets
Chimney Cake
One of the top things to eat at the Berlin Christmas markets is a chimney cake. Although it originates in Hungary (or Transylvania), the chimney cake has become a staple at many German Christmas markets. We came across a stall at almost every market that we went to, and each one offered different types of fillings.
A chimney cake is a pastry that’s wrapped around a wooden spool and slowly turned over an open fire. The dough is coated in oil and sugar which is how it gets its crispy outer layer and doughy inside.
Currywurst
All of the best Berlin Christmas markets have at least one currywurst stall. The origins of currywurst come from Berlin, when a German housewife traded spirits for ketchup with British soldiers in 1949. She started selling the ketchup sprinkled with curry powder at a food stand in Berlin and the craze took off. Although this isn’t a traditional German dish, it grew as a result of post-war circumstances so it’s now incredibly popular, especially in Berlin.
Handbrot
If you enjoy eating cheese-oriented food, then you’ll love handbrot. It’s essentially a hand bread that’s stuffed with raclette cheese and sometimes other ingredients like ham, onion, mushroom, or bacon. This bread originates from Dresden but it’s one of the most popular things to eat at the Berlin Christmas markets. It’s meant to be easy to eat and comes with a spoonful of sour cream and chives sprinkled on top. At the Berliner Weihnachtszeit you can see them being freshly made in a traditional oven.
Kartoffelpuffer
One of my favourite things to eat at Christmas markets is Kartoffelpuffer. This delicious German potato pancake has a crispy outside and a soft inside, very similar to a rosti. It’ll be easy to find a food stall selling Kartoffelpuffer because they’re extremely popular among Germans as well as foreign visitors. When you order your Kartoffelpuffer, make sure you don’t forget to add a sauce to your order. My recommendation would be applesauce.
Bratwurst
Among the most common food items at the best Berlin Christmas markets is the bratwurst. This German sausage is traditionally made from pork or veal and it was first documented in Nuremberg in 1313. Today, the food stalls at the Christmas markets sell it in all forms, including in a bun or chopped with sauce on the side. Bratwurst are grilled over an open fire at the markets, so they’re incredibly fresh and full of flavour.
Quarkbällchen
For those of you with a bit of a sweet tooth, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of dessert stalls at all of the Berlin Christmas markets. One of the best sweet treats to try is quarkbällchen. This traditional German snack is made with quark cheese as the main ingredient and is similar to a doughnut, but a lot tastier. You’ll find them in different forms throughout the Christmas markets, including larger sized ones and miniature versions topped with a sauce of your choosing.
Käsespätzle
Only the very best Berlin Christmas markets have Käsespätzle stalls. If you’ve never tried this German dish before you’re really missing out. It’s a homemade egg noodle pasta that’s tossed with lots of Emmental cheese and then topped with delicious fried onions. It was originally made in the southwestern region of Germany but it’s also a popular dish in certain areas of Austria. The earliest recordings of this dish date back to the start of the 18th century.
Champignons
Although this isn’t your typical German Christmas market food, champignons with garlic sauce really need to be added to your list. Not all of the Christmas markets in Berlin will sell this but we came across a stall at the Berliner Weihnachtszeit. You’ll often find it served with a slice of bread so you can soak up every last bit of that delicious garlic sauce. Champignons definitely aren’t the cheapest things to eat at the markets, but you’ll get a good portion for the price you pay.
Langos
Another must-try food at the Berlin Christmas markets is langos. This is a traditional Hungarian food that was once made using the last pieces of bread dough, but today it’s served as a deep fried flatbread. If you’re from Canada or you’ve visited before, it’s very similar to a beavertail. Our langos was topped with garlic sauce and a very generous portion of shredded cheese. The langos at the Berlin Christmas markets are big so it’s a good idea to share one or order it on an empty stomach.
Glühwein and Eierpunsch
No trip to a Christmas market is complete without tasting some festive beverages. Glühwein is the German version of mulled wine, although it tastes a little stronger than in other places! It’s made using red wine and a variety of spices and is served hot. Eierpunsch is another drink you have to try while you’re in Berlin. It’s an egg-based drink that’s similar to eggnog, with white wine, vanilla, egg yolks, and sugar as the main ingredients. It’s also served hot and is usually topped with cream.
When you order any drinks at the Berlin Christmas markets you’ll need to pay a small deposit for the cup or glass. This is refundable when you return it, or you can keep it for a souvenir.
Where to stay in Berlin
MEININGER Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus
The best Berlin Christmas markets are spread out across the city, so it’s a good idea to stay centrally located during your trip to the German capital. MEININGER Hotel Berlin Mitte Humboldthaus is less than a 10 minute tram ride away from the Berlin TV Tower, making it a good place to base yourself if you’re visiting the markets in and around Alexanderplatz. They have rooms of varying sizes too, so you don’t need to book multiple rooms if you’re travelling as a group.
How to plan a trip to Berlin at Christmas
Berlin at Christmas takes on a completely different vibe than at other times of the year. Before you visit, make sure you plan out what Christmas markets in Berlin you want to see, and try to organize your itinerary around them. Chances are you’ll have some spare time to see some of the unique museums in Berlin during your trip, and you can easily add quite a few free things to do in Berlin to your itinerary too. Don’t forget to book your hotel early though, as prices can be quite steep the closer it gets to Christmas.
If you think any other markets should be added to my list of the best Berlin Christmas markets, please get in touch via email or by filling out the contact form. You can also follow along with my travels on Instagram where I’m always sharing tips about my latest travel destinations.
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