11 Things to Do in Berlin in November

Have you booked a flight in November? Well done! At the beginning of the month, the fall of the Berlin Wall is celebrated, while at the end of the month, the typical Christmas events take place. Added to all this are the classic winter attractions and events that are held at this time of year. We have prepared a brief guide to help you choose what to see and do in Berlin. Keep reading!

The wall fell on November 9, and every year events are organized to celebrate its demolition and the subsequent reunification of Germany. For example, on the 30th anniversary, a week-long festival enlivened the nights in Berlin. To stay up to date with the most important events, I recommend checking the city's official website.

On November 9, 1989, two million Berliners gathered near the wall to chant the slogan "Tor auf!" (Open the gate!). A few hours earlier, the East German spokesperson announced that its citizens were free to travel to the West, ending an isolation that had lasted since 1961. Soon the situation became unmanageable and the citizens themselves took it upon themselves to tear down the wall.

If you book your ticket to the Berlin Wall Museum, you will understand the entire history and events surrounding this iconic place thanks to the magnificent multimedia exhibition, which reflects all the details from 1945 to 1990.

During the Cold War, the lives of Berlin's citizens were monitored by the Stasi, the feared secret police. They had the help of thousands of civilian informants and had a huge impact on everyday life. This terrible repressive apparatus operated until January 15, 1990, when protesters climbed the walls, entered the building, and destroyed the offices of this entity that had created anger and division for many years.

Berlin in winter starts to get a little cold—in November, the average temperature ranges between 7º and 9º—and an indoor visit is always a good idea.

• The Stasi Museum is located in House 1 of the former headquarters of the Ministry of Security of the German Democratic Republic. It is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and opens an hour later on weekends and holidays. Admission costs around €8.
• You can also take the opportunity to visit other museums such as the GDR Museum in Berlin, the Neues Museum in Berlin, or the Pergamon Museum. All of them are a great way to learn about Berlin's culture while sheltering from the cold weather at this time of year.

November is an ideal month to discover Berlin from a tourist bus, as you can shelter from the cold while learning about the history of the German capital's most iconic sites thanks to the audio guide available.

Compare the different options available:

The Badeschiff is a covered barge on the River Spree. During the summer it is an outdoor swimming pool, while in winter it becomes an indoor sauna. At the end of the season, the structure covering the pool is dismantled again. The architects designed the Badeschiff with the intention of giving the impression of swimming in the river itself, and I can assure you that it is worth experiencing the sensation.

Another big draw is the lounge bar with its wooden interior, which won an architecture award in 2007. Its cocktails will make you forget the steam from the sauna. Badeschiff is located near the Kreuzberg neighborhood (Eichenstraße 4), a short distance from the large river sculpture Molecule Man.

Another great option on the River Spree is to book a dinner cruise, where you can see the most iconic sights along the riverbanks while enjoying a delicious three-course meal.

The East Side Gallery is the longest section of the wall that survived the demolition in 1989. It is an open-air gallery with more than 100 graffiti murals and a symbol of long-awaited freedom.

I know, you can do this at any time of year, but booking a tour of East Berlin and visiting the East Side Gallery at this time of year has something special about it. These same walls represented a wound that took too many years to heal.

A good option for understanding the era is an Ostalgie Tour, an urban tour that focuses on nostalgia for the former German Democratic Republic. Different companies organize them, and most pass through the East Side Gallery.

As in other cities, Christmas markets in Berlin open their doors at the end of November. It's the perfect opportunity to buy something traditional and warm your soul with a cup of Glühwein, the famous spiced mulled wine. Stalls are set up in different parts of the city, and the list below lists the best ones:

• Gendarmenmarkt: A charming square. In addition to its architectural cornice, it is worth visiting to see the artisans at work and the fire-eaters, jugglers, and other street performers. Open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church: Beneath this monument is a large market with over 100 richly decorated stalls. In addition to the beautiful Christmas trees, there is a carousel and a children's Ferris wheel. Santa Claus hands out gifts every day and is definitely the most recommended if you are visiting Berlin with your children.
• Spandau: Located in the old town of Spandau, a neighborhood surrounded by water and nature. It is a bit far from the center, but it is worth visiting to enjoy the festive atmosphere. You can easily get there by taking subway line 7.

And if you want to delve deeper into Berlin's culinary culture and discover other options, be sure to book a food tour of Berlin.

In November, the ice rinks begin to appear. The most important ones are located at the most prominent Christmas markets, such as Potsdamer Platz and Alexanderplatz. There is also a rink in the Christmas Garden, the festive version of the Botanical Garden (Königin-Luise-Straße 6/8).

If you like skating on large surfaces, I recommend the Horst-Dohm ice stadium. It is located in the Charlottenburg district and has a surface area of over 6,000 square meters. You can get there by train; the nearest station is S Hohenzollerndamm.

And if, after skating, you want to recharge your batteries and continue enjoying the winter atmosphere, be sure to book tickets for Berlin's ice bar. It's quite an experience!

Unter den Linden (under the lime trees) is the name of Berlin's main boulevard and one of the most famous in Europe. With the construction of the wall, many residences found themselves on the "wrong" side and the area lost value. Fortunately, after the concrete wall came down, this part of the city regained its importance.

If you book a guided tour of Berlin in November, you will be able to see the last yellow, red, and brown leaves, especially if you visit the German capital at the beginning of the month. The boulevard starts at the central Brandenburg Gate and passes Pariser Platz, Humboldt University, and St. Hedwig's Cathedral. The route ends at the bridge leading to Museum Island.

Every November, Berlin welcomes the best musicians from Germany and around the world. Jazzfest Berlin is a festival where tradition and the avant-garde come together. It is also a historic event, as the first edition dates back to 1951, just 10 years before the wall was built. In fact, when the brick wall divided the city in two, the 1962 festival organized a "radio bridge" to broadcast the concerts to the other side of the barrier.

The concerts are usually held at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele, a theater in the southwestern part of the city. Getting there is easy thanks to its proximity to the Spichernstraße metro stop and the numerous bus lines that pass through the area.

Concerts can also be organized in other venues such as:

• A-Trane Jazz Club (Bleibtreustraße 1).
• Quasimodo (Kantstraße 12A).
• Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Breitscheidplatz).

Every November, the German capital hosts Bazaar Berlin, an international sales fair that attracts thousands of buyers interested in high-quality sustainable products. You'll find handicrafts, design and decorative items, fair trade products, natural cosmetics, wellness products, glassware, porcelain, and much more. Typically, more than 500 exhibitors participate, divided into five sections: World Market, Natural Living, Art & Style, Winter at Home, and Fair & Social.

It's the ideal place to get a head start on your Christmas shopping or return home with an original souvenir. The event is hosted at the Berlin Expo Center City, an exhibition center in the western part of the city. You'll recognize it by its most iconic feature: the Radio Tower (Funkturm).

There are several ways to get there:

• Train: lines S41, S42, S46, stopping at Messe Nord.
• Metro: the nearest stations are Kaiserdamm and Theodor-Heuss-Platz.
• Bus: lines X34, X49, M49, 104, 349 to Theodor-Heuss-Platz or Masurenallee/ZOB.

Do you love cheese? Then you can't miss Cheese Berlin, the event dedicated to dairy products. It's the perfect opportunity to try local specialties such as:

• Graukäse: a specialty from South Tyrol.
• Limburger: creamy, with a mild flavor and a strong aroma.
• Cambozola: a mix between Camembert and Gorgonzola.

The event takes place at the beginning of November at Markthalle Neun, the historic market in the Turkish quarter.

The penultimate month of the year is the low season. If you want to visit the monuments without the crowds and stress, November is an excellent choice. This month is "sandwiched" between two high seasons: Oktoberfest and Christmas. You'll find shorter lines at museums and the price of a house or hotel room is significantly lower.

Since the days are shorter, you can focus on attractions that are at their best at night, such as the Brandenburg Gate or the TV Tower (Fernsehturm). What's more, if you travel in November, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy some typical Christmas activities (ice skating, markets, etc.), as these open at the end of the month.

In November, it starts to get cold and rain can be frequent. It is also possible to see snow, although this is not very common. Generally, temperatures range between 5º and 15º, so it is unlikely that temperatures will drop below freezing. If you are traveling at this time of year, don't forget to pack a raincoat. It is more practical than an umbrella and weighs much less than half as much. It is also more comfortable for enjoying everything there is to see and do in Berlin.