Berlins Charm at Christmas
Rich in history, Berlin is a city full of fascination, but with twinkling lights on every corner and the lingering aroma of bratwursts filling the air, its markets are certainly the talking point throughout the winter months. We head to Berlin for a long weekend this December and not only got to journey back to a time the land our hotel was on would have been Russian territory, but we got to feel the magic of Christmas like we were children excited about spotting Santa Clause again.
Catching an early evening flight from Heathrow, we didn't touch down in Berlin until gone 9pm, so in an eager fashion a Bolt was on its way to kick start our festive adventure. PS, the German underground system is super easy to navigate, so for budget savvy travellers, hopping on a train for half an hour for €4 is certainly worth it! But of course I am impatient so a swift ride later we were checked into our hotel and heading for a crisp walk towards Brandenburg Bridge.
You can imagine, Capital City, Christmas time, historic landmarks, the crowds can be pretty bad during the day, so visiting a landmark that shines morning, noon or night is the perfect way to start your trip after a late journey. Glowing with golden lights, we shared the moment with few others, appreciating the creative genius and pure talent that went into Brandenburg Bridges architecture. Whether it's strolling down after an evening at the markets or waking with the sun while the city still rests, it can truly change your entire perspective.
Some how 9pm turned to 1am and it was time to head back to the hotel ahead of a full day of exploring. We stayed at the NH Collection hotel a short stroll from Check Point Charlie, which is exactly where we started the next day. The most famous crossing point between East and West Berlin, known for its numerous escape attempts, and most recently known as the setting for many spy and thriller stories, including James Bond, Check Point Charlie is like stepping back into history. As you approach the booth, you are met with almost a memorial wall, detailing the locations history from pre war to now, there is also a small museum you can visit to learn more. Unfortunately for us it wasn't a landmark that we particularly clicked with, but if you're already in Berlin I'd still suggest a visit, especially if history is your niche!
Heading East, back past our hotel, we stopped off at Starbucks for a toffee nut latte, better than buying gloves to keep your hands warm right? before continuing towards Alexandre Platz. The hub of Berlin, this is where you'll find one of Berlins biggest markets, as well as a shopping mall, a host of bars and restaurants and I'd say the best social scenes too. But before I get ahead of myself, as we made our way (around a half hour walk) we passed three different markets, the first you had to pay €2 entry, but you then have access to proper German steins and sit down restaurants. As you carry on towards the cathedral, you will reach the Winter Market at Schloßplatz, this one was our personal fav and the one we returned to the most.
Greeted with spicy jerk wraps, followed by traditional cuisines and delicious pancakes, this market tops the tree for one special reason, it is genuinely a hidden gem. The main market is found a short stretch from the Cathedral, faced with dazzling lights, but as you pass the dancing huts, you see a short tunnel leading through to a square that feels frozen in time. Like a gateway to a more magical Christmas, I can't emphasize the feeling with any other term than warmth.
After stumbling upon this joy, we spent an hour or so selecting different foods to indulge on and which stalls to browse before heading on towards Alexanderplatz, it took less than five minutes to realize how close we actually were to the 'main market' . Dependent on where you find joy at a Christmas Market, this is one of Berlins biggest, with an ice rink drawing you to the centre and a ring of craft stands, homemade liquor's, chocolate strawberry's and festive photo booths surrounding every bend. This Christmas Winter Village was mesmerizing, but for us, didn't offer the same charm as the first.
One hundred 'my feet ache' later, we stumbled upon a hidden market making the 25,000 step count worth it! Now, we weren't sure at the time whether it was a subtle artsy type market/fair for Christmas, or a quirky market all year round. It was in fact just an every day vibrant market! There were all sorts of stands, from 'miniature bums' to handmade jewellery, an array of food and drinks, music and the best part, a little access way to the river where locals were enjoying their drinks away from the chaos. I would 100% suggest paying a visit to Holzmart if you get the chance and enjoy anything that oozes character.
To find out how the rest of our festive adventure went, head over to my blog Travelwithem!
