Berlin: A Tale of Two Visits in Spring and Winter

Berlin is a city that wears its history on its sleeve while constantly reinventing itself. Once divided by the Cold War, today it thrives as Germany’s capital of culture, politics, and art. From solemn memorials to bustling markets, Berlin is a place where you can feel the weight of history and the energy of modern life in equal measure.

I’ve had the chance to visit Berlin twice, once in the spring of 2016 and again in the winter of 2023, and each visit offered a completely different experience.

Spring in Berlin

On my first trip, I arrived full of excitement since this was my first ever time in Europe, and Germany had always been on my bucket list. I brushed off my high school German, realizing quickly just how much I had remembered and how much I had forgotten. The city felt sprawling at first, but I soon figured out the trains and trams, making it easy to get around.

I started with a free walking tour, which began at Brandenburg Gate. It was the perfect way to get oriented and learn more about the city’s past. Along the way, we stopped by the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Checkpoint Charlie, and the squares lined with Konzerthaus Berlin, Französischer Dom, and Neue Kirche.

After tipping my guide, I continued exploring on my own. I found sections of the Berlin Wall that still stood, some preserved in their raw form and others painted with bold murals. Nearby, I stumbled onto the Buddy Bears art installation, each bear painted in a unique design representing countries from around the world. I also took time to visit the Memorial to Homosexuals Persecuted Under Nazism, a stark reminder of lives lost to intolerance.

The day wound down at Hackescher Markt, where I treated myself to a hearty steak dinner while street musicians filled the air with classical tunes. It was in that moment that I realized Berlin wasn’t just a city of politics and history, it was a city of art.

Over the next couple of days, I saw the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, took in sweeping views from Panoramapunkt Berlin, and cruised the Spree River past museums and modern architecture. I wandered by the Neptune Fountain and stood beneath the towering Berlin TV Tower but decided not to go up that time.

Winter in Berlin

Fast forward to 2023, and I found myself back in Berlin, this time in the heart of winter, chasing the Christmas Market circuit across Europe. I wasn’t as driven to pack in every landmark as before, but I wanted to see how familiar places transformed under snow and lights.

I hopped on a tour bus and stopped wherever the sights caught my eye. Gluhwein kept me warm as I wandered through markets, including the one below the Berlin TV Tower. I finally decided to go up, but fog had rolled in so thick I could barely see the festival lights below. A lesson learned: sometimes the moment is better seized the first time.

I also visited KaDeWe, the famous department store, and enjoyed coffee and a pastry overlooking the city. With the cold biting harder the next day, I sought out indoor attractions like the Berlin Aquarium and the Berlin Dungeon. Later, I explored the Christmas Market at Potsdamer Platz, where the festive atmosphere was contagious.

What made this trip especially memorable was meeting a new friend who showed me around. Together we checked out the LGBT community Christmas Market with its unique vibe, and then a medieval-themed market where performers in costume put on fire shows and archery booths challenged visitors.

Berlin in spring had been full of sunshine, history, and energy, while winter gave me a more intimate, festive side of the city. Both visits were unforgettable in their own way, and I left each time feeling like there’s always more waiting for me here.