Enjoy a Magical Berlin Winter with Our List of 5 Memorable Experiences

Germany's dynamic capital never stops moving, and even when winter arrives the city is full of things to discover, from special events and sparkling Christmas markets, to world-class museums and high-octane indoor activities. Oh, and don't forget generous plates of hearty local food!

If you want to find out just how creative Christmas markets can get, there's no need to look further than Berlin, where you can choose anything from a traditional German experience to a Japanese-style market. Several options in the city offer classic all-round fun in December, including the colourful market at Alexanderplatz with ice skating, curling and a kids' carousel. The market at grand Charlottenburg Palace has nostalgic tree decorations, sweet treats and fairground rides. A little out of the centre but within 30 minutes on the S-Bahn, the charming market set on cobbled streets in Spandau's old town is a Berlin winter wonderland, with a landmark tree and quaint wood huts that will make the journey worthwhile. If you're looking for a hotel to stay over and discover the charming town a little more, ibis Berlin Spandau is less than 10 minutes' walk away.

Try a little seasonal time travel by visiting a Christmas market that celebrates local history. At the event next to Berlin's town hall, the Rotes Rathaus, performers such as organ-grinders and musicians help to recreate a Berlin winter from the early 1900s, while the medieval-style Christmas market at the 1700s Britz Palace features fire shows and a medieval adventure playground. Spandau also offers a vision of the past at its Renaissance-era citadel, where you can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride or musical performances by brass players in period costumes. To try something completely different, head to the Japanese market at the Malzfabrik cultural complex, where you'll find Japanese food, handicrafts and even wrestling displays to make it a Christmas to remember. Other international markets include British and Finnish versions.

Berlin goes big on ice skating in winter, and rinks can be found right across the capital. You can't get more central than Potsdamer Platz, where an artificial outdoor ice skating rink pops up as part of the Winterwelt Christmas market. The circular rink around the Neptune Fountain next to City Hall on Alexanderplatz is also centrally located. There are indoor options too, with two rinks available at Eissporthalle Charlottenburg in the west of the city. Further east, Sportforum Hohenschönhausen, Germany's largest Olympic training centre with a speed-skating rink for professional athletes, also has an indoor rink that's open to the public.

Berlin's cold seasonal weather means snow is definitely possible, and temperatures in the city often drop to around freezing. Due to the area's generally flat topography, skiing and snowboarding aren't readily available nearby, but if you're prepared to take a few day trips from Berlin in winter, or even an overnight stay, then there is skiing to be found. The best trip out of town is a tour to the Harz Mountains, around 250 km from Berlin. The region is particularly famous for cross-country skiing, but you'll also find downhill slopes such as those at Wurmberg – Braunlage, the largest ski resort in the Harz Mountains. This resort offers 12 km of slopes suited to both beginners and more experienced skiers.

Find out more about the Harz Mountains on the region's official site.

Is there anything better than settling down in a cosy tavern when the icy wind is blowing outside? The German capital has no shortage of venues where you can dive into authentic staple dishes while staying snug and warm. Luckily, local cuisine includes plenty of soul-warming dishes that are perfect for winter! Dicke Wirtin in the Charlottenburg district is a classic example of a traditional tavern, and favourites like schnitzel and bratwurst are served in the compact and delightfully cluttered interior, where locals and visitors gather to savour the food and the atmosphere.

Fireplaces might be more associated with lodges way up in the Alps, but Berlin has its share of restaurants and hangouts where you can warm up beside the fire in winter. In fact, Châlet Suisse, a 25-minute drive from central Berlin on the edge of Grunewald forest, has an Alpine vibe complemented by its fireplace that burns all day during winter. Closer to most city centre hotels, check out Fünf & Sechzig in the Wedding district of the city, which is aptly named given that the fireside dining here is one of the most romantic things to do in Berlin in winter.

Berlin has some of the best museums in the world, and these indoor attractions are a perfect escape from cold weather. But what happens if your toes are too cold to go trekking around the city between museums? Berlin has the perfect solution: the Museum Island! This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a complex of five of Europe's most important museums set on one island between the Spree River and the Spree Canal in central Berlin. They are:

• The Altes Museum 
• The Neues Museum
• The Alte Nationalgalerie
• The Bode Museum
• The Pergamon Museum

Across the museums you'll be able to delve into everything from artefacts dating back to ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt to sculptures by Renaissance-era masters such as Donatello. Berlin Cathedral is also set on the island.

Get opening times and more information on Museum Island on the official site.

If you're looking for active adventures with your family or simply want to burn a few calories after enjoying the capital's treats, Berlin has all the indoor activities you could hope for. There are multiple facilities for activities like rock climbing, including the spacious Südbloc Boulderhalle in the Mariendorf neighbourhood. Additionally, you can find unusual things to do, such as indoor surfing at the Wellenwerk centre or escape rooms with quirky themes. Families with younger kids can head to indoor play centres like JOLOs Kinderwelt in the Tempelhof area, while older children will enjoy 3D black light mini-golf in the same district. If you'd like easy access to these family-friendly attractions from your hotel, Mecure Hotel Berlin Templehof is perfectly located.

Tips for visiting indoor attractions in the capital:

• Don't miss Museum Sunday - on the first Sunday of each month there's free entry to many museums around the city.
• Consider picking up the Berlin Welcome Card, which includes public transport around the sprawling city as well as savings on many attractions.
• Note that many museums have late opening on one day a week, usually a weekday, if your daytime schedule is packed.

Berlin's Botanical Garden turns festive from November to January with illuminations and light sculptures dotted across the 1.5-km walking course that leads around the venue. The event actually features more than one million light spots, some of which help to light up Christmas-themed 3D figures! At Zoo Berlin, winter is also a time for illumination, with a 2-km course leading to Friedrichsfelde Palace. 

Christmas markets may be only a happy memory come the new year, but there's still plenty to discover throughout January and February with many cultural events taking place. The Ins Offene festival at Kühlhaus Berlin brings classical music to a broader audience by having artists from different genres interacting, and by incorporating elements like video art. Other prominent musical events include Jazzfest Neukölln taking place at the Schloss Britz estate, as well as CTM, the Festival for Adventurous Music and Art.

So, is Berlin worth visiting in winter? Certainly! This wide range of activities and attractions shows there are few better cities in Europe to visit during the winter months. We hope you'll find plenty to enjoy during your visit.