Christmas markets school trips to Berlin
With around 60 Christmas markets popping up across the city each December, there’s plenty of opportunity for your group to get into the festive spirit on a Christmas Markets trip to Berlin. Alongside the markets, Berlin also has so much to offer in the ways of culture, history and beauty, and we can recommend several museums, galleries and monuments to complement your trip.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
- Depart UK and travel to Berlin
- Brandenburg Gate
- Guided walking tour
- Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt
- Evening meal at Christmas market (self-arranged)
- Deutschland Museum
- German Spy Museum
- Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace
- Evening meal at accommodation
- TV Tower (including VR experience)
- Christmas market at Alexanderplatz
- Return to UK
Features
ACCOMMODATION
Situated in an excellent location a mere stone's throw from Berlin's central railway station, the a&o Berlin Hauptbahnhof is ideally located for any school trip. Nearby, you'll find several of Berlin's major attractions, including the Reichstag and Victory Column.
- 24-hour reception
- Games room
- Sun terrace
- Library
Set overlooking Berlin's Kleiner Tiergarten park, Meininger Hotel Berlin Tiergarten is in an excellent location to the city's west. With the city's U- and S-bahn metro stops just a 10-minute walk away, the city centre and its attractions can be reached in under half an hour.
- Common room
- Luggage storage
- TV in room
- Breakfast buffet
Home to a fascinating history that spans from the Second World War all the way to the fall of the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz is an ideal hub for your school trip. The Aletto Hotel Potsdamer Platz puts you right in the area's centre, located close to the Gleisdreieck underground station.
- 24-hour reception
- Free Wi-Fi
- Roof terrace with city views
- Foosball
Situated in an excellent location a mere stone's throw from Berlin's central railway station, the a&o Berlin Hauptbahnhof is ideally located for any school trip. Nearby, you'll find several of Berlin's major attractions, including the Reichstag and Victory Column.
- 24-hour reception
- Games room
- Sun terrace
- Library
Set overlooking Berlin's Kleiner Tiergarten park, Meininger Hotel Berlin Tiergarten is in an excellent location to the city's west. With the city's U- and S-bahn metro stops just a 10-minute walk away, the city centre and its attractions can be reached in under half an hour.
- Common room
- Luggage storage
- TV in room
- Breakfast buffet
Home to a fascinating history that spans from the Second World War all the way to the fall of the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz is an ideal hub for your school trip. The Aletto Hotel Potsdamer Platz puts you right in the area's centre, located close to the Gleisdreieck underground station.
- 24-hour reception
- Free Wi-Fi
- Roof terrace with city views
- Foosball
Excursions
Christmas Market
Berlin shines in a festive blaze of lights every year in the period before Christmas, where everywhere from historic squares to small side streets flow with magic and charm from the last week of November. Immerse your group in German festive spirit on this excursion – we know they’ll love sampling delicacies from local chocolatiers and browsing wares from artisan makers.
Charlottenberg Christmas Market
Nestled in the historic Charlottenburg Palace surroundings, this market exudes a royal charm. Its regal ambiance, coupled with artisan crafts, local delicacies, and classical performances from a brass band, creates a unique blend of tradition and elegance, offering students a taste of Berlin's cultural richness.
Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market
Discover the sophisticated Gendarmenmarkt market on this excursion, which is renowned for its remarkable architectural backdrop of the Konzerthaus, and French and German cathedrals. This market boasts high-quality crafts, classical music concerts, and a refined atmosphere, providing a more upscale and cultural experience for students seeking a festive touch of elegance.
Alexanderplatz Christmas Market
Embrace the festive spirit at Alexanderplatz, which shares a modern and dynamic atmosphere across more than 100 stalls. Here, students can explore a vibrant mix of traditional crafts, Christmas decorations, and other bric-a-brac while the aromas of Bratwurst, gingerbread and mulled wine waft through the air. This excursion can be easily combined with a visit to the TV Tower, which is a short walk away.
TV Tower Berlin
We can’t wait to show you Berlin from the top of the city’s TV Tower, which soars 368 metres above ground level to show you unparalleled views of Germany’s capital. Built during the DDR era, the TV Tower is also an excellent place to teach students about the reunification of the city after the fall of the Berlin Wall – the tower undergoing a significant symbolic transformation to reflect this change.
Reichstag
One of the most frequently visited sights in Berlin, the Reichstag is the current home of the German parliament and a global symbol of democracy. An excellent excursion for students to learn about German politics both present and past, the Reichstag also houses a walkway inside its glass dome, which spirals to the top of the Reichstag and boasts spectacular panoramic views of Berlin.
Brandenburg Gate
One of Berlin’s most iconic sites, the Brandenburg Gate is a neoclassical monument built during the 18th century which holds a wealth of history as a site for major historical events. Now considered as a symbol of unity and peace, the gate is an essential stop on any tour of Berlin – offering an excellent opportunity for students to contemplate the country’s tumultuous history within Europe.
KaDeWe (Kaufhaus Des Westens) Department store
Kaufhaus des Westens (Department Store of the West), or KaDeWe, is an excellent option for some retail therapy during your school trip to Berlin, featuring eight floors of merchandise to appeal to every shopping need. The second largest department store in Europe, the retail giant attracts 40,000 to 50,000 visitors daily, and is easily found on the famous shopping street of Tauentzienstraße.
Kurfürstendamm & Tauentzienstraße (shopping streets)
Treat your group to a couple of hours on Berlin’s most famous and elegant shopping boulevard, where students can search for souvenirs, explore fashion trends and people-watch in cafes. Marked by KaDeWe department store on its eastern end, and luxury boutiques throughout, the street comprises almost five kilometres of retail paradise – the perfect winding-down activity for students after a day of learning.
Berlin Cathedral
Built in 1905, the Italian Renaissance-style Berlin Cathedral tells the tale of more than 550 years of religious history in Berlin, having been originally built as a royal court church in the 15th century. On the grounds below, you’ll find the dynastic tomb for the House of Hohenzollern; once you’ve paid your respects, we recommend climbing the cathedral’s 267 steps to the gallery for sublime views across the city.
Alte Nationalgalerie
Instantly recognisable from its Greek-temple style exterior, the Alte Nationalgalerie presents a three-storey collection of 19th-century European art – one of the largest in all of Germany. Home to around 2,000 paintings and just as many sculptures, the gallery is a sight to behold for art students, who can be inspired by the variety of Neoclassical, Romantic, Impressionist and Modernist works on display.
Berlinische Gallery
The Berlinische Galerie houses one of the city’s largest modern art collections, featuring works by Otto Dix, Max Liebermann and George Grosz. Located in the creative Kreuzberg district, this is a must-visit gallery for art students. Don’t miss the opportunity for a group photo on the gallery’s giant yellow letter grid –– a favourite photo spot of the Equity team’s for years.
Hackescher Markt
Students can practise their language skills with a visit to Hackescher Markt, which is held every Thursday and Saturday in the Mitte neighbourhood. With several good restaurants and cafes located nearby, it’s also an excellent area to rest for a bite to eat, while surveying the Art Nouveau architectural features of the courtyards in the adjacent Hackescher Höfe.
Berlin - Olympic Stadium
One of the most famous Olympic stadiums in the world, we consider a visit to this former Olympic park a must when learning about the history of Berlin. Here, students can learn about the 1936 Summer Olympics and how the Nazis used the event as a propaganda tool, and also discover how it was used during the FIFA World Cup in 2006.
Ritter Sport Colourful Chocoworld
At the Ritter Sport flagship store, your school group can explore almost 1,000 square metres of chocolate – an opportunity we know they’ll love. As well as the shop’s three floors, where students can view and purchase goods from the German brand, there’s also space for your group to get creative, combine their own flavours and learn about authentic chocolate making.
Deutsche Kinemathek of Film & Cinema
Discover the history of German film and television at this major German film archive, which is dedicated to picture pioneers such as Fritz Lang, Werner Herzog and Georg Stefan Troller. More than 40,000 films exist at the Kinemathek, plus more than 9,000 broadcasts spanning seven decades and the former division of Germany. Don’t miss the TV exhibit, where students will be able to see their favourite shows played in German.
Christmas Market
Berlin shines in a festive blaze of lights every year in the period before Christmas, where everywhere from historic squares to small side streets flow with magic and charm from the last week of November. Immerse your group in German festive spirit on this excursion – we know they’ll love sampling delicacies from local chocolatiers and browsing wares from artisan makers.
Charlottenberg Christmas Market
Nestled in the historic Charlottenburg Palace surroundings, this market exudes a royal charm. Its regal ambiance, coupled with artisan crafts, local delicacies, and classical performances from a brass band, creates a unique blend of tradition and elegance, offering students a taste of Berlin's cultural richness.
Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market
Discover the sophisticated Gendarmenmarkt market on this excursion, which is renowned for its remarkable architectural backdrop of the Konzerthaus, and French and German cathedrals. This market boasts high-quality crafts, classical music concerts, and a refined atmosphere, providing a more upscale and cultural experience for students seeking a festive touch of elegance.
Alexanderplatz Christmas Market
Embrace the festive spirit at Alexanderplatz, which shares a modern and dynamic atmosphere across more than 100 stalls. Here, students can explore a vibrant mix of traditional crafts, Christmas decorations, and other bric-a-brac while the aromas of Bratwurst, gingerbread and mulled wine waft through the air. This excursion can be easily combined with a visit to the TV Tower, which is a short walk away.
TV Tower Berlin
We can’t wait to show you Berlin from the top of the city’s TV Tower, which soars 368 metres above ground level to show you unparalleled views of Germany’s capital. Built during the DDR era, the TV Tower is also an excellent place to teach students about the reunification of the city after the fall of the Berlin Wall – the tower undergoing a significant symbolic transformation to reflect this change.
Reichstag
One of the most frequently visited sights in Berlin, the Reichstag is the current home of the German parliament and a global symbol of democracy. An excellent excursion for students to learn about German politics both present and past, the Reichstag also houses a walkway inside its glass dome, which spirals to the top of the Reichstag and boasts spectacular panoramic views of Berlin.
Brandenburg Gate
One of Berlin’s most iconic sites, the Brandenburg Gate is a neoclassical monument built during the 18th century which holds a wealth of history as a site for major historical events. Now considered as a symbol of unity and peace, the gate is an essential stop on any tour of Berlin – offering an excellent opportunity for students to contemplate the country’s tumultuous history within Europe.
KaDeWe (Kaufhaus Des Westens) Department store
Kaufhaus des Westens (Department Store of the West), or KaDeWe, is an excellent option for some retail therapy during your school trip to Berlin, featuring eight floors of merchandise to appeal to every shopping need. The second largest department store in Europe, the retail giant attracts 40,000 to 50,000 visitors daily, and is easily found on the famous shopping street of Tauentzienstraße.
Kurfürstendamm & Tauentzienstraße (shopping streets)
Treat your group to a couple of hours on Berlin’s most famous and elegant shopping boulevard, where students can search for souvenirs, explore fashion trends and people-watch in cafes. Marked by KaDeWe department store on its eastern end, and luxury boutiques throughout, the street comprises almost five kilometres of retail paradise – the perfect winding-down activity for students after a day of learning.
Berlin Cathedral
Built in 1905, the Italian Renaissance-style Berlin Cathedral tells the tale of more than 550 years of religious history in Berlin, having been originally built as a royal court church in the 15th century. On the grounds below, you’ll find the dynastic tomb for the House of Hohenzollern; once you’ve paid your respects, we recommend climbing the cathedral’s 267 steps to the gallery for sublime views across the city.
Alte Nationalgalerie
Instantly recognisable from its Greek-temple style exterior, the Alte Nationalgalerie presents a three-storey collection of 19th-century European art – one of the largest in all of Germany. Home to around 2,000 paintings and just as many sculptures, the gallery is a sight to behold for art students, who can be inspired by the variety of Neoclassical, Romantic, Impressionist and Modernist works on display.
Berlinische Gallery
The Berlinische Galerie houses one of the city’s largest modern art collections, featuring works by Otto Dix, Max Liebermann and George Grosz. Located in the creative Kreuzberg district, this is a must-visit gallery for art students. Don’t miss the opportunity for a group photo on the gallery’s giant yellow letter grid –– a favourite photo spot of the Equity team’s for years.
Hackescher Markt
Students can practise their language skills with a visit to Hackescher Markt, which is held every Thursday and Saturday in the Mitte neighbourhood. With several good restaurants and cafes located nearby, it’s also an excellent area to rest for a bite to eat, while surveying the Art Nouveau architectural features of the courtyards in the adjacent Hackescher Höfe.
Berlin - Olympic Stadium
One of the most famous Olympic stadiums in the world, we consider a visit to this former Olympic park a must when learning about the history of Berlin. Here, students can learn about the 1936 Summer Olympics and how the Nazis used the event as a propaganda tool, and also discover how it was used during the FIFA World Cup in 2006.
Ritter Sport Colourful Chocoworld
At the Ritter Sport flagship store, your school group can explore almost 1,000 square metres of chocolate – an opportunity we know they’ll love. As well as the shop’s three floors, where students can view and purchase goods from the German brand, there’s also space for your group to get creative, combine their own flavours and learn about authentic chocolate making.
Deutsche Kinemathek of Film & Cinema
Discover the history of German film and television at this major German film archive, which is dedicated to picture pioneers such as Fritz Lang, Werner Herzog and Georg Stefan Troller. More than 40,000 films exist at the Kinemathek, plus more than 9,000 broadcasts spanning seven decades and the former division of Germany. Don’t miss the TV exhibit, where students will be able to see their favourite shows played in German.
Trip details
All Equity packages are tailor-made to suit the needs of our groups. Here are our standard package inclusions:
- Return travel by air or coach (air packages include overseas airport transfer. Coach to UK airport from school is available as an optional extra)
- All security charges, airport and local taxes
- 1 free staff place for every 10 full paying passengers by air OR 1 free staff place for every 8 full paying passengers by coach
- Half-board accommodation
- Excursions
- Full use of your coach in resort (this applies to coach groups only and is subject to EU drivers hours regulations)
- 24-hour emergency service support
- All travel documentation, luggage labels and resort information
- Lunches
- Meals en-route. While travelling to and from your destination you need to consider meals. These are not included in the package prices
- Air passenger duty. Any paying passengers over the age of 16 at time of travel will be charged a small tax fee
- Tourist tax
- Damage deposit
Prices are subject to change based on intended dates of travel and final numbers, the Equity team are here to offer you advice and guidance from start to finish, ensuring your school trip runs smoothly and is a great success.
Travel by: Air
Nearest airport: Berlin Brandenburg (BER)
Transfer time from airport: 45mins - 1hr
Coach transfer time from Calais: Around 14.5hrs
Best times to travel: Year round
Suggested tour length: 4 days, 3 nights