Winter in Berlin: snowy magic, Christmas markets, and East vs. West
When one thinks of winter in Germany, one of the first things to come to mind is, naturally, the famous German Christmas markets. And honestly, what’s not to like? Warm glühwein (mulled wine), delicious guilt-free treats, festive decor, holiday music, and endless seasonal shopping possibilities.
But coming from a Nordic country myself, I was just glad I got to experience Berlin under a brand-new layer of fresh snow. It made me feel a bit closer to home, if only for a few days. Even though that unexpected winter weather meant I endured one of the worst flights of my life flying into the city—and that my feet were wet for most of my stay—I really didn’t mind. The snowy Berlin spectacle was simply too gorgeous to complain about.
In an attempt to form my own opinion on the classic West vs. East Berlin debate, I walked a marathon around both areas, exploring as many hidden corners as possible. After a lot of tracking through the slush, I have come to a definitive conclusion: I prefer East Berlin.
While West Berlin is by far much prettier, it felt a bit too sanitized and picture-perfect for my taste. Plus, I’m pretty sure I was the only person there who wasn’t well into their 60s. On the flip side, I absolutely loved the gritty energy of the East, the quirky independent shops, and the funky local cafés. I already look forward to seeing more of it on my next trip.
If you find yourself caught in a winter flurry, you might wonder about the best things to do in Berlin when it snows.
On this trip, I decided to indulge my inner tourist and buy a ticket for a classic Berlin hop-on/hop-off bus tour. I don’t usually go for these because I find them a bit restrictive and generally quite boring. But in freezing weather? It was easily the best option. I was warm, I was dry, I was entertained by the audio guide in my own language, and because the bus was practically empty, I snagged the ultimate prize: that much-coveted front seat on the upper deck!
One of my absolute favorite neighborhoods in the city is Prenzlauer Berg—or, from what I observed, “Preggo Town.”
It seemed as though every local woman I walked past was either holding a baby or expecting one. Not that I minded at all! It was actually incredibly cute to see these adorable, red-cheeked little creatures all bundled up in heavy German winter gear, practically unable to move their arms or legs.
Beyond the stroller parade, the local architecture and snowy scenery in this part of town were quite lovely, too. Berlin in the winter has a chaotic, cozy charm all its own.
