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Christmas market breaks in eastern germany
With thousands of events and an eclectic mix of Christmas markets throughout the city, Berlin pulls out all the stops to throw the most diverse winter celebrations. Spend an unforgettable weekend in the party capital of Europe while making trips to nearby Potsdam or Dresden. Check out our suggested itinerary below and read all about the highlights of this lively region.
Getting to the German Christmas markets is easy. The country's trains are fast, efficient, and take you to the heart of all major cities. Within this itinerary we provide further details on travelling to each market.
Want a convenient pass for German trains? The Interrail Germany Pass entitles you to 3, 4, 6 or 8 days of rail travel in Germany within 1 month!
Itinerary in short
Cities visited in this trip:
1. Berlin, Germany
Visit Berlin in November and December and you’ll experience the iconic German capital in an entirely different light. With almost 80 Christmas markets, the city is transformed with winter chalet-styled snack huts, wooden craft stalls and ice skating rinks. Try tobogganing with views of the Brandenburg Gate from the market at Potsdamer Platz, or enjoy hot roasted chestnuts at the colourful market beside the Charlottenburg Palace.
In the city that never sleeps, party the night away in Berlin Mitte or Prenzlauer Berg. Alternatively, save your energy for cramming in as much museum and gallery time as possible at Museum Island (Museumsinsel).
Berlin Christmas Market dates:
Various dates, with most running between 23rd November and 31st December 2017
Locations of Berlin Christmas markets and the nearest public transport stops are available on the Visit Berlin website. With your Interrail Pass you can travel on S-Bahn trains, marked S, for free!
Berlin's famous boulevard, Unter den Linden, at Christmas
From Berlin to Potsdam
0h40m
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Berlin, Germany
Berlin Hbf
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0h 40m
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Potsdam, Germany
Potsdam Hbf
2. Day trip to Potsdam, Germany
For a relaxing day trip from buzzing Berlin, Potsdam offers picture-perfect palaces, parks and lakes. Both the New Palace and Sanssouci Palace are ordained with lavish interiors, while the latter is also surrounded by stunning parkland.
Potsdam’s Old Town Christmas Market is known for its shining blue lights. The city also holds traditional Polish and Dutch markets, on the 2nd to 4th of December and 11th to 12th of December respectively.
Potsdam Christmas Market dates:
27th November – 28th December 2017
For the main Christmas market at Luisenplatz, take tram 91 or 96 from Potsdam train station to Brandenburger Straße.
Snowfall at Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam
From Berlin to Dresden
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2h5m
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Berlin, Germany
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2h 5m
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Dresden, Germany
Dresden Hbf
3. Day trip to Dresden, Germany
With a trip to Dresden, you’ll witness a city thriving 70 years after it was heavily bombed during World War II. Drift around the city’s old town (Altstadt) admiring fascinating Baroque architecture and the ‘Procession of Princes’, the world’s largest porcelain mural on Augustusstraße.
Originating in 1434, Dresden’s Christmas market, the Dresdner Striezelmarkt, is the oldest in Germany. To this day it’s still the best place to pick up handmade toys, decorations and a piece of Christmas cake (Christstollen).
Dresden Christmas Market dates:
30th November – 24th December 2017
With Christmas markets stretching from Dresden's main train station across the city, it’s a 15 minute walk to the Striezelmarkt and the rest of the Altstadt.
Cosy market stalls at the Dresdner Striezelmarkt
Explore Germany with Interrail
Choose from 3, 4, 6 or 8 days of rail travel within 1 month.
As soon as you're in Germany, hop on and off as many trains as you like using just one rail pass.
You'll arrive at city centre locations just a few steps from the nearest Christmas market. Leave everyone else to battle it out for car parking spaces!
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