When the weather is gloomy, the days get shorter, and the sun keeps hiding, you know it's the…read moreunavoidable winter time in Berlin. My best advice is to stay indoors, turn on the heating, and be prepared for an enormous energy bill at the end of the month. And keep on drinking.
Well, let me rephrase that. You might as well drag all the money you'd spend on heating your dark apartment to a mall and get yourself a thick winter jacket that will make you look like an eskimo. Then, make your way to one of the zillion Christmas markets in Berlin, maybe to Weihnachtsmarkt Lucia. Dig the remaining Euros out of your pockets and get drunk on Gluehwein. Repeat this every night until spring arrives.
I still like that idea, even after giving it a second thought. One decent place to do so is the Weihnachtsmarkt Lucia at the Kulturbrauerei, a reconstructed brewery from back in the day. This one's a little bit off the beaten path. The crowd is mostly Prenzlauer Berg local, and you're certain to avoid the regular tourist, as well as the ghetto kids of the neighboring Wedding district.
Lots of Bratwurst, Gluehwein, and Christmas sweets, as well as activities for kids. It's Prenzlauer Berg, after all.
And now excuse me, I need to get a Gluehwein refill.