Germany is famous for its Christmas Markets and I am so glad to have the lovely people, Angie and Jenke, from the blog Reisefreunde here on Paul & Paula today!

Enjoy Berlin’s Top Christmas Markets:
In Berlin, you could visit a huge number of Christmas Markets. But on most of them all you will find is blaring music, stinky „Asian“ food for a couple of Euros or boring huts selling the same old rubbish. This is why we went on a quest for the most beautiful, romantic Christmas markets with a real cozy atmosphere. And found some! Oh come little children!

Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei

The historical Kulturbrauerei collection of buildings with its courtyards is the picturesque backdrop for a contemplative Christmas market. This market is far beyond the normal whoopee in Berlin. AND it is in the middle of Berlin’s hip quarter of Prenzlauer Berg. The Lucia Christmas Market, named after the northern saint of light is full of lovely things from Scandinavia: honey from Finland, elk goulash or Swedish Christmas cookies. Of course you can also sip glogg or Gluehwein. In the afternoon, kids can trampoline or make crafts. There is also a Christmas tree and a log fire where you can warm yourself. The family friendly market is also the ideal place to meet up for a break in one of the many restaurants and bars around Kollwitzplatz after a pre-Christmas expedition through the Kulturbrauerei.

Castle of Charlottenburg in Berlin

The market is not too big and very popular with especially families. It is located in front of Schloss Charlottenburg, the only Prussian royal palace that survived in Berlin itself. A perfect setting that can hardly be beaten. To keep it all nice and cozy, the merchants have to decorate their wooden huts and tents with natural materials only, using plastic is strictly forbidden. More than 250 international exhibitors present select arts and crafts, old handicrafts and upmarket catering and top culinary offerings. There are also numerous events. A special recommendation goes out to the wonderful children’s Christmas market in the „winter forest“, in front of the small orangey. Here, the small ones can have fun on the airy swing, the Ferris wheel or the merry-go-round or they can go to visit the petting zoo. This „Royal Christmas market for children“ is free of any offers of sale or food and of course you won’t find any alcoholic drinks here.

A Farmers Christmas Market in the middle of Berlin

To those of you who do not know so far: there is a real farmers house in the middle of Berlin. It is called Domäne Dahlem and is close to the Free University of Berlin. It is an open-air museum of agrarian history also a functioning organic farm whose products are sold on site, outdoors with stalls giving the feel of a small countryside market place. On the weekends of Advent everything revolves around lovingly made handicrafts. Lots of high quality handicraft gift ideas are offered here along with Christmas delicacies and Christmassy music from midday. For the kids there are Christmas things to make, candle dipping, pouring Christmas tree decorations made of beeswax and much more – a pre-Christmas experience for the whole family.

Festive Christmas Market at the Castle of Liebenberg

Due to the historic background, this Christmas Market can truly be described as a genuine Fairy Tale Market. The scenery is just magical; the air filled with the yummy smell of freshly backed gingerbread, Christmas cookies and Gluehwein. This romantic market offers all the bustling atmosphere of a German Advent in a real castle. The artists and craftsmen set up stalls laden with wonderful handmade wares such as dolls, pottery, paintings on silk and other materials and all sorts of other gifts. In the “inspectors House”, fairy tales are read to children so that their eyes are guaranteed to glow with delight. The small one can also enjoy arts and crafts. This historic castle estate is situated is situated a 35-minute drive north of Berlin’s Tegel Airport in the Brandenburg town of Liebenberg, to the north of Berlin, amidst a picturesque countryside of forests and lakes.

So if you can, get a ticket to Berlin… NOW!
I miss it every year…

Thank you Angie and Jenke!