Christmas markets school trips to Berlin

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.