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THOUGHTS: Berlin in December ?

I am planning a trip to Europe during christmas time. However, I am having a hard time narrowing down the second city I would like to visit.

The trip would be from 12/25/20 to 1/2/20 ( Landing the 25th at 8:00 am ).

Right now, London is set for 12/29/20 to 1/2/21 . London is where we want to be for NYE -- to watch the fireworks display.

My other option is Berlin from 12/25/20 to 12/29/20 --- What is the city like during that time? I reached out to the Waldorf Astoria and they told me that I will still be able to see the christmas markets etc. This would be my first time in Germany is Berlin worth it?

What other cities should I look at if I don't go with Berlin? Prague is to busy for my liking and flights to Budapest are really high.

I did Madrid during christmas and it was awesome. Please let me know your option and why.

Thanks for all the help!

Posted by
564 posts

Munich and smaller towns for the markets perhaps.
There is an article on the Christmas markets on the forum. Just enter search,to find it,

My family was stationed in Schweinfurt and every place has their markets, they ventured out on weekend s and explored many.

Posted by
564 posts

PS, I love Berlin and have been twice, once on RS tour once independently.

Posted by
31 posts

My wife and I spent 8 days in Berlin in 2014. We loved it. There is such a variety of activities. We didn't do everything that we wanted to and are looking forward to going back some day. 6 years ago Berlin was an extremely affordable city. I don't know what prices are like today, but Berlin is definitely worth a visit.

Posted by
8094 posts

If I'm going to Europe again that late in the year, I'm going south. Berlin & London are pretty far north, and weather can be a little cold and unsettled that time of the year.
At least in Bavaria and in the Austrian Alps, we've got the incredible snow covered mountains as sceney.

Posted by
6113 posts

Your first and last days are going to be just getting to and from the airport and on the first day, just trying to stay awake which means you have 7 days. At a time of year when some things are closed, I would be tempted just to visit one country rather than spreading yourself too thinly. Maybe London and York or Edinburgh?

I have been to Berlin in mid December and there was plenty to keep us occupied for 6 full days plus travel days. It’s a great city. We had a light dusting of snow one day, but otherwise, it was dry.

Who knows which airlines etc will still be in business by the end of the year. We aren’t planning any holidays until spring 2021 as we don’t think the situation will be fully resolved until then.

Posted by
6178 posts

Berlin & London are pretty far north

This is probably the first time I've heard Berlin and London being referred to as pretty far north. :-)

Posted by
26840 posts

London is farther north than Calgary, Alberta. Berlin is even more to the north.

Posted by
99 posts

We were in Berlin Dec 23 to 27 last year. Many places closed on Dec 25 to 26, So, check their websites for opening hours during holiday.

Posted by
11056 posts

Even though traveling to Europe over the holidays sounds magical, we wouldn’t do it again. So much was closed, restaurants, museums and there were crowds too. Decorations were pretty though.
We were in London and Rome.

Posted by
4616 posts

I've read the Vienna has xmas markets thru New Year's, and is beautiful with all the holiday decorations.

Safe travels!

Posted by
6178 posts

London is farther north than Calgary, Alberta. Berlin is even more to
the north.

Yes, and they are also north of Madrid, Miami and Cape Town. But by European standards they are not that far north.

Posted by
8889 posts

I am planning a trip to Europe during christmas time. . . . . The trip would be from 12/25/20 to 1/2/20 ( Landing the 25th at 8:00 am ).

The first thing I would say is landing on 25th December is not a Christmas trip. Most of the Christmassy things to do and see are in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Many Christmas markets close on the 24th, or even 23rd, December; only some stay open until the New Year. 25th and 26th are stay at home days. If you have a hotel with a Christmas package, hotel, Christmas meals, perhaps some entertainment, that is good. 25th and 26th are good winter walk days.

I would recommend shifting this earlier, returning on the 26th or 27th.

If you want to see the London New-Year's-Eve fireworks, you need a ticket: https://www.london.gov.uk/events/2020-12-31/london-new-years-eve-fireworks-2020