There are dozens of them (80?) in Berlin next weekend! How do we find out which are the best, which one sells what kind of gifts, which ones are too touristy, ease of reach if you don't have a vehicle, etc? Are the best ones in the centre or ...?
Posted by
OP
Edmonton, Canada
4 posts
Oh my goodness - brilliant. Thank you Phil especially for the links. Why do we not have anything like this in Canada I wonder - we certainly have winter!
Posted by
USA (previously India)
145 posts
Is this your first time in Berlin? We were there a few days ago. The two that we saw were the a) Alexander Platz one which is really between Alexander Platz and Jannowitzbrucke (you can see it from the S-bahn) and b) the one near the zoo. Both these locations could be easily walked to from the corresponding train station. I am assuming that the same is the case with any one you locate and wish to get to. Public transportation is very simple (as long as you have a map to orient yourself). All the U-bahns and S-bahns that we were in had the map on the walls and/or the ceiling. So, even if you did not have your map on you, you could figure out how you needed to get to your destination. The only issue is that the train maps do not correspond to the roads, so for that you need to carry a map on you for sure. The map comes with the welcome card, so if you purchase that, you are good to go.
I wrote the above based on my experience - I wouldn't mind being corrected, of course!
Porcupyn
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Here's a secret about German Christmas markets- almost all of them (with a few notable exceptions I've encountered) sell the same rather cheap merchandise. What makes one market stand out above the rest is the atmosphere of the venue, and if you know people there, the company while you sip the Glühwein. It's not about the stuff on sale.
Go with the market that looks like it's in the most attractive location.