Christmas is the ideal time for a trip to Germany if you are looking to make it a special one. Just one problem... with the many fantastic Christmas markets open from November you'll be spoilt for choice.
Germany’s largest city, the country capital, features a wealth of attractions: 170 museums, impressive buildings and monuments, a famous zoo, sumptuous palaces and more. Children will especially enjoy a visit to the Museum of Natural History where the largest skeleton of a dinosaur is on display. For a history lesson, a visit to Checkpoint Charlie, the former border crossing between the eastern and western parts of the formerly divided city, is a must with its museum on the history of the Berlin Wall. The East Side Gallery of the Wall is a section preserved and decorated with the works of 118 artists.
There are many Christmas markets and holiday attractions throughout the city. The market at the Charlottenburg Palace focuses on the years between 1815 to 1848 and features historic carriage rides. There’s a merry market on the beautiful square, the Gendarmenmarkt. The embassies of the US, Great Britain and France feature their Christmas customs at the market at the Brandenburg Gate, while Winter Magic is the theme for activities at Potsdamer Platz and the Sony Centre. The latter will be the scene for Legoland Discovery Centre, while the former is the venue for Europe’s largest mobile toboggan run.
All of the above take place from November 26 to December 31, Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 10pm, and on Friday and Saturday until 11pm. On Christmas Eve, closing is at 6pm, and on New Year’s Eve, at 1am.
Germany’s financial centre in the heart of the country is known for its bold high-rise architecture creating Germany’s most imposing skyline. It offers visitors many interesting museums and a delightful old town to explore. Its zoo was founded in 1858 and ranks among Europe’s best with special mention for its nocturnal animal house. For a visit to a tropical paradise, head to the Palmengarten, a haven of green tranquillity whose expansive conservatories have a wide variety of tropical and sub tropical plants.
The Römer Town Hall is the backdrop for the bustling Christmas market and dates back to 1393. A gigantic Christmas tree dominates the square and musical events are scheduled throughout the market, including trumpet players on the balcony of the St Nikolai church. It’s open from November 26 to December 21, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 9pm; Sunday, 11am to 9pm.
This city in the south is lively and fun with an outstanding family attraction, the Deutsches Museum, a world-renowned science and technology museum where machines hum, lightning flashes and telescopes zoom on star formations. Children especially love the mining exhibit winding through a labyrinth of recreated subterranean tunnels. Another hit with kids is the carillon on the Town Hall in the Marineplatz. From November to February at 11am and noon (also at 5pm during the rest of the year) brightly coloured figures of jousting knights and dancing coopers stage a moving show atop a tower.
The city has numerous Christmas markets in various sections of the town. The main market is at the Marienplatz with an added attraction – a Heavenly Workshop for kids. It’s open from November 28 to December 24, Monday to Friday, 10am – 8.30pm; Saturday, 9am to 8.30pm; Sunday 10am – 7.30pm.
A Manger Market at the Rindermarkt is the place to buy items needed to create a crib scene. A Christmas tram will run through the city centre featuring spiced wine and gingerbread from December 1 to 23. Musicians provide Alpine music from the balcony of the Town Hall daily at 5.30pm and 6pm during the dates of the Christmas market.
Did you miss part 1 of our Christmas markets in Germany feature?
