“It was magical, this snow globe world” – Sarah Addison Allen
When I told local Berliners years ago that it was going to be my first winter in Germany (and really, in life), they reacted by saying things like,
“It’s so horrible! It’s SO cold!”
“You’re going to hate it! It’s so dark and your nose is going to freeze off!”
“Haha, that’s going to be funny. Your first winter and you chose Berlin?! Silly girl.”
They had me terrified, and yes, it is pretty dark here. However if you think of it like a Batman comic book then it becomes kind of cool and edgy.
And fairly magical, too.
Yes, it’s also pretty cold, but what I’ve come to realize is the cold isn’t so bad. With the right clothing and layering, it’s just fine.
Besides, if I had left, I would have missed all of this amazing, delicious, incredibleness that is the German winter. Here are 15 reasons why you’ll want to visit Germany in the winter, too:
1) Berlin
The first major snow of the season in Berlin was magical. The skies turned blue, the kids grabbed their sleds, and good vibes were felt all around.
There is so much to do in Berlin, regardless of the season and the weather, that I’ve made it my home for the past five years. This quirky and gritty city is like an onion with endless layers. Though the autumn and the summer are the more popular months to visit, here’s a list of amazing things to do in the winter in Berlin.
2) Christmas Markets
I didn’t know how I’d feel about Christmas markets, because I’m usually team Grinch, but they turned out to be really festive, fun, and quite delicious as well.
What I love the most about the Christmas markets in Germany is how well the traditions are kept alive. For instance, it was lovely to see a woman dressed as Frau Holle shaking out a pillow case which is meant to symbolize snow falling at the Hattingen Christmas Market, and meeting locals dressed proudly (and rightfully so!) in olden-style clothing at the end of the Miner’s Wintermarkt, as part of the procession called the Mettenschicht at Düppenweiler. Germany’s Christmas markets are not only festive and fun, but also a great way to take a closer look at the locals’ cultures and traditions. Plus, they have excellent food and beverages.
They also vary quite a bit region by region. In Cologne, there’s a more traditional market with a gorgeous light display on the Kolner Dom, In Berlin, there’s a Japanese Christmas market every other year, and in Hohenzollern castle outside of Stuttgart, there’s even a chocolate market.
For a full listing of Germany’s best Christmas markets, check this post out!
3) Gingerbread of Aachen
Aachen Christmas market is my absolute favorite. Starting from November 23 – December 23 every year, the market welcomes visitors with beautiful lights and irresistible gingerbread aroma.
The Aachen bakeries are famed for their gingerbread and marzipan bread that are exported to all over the world. However, at the Christmas market, they are freshly baked and taste even better! You know they take their gingerbread seriously when there’s literally a 6m tall gingerbread man mascot at the market. Delicious mulled wine, a warm, perfectly-spiced, amaretto drink that’s highly addictive, is also sold at the market.
Additionally, the cathedral in Aachen is intricate and gorgeous. As a fan of architecture, and art history, I was amazed.
Book your accommodation in Aachen here!
4) Black Forest
Having associated the Black Forest with terms like ‘magical, mystical’, and delicious (the cake, I mean!) my whole life, I was still blown away by just how much of a winter wonderland the Black Forest can be.
I enjoyed walking through the forest and admiring the snow-covered pine trees, but if you are looking for something more on the adventurous side, the Black Forest offers various slopes and rinks for skiing, snowboarding, as well as hiking.
I highly recommend driving along the Panoramic route, assuming the roads are safe to drive and you feel comfortable, and stopping in the small towns along the way. Sasbachwalden is a favorite of mine. They’re particularly well known for their wine and cake.
Book your accommodation in Black Forest here!
5) Dazzling Light Displays
Germany does Christmas right. Pictured here is the Christmas market at the Cologne Cathedral.
Most major cities in Germany will have beautiful Christmas lights displays at the bigger Christmas markets, but be sure to check out the one at the Botanischer Garten in Berlin as well, which is next on the list!
6) Botanischer Garten
Inspired by London’s famous Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, Berlin’s very own botanic garden now lights up every November – December, making the area a beautiful winter wonderland. The route is about 1.5km, where visitors will walk through and past several light displays, illuminations, and 3D figures. There’s also regional food, open fire, and even an ice rink at the garden for ice skating enthusiasts.
The entrance fee is on the pricier side, but it’s a great spot for anyone who’s into photography! It’s open from 16 November 2017 to 7 January 2018, open daily from 5pm to 9pm (closed on 24 and 31 December). Admission is €14.5 –€19, depending on the dates.
7) An Awesome Ice Rink at Zeche Zollverein in Essen
Zeche Zollverein is a museum, an event venue, and one of the only coal mines in the world that’s declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beautiful architecture. Each winter, you can ice skate on its long ice rink and enjoy delicious meals at its restaurant. A full-day ticket to the ice rink is €7, though if you are short on time, you can purchase the evening ticket for €5 and enjoy the light installation and even better atmosphere for 2 hours before it closes.
You could also take a closer look at the beautiful architecture and learn more about the mining history by joining a tour. English guided tours are available on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays (except for 24, 25, and 31 December) at 3pm. The 2-hour long tour costs €6. You can book your tickets here and check the schedule here!
8) A White Christmas
If you grew up somewhere without winter like I did, then you’ve never had a white Christmas. Finally experiencing one was something really special.
Though Bavaria’s Alps are probably the most dreamy and famous place to enjoy winter, you can enjoy snow anywhere in Germany, if you get lucky!
9) Snow Coated Castles
Germany is the fairytale castle capital of the world. The already stunning castles look even more magical in the winter, and have you really been to Germany in the winter if you have not seen a castle and have a little Frozen moment yourself?
The Hohenzollern Castles are easily the fairest castles in all the land, and are the ones I’d recommend prioritizing for dreaminess and fewer crowds, whether you want to see them from afar or up close. If you have more time, check out 12 other magical castles in Germany.
10) Winter Sports
Germany has groomed some of the best skiers and ice hockey players out there, so it’s no wonder that there are plenty of winter sports opportunities in the country.
Every winter, the locals spend their free time skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snow hiking, and ice-skating. If you are a winter sport enthusiast, you are in for a treat! Some of the best places for winter sports include Zugspitze, which is the highest mountain in Germany, as well as Belchen, and Harz Mountains.
11) The Berlin Treehouse
A former dump, bordering the old Berlin wall, and a symbol of Berlin’s counterculture, the treehouse is a sight in the winter.
When the wall fell, Osman Kalin who built this inventive abode was threatened with eviction (the building wasn’t exactly up to code, and the land wasn’t exactly his), but thanks to the neighboring church deciding to give him the land, and the rallying neighborhood protesters, he still lives there today.
12) A Snowy Saxon Switzerland National Park
I am beginning to think that places that are good in the fall, are mostly also good in the winter. There are many national parks in Germany that are great for winter, but to me, Saxon Switzerland stands out. The hikes there are lovely and moderately easy, and the iconic Bastei Bridge looks stunning in white.
What’s more? There’s apparently the other side of the bastion that’s exceptionally peaceful and tranquil during this time of the year. There are extended sauna hours, ice-time bowling, and a beer garden that turns into a winter lounge with a fireplace. Talk about cozy!
13) Spas and Saunas
To enjoy the spas in most of Germany, prepare to strip. No, I am not being cheeky (omg the pun). Most spas in Germany are textile-free atmospheres. Vabali Spa in Berlin is a big space with a variety of saunas that are perfect for muscle aches or just relaxing self-care day.
I was slightly skeptical and thought it would be strange to go to a coed naked spa, but this is completely normal in this part of the world, and it actually felt freeing and comfortable! The atmosphere is respectful and upscale, even though everyone is sitting around completely naked.
There are saunas and pools, as well as massages in most spas in Germany. I highly recommend the sports massage, and the 95°C sauna if you can handle it. It’s so good!
14) Visit Hamburg’s Reeperbahn Christmas Market
Looking for an alternative Christmas vibe? Hamburg’s famous red light district plays host to the Santa Pauli Christmas market each year, full of sexy and erotic gifts, strip shows, and mulled wine of course! Due to the erotic nature, it’s adults-only. I haven’t personally been but I can only imagine it’s quite the experience! You can read more here.
15) Paraglide at Zugspitze
Paragliding in the Alps can be awesome at any time, but there’s something particularly beautiful about doing so in the winter months. Zugspitze in Bavaria is Germany’s tallest mountain, and a popular place for paragliding. You can read more about how to book here.
I’m glad I didn’t listen to everyone who told me to run, not walk, away from the winter in Germany. It has been snowy, beautiful, and honestly tons of fun.
If you’re considering visiting Germany in the winter, but aren’t sure if you should, then let me make it an easy choice for you: do it.
Where are your favorite winter wonderlands?
Anna says
Beautiful pictures, Kristin! One of my favorite moments from Taiwan was driving up into the mountains where there was a teeny tiny bit of snow on the side of the road and watching the locals pull over to take photos in front of it. I loved their excitement, growing up in Michigan has me taking a freezing, snowy winter for granted. Happy New Year!
Kristin says
Thanks Anna! I admit if I had to deal with it year after year for months and months on end I’d get tired of it too, but it’s still novel for me 🙂
Kristin says
It’s definitely quirky. I didn’t think I was a winter person but I have actually been enjoying it.
Nikita says
I envy everyone for whom snow is a novelty. You mke it look so beautiful!
Kristin says
Traveling has made me realize that I grew up in a utopia with perfect weather. I have yet to find it replicated anywhere else, except for maybe the Mediterranean. I’m glad it’s a novelty for me too but honestly I’m excited to be somewhere warm again too!
Niki says
If only you had experienced a REAL enchanted winter forest! The one in your picture doesn’t have enough snow. But we’ve had less and less snow during the last winters, some say it’s due to global warming.
I’ve started to read your blog from the beginning, it’s fascinating, you should write a book about your story one day 🙂
Kristin says
We got more snow the next day: http://on.fb.me/1HlgQOu does that count? I hope so. Don’t want to miss out 🙂
Thanks so much for the kind words. I would love to eventually write a book. Glad that for now, the blog is entertaining enough to make you want to read it from the beginning! Happy travels, Niki!
Susanne says
I can’t help myself, but I hate mulled wine. I hate the smell and I don’t like the taste. And hockey rinks make me stumble across it almost all year long.
Anyway, when I think about ‘real’ Christmas atmosphere, I have to think about Christmas markets in German-speaking countries (both Germany and Austria). I feel like the Christmas spirit over there is much more intense than in other countries 🙂
Kristin says
You are forgiven for not loving mulled wine. There are a few other really good ones offered at the markets and of course I can’t think of what they’re called now, but there are many alternatives 🙂
Heather @ Ferreting Out the Fun says
Germany looks like it’s a lot of fun to explore in winter! I was also scared of winter before I moved to Riga over the summer, but it hasn’t been that bad. Like you said, it’s all about the layers. When properly dressed, I don’t really notice the cold. And I’ve actually kind of loved all the snow!
Kristin says
That’s so cool that you studied abroad here. I went to about 13 of them myself. I didn’t want to see another one by the time I was done touring them but they really did get me into the holiday spirit.
Diane says
LOVE all the snow pictures. I’m sold. Must go to Germany. There’s no snow here ever so thanks for the wintery pics. 😉 Happy New Year!
Kristin says
Happy New Year and glad I convinced you
Rebekah says
That looks so beautiful. I love winter (I’m from Maine) and I think most people don’t like it because they just don’t dress warm enough and a lot of people get vitamin D deficient which makes you feel miserable. I’ve never been to Germany but I’ve been to German christmas markets and they’re amazing. Especiallyt he gingerbread.
Kristin says
I guess sideways rain and wind on certain days in Berlin made loving winter pretty tough, and not seeing the sun for weeks on end was rough too, but I still learned to appreciate it because it was so new to me and beautiful at times, too.
Katie says
I live in Chicago and really love the German Christmas Market they recreate there. I hope to go to one in Germany some day!
Milena Yordanova says
I love Germany, especially in the winter: the Christmas markets, the cathedrals covered in snow, the food and the mulled wine. I’m feeling like in a fairytale. 🙂
Kaz says
I did a tour through Germany, Poland, slovakia and czech republic during winter of 2014. and had a blast as most of the aussie group hadn’t seen snow before. We missed some sights due to the intense snow fights, balls of fun.
The rooftops covered in snow in Prague was a beautiful sight.
Kristin says
I hadn’t seen snow like that in at least a decade, and otherwise remembered it mainly as a kid. I totally get how the Aussies felt!
Danita Bay says
I love the shots, and it comforts me that we’re planning to visit Munster, Germany in Jan/Feb. Your shots are gorgeous, and the advice re packing was helpful. I want to go very minimalist but with cool stuff — orrrr, pick up the cool stuff (boots, jacket!) there.
Have you been to Munster in Winter? I hear it’s gorgeous, and since I’m from the Pacific NW and don’t mind chilly, cloudy, wet weather, I figged it’d be fine for me there. i have two wool long-sleeved tees, but LOVED your leggings and the sweater dress (I have a similar one) and jacket. I don’t have one of those.
I’m 57. Wonder when it’s no longer okay to wear, say, leggings…
Kristin says
I will wear leggings until the day I die. They’re so comfortable!
I haven’t been to Munster but would love to hear your thoughts after you go!
Nicolleen says
Great list! One day on the Bodensee was not enough for me, so that’s one place I’m eager to go back to. A student told me that there’s a great cable car trip somewhere down there, I think near Bregenz, and you have the best view.
Sofi leen says
I live in Germany, Dortmund and I love visiting the city and others around, each time I visit a new city I learn something new. God bless Germany and it’s people
Shibani says
Amazing pictures,
I might need your recommendation as you stayed for Berlin winters.
I’m planning to visit Germany this year in winters with a preference for snowfall. What time/month would you recommend to visit for snowfall but not to a level where I couldn’t do the sightseeing. I assumed Frankfurt/Dusseldorf got snowfall, but in my recent search it came not so much and I’m disappointed 🙁 I also wanted to include Berlin & Munich in my itinerary because of of the history. I am also planning to visit Nuremberg & Stuttgart there.
Looking forward for your response. Thanks in advance.
Kristin says
Hard to say since it can be as early as November and as late as March. I have seen it in December and January but it’s also not that common to get a lot of snow in Berlin.
Hiram says
Hello. I’m an American that works in China and is thinking of stopping in Germany on my way home either before (early November) or after (early December) my hitch. What time of the year were those pictures?
Also would you pick Berlin over Munich if you did It again?
Kristin says
I’ve actually never been to Munich but I have been living in Berlin on and off for almost 4 years so, Berlin!
All of those were taken in December.
Clemens says
I always said that I need to travel through Germany ore often, but does it have to be in Winter? 🙂 Ok, Kreuzberg, done that! Great places in here anyways.
Kristin says
The fall is so nice here too! Summer is crowded but amazing.
Quinten 123 says
I also spent a really good time there during my last summer holidays and came back with smiley faces.
Iswarya Srinivasan says
Marvelous! Could you suggest some hiking trail in black forest ? Or can we just go for a walk in the forest while driving along the panoramic route ?
Kristin says
I’d check alltrails!
Marion B Goodman says
Oh, thank you for all the pictures. I grew up in Berlin and haven’t been there in the winter in about 25 years. Yes it is cold, but the Christmas market makes up for it. And you can go to a different Museum for a month…and KaDeWe is amazing. I am going to visit my brother in November. Looking forward to it so much!
Kristin says
Have fun!