25 Original Ideas of Activities in Berlin in Winter

A winter in Berlin can seem demoralizing - without its flowers, trees and sunny parks. Yet the city has plenty to offer in winter!

We have selected 25 ideas for activities that will help you survive the cold months of December, January, and February and enjoy the winter season in Berlin.

1. Drink a Glühwein at the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market

Admission is charged (outside 11-14h) but it costs only 1-2€ and gives access to the most beautiful Christmas market in Berlin. It stretches, warm and magical, between the German and French churches and its powerful towers (NB: the view of the market from the French church is worth the detour). Stroll between the fairy-tale food and hot drink stalls and enjoy the magic of Christmas with a dance and music show.

2. Warming up in the hammams of Vabali

Welcome to Bali! Amidst the Buddha sculptures and bamboos of Vabali, take a well-deserved break to warm up your carcass in the baths and relax amidst the scent of incense, fumes and the white noise of the water.

3. Go and see the portraits of Dora Maar at the Picasso Museum / Berggruen

The Berggruen Museum offers an exceptional collection of works by Picasso in an ideal setting: few people and lots of space to admire the works - enough to appreciate the genius / madness of the artist.

Address: Invalidenstraße 50, 10557 Berlin
Price: 8€.

4. Buy Dr Martens at the Bikini Concept Store

Buy Dr Martens and a lot of other things in one of the many shops in the famous Bikini concept store! "Enjoy the space and shop what you see! can be taken literally here. The chair you're sitting on, the glass you're drinking from or the lamp above the table: you can buy them all!

5. Tobogganing in the Mauerpark.

Located between the Max Schmeling Halle and the Berlin Flea Market, the Mauerpark offers young and old alike all the facilities they need to toboggan safely from the first snowflakes and down the small slope (100m.).

You can also take the opportunity to go sledding in the surroundings of the Mauerpark.

Address: Gleimstraße 55, 10437 Berlin, Germany

6. Watching a Berlin series while eating Berliners

Berlin Tag und Nacht/ Babylon Berlin/ Tatort/ ... , the list is long concerning the series that will vibrate the hearts of Germans.

Sometimes it's also good to stay at home. Take the opportunity to watch Babylon Berlin. Inspired by a thriller, this series is set in the German capital in the 1920s, with its wind of freedom and its characters with disturbing political aims. All covered in a plaid and accompanied by a delicious homemade Berliner by Hacker Bäckerei (Stargarder Str. 69, 10437 Berlin Prenzlauer Berg)!

7. Visit Berlin's bunkers and basements with Berliner Unterwelten

Dive into the Berlin abyss under the asphalt - this is possible thanks to the guided tours of the association "Berliner Unterwelten". Here you can see bunkers, tunnels and other mysterious and long forgotten underground passages.

Address: Brunnenstraße 105, 13355 Berlin
Price: 15€.

8. Admire the Australian summer

We flee the cold winter and its dormant vegetation to go straight to the Dahlem Botanical Garden, which offers more than 22,000 species of plants. The little extra: we take refuge in the heated greenhouses to blossom in the light of the flora of Australia, East Asia and Africa which let their colours burst. Moreover, in winter, the Botanical Garden sets up a Christmas Garden and transforms the garden park into a magical winter paradise.

9. Follow the light until the end of the night in an Electro box.

If we had to define Berlin in two words, it would be: Currywurst and Electro! So we take advantage of the darkness to dance in the dark corners of the Berghain (or the Kitkat if you are turned away from the Berghain).

Berghain - Am Wriezener Bahnhof, 10243 Berlin
Open even on Sundays!
Price: between 10 and 12 euros

Kit kat Club - Köpenicker Straße 76, 10179 Berlin
Price: 10 euros

10. Enjoy a music concert in the Konzerthaus on Gendarmenmarkt

Ideally and beautifully located on the gendarmenmarkt, the Konzerthaus organises concerts of classical and sometimes contemporary music in a setting with exceptional acoustics. The organ, a true work of art in its own right, is particularly appreciated.

11. Eat cheese fondue in a French restaurant

For cheese lovers...

12. Drink a hot chocolate and eat a cake at Barcomi's

Sit on the bench, intoxicated by the smells of cakes and muffins coming out of the oven and quietly wait for her homemade cake by Cynthia.

13. Watch a movie at the Wolf Kino

Enjoy the intimate atmosphere of the Wolf Cinema to watch a movie and have a great time at the bar.

14. Playing Kegeln at Aunt Lisbeth's house

Walk through the door of a bar and find yourself at Aunt Lisbeth's ... in her living room, between the upholstered armchairs with exaggeratedly padded cushions and the old wood panelling on which a tea set and a bottle of old drops rest - with the difference that here you can play ball indoors - provided it's a Kegelkugel!

Address: Muskauer Straße 49, 10997 Berlin

15. Drinking a cocktail at the Stue hotel

A stone's throw from the Tiergarten, in the sumptuous setting of the Stue, between the exceptional works of art and funky objects chosen by Patricia Urquiola, one sits comfortably on a sofa in the lounge bar with a glass of Long Island Ice Tea in hand.

16. Watch the swaying of Tipsy Bear's Queens Dragons

This friendly bar convinces by its warm atmosphere and its program (quizzes and karaoke every week). Every Sunday, in the late afternoon, the bar comes alive with a drag-queen show (free of charge - doors open at 17:00 / show starts at 18:00). We particularly appreciate the staff always in an incredible good mood!

17. Eating an Apfelstrudel (with cream) at Café Einstein

Like in Quentin Tarantino's film, which was shot in the bar where you're sitting. Enjoy an Apfelstrudel and a hot drink - which one? It doesn't matter, what's important is to wait for the cream before enjoying the Strudel !

18. Plan a romantic candlelit dinner at the Dachkammer

There are no conditions or opportunities for a romantic dinner - just enjoy the moment and the subdued atmosphere of the Dachkammer.

19. Shopping in the ARENA Flea Market

The Arena Flohmarkt is a flea market like any other, with the difference that it is located indoors, in a shed - sheltered from the weather!

20. Visit an art exhibition in a bunker at the Feuerle Collection

As with the Boros collection, a former World War II bunker has been converted to house Désiré Feuerle's collection, which shows Khmer sculptures from the 7th to the 13th century, furniture from imperial China dating from the Han dynasty to the Quing dynasty, from 200 years BC.C. until the 18th century as well as works by contemporary artists such as Cristina Iglesias, Adam Fuss, Nobuyoshi Araki, Anish Kapoor, Zeng Fanzhi and James Lee Byars.

21. Brunch at the Selig

You just have to walk through the door and you are immediately overwhelmed by a feeling of freshness. You leave your coat at the entrance and sit down at a pretty white table decorated with flowers. The place is often crowded (a little advice: book in advance), the staff is busy and runs around without losing its good mood - at the bar, the bartender sings while squeezing her oranges. It's a veritable beehive that welcomes you, serves you and dessert, leaving a delicious aroma of pancakes in its wake.

22. Trying to get into the Berlinale

The Berlinale is an annual film festival in February each year, presenting a large number of international and independent, local and international films as well as many celebrities.

23. Skating on the Spree

Open-air ice rinks abound in the city of Berlin during the Christmas season. However, weather permitting, it is also possible to skate on the frozen canals of Spreewald - magical atmosphere guaranteed !

24. Discover Berlin's communist past

Berlin's modern history is intimately linked to that of communism and this legacy is still visible. A must see: the impressive Soviet memorial in Treptower Park.

25. Just walk through the streets and see what Berlin has to offer ...

Whether it's a magical walk in the Spreewald or a street art tour to admire graffiti and murals or the amazing architecture of the city - there are plenty of winter activities in Berlin!