Berlin Travel Guide
Berlin in Winter
How to enjoy Berlin from November to February — the best Christmas markets and when they open, the indoor sights for short days, evening views, New Year's Eve, what to pack and what is closed this winter.
Berlin winters are cold, grey and short on daylight, and the city does not pretend otherwise. But from late November it puts on its best show of the year: dozens of Christmas markets light up squares, palace courtyards and old churches, mulled wine steams in every neighbourhood, and the museums, concert halls and cafes become warm refuges. Hotel prices are often lower outside the holidays and trade fairs, and the big sights are quieter. Here is how to make the most of it.
When the markets open. Most Berlin Christmas markets open in the second half of November and run until just before or after Christmas, with a few continuing to New Year or early January. For 2026, the city's official listings give provisional dates from mid to late November; always check the official dates for the market you want, as they can change. Many markets are free to enter, while a few of the most popular charge a small admission at certain times, and opening hours are usually from midday or the afternoon into the evening.
The markets worth crossing town for. The Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace is one of the most romantic, with stalls set out in the forecourt in front of the illuminated Baroque facade. The Gendarmenmarkt market, between the two domed churches and the concert hall, is elegant and festive, with quality crafts and food. At the Rotes Rathaus and Alexanderplatz, a big Ferris wheel and an ice rink make the market a favourite with families. The market at Breitscheidplatz, by the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in City West, is one of the largest and longest-running, and remembers the victims of the 2016 attack at a memorial on the steps. The Humboldt Forum hosts a market in front of the palace and in the Schlueter courtyard, and the medieval market on the RAW grounds in Friedrichshain and the tiny, atmospheric market in Alt-Rixdorf in Neukoelln, held for just one weekend in early December, are local favourites.
What to eat and drink. Gluehwein, hot mulled wine, is the classic, usually served in a deposit mug that you can return or keep as a souvenir; try the white or fruit versions too, or a Feuerzangenbowle, mulled wine with a flaming rum-soaked sugar cone. Food includes grilled sausages, potato pancakes with apple sauce, roasted almonds, gingerbread, Stollen, and flame-grilled salmon. Bring cash, as many stalls do not take cards.
Indoor Berlin for short days. With daylight fading by mid-afternoon in December, plan outdoor sights for the morning and museums for the afternoon. Museum Island is at its best in winter, with Nefertiti in the Neues Museum and the Romantic landscapes of the Alte Nationalgalerie, though most of the island closes on Mondays and the Pergamon stays closed until June 2027. The Humboldt Forum, open on Mondays and closed on Tuesdays, the DDR Museum, open daily, and the Information Centre of the Holocaust memorial are excellent indoor choices. Charlottenburg Palace and Sanssouci are open in winter, with fewer visitors, but close at 4:30pm.
Evening views and warm interiors. Winter evenings are the best time for the Reichstag dome, which admits visitors until late evening with free advance registration, and for the TV Tower, where you can watch the city lights come on from the revolving Sphere restaurant; note that the tower is closed to visitors on 23 November 2026. Spree cruises run with heated cabins, and some operators offer Christmas cruises. Classical concerts, opera and cabaret fill the evenings, and the city's cafes and bars are at their cosiest.
New Year's Eve. Silvester in Berlin is one of the biggest New Year parties in Europe, centred on the Brandenburg Gate and the Strasse des 17. Juni, with stages, music and a midnight fireworks display, while private fireworks crackle across every neighbourhood. It is loud, crowded and not for everyone; families and those who prefer calm may want to watch from a hotel window or celebrate at a restaurant. Hotel prices peak over New Year, so book early.
Holiday closures. Many sights close or shorten hours on 24 December, Christmas Eve, which is the main day of celebration in Germany, and on 25 and 26 December and 31 December. The Reichstag dome is closed on 24 December and closes early on 31 December; the Holocaust memorial's Information Centre closes from 24 to 26 December; the palaces and museums publish special holiday hours. Shops close early on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve and are closed on the holidays.
What to pack. Temperatures often hover around freezing, with grey skies, wind and occasional snow, so bring a warm coat, a hat, gloves, a scarf and waterproof shoes with good grip for icy pavements. Layers are useful, as museums and trains are well heated. A small backpack for a returnable mug and market snacks is handy.
Where to stay in winter. For the Christmas markets, Mitte puts you close to the Gendarmenmarkt, the Rotes Rathaus and the Humboldt Forum, while City West is ideal for Breitscheidplatz and Charlottenburg Palace. A hotel with a spa or pool, such as the Adlon, the Hotel de Rome or the historic pool hall of Hotel Oderberger, is a real pleasure after a cold day.