A Christmas Getaway to Berlin

A European Christmas Escape in Berlin

This past Christmas, my girlfriend and I decided to meet somewhere in Europe for a winter getaway. She’s currently in the UK finishing her master’s, and with most places there shutting down completely for the holidays, we figured—why not make an adventure out of it?

Germany was the obvious choice. There’s something about it that just screams Christmas. Between the snow-dusted towns, the iconic wooden markets, and the festive energy we’ve always heard about, it felt like the most magical place to spend the holidays. And when we thought of Germany, Berlin was the first city that came to mind. Big enough to explore, rich in history, and filled with that unmistakable holiday spirit we were chasing.

For me, it was also my very first time stepping foot in Europe. So beyond just spending Christmas somewhere new, this trip held a special kind of excitement. I didn’t know much about Berlin beyond the usual clichés, and my idea of “German culture” was limited to bratwurst and Oktoberfest imagery. I had no clue what to expect—but I was more than ready to explore.

First Impressions of Berlin

The moment we arrived in Berlin, I was already hooked. There was just something about the city that instantly drew me in. Maybe it was the way the architecture seemed to tell stories—of history, resilience, and pride—or maybe it was the subtle but consistent presence of the Berlin Bear, popping up in corners of the city like a cultural mascot. It felt like the whole city quietly whispered, "You're in Berlin now."

Berlin had that classic European cool. The people carried themselves with a kind of quiet confidence—minding their own business, not overly warm at first glance, but still polite and open when you actually engaged with them. It’s not coldness, just a calm sense of personal space that I actually appreciated.

Since this was my first time ever stepping foot in Europe, I was curious if anything would catch me off guard. Surprisingly, Berlin felt different from other places I’ve visited, yet exactly how I expected it to be—almost like walking into a scene from a film. It had that cinematic feel, but it was real life.

Because of the holiday season, we had to be strategic with our days. We stacked two to three attractions together based on location to make the most of the daylight and avoid wasting time. If the weather played nice, we’d go photo-hunting. But as Christmas and Boxing Day drew closer—and with almost everything scheduled to shut down—we did what any responsible couple would do: went grocery shopping and stocked up for some cozy apartment meals.

Even though my girlfriend has traveled around Europe before, Berlin was new for her too. And it had been a while since she last explored the continent, so this felt like a fresh adventure for both of us.

One small detail I found surprisingly satisfying? The train schedule. I’m sure others might have mixed experiences, but I genuinely found the timing accurate—especially the electronic boards at the station. It gave me a weird sense of satisfaction every time we caught the train exactly when it said we would.

A Walk Through Berlin’s Christmas Markets

Berlin is famous for its Christmas markets, and during my research, I found over 20 different ones scattered across the city. Unfortunately, many of them had already closed before we arrived, leaving us with a list of about 10 to consider. After narrowing it down further, we prioritized a few must-visit markets: Alexanderplatz, Bebelplatz, and Breitscheidplatz. We also passed by Winter World near Potsdamer Platz, but since my girlfriend wasn’t feeling well toward the end of our trip, we didn’t get the chance to visit.

Each market had its own unique charm, even though a lot of the food stalls and souvenirs were similar. I wouldn’t say one market stood out above the rest, but they all had something different to offer. The variety kept things interesting, and it never felt repetitive.

One thing that caught me off guard was the lack of public trash cans and bathrooms. It made it a little hard to just relax and enjoy the experience fully. I found myself constantly keeping track of where I could throw things away or find a restroom instead of just soaking in the atmosphere.

Speaking of atmosphere—the difference between day and night at these markets was huge. During the day, it felt more like we were just sightseeing and taking photos, while at night, everything transformed. The glow of the lights, the smell of food in the cold air, and the buzz of people made it feel much more festive.

When it came to food, I did my best to try as many interesting things as possible. Some stuff, like chocolate-coated fruits, I skipped because, honestly, I could just make that myself. But I made sure to try the classics: Grünkohl (kale stew), Currywurst, and Fischbrötchen (fish sandwich). I kind of felt like a food spy—analyzing food stalls from a distance, trying to pick the best one. Some markets had more options for certain foods than others. For example, Alexanderplatz had at least 3–4 food stalls selling Grünkohl, while the others only had one or two. So I made it my mission to pick out the best one.

The whole Christmas market experience was exactly what I had hoped for—cozy, festive, and full of holiday spirit. But at the same time, I found myself wondering: what would we have done in Berlin if these markets weren’t here? It felt like they were such an essential part of the trip that I couldn’t imagine the city without them. Maybe one day, I’ll come back and see Berlin in a completely different way.

The Must-See Attractions We Visited

With the Christmas markets giving us something to look forward to each night, we knew we had to fill our days with equally memorable stops. So, we planned out a mix of Berlin’s iconic landmarks and meaningful historical sites — and I’m glad we did. Even though it was a holiday season, most of the major attractions were still open, so we didn’t have to cut much out of our list.

We hit up the big ones: the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, the giant Christmas tree at Freedom Square, the Jewish Museum, Berliner Dom, Humboldt Forum, and one that left a real impression on me — the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

There’s just so much history tied into the bones of this city that I found myself just quietly absorbing it all. At each location, I felt something different. The Berliner Dom had me pausing in awe — the architecture, the weight of it. Then, at the Holocaust Memorial, I found myself in a strange, conflicted headspace. On one hand, it’s a stunning installation. On the other hand, I couldn’t help thinking about what it was built to remember. My girlfriend was taking pictures like everyone else, and I get it — it’s a surreal place. But part of me was just standing there, thinking about the lives that were lost for this space to even exist.

We didn’t go full museum-mode since my girlfriend’s not big on museums, so we only really spent time inside the Jewish Museum. Around 30 minutes there, and that was the extent of it. But honestly, Berlin doesn’t hold back. Even a surface-level encounter with its landmarks and streets already gives you a ton to process.

What made it all click was the planning. I tend to be the one who connects the dots between attractions, food spots, and train routes — and I really leaned into that this trip. One day, we aimed to finish at Alexanderplatz since it was close to our apartment (we stayed at Habyt – The Waterfront, which was a great location). So, we took the train out to Museumsinsel, snapped some photos at Berliner Dom and Humboldt Forum, and then slowly made our way back to Alexanderplatz for the night market.

Another day, we started off at Friedrichstrasse to do a little shopping, then walked over to Freedom Square and Brandenburg Gate before looping back to Humboldt Forum for the Christmas market. You could totally reverse the route, but since the markets really come alive at night, we always made sure to “end” our day with them — food, drinks, and festive chaos before heading back to rest.

A Few More Highlights Worth Mentioning

As much as the big attractions and Christmas markets shaped our Berlin trip, there were a few other places and meals that really stood out — some planned, some stumbled upon, and one that got away (for now).

A Pork Knuckle Feast to Remember

Trying Schweinshaxe — the famous crispy roasted pork knuckle — was high on our must-do list, but finding an authentic spot with good English reviews wasn’t easy. After some digging, we ended up at Restaurante Lindenbräu en Potsdamer Platz, and honestly, it was the right call.

With just the two of us, we didn’t go overboard: one Schweinshaxe, a Wurstplatte (sausage platter), and beers — including one with banana nectar for my girlfriend. (Yes, banana nectar... and yes, it was surprisingly good.) The pork knuckle itself was incredible — crispy on the outside, fall-off-the-bone tender on the inside. Easily the best I’ve ever had. If I ever go back with a few more people, I’d absolutely go on a full-blown pork knuckle tour across the city.

A Surprising Gem at Markthalle Neun

I had zero expectations for Markthalle Neun — my girlfriend picked it out — but it turned out to be one of the best food experiences of the whole trip. At first, it seemed like a charming European-style fresh market, the kind you wander through to soak up local life. But deeper in, we discovered food stalls that absolutely blew us away.

We grabbed a simple but stunning Carbonara from Mani in Pasta, and two slices of Sicilian pizza from Sironi (both with big queues, so you know they’re good). We had our eye on dessert at Cakes from Gaia, and even tried some samples — delicious — but couldn’t make room. I’ve bookmarked a bunch of places to try next time: Wine Shop Suff, Drunk By Nature, Martin’s Crêperie, Aúpa Che, and Freshly Caught (those seafood platters looked wildly worth it). If you’re a foodie in Berlin — don’t skip this place.

Charlottenburg, Palaces & Cheese Pulls

Charlottenburg wasn’t initially on my list — my girlfriend wanted to visit, and I tagged along. But it ended up being one of those places I could easily spend a full day. The palace itself was gorgeous, with lavish rooms and interior designs worth taking your time with.

And as if planned, the day ended perfectly with a Christmas market right outside. We tried Käsespätzle (basically German mac & cheese — decent, but not mind-blowing), and this unassuming little roll called Handbrot that turned out to be the food highlight. It’s just a cheesy roll with sour cream, but in the freezing cold, pulling those gooey cheese strands and dipping into creamy sauce — magical. I swear two other couples bought one after watching us devour ours. I probably won’t return to the palace anytime soon, but the Handbrot? That’s a reason to come back.

The One That Got Away — Annelies

One tiny disappointment — not a museum closure or missed sight, but food-related (naturally). We had Annelies on our must-try list from the beginning. It’s near Markthalle Neun, so the plan was to hit both. But after stuffing ourselves at the market, we decided to come back another day.

Bad luck struck: the area felt sketchier than expected — we saw a drunken fight and police responding to an incident just a couple of doors down from the restaurant. When we arrived, we also learned that Annelies requires reservations made days in advance. People were lining up and sitting outside in freezing weather just for a spot. Brutal. It’s definitely still on the list for the next Berlin visit, but take my advice — make a reservation. And if you’ve tried it, let me know if it’s worth the hype.

Cold City, Warm Memories

This trip was a different kind of travel experience for me. Berlin wasn’t about chasing sun-soaked beaches or diving into the ocean like I usually do — it was colder, deeper, and more layered. The kind of place where history feels alive, where every corner has a story, and where the food can honestly surprise you in the best way.

I loved that we didn’t try to cram everything in. We just let Berlin unfold day by day — some days full of sightseeing, others led by food. The Christmas markets gave us this cozy, festive vibe every evening, and between the pork knuckle feast, random street snacks, and foodie gems like Markthalle Neun, I felt like we got a good taste of the city — literally and figuratively.

Sure, there were moments that didn’t go as planned — a missed reservation, a sketchy street, or a museum we didn’t spend enough time in. But that’s all part of the story. Berlin left me with the kind of memories that make you want to go back — maybe in a different season, maybe with more time, maybe just with an emptier stomach.

Would I return? Yeah. Berlin feels like one of those cities you can keep revisiting and still discover something new — in the streets, in the food, and in yourself.