10 Things to Do in Berlin in the Winter

The capital of Germany, accustomed to the harsh conditions of its winters, is not impressed by the low temperatures. On the contrary, and in addition to everything there is to see and do in Berlin during the rest of the year, there are a series of plans that ensure an unforgettable stay.

During these dates you will be able to join the Berliners skating in one of its most emblematic squares or in the lakes surrounding the city, go to the impressive Christmas markets, witness the arrival of the most important movie stars in the world or escape the cold by visiting some of the best museums in Europe.

You may be looking for a viewpoint from which to contemplate the city, especially if it has snowed and you want to see how the white blanket transforms the landscape. A great option is the Panoramapunkt, located at the top of the Kollhoff Tower, in the middle of Potsdamer Platz. To go up you use the fastest elevator in the continent, able to travel the 100 meters high tower in just 20 seconds.

In addition to the space itself to contemplate the views, you will also find a cafeteria and a room where you can see the very interesting multimedia exhibition Berliner Blicke, which reviews the history of the area.

The best thing about the Panoramapunkt is the 360-degree panoramic view it offers over the entire city, but the aesthetics of the space itself is also very striking. Thus, it has tried to recreate the atmosphere of the 20s and 30s of the twentieth century, with clear references to the work of Fritz Lang.

Although the Jewish religion does not celebrate Christmas, in December there is a religious holiday in the Jewish quarter: Hanukkah. In Berlin, during a whole month, the Jewish museum of the city installs a market on the occasion of this celebration. I recommend you to go there if you want to know another way of living these dates and take the opportunity to take a tour of the Jewish quarter.

In this market you will find many interesting things:

• Culinary specialties that Jews take to celebrate Hanukkah.
• Traditional Israeli dishes such as date paste and candied fruits.
• Typical Hebrew items, such as Hanukkah lamps, mezuzah (a container with a rolled-up scroll with Torah verses inside), dreidels (four-sided dice used in a traditional Hanukkah game) or various types of cosmetics made with Dead Sea salts.
• Concerts of traditional Jewish music, with songs sung in Yiddish, are usually held on Sunday afternoons.

Admission to the market, set up in the courtyard of the Jewish museum, is free and its hours are from 12:00 to 18:00.

With the low temperatures of the Berlin winter, it is more than likely that you do not feel like spending too much time outdoors. Luckily, the German capital offers you plenty of options to move around its streets in a more comfortable way. One of them, possibly the easiest, is to use the emblematic bus line 100.

This line, in addition to its usefulness, is a symbol for the city, as it was the first to make a route between the west and east after reunification. Thus, its route runs from Zoologischer Garten station to Alexanderplatz square.

If you do not know the city, these names may not tell you anything, but suffice it to say that the route passes through the main monuments of Berlin. If you buy the Berlin WelcomeCard you can create your own sightseeing itinerary at the price of the city buses.

Another great option: the sightseeing buses

Of course, if you prefer the itinerary to be accompanied by explanations of what you are seeing you can always buy a ticket for one of the tour buses that run through Berlin.

With this means of transport you can get on and off as many times as you want and, thus, visit places like the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie or the Holocaust Memorial, among many others.

Although they are a must-see at any time of the year, there is no better time to visit the Museum Island than in winter. Not only will you enjoy the art on display in its facilities, but you will spend a few hours indoors and warm.

The Museum Island is located right next to the cathedral. In this article about its entrances you will find all the information you need to visit all the museums there:

• Neues Museum: without a doubt, what gets most of the attention is the bust of Nefertiti.
• Alte Nationalgalerie: it houses paintings by German painters such as Max Lieberman or Karl Friedrich Schinkel.
• Bode Museum: its collection of sculptures is really impressive, with works by artists such as Donatello, Bernini and Canova.
• Altes Museum: it was the first museum opened on the island. Today it houses an important collection of classical art.

If you are still looking forward to more visits of this kind, in this article you will find a list of the best museums in Berlin for you to make your planning.

The lakes surrounding the city of Berlin welcome many Berliners on their days off all year round. In summer they come to bathe in their waters and, when they freeze over in winter, to skate on them. If you like this activity, you should not fail to join the locals and go to one of them:

• Lake Wannsee, located southwest of the capital, its large frozen surface, almost 200 hectares, makes it one of the best destinations for those who like winter sports.
• Lake Grunewald, which is set up during the winter season to accommodate skaters or for those who want to ride on a sled.

The best thing about these lakes is that they are easily accessible from the center of Berlin. You only need to take the city subway to reach them in a short time.

How to get there

• Lake Wannsee: if we take Alexanderplatz as a reference point within Berlin, to reach the lake will have to take the train line RE1 or the subway S7.
• Grunewald Lake: from the same point you have to take the S31 line.

If there is one event that Berliners never miss in winter, it is the Winterwelt, the Winter World. For a whole month, until the beginning of January, an authentic winter landscape is installed among the skyscrapers surrounding Potsdamer Platz, one of the most famous squares in Berlin.

It is, without a doubt, a great place to go if you have gone to Berlin with children, although adults will also have a great time making use of its facilities since those who come to this square, among which you should be, have the chance to enjoy several different attractions:

• Skating on an ice rink.
• Throw yourself down a 70-meter-long slide.
• Play eisstock.
• Sledding on a 12-meter track.
• Recharge your batteries at one of the food stands set up in the square, such as the hut offering Austrian specialties, which will make you feel as if you were in the Alps.
• Enjoy its Christmas music concerts and some DJs that liven up the stay.

Practical information

• Opening hours: between 10:00 am and 10:00 pm, every day of the week. On Christmas Eve they close at 14:00 hours.
• Price: admission is free, although the toboggan run costs 1.5 €.

Sledging track 1,50 euros.

The fame of Berlin's nights is well deserved, with places for all kinds of public. In addition, it can be said that there is a different kind of entertainment if you go to the city in summer or if you visit it in winter. In the first case, terraces and outdoor parties are the most popular, while in winter nothing can compete with its pubs and nightclubs indoors. If you want to live the night in the German capital, here are some places where you can go:

• Kreuzberg district: considered one of the most alternative areas of the city, this neighborhood in the east of Berlin is home to a large number of locals of all kinds.
• Friedrichshain: this neighborhood, separated from the previous one by the river, also has interesting places if you like dancing. Blau|url=https://www.katerblau.de/::::, with a very successful punk aesthetic.
• Prenzlauer Berg: if you prefer to go to quieter places, your place is Prenzlauer Berg.

The Berlin International Film Festival, known as the Berlinale, is one of the biggest events of its kind in the world, along with Venice, Cannes and San Sebastian. Those who are in the city during its celebration, in the month of February, will have the opportunity to meet some of the stars attending the event or to see one of the films in competition.

The festival is headquartered in the Berlinale Palast, although several cinemas in the city take advantage of the event to hold their own activities. If you feel like it, you can go to the catwalk where the famous red carpet is laid out and watch the parade of actors and actresses attending the premieres.

Those who want to go further and attend a screening as an audience do not have it easy, as tickets are sold out quickly. The only way is to go very early to the box office and have some luck.

Although somewhat less than the inhabitants of the Nordic countries, there is a great love of saunas and spas in Germany. It is one of the best ways to combat the cold outside and can be a great activity to spend a few hours if you have traveled to Berlin in winter.

In the German capital you will find several types of establishments. Thus, the traditional saunas and spas are joined by many Turkish baths, possibly due to the large immigration from the Ottoman country that occurred in Germany several decades ago.

In general, the saunas are mixed and in most of them you do not wear a bathing suit. If you are shy, check the conditions before booking.

• Grand Hyatt Potsdamer Platz: Many describe this establishment as an oasis of luxury in the heart of the city.

as an oasis of luxury in the center of the city. Its heated pool is surrounded by large windows offering wonderful views of the city, a Finnish-style sauna, a Turkish bath and a gym.

• Türkisches Hamam Berlin: as its name suggests, this establishment offers the experience of an authentic Turkish bath in the heart of Berlin. It is located at Bülowstraße 57
• Stadtbad Neukölln: in Ganghoferstraße 3, in the district of Neukölln, is this luxurious spa opened in 1914, no less. At the end of your treatment, you have the option of using the ice pool.

Undoubtedly, the star plan in winter, especially if you have gone to Berlin at Christmas, is to visit the markets located in the squares of the city. Be sure to visit several, enjoy the attractions and eat and drink what they offer in their stalls.

One of the largest and most popular of the capital is located in Alexanderplatz:

• In the area are installed attractions that will delight young and old, starting with the huge Ferris wheel from which you can see much of the city.
• You can also skate on an ice rink.
• Contemplating the beautiful decorations and its large Christmas tree is a beautiful visual experience.
• There is no shortage of stalls to buy handicrafts and those offering food and drink.

Other interesting Christmas markets are those of the beautiful square of Gendarmenmarkt and Charlottenburg, although it is also highly recommended to make an excursion to Potsdam (only 30 kilometers away) to enjoy the beautiful market that is installed there.

Do not leave without tasting the glühwein

The glühwein, mulled wine with spices, is the king of Christmas markets, although in fact you will find it in many places throughout the winter. No one should leave Berlin without trying it, both for its delicious taste and for the pleasant warm feeling that runs through your body as soon as you start drinking it.

Actually, one word is enough to describe the weather you will find in the city during the winter: cold. The average high is a meager 3ºC, while the average low is about 2ºC below zero, although the thermometer often drops much lower.

The only good news, although I recommend you check the forecast before traveling, is that these are not very rainy months. However, when there is precipitation, it is not unusual for it to be in the form of snow.

On the other hand, you should keep in mind when planning your visits that the night arrives very early. In January, for example, the sun sets around 16:30.

A rather popular saying in Berlin states that "there's no bad weather, there's bad clothes". This may be true, but those who are not used to these low temperatures will need some extra help.

Your suitcase should include thermal underwear, including something for your legs and feet. Boots are the best footwear, especially those that are lined on the inside. It is also important that they have non-slip soles in case it snows.

A good warm hat is also essential, as well as a good scarf and gloves. Of course, you can't miss the best jacket you have and it's a good idea to bring a raincoat just in case.