Berlin

When it comes to European Christmas markets, Germany is famous for their annual holiday tradition as streets are transformed into festive winter wonderlands – but there’s one that is perhaps one of the country’s most famous

Christmas markets have been a long-standing and beloved tradition in Germany, with the country famous for its spectacular festivities that festoon the streets. Berlin alone is said to have more than 60 Christmas markets, but there’s one outside the capital that has often been overlooked, and it’s less than two hours from the UK.

The Nuremberg Christmas market, also known as Christkindlesmarkt, is one of the oldest and most renowned in the world. Each year, traditional wooden chalets, known as “the little city of wood and cloth”, decorate the German city with colourful sparkling lights, and the aroma of gingerbread and Spekulatius almond cookies fills the air.

This Christmas market features around 180 wooden stalls, adorned with red and white tablecloths, offering a diverse range of traditional gifts, from Christmas decorations, handmade wooden figures, glass globes, miniature buildings, alpaca wool socks, jewellery, plant-based body care, homemade honey, and spiced candles.

Furthermore, there’s plenty to choose from for a festive treat, from the famed Nuremberg bratwurst to roast sausages, potato fritters, or a ‘Feuerzangenbowle’, along with red wine and rum punch. Not to mention, the city’s famous sweet treats, including gingerbread, blueberry mulled wine, chocolate gold coins, stollen, and cherry cobbler in a jar.

In addition to the market, numerous events are taking place in the city during the festivities, including live music, Christmas exhibitions, and church services. Next to the Christkindlesmarkt, there’s even a special ‘Christmas City’ specifically tailored for children to enjoy, boasting a two-tiered merry-go-round, a mini Ferris wheel and a steam railway.

There are also mini houses decorated for the yuletide event, where kids can participate in various activities, such as baking and decorating teddy bears or hearts from honey cake dough. The little ones can also write a letter to Santa Claus and send it at the mini post office, or try their hand at candle-making

In its yearly tradition, the opening of the Nuremberg Christmas Market takes place on the Friday before the first day of Advent, as people line the Main Market Square with the sound of trumpets and choir singers filling the air. The Christmas lights will be turned on during the opening, and then, amid the spotlight, the Nuremberg Christkind will recite a famous prologue.

The Nuremberg Christmas Market will run from November 29 to December 24. The opening ceremony will take place at 5.30pm on November 28.

Nuremberg, located in the southwestern part of Germany, is the largest city in Franconia and the second-largest city in the German state of Bavaria, so there’s plenty to explore away from the Christmas market. You can wander through the Old Town, visit the medieval Imperial Castle, and take a guided tour of the city’s underground passages, or soak up the bustling city nightlife.

Direct flights from London to Nuremberg start from £15, with a duration of just 1 hour and 45 minutes. Additionally, you can stay at the Park Plaza Nuremberg hotel, which is conveniently located near the Christmas market, starting from approximately £58 per night.

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Berlin, Germany – Organisers of a pro-Palestine conference are suing authorities in Berlin who shut the event down last April soon after it began.

They hope a panel of judges at the Berlin Administrative Court will rule that police acted unlawfully in cracking down on the Palestine Congress, a forum of solidarity activists and human rights experts who were gathering to discuss Israel’s genocide in Gaza and Germany’s alleged complicity.

The hearing begins on Wednesday.

The defendant, the State of Berlin, argues the police were right to act preemptively as they predicted criminal statements would be made at the conference, specifically incitement to hatred, dissemination of propaganda or use of symbols of unconstitutional and “terrorist” organisations.

The police justified this prediction in part on the basis that in a news conference held prior to the event, organisers allegedly did not distance themselves from the Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

On the day in question, April 12, 2024, officers in riot gear descended in their hundreds on the venue usually used for wedding receptions and pulled the plug – cutting off the power to ensure that none of the planned speeches could be heard or broadcast via livestream.

“I’m not aware of any other instance where a conference was shut down without any crime having been committed,” Michael Ploese, the lawyer representing the conference organisers, told Al Jazeera.

He said that German law only allowed restrictions on gatherings in private rooms where there was  high probability that a criminal act would be committed, and that the right to freedom of expression usually took precedence.

Among the groups organising the conference was Juedische Stimme (Jewish Voice), a sister group of the US collective of the same name that organises Jewish peace activists who are critical of Israeli actions regarding Palestine.

“I saw it as a success that we had even been able to begin it at all, but I wasn’t expecting it all to end an hour later,” said Wieland Hoban, the chair of Juedische Stimme, who gave opening remarks at the conference.

Adding to the sense of repression, the British Palestinian doctor Ghassan Abu Sittah, one of the main speakers, said officials at the airport in Berlin prevented him from continuing his journey and told him to return to the United Kingdom.

Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek left-wing economist and former minister of finance, posted online the speech he had planned to make. Like Abu Sittah, Varoufakis faced an entry ban after the furore. The Berlin Administrative Court later ruled that the ban on Abu Sittah’s political activity was unlawful.

Throughout Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza, German police and security services have repeatedly claimed protests in support of those being bombarded are anti-Semitic or are to be interpreted as revering Hamas. Thousands of individual protesters have been arrested, and many planned demonstrations have been banned outright.

Germany is Israel’s biggest diplomatic supporter in Europe and enforces strict limits on speech that criticises or attacks Israel, with some arguing this is necessary because of Germany’s genocide of six million Jews in the Holocaust.

It is a justification that Wieland Hoban rejects, saying the laws are even used against Jewish people who speak up for Palestine.

“Even if you lost family in the Holocaust, you can still be lectured by some German about what you can say,” said Hoban. “Simply mentioning the Holocaust can get you accused of relativierung” – a word that is used to suggest someone is playing down the Holocaust by drawing comparisons to other, lesser, crimes against humanity.

Last month, a group of United  Nations experts said they were alarmed by the “pattern of police violence and apparent suppression of Palestine solidarity activism by Germany”.

If this week’s case goes in favour of the conference organisers, it will be a blow to Germany’s controversial stance.

Videos of police using force to shut down nonviolent protests for Gaza on the streets of German cities have coursed around the world.

But what marked the state’s intervention in the Palestine Congress apart was that it represented the silencing of an event consisting of talks and debates in an indoor venue – a sphere of political expression that lawyers had previously thought was off-limits for police repression.

A brand new direct train line will be connecting three capital cities of Europe for the first time next spring, and there is no cooler trio than these top cities

For the first time next spring, a brand new direct train line will connect three of Europe’s most vibrant capital cities – Prague, Berlin and Copenhagen. These fantastic destinations, known for their rich culture, history, delectable cuisine, local beers and lively nightlife, have always been a hit with British tourists.

This exciting venture is a joint project between Czech Railways (D), Deutsche Bahn (DB), and Danish State Railways (DSB), supported by the European Commission, which is eager to promote cross-border rail travel among both tourists and locals.

The trains used on this route will be D’s ComfortJet trains, capable of speeds up to 230km per hour (140mph) and seating 555 passengers. A seasonal night train will also be introduced to maximise the use of this new route.

Set to open on 1 May 2026, just in time for the summer season, the new route promises to offer British visitors an easy and convenient way to explore these three amazing capitals.

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This development follows the completion of renovations on the Berlin to Hamburg line, and according to Railway News, stops in both these cities will be included in the route, reports the Express.

So, what’s the scoop on this service? Time Out reports that it will likely operate twice daily, taking seven hours between Berlin and Copenhagen, and 11 hours from the Danish capital to Prague. A seasonal night train between Hamburg and Copenhagen will be extended to utilise the new route.

The trains themselves will accommodate 555 passengers, with 99 of those in first-class. Onboard, travellers will have access to a dining car, cinema area, and even adjustable seating.

Prices for 2026 haven’t been announced yet, but the journey from Copenhagen to Berlin currently costs around £43, and the shorter trip between Berlin and Prague starts from as little as £13.87, totalling £57.44.

The three cities are almost directly aligned, with Prague being the southernmost, then up to Berlin and onto Copenhagen in Scandinavia. All three are renowned for their cool vibes.

Prague is often hailed as a “cool” city to visit due to its breathtaking architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture. It offers an incredible atmosphere with mystical vistas, medieval castles and bridges, and a combination of classical and modern scenes, from grand palaces to unique street art.

Many Brits love the affordable prices, particularly the cheap beer, efficient public transport, and exciting nightlife alongside its historical and architectural designs.

Berlin is famed for its vibrant energy, diverse populace, and striking differences between historic landmarks and modern architecture. The city’s nightlife is globally recognised, boasting renowned clubs and a variety of late-night venues, making it a prime spot for clubbers.

The city also boasts a thriving art scene, with a significant portion of the Berlin Wall adorned with graffiti art, serving as a poignant reminder of the city’s war-ravaged past.

Lastly, there’s Copenhagen. With its mix of old-world allure and contemporary Scandinavian design, a lively food culture, commitment to sustainability, and high living standards, it’s a must-visit destination for 2026.

Known for its clean, canals, cycling culture, imaginative architecture, and focus on creativity and community, it’s the perfect conclusion to a three-city break that takes in some of Europe’s amazing capitals in one go.

Launching on 1 May, the new service will enable passengers to travel between the three capitals without needing to change trains, with further stops planned in key cities including Dresden and Hamburg.

The connection will provide two daily return services. Journey times are anticipated to be roughly seven hours between Berlin and Copenhagen, and approximately eleven hours between Prague and Copenhagen, according to Railway News.

Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin said: “Deutsche Bahn’s new direct connection connects three European capitals – Prague, Berlin, and Copenhagen. This strengthens Berlin as a hub in Europe. At the same time, the new direct rail connection is an important contribution to a sustainable transport transition; even more people can now travel to and from Berlin in an environmentally and climate-friendly way.”

Postolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism added: “The expansion of high-speed rail, especially cross-border rail, is our top priority. This new connection between the Czech Republic, Germany, and Denmark is a strong example of progress on this path. And I am particularly proud that it is the first of ten European Commission pilot projects to support the realisation of new cross-border rail connections.”

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Natasha Blanthorn had always wanted to visit Berlin, but did not want to spend a fortune on a weekend away – so she decided to go for the day

A woman flew to Berlin and spent a day sightseeing for £100 – and she was back in bed for 10pm. Natasha Blanthorn, 26, always fancied a trip to Berlin to experience the rich culture and history.

She trawled the internet to bag some budget flights and flew out on November 8 on on a 6.20am flight, determined to stick to a budget of £100. Natasha, a college marketing manager from Macclesfield, Cheshire, spent the day sightseeing – joining a walking tour and visiting a history museum.

And 25,000 steps later she headed back to the airport to fly home – in time for 10pm bedtime. In total she spent just £102.07 for the budget day out – and said while its “not for the faint-hearted”, she loved every second.

Natasha said: “I had to get up at 3.30am for the flights – I only got about four hours’ sleep. But the second I got there, all the tiredness left my body.

“Because I joined a tour, I got to see a lot of the iconic sites. I didn’t have to use a single day of annual leave – and the whole thing cost just £100.”

Natasha had completed two ‘extreme day trips’ prior to booking her Berlin trip – and said she regularly trawled Skyscanner for reduced flights. When return flights from Manchester to Berlin dropped from around £80 to £38, she snapped them up.

Six weeks later she was on a flight, having set off early to drive to Manchester from Macclesfield, and rented a parking space on someone’s driveway, costing just £11.60 for the day.

Natasha took just one small bit of hand luggage – containing a portable charger, her passport, some breakfast bars, her headphones and her purse. They departed at 6:20am, and landed just before 9am.

She bought an £8.30 return train ticket to take her to Alexanderplatz and spent the morning wandering around the Topography of Terror exhibit. The free exhibit showcased some of the history of the SS in the Third Reich.

From there, Natasha nipped off to grab some lunch – swinging by a McDonalds for convenience – otherwise just fuelling herself on snacks. She said: “Maybe that wasn’t very culturally enriching, but time was of the essence, and there were queues at all the street vendors. I knew I needed something to keep me going through the tour.”

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She had pre-booked a £14.17 walking tour starting at 1pm, which lasted three hours and included informational stops at Hitler’s Bunker (the Führerbunker), Checkpoint Charlie, and the Brandenburg Gate.

She got the same train back to the airport around 4pm, arriving at 5.50pm, and boarded her flight home at 8.20pm. Despite only spending a few hours in the iconic city, she felt she was able to cover a lot of the main historical landmarks.

She said: “The walking tour was best – Berlin is so rich in history. I would never in a million years have had time to research all the facts about the different sites on my own, but I got everything on the tour.”

Natasha said the price of the day was so reasonable that she’s already planning a return to visit the east side of the city to see the art at the East Side Gallery.

She said: “When I got back, I felt like I was high, just from the adrenaline of it all. It was a busy day, but you forget all the tiredness and just remember the memories.”

A train from London to Glasgow on Tuesday, November 25 at lunchtime costs £130.80p at the time of writing – £28.73p more than Natasha’s trip.

COSTS:

Flights – £38.00 return

Parking – £11.60 for the day near airport

Breakfast at Manchester airport: £8.00

Food in total in Berlin: £22.00

Walking tour: £14.17

Train to and from Berlin airport: £8.30

Total: £102.07

The resurgence of sleeper trains on the continent hit a kink in the tracks in September, when the Austrian state operator ÖBB announced that it would be axing its two Nightjet services – Paris to Vienna and Paris to Berlin – from 14 December. ÖBB cited the French government’s ending of subsidies, dealing a blow to the night-train renaissance.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. European Sleeper has told the Guardian that it will be taking over the route from Paris to Berlin, with the first train to run on 26 March 2026. The train will operate three times a week with departures likely to be from Paris Gare du Nord on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings and the return service from Berlin Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The current Nightjet service departs Paris Gare de l’Est just after 7pm and winds east via Strasbourg, Frankfurt, Erfurt and Halle before arriving in Berlin around 8.30am. European Sleeper intends to make the journey via Brussels, with precise route details and timings currently being confirmed with infrastructure managers in France, Belgium and Germany.

“I think Nightjet’s existing market will certainly be interested in travelling on European Sleeper,” said Chris Engelsman, the company’s co-founder. “We will also be able to extend the ridership as we offer higher capacity than the Nightjet. ÖBB operates 12 coaches from Paris but it splits to Vienna and then Berlin. On the other hand, we have 12 to 14 coaches that will run entirely to Berlin, with a capacity of 600-700 passengers.”

The news is certainly welcomed by Oui au train de nuit!, a French campaign group who in September took to the platforms of Paris Gare de l’Est in their nightwear and threw a pyjama party to protest against the cuts to the sleeper services out of Paris. “This is a partial victory for the 91,000 people who signed our petition,” said Nicolas Forien, spokesperson for the group.

European Sleeper, a Dutch cooperative, ran its inaugural service from Berlin to Brussels on 25 May 2023 and the route was extended to Dresden and Prague a year later. The company has already carried over 230,000 passengers on more than 750 night trains and has been a key player in the sleeper-train market, which has not quite seen the spike in services some had hoped for, owing to a lack of rolling stock equipped with sleeper berths and cross-border complications. The company has also received mixed reviews as a result of technical glitches, sudden downgrades and delays. But, overall, many passengers have enjoyed the mishmash of old carriages and no-frills nostalgia offered by the firm, while embracing the idea of the journey itself being as important as the destination.

According to Engelsman, German-rented coaches for the new route were made in the 1990s. “They are quite similar to the comfort level on the Nightjet at the moment. Our sleeper coaches on the Prague service are relatively old – from as far back as 1956 – but we will not use them on this route. They will be newer.”

And the key question: will there be a dining car? “Not from the start,” Engelsman said. “We would love to have a dining car but, in terms of profitability, it is a challenge and we would need that specific type of coach. It’s difficult to break even on sales of meals and drinks. The rental costs of the coach and staff costs are very high.”

Prices for the European Sleeper from Paris to Berlin will start from €59 or €69 for a couchette compartment. Tickets will be available from 16 December 2025