If you’ve ever wanted to go to Berlin, and wondered what the best times to visit this beautiful city, we’ve compiled a list (worst-to-best) that can help you decide.
5) Karnaval der Kulturen
Food stands are aplenty, music is ubiquitous and the streets are gorged with every sub-culture from Punk to Bohemian. It sounds like a German World cup victory, but it is none other than Berlin’s Karnaval Der Kulturen that happens during May (it moves around from year to year). Various ethnic groups let it all out for a weekend long feast that leaves everyone with a few extra pounds and the memory of a virtual journey around the world.
4) May 1st celebrations:
In the same vein as the Karnaval der Kulturen above, May 1st celebrations are a weekend long affair with food and dance with a political agenda to complement the whole thing. May 1st is both the time when Nazis walk down in Berlin and when the Anti-Nazis create a huge party to draw all the attention away from the haters.
3) Berlinale:
This February event is the most important film happening in Germany and without a doubt one of the most valued film festival in Europe. Thousands of movie buffs make their way to the capital in order to watch one of the 400 features projected in cinemas scattered all over the city.
2) Christmas:
It may seem like an obvious one, but Christmas spirit is no joke around here. It’s usually snowed in and cold: conditions are perfect for some traditional Glühwein. The Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market is an absolute must. They sell every type of comfort food you can imagine – try käse spätzle, it’s a German version of gnocchi drowned in cheese. Unter Den Linden, the big avenue leading up to the Brandenburg, is sparkling with Christmas light and there is a giant tree specifically designed to make everyone feel like a child again.
1) Summer:
From May – or rather June this year because of the volcano eruption – to August, the sun is out, along with the multi-colored bikes and the low cut dresses. What’s Berlin got the most of? Parks! Berlin is a green city and the best time to enjoy is, well, when everything is green. At the first ray of sunshine, all the chairs and tables are set up on terraces and ice cream stands are blossoming like Hydrangeas.
Photo of Berlin wall by Romtomtom
48 responses to “Top 5 times to visit Berlin”
Report an inappropriate commentJune 8th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
I’ve been to Berlin for Christmas, and I must admit and agree with you, it is absolutely STUNNING. No wonder there are German-style christmas markets around the world.
Going to a Christmas market in Berlin felt like walking in a Disney Christmas film. A must!
Would love to go during the summer!
June 9th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Ice cream stands are blossoming like Hydrangeas, huh? Sounds to me like I need to book a flight to Berlin! I am totally sold.
June 9th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
cant wait for Christmas to visit Berlin! muy interesante Tati! Berlin looks great
June 10th, 2010 at 1:07 am
It looks cool, i really want to know this place, to bad last time i couldnt but maybe next time i can, have a good one TAP!
June 10th, 2010 at 8:09 am
This article makes me want to see it all, especially the Karnaval der Kulturen, and not only!
June 10th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
The film festival sounds great I’d love to check it out thanks!
June 27th, 2010 at 12:17 am
Berlin at Christmas is GREAT!
June 27th, 2010 at 10:19 am
I went this past week. The weather is really nice.
June 27th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Great article!
June 27th, 2010 at 10:22 am
I don’t know why but I strangely want to go for the May 1st Celebration.
June 27th, 2010 at 11:17 am
Agreed. The may 1st Mayhem sounds like fun!
June 27th, 2010 at 11:17 am
I like this article!
June 27th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
The may 1st celebration might be a bit rough for me.
June 27th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Nice article!
June 27th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
I’m in
June 27th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
So nice. Summer def is the best time to go because it’s not as humid as NYC!
June 27th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Anytime is a good time to go to Berlin, it’s a great city!
June 27th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Is this some intricate ploy for you to make me come to Berlin, tat?
June 28th, 2010 at 12:02 am
I love Berlin
June 28th, 2010 at 9:12 am
I’d like to come at christmas then!
June 28th, 2010 at 11:26 am
I’ve never been to Berlin, but I’ve heard great things!
June 28th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Christmas in Berlin, Christmas in Berlin!
June 28th, 2010 at 11:49 am
Great job! I am really taking my bike for a summer city trip! Please keep posting!
June 28th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Bravo, je suis fiere de toi
June 28th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
They all sound wicked to me
June 28th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
I would have also mentionned the biennale
June 28th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
The weather is still not quite right this summer.
June 28th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Tati I want to come see you~
June 28th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
anything drowned in cheese has my vote for the most delicious food hehe. no but seriously, I want to try this, wish they had it in america
June 28th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
I CAME FOR THE BERLINALE in 2008, it was cold but amazing.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
good stuff
June 28th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Käse Spätzle rock my life
June 28th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
they really do have terraces everywhere, it’s crazy!
June 28th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
hahaha that’s cool
June 30th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Berlin is one of the best places to spend christmas
June 30th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
Other best time to go to berlin: WHEN THE GERMAN TEAM WINS A MATCH DURING THE WORLD CUP!!! DEUTSCHLANDDDDDDDDDD!
June 30th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
@Mc Lovin: I was actually there when they lost that one match, that was AWFUL. So i guess when they win it’s AWSOME
June 30th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
And if you like that atmosphere, go to Hamburg during the Gay Pride Parade. The town goes f****ing nuts!
June 30th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
I’m so proud of you Tatiana!!! Tell me when I can come visit you.
Much love, xx
June 30th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
There may be ups and downs and better times to go, but the party never stops, not for the weekend or for the year.
June 30th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Some of the comments here are interesting… hehe
I just wanted to ask: have they finished rebuilding the city? last time I went it was all still under construction from the war.
Well I guess it was a while ago!
June 30th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Berlin is my second favourite city after Stockholm!
June 30th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Ich fahr nicht nach Berlin!!! best line from eurotrip! don’t agree with it though!
June 30th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
As a film FANATIC I aprove of the Berlinale
June 30th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
@ Hana DITTO.
June 30th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
The Karnaval der Kulturen sounds so Berlin. It truly became the melting pot of New York. Some compare Berlin to New York City in its prime. I tend to disagree. I think Berlin now is even cooler than New York City then…
June 30th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
@Alicia What are you talking about? NY is totally the best city like ever!!!
Berlin, as nice as it is and all, doesn’t even come close!
June 30th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
Such a shame that the Berlinale is held in February… I think that’s why the Cannes film festival is more popular… because of the nice weather
Leave a comment