10 Things to Do in Berlin in the Winter

The capital of Germany, accustomed to harsh winter conditions, is not fazed by low temperatures. Quite the contrary, in fact, as everything there is to see and do in Berlin during the rest of the year is complemented by a series of activities that guarantee an unforgettable stay.

During this time of year, you can join the Berliners skating in one of their most iconic squares or on the lakes surrounding the city, visit the impressive Christmas markets, witness the arrival of the world's most important film stars, 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 heart of Potsdamer Platz. To get to the top, take the fastest lift on the continent, which can travel the 100 metres to the top of the tower in just 20 seconds.

In addition to the viewing area itself, you'll also find a café and a room where you can see the fascinating Berliner Blicke multimedia exhibition, which traces 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 are also very striking. The aim has been to recreate the atmosphere of the 1920s and 1930s, with clear references to the work of Fritz Lang.

Although the Jewish religion does not celebrate Christmas, there is a religious festival in the Jewish quarter in December: Hanukkah. In Berlin, for a whole month, the city's Jewish Museum sets up a market to mark this celebration. I recommend you visit if you want to experience a different way of celebrating this time of year and take the opportunity to take a tour of the Jewish quarter.

You will find many interesting things at this market:

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

Admission to the market, located in the courtyard of the Jewish Museum, is free and it is open from 12:00 to 18:00.

Given the low temperatures of the Berlin winter, you will probably not want to spend too much time outdoors. Fortunately, the German capital offers plenty of options for getting around its streets more comfortably. One of them, possibly the simplest, is to use the iconic bus line 100.

In addition to its usefulness, this line is a symbol of the city, as it was the first to run between the west and east after reunification. Its route runs from Zoologischer Garten station to Alexanderplatz square.

If you are unfamiliar with the city, these names may not mean anything to you, but suffice it to say that the route passes by Berlin's main monuments. If you purchase the Berlin WelcomeCard, you can create your own tourist itinerary at the price of the city's urban buses.

Another great option: tourist buses

Of course, if you prefer to have commentary on what you are seeing, you can always buy a ticket for one of the tourist buses that tour Berlin.

With this mode of transport, you can hop on and off as often as you like and visit places such as the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and the Holocaust Memorial, among many others.

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

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

• Neues Museum: without a doubt, the bust of Nefertiti is the most eye-catching exhibit.
• Alte Nationalgalerie: home to paintings by German artists such as Max Liebermann and Karl Friedrich Schinkel.
• Bode Museum: its collection of sculptures is truly impressive, with works by artists such as Donatello, Bernini and Canova.
• Altes Museum: this was the first museum to open on the island. Today it houses an important collection of classical art.

If you're still keen to visit more museums, this article provides a list of the best museums in Berlin to help you plan your trip.

The lakes surrounding the city of Berlin welcome many Berliners on their days off throughout the year. In summer, they come to swim in their waters, and when they freeze in winter, they come to skate on them. If you enjoy this activity, you should definitely join the locals and visit one of them:

• Lake Wannsee, located to the south-west of the capital, with its large frozen surface area of almost 200 hectares, is one of the best destinations for those who enjoy winter sports.
• Grunewald Lake, which is opened during the winter season to welcome skaters or those who want to go sledding.

The best thing about these lakes is that they are easily accessible from the centre of Berlin. You only need to take the city's underground to reach them in no time.

How to get there

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

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

This is undoubtedly a great place to visit if you're in Berlin with children, although adults will also have a great time using the facilities, as visitors to this square, which should include you, can enjoy a variety of different attractions:

• Skating on an ice rink.
• Shoot down a 70-metre-long slide.
• Playing eisstock.
• Sledding down a 12-metre-high slope.
• Recharge your batteries at one of the food stalls set up in the square, such as the hut offering Austrian specialities, which will make you feel as if you were in the Alps.
• Enjoy Christmas music concerts and DJs who liven up the atmosphere.

Practical information

• Opening hours: between 10:00 and 22:00, every day of the week. On Christmas Eve, they close at 14:00.
• Price: admission is free, although the toboggan run costs €1.50.

Toboggan run €1.50.

Berlin's nightlife is well-deservedly famous, with venues to suit all tastes. What's more, the entertainment on offer differs depending on whether you visit the city in summer or winter. In the former, terraces and outdoor parties are the most popular, while in winter nothing can compete with its indoor pubs and nightclubs. If you want to experience the nightlife in the German capital, here are some places you can go:

• Kreuzberg district: considered one of the most alternative areas of the city, this district in eastern Berlin is home to a large number of venues of all kinds.
• Friedrichshain: separated from Kreuzberg by the river, this neighbourhood also has some interesting venues if you like dancing, such as Blau, with its very successful punk aesthetic.
• Prenzlauer Berg: if you prefer quieter venues, the Prenzlauer Berg neighbourhood is the place for you.

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 Sebastián. Those who are in the city during the festival in February will have the opportunity to meet some of the stars attending the event or see one of the films in competition.

The festival is based at the Berlinale Palast, although various cinemas in the city take advantage of the occasion to organise their own activities. If you feel like it, you can go to the walkway 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 members of the public will not have an easy time of it, as tickets sell out quickly. The only way is to go to the box office very early and hope for the best.

Although somewhat less so than in the Nordic countries, there is a great fondness for 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 travelled to Berlin in winter.

In the German capital, you will find several types of establishments. In addition to traditional saunas and spas, there are many Turkish baths, possibly due to the large immigration from the Ottoman Empire that took place in Germany several decades ago.

In general, saunas are mixed and in most of them swimwear is not worn. If you are shy, check the conditions before booking.

• Grand Hyatt Potsdamer Platz: many describe this establishment

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

• Türkisches Hamam Berlin: as its name suggests, this establishment offers an authentic Turkish bath experience in the heart of Berlin. It is located at Bülowstraße 57
• Stadtbad Neukölln: located at Ganghoferstraße 3, in the Neukölln neighbourhood, this luxurious spa was inaugurated in 1914. As the final step of the treatment, they offer the option of using their ice pool.

Without a doubt, the best thing to do in winter, especially if you've gone to Berlin at Christmas, is to visit the markets located in the city's squares. Be sure to visit several, enjoy the attractions and eat and drink what's on offer at the stalls.

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

• The area is home to attractions that will delight young and old alike, 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 the large Christmas tree is a wonderful visual experience.
• There are plenty of stalls selling crafts and offering food and drink.

Other interesting Christmas markets are those in the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt square and Charlottenburg, although it is also highly recommended to take a trip to Potsdam (only 30 kilometres away) to enjoy the beautiful market there.

Don't leave without trying glühwein

Glühwein, mulled wine with spices, is the king of Christmas markets, although you'll actually find it in many places throughout the winter. No one should leave Berlin without trying it, both for its delicious flavour and for the pleasant feeling of warmth that spreads through your body as soon as you start drinking it.

In reality, one word is enough to describe the weather you'll find in the city during winter: cold. The average high is a meagre 3ºC, while the average low is around 2º below zero, although very often the thermometer drops much lower.

The only good news, although I recommend checking the forecast before travelling, is that these months are not particularly rainy. However, when it does rain, it is often in the form of snow.

On the other hand, when planning your visits, you should bear in mind that night falls very early. In January, for example, the sun sets at around 4.30 pm.

A popular saying in Berlin is that "there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing". This may be true, but those who are not used to such 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 must pack your best coat, and it is a good idea to bring a raincoat just in case.