Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market Guide 2023- Dates, Tips + Things to Do

Christmas at Charlottenburg Palace is an absolute fairytale. While Berlin hosts a variety of great Christmas markets throughout the city, nothing competes with the stunning backdrop of Charlottenburg Palace. Seriously, a Christmas market at a palace is something out of a Hallmark movie. This Christmas Market exemplifies the magic of Christmas. The stalls perfectly frame the striking Charlottenburg Palace; mulled wine is flowing, and a wind ensemble is playing. And as dusk approaches, the palace is illuminated in shades of Christmasy green and red and icy blue. Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market is one that you cannot miss when visiting Berlin.

Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market Overview

How to Get to Charlottenburg Palace 

Charlottenburg Palace is not located in central Berlin. To get here, you will need to rely on public transportation. Public transportation runs smoothly in Berlin, so this should be nothing to fret about. That being said, Charlottenburg Palace is only serviced by one bus line. As this Christmas Market is one of the most popular in Berlin, expect the bus to be extremely crowded. Expect to be smushed onto the bus like sardines as everyone piles on to experience the incredible Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace.

By Public Transportation

There is no direct bus from the center of Berlin. Instead, you will need to transfer to Berlin Zoological Garden and get on the M45 bus toward Spandau. Several buses and metro lines service Berlin Zoological Garden, so it is easy to get here from anywhere in Berlin. Yet, the M45 bus is the only way to get from Berlin Zoological Garden to Charlottenburg Palace. I recommend taking public transportation. While the bus can get crowded, it is a direct and affordable way to get to the palace.

Tickets cost 3€ and are valid for 2 hours. It’ll take approximately 35-40 minutes to get to Charlottenburg Palace via public transportation.

By Uber/Taxi

The driving time to get to Charlottenburg Palace takes approximately 20 minutes. An Uber will charge around $20. This is a fair price if you don’t want to deal with public transportation and are traveling with a few other people. 

Reasons to Visit the Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace

Is Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market worth the trip? Here are some reasons to visit:

It’s at a Royal Palace

If you need more convincing to visit the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market than the fact that it is held at an actual palace, then I don’t think we can be friends. Seriously, though. The backdrop of this Christmas market is a 17th-century baroque palace that once was the official residence of Queen Sophie Charlotte. Visiting this market allows you to experience a royal Christmas in Berlin.

One of the Most Beautiful Christmas Markets in Berlin

Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market is one of Berlin’s most beautiful Christmas markets. The palace is a picturesque and romantic location for a market. Aside from the Gendarmenmarkt, many of the Christmas markets in Berlin are located in more modern settings.

Ample Shopping Opportunities

With over 250 stalls at the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market, there is plenty of shopping opportunities. This is a great market to visit if you want Christmas decor and gifts to bring home.

Where to Stay When Visiting Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market

Berlin is an overwhelming city to decide where to stay. Yet, no need to worry. I have a couple of recommendations specifically for those looking to experience the Christmas markets.

Waldorf Astoria Berlin

The Waldorf Astoria Berlin is an ideal place to stay when visiting the Christmas markets, especially the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market. This property is located right by Berlin Zoological Garden, which is only a bus ride from Charlottenburg Palace. You can get to the Christmas market in a quick 15-minute ride. While you will need to take a metro to central Berlin, this area is so lovely and relaxing. And the amenities at the Waldorf Astoria are unparalleled. The Guerlain Spa is a wonderful way to relax after a busy day full of Christmas market hopping.

Hilton Berlin

If you’d prefer a central location to stay for sightseeing and visiting all of Berlin’s Christmas Markets, I 100% recommend staying at the Hilton Berlin. This hotel is moderately priced and is in an incredible location. The Hilton Berlin is steps away from Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin’s most popular Christmas Market. And it is just a block away from the nearest metro, which will give you easy access to Charlottenburg Palace for the Christmas market. 

Find More Great Hotels in Berlin

Check out this Booking.com map to see what hotels are available during your visit. Keep in mind that Christmas is a busy time to visit Berlin, so be sure to secure your hotel by booking now.
Booking.com

 

Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market 2023 Dates

November 17th, 2023 – December 31st, 2023 (Closed on December 24th)

Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market Hours

12 pm – 10 pm daily

Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market 

The Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market is, as the name suggests, located on the grounds of Charlottenburg Palace. More specifically, the market is set up in front of the palace. The Christmas market is divided into two areas: the outer area and the courtyard.

Outer Area of the Christmas Market

The outer area is where you will find the majority of stalls at the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market, including most of the food options and the tented shopping area. The shopping stalls and smaller food vendors are set up towards the sides. The larger wooden food huts and Glühwein stalls can be found in the outer area of the market, directly in front of Charlottenburg Palace. This is a nice setup, as you can enjoy your food and beverages with a view of the palace.

For the best view of the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market, head to the top of the Hungarian food hut. From this open aired space, you get an incredible view of Charlottenburg Palace with the inner market stalls. This is a great spot to eat or sip on a warm beverage. Even if you don’t have any food or drinks, you can come up to this spot to enjoy the view and snap a photo.

Charlottenburg Palace Courtyard 

The most elegant and picturesque part of the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market is found through the front gates in the palace’s courtyard. There is a scattering of stalls set up in the courtyard of Charlottenburg Palace. The handful of stalls makes this Christmas market appear much more intimate than it truly is. This area is atmospheric; the small wooden stalls are lined with lights, and the palace serves as the most idyllic backdrop.

To add to the already magical setting of the Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace, a wind ensemble plays Christmas songs in the courtyard. The musicians were dressed in wool coats, making you feel like you stepped back in time and were enjoying a royal Christmas in Berlin.

What to Eat and Drink at the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market

Two hundred fifty vendors at the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market sell everything from savory snacks to sweet treats. Be sure to indulge in traditional German Christmas sweets like stollen, marzipan loaves, and spritz biscuits. Of course, you will find stands selling bratwurst and other hearty German foods.

There is no better way to warm up at a Christmas market than with a cup of mulled wine. Grab a cup of Glühwein and head up the stairs of the Hungarian food hut for the best view at the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market. 

What to Buy at the Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace

There is plenty of shopping opportunities at the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market. Some of the best things to buy here are decorations and gifts. I came home with a beautiful ornament from one of the stalls closest to the palace.

The best thing about shopping at this Christmas Market is that there are both outdoor stalls, where you can enjoy the ambiance, and stands in a heated tent. While I found myself meandering by more of the outdoor stalls, it was really nice to warm up in the tented shopping area.

Other Things to do at Charlottenburg Palace During Christmas

Tour the Palace

While visiting the Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace, you should consider touring the palace. The palace’s exterior serves as a beautiful backdrop for the Christmas market, yet seeing the opulent interior of this Baroque palace will only enhance your experience.

If you want to combine a tour of Charlottenburg Palace with your visit to the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market, be sure to arrive early. I was unable to visit as I came soon before the palace closed.

Price: €12
Hours: November-March from 10 am- 5 pm (closed Mondays)

Experience Berliner Residenz Christmas Concert at Charlottenburg Palace

If you’re looking to treat yourself festively and royally, you need to do this experience. There are two options available, the concert or the concert and a 3-course dinner. The Berliner Residenz Concert in Charlottenburg Palace is available during Christmas, with two showings each week. The Berliner Residenz Orchestra dresses up in period costume and plays Baroque-era music by candlelight.

• Berlin Residence Orchestra Dinner and Concert: This option includes a delicious 3-course dinner and the concert in Charlottenburg Palace. This is the recommended option as it allows you to spend an entire evening at the royal palace.
• Berlin Residence Orchestra Concert: This option is great for those who’d prefer to spend more time at the Christmas Market or are looking to save a bit of money. This option does not include dinner, yet you still get to experience a concert in the palace.

*The best part about booking on Get Your Guide is the flexible cancelation policy. So you can book now and cancel up to 24 hours before your activity. I recommend securing your tickets now before they sell out.

Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market: Wrap-up

If you visit Berlin during the Christmas season, take advantage of the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market. This is hands down one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Berlin and one of my personal favorites. It is so atmospheric, and while it may seem a bit out of the way, you can easily spend a couple of hours here. To make the visit to Charlottenburg Palace worthwhile, consider arriving early to tour the palace and stay for a drink or something to eat. Also, Charlottenburg Palace is on the same bus line as Spandau, so you can easily combine a visit to both Christmas markets. I opted to go to Spandau after leaving Charlottenburg Palace.