Your Guide to Berlin in the Winter: What to Expect

If you’ve been following the blog or you know me in the flesh, you’ve already figured out that I’m insane.

 If this is your very first time here at Destination Dreamer Diaries, you’ll quickly find out why I’m so insane without even having to read another post.

Although, you really should: because I’ve been all over Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and more…

Anyways, back to the main point.

I’m absolutely insane…

… because I went to Berlin in January.

Still to this day, I think it’s the coldest I have ever been in my life. I had to buy mittens and a beanie to ensure I wasn’t getting frostbitten. There were some points where my hands were so frigid, that I was taking pictures and videos with my nose.

A picture taken with the nose of yours truly, while walking in Berlin; January 2018.

 Berlin is a big city; meaning there’s a lot to do. If you decide to see it in the middle of winter like I did, there’s some good news…

… it’s far less touristy.

Honestly, even in the freezing weather – I discovered most of the city on foot. Let me break down to you in order where I went during my day in Berlin:

1.     I Walked by Many Museums…

 … but I didn’t go inside any of them. If you’re new to the blog: I’m not a museum kind of girl. I’m a wake-up-at-seven-in-the-morning-and-see-the-city-from-top-to-bottom-in-a-day, kind of girl.

However, while planning my day in Berlin – I saw on google maps that these museums had the most intriguing, bizarre shapes… so I snapped a few pictures of them on my way to Brandenburg Gate.

2.     Brandenburg Gate

While it’s simple in architectural nature with its Roman-like columns being the main appeal; it’s still for some reason satisfying to see in person.

Me in front of the Bradenburg

The great thing about seeing this in the winter, is seeing it without the swarm of a summertime crowd. This area is usually packed in July. In January? 

An almost empty Brandenburg Gate in January 2018.

 You’ll have no problem getting a near person-less shot.

3.     Tiergarten

This one was something I could’ve enjoyed in the springtime instead. When the weather’s warm, there’s even a flea market that open near here. 

Walking through Tiergarten in Berlin; January 2018.

 Nevertheless, I’m glad I walked through the garden – because even in the winter, the sun gave me an angle for a photograph that was priceless.

Tiergarten in Berlin; January 2018.

4.     Checkpoint Charlie

 Maybe it’s the, “museums are boring” persona in me speaking; but there wasn’t much to see here.

Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin; January 2018.

There was however a really good coffee shop to take a breather. If you’ve been walking around Berlin in the icy winds all day; be sure to take a break and warm up.

5.     Topography of Terrors

 Now, this was rewarding to see in person. I hadn’t been in my junior World History class for three years already when I went to Berlin, but to read about it at the place where it all happened was really cool. 

About to see the Topography of Terrors in Berlin; January 2018.

 Entry is free to go inside the exhibit nearby.

6.     Berlin Cathedral

 This, without a doubt, was the gem of Berlin. Looking at it in person feels like… like someone is testing out retina display for the newest iPhone on your eyes. 

Me in front of the Berlin Cathedral; January 2018.

7.    Fernsehturm T.V. Tower

 I’m a big fan of looking up the highest viewpoints of a city, and then going up them for moments and (if I’m lucky) some spiritual moments. 

About to go up the Fernsehturm T.V. Tower.

 It’s not the prettiest of views. Actually, it’s not really pretty at all. It reveals how sterile and mundane Berlin is…

The view from Berlin’s T.V. Tower in January 2018.

 …but with the sun in my face, and looking over at the clockwork-like-German trains moving and all of the monuments so big above me but small below me... 

 … it’s the little moments, where you realize how unbelievably amazing it is that you actually made it all the way up to the top…

… to the point where you can’t ever imagine having to come down.

8.    Molecule Man

 This one is a long walk from all of the other places listed above… I didn’t mind the stroll (even in the bitter, piercing wind…) but there’s an underground metro and a tram that could drop you off closer.

Try to not let the whether stop you from walking along the spree; even if it’s only for a little while.

 To me, it was worth the walk, even in the winter… because it’s surprisingly big, and impressive to look at.

Molecule Man in Berlin; January 2018.

I hope this gave you some ideas of what to do in Berlin. If you’re looking for other things to do in Germany, click here.