City break - Berlin?

[WelshMoth]

Anyone ever been to Berlin at Christmas? Thinking of a city break with my elderly but sprightly parents.

I’ve been recently and loved it. Stayed in Charlottenburg which I highly recommend as an area (quite upmarket, feels safe and easy to get around).

We went at the beginning of December for the Christmas markets. They're amazing and there's so much going on.

Not been at Christmas but loved the city when we visited in the summer and said we'd like to go back in winter. Just to say it's gorgeous in summer with loads of lovely beer gardens!

Thanks everyone. DH wants to include some
History things on the trip too.

Where did you all stay? Did you book it independently or through a travel firm @TheRealSlimShandy @Forgottenmyphone @BigDahliaFan

We picked something from booking.com, walkable to Alexanderplatz and had a great breakfast. It's not a huge city and easy to get round.

We did a brilliant WW2 themed walking tour.

There are more museums than you can shake a stick at. The old Berlin wall was really interesting if that's his thing, as well as the DDR museum.

It's not really my thing but even I found it fascinating.

There's some fantastic chocolate shops too...

We ate in the Reichstag one evening, which was kind of cool.

Amazing - thank you. That's exactly his thing to be honest.

I'll start looking. Exciting!

Did you do hotels or AirBnb?

I've been twice , once in the Autumn and once at Christmas.

Absolutely loved it both times. The Christmas markets are great and there are so many to visit with so much atmosphere and fantastic food. I've been to Christmas markets in a few cities in Europe and Berlin was the best I've ever been to.

It's an easy city to walk around and the underground system is easy to navigate.

I'd love to go back again one day and I think I'd pick Xmas as the best time to go.

Berlin is a fantastic choice for an elderly parents break. The history will be alive to them, it’s very beautiful (never hear anyone talk about it that way, but it is) and it’s really flat so no difficulties walking at all. The transport’s excellent if you need it as it is quite a big area, but it’s all very pleasant on foot.

The only thing I’m not sure of is how cold it will be? You might need to wrap up!

I loved Berlin too. Booked flights and hotel (Mitte) through BA. Would recommend taking the hop on/off bus as there’s lots to see all over the city and the guides were great. Enjoy!

Make sure to book tickets to the reichstag tour in advance.

Went in January and it was cold but not unbearable. Loved it. The museums are amazing and so many things to do for free. Holocaust museum is very good. Public transport is really good. Would go back there in a heartbeat

We went between Christmas and New Year and had an amazing time. It was -16 and snow up to our knees which made it even more interesting.

We did the Trabant safari, where you get to drive an original East German trabant car round the city. It was fab!

I must get the only person who really didn't like Berlin...but we stayed at ArtHotel which was great.

We went last December, just for the Christmas markets and a bit of walking around, we had 3 secondary school age children with us so it was Friday pm - Sunday pm only.

It was cold, below freezing and there was still a bit of snow around as well. Be prepared to wrap up warm.

The best market was the one near the Rotes Rathaus (red town hall) and what is normally on the Gendarmenmarkt (it was relocated due to building works), a lot more upmarket but nice items, they had tents as well with cafes to sit down.

We are currently here again, 33 degrees today.

There are more museums than you can think of. Some at the Museum Island are currenlty closed for renovations, make sure you double-check their websites.

We just went to the DDR Museum, DH and I are both German, we were teens in the 80th and have family connections. We found it very confusing, very busy and not that organised. Saying that, our 17 year old DD found it very interesting.

You can book a space to go up the dome in the Reichstag, it's free but a bit complicated to book, make sure you go via the offical website.

Yes, frequently as have family there. It can be marvellous - it could be snowing.

Keep an eye on hotel prices, they shoot up at Christmas but sometimes you can grab a bargain - get a refundable booking on one of the big sites, and keep trading hotel bookings to get best value! Note that Christmas Day in Germany is the 24th, and the city feels really “shut” on the 25th (we didn’t find any Christmas markets open last time we went).

Flight prices have rocketed since Covid. Flying on the peak Christmas days is often significantly cheaper. We like to fly on 24th or 25th and head back NYE. If I was going as a tourist though I would definitely go before Christmas when the markets will be at their best, and I’d definitely do several markets and at least one at night (make it dinner location and feast on bratwurst and beer).

We went a few years ago and loved it. We booked through British airways holidays which I would recommend. We did a few of the markets which all have their own theme, some are more foodie, some more family orientated with ice rinks etc. we also went to ddr museum, topography of terror museum, and lunch up the tv tower which was good, although wouldn’t recommend if the weather isn’t very good. There’s lots to see and do there.

What is the best airport to fly into? There's 2 to choose from!

You only have one left, Berlin-Brandenburg (BER). All others have closed over the years

https://ber.berlin-airport.de/en.html

We flew BA and Easyjet.

Berlin is one of my favourite cities to visit. Loads to see, easy to get around and very welcoming. Plus it feels really good value for a major city.

We usually stay in Mitte, walking distance from many places of interest and about 30-40 mins from the airport in a cab.