The end of the year period is a good time to visit Berlin.
Christmas and its markets is a real institution throughout Germany.
In addition to that, Berlin is renowned for having one of the best New Years Eve parties in Europe.
Christmas markets in Berlin
There are many Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt) in Berlin. The most important and best known are:
Gendarmenmarket
The Christmas market in Gendarmenmarkt is the most beautiful and the largest in Berlin. There is a charge (1 €)
AlexanderPlatz
The Christmas market at Alexanderplatz is a beautiful market with an ice rink and a wheel.
PotsdamerPlatz
The Christmas market in Potsdamer Platz is a small market, but still charming.
Gedächtniskirche à Charlottenburg
Manger dans les marchés de Noël
Having a walk in the Christmas markets is always an opportunity to taste the local specialties. In Berlin, there are several: Sausages, Currywurst, Langos (a kind of donut) or even local hot wine…
New Years Eve in Berlin
The Brandenburg Gate Festival is reputed to be one of the largest open-air New Years Eve events in the world.
People gather along the « Strasse des 17 Juni ». This long avenue crosses the Tiergarten park, connecting the Brandenburg Gate to the Siegessaüle (Victory Column).
Rehearsals start from 2 p.m. At 7:00 p.m., the festivities start until midnight for the fireworks.
You have to arrive well in advance to be able to access the festivities area (we arrived around 9:30 pm without success, the area was already closed and we had to go back to the avenue « Unter den Linden »). Even if you arrive a little late, that’s okay, because the party is everywhere in Berlin and the Germans love fireworks (you will see that it is on sale everywhere).
Once the Christmas Eve is over, make way for the crazy Berlin nightlife. People disperse a bit in search of bars, night clubs, or even partying on the streets until the early morning.
My Trip Memories 