이쁜 한국말은 까먹기 시작하고 그렇다고 독일어가 엄청 발전한것도 아니고

참 희한한 상황에 있습니다,.

같은 교회에 다니는 독일분이 베를린의 크리스마스에만 문을 여는

상점들 정보를 메일로 보내주셨어요, 영어로 써주셨네요.

독일어면 공부되 되고 좋았을텐데.ㅎㅎ

전 경제적으로 여유도 안되고 시간도 없어서 가지는 못하지만

관광오시는 분이나 여건이 되시는 분들께 도움이 되는 정보였으면 합니다.

stmas Markets in Berlin

  <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

There are a lot of them, some good and some only ok and pretty commercialized. One Christmas season, though, is not enough to even only get to all the good ones. So here are some of those that both my wife and I can recommend:

- Alt‐Rixdorfer Weihnachtsmarkt

This one is in the borough of Neukölln at Richardplatz and surrounding streets. It is only on the first weekend of December (2008: Dec. 5 to Dec. 7) from about 4 pm. to 9 pm. (8 pm. on Sunday). You only get a booth there if 80 per cent the money you make goes to a charitable cause. So you do get lots of crafts, home‐made pastries and cookies, foods and used things there. The atmosphere is unique in Berlin! It is best reached by public transportation, since parking is somewhat difficult in the area. Take the subway line U7 to Karl‐Marx‐Str. Or U7 or S‐Bahn (circle Line) to Neukölln stations. Since the area is not dangerous but also not the best of areas, I would suggest to go there rather early than late. But with the market and all the people going there and back it should be ok, I think.

- Historischer Weihnachtsmarkt am Opernpalais

This one is at Under den Linden right around the Staatsoper and the Opernpalais, just opposite the Zeughaus and the Humboldt University´s main building. It is open daily from about noon until 9 pm and until Dec. 26th. There you do get lots of different crafts, foods and such, have a really nice atmosphere, especially with some of the old buildings around. It has booths with good German sausages, Christmas cakes, lots of old‐fashioned candies (even good cough drops!), and also one with all kinds of nougat (very yummy!). No parking, but Bus 100 stops right in front of it on its way to Alexanderplatz.

- Weihnachtsmarkt am Gendarmenmarkt

This one is in front of the Schauspielhaus/Konzerthaus Berlin and in between the German and the French Dome throughout the Christmas season. It is fenced off, sin‐ce you have to pay one or two Euros to get in. It has more sophisticated crafts and foods, some of which do not always have to do with Christmas directly. Due to the nice surroundings it is worth going to, though. Best reached by taking subway line U2 to Stadtmitte (Eastern exit) or Hausvogteiplatz (Western exit).

- Spandau

This one is on the borough of Spandau in the West of Berlin all around the old part of this once independent town. Also open every day. Lots of booths and such, somewhat commercialised, some people say, but definitively something worth checking out at least once. Parking may be available in nearby parking garages, but best reached by subway line U7 to Altstadt Spandau or Rathaus Spandau

- Sophienstraße

This one is also in Mitte along the Sophienstraße, not too far away from Hackescher Markt. It is only on Saturday and Sundays, has some foods, lots of crafts and such. Nice atmosphere due to the old buildings round. Not too big, but worth seeing, I think. Best reached by taking the S‐Bahn or tram to Hackescher Markt, then walking

- Potsdam – Brandenburgische Straße

The biggest Christmas market in Potsdam, all along the pedestrian shopping street Brandenburgische Straße and sometimes also in the side streets. Booths set up along the whole street and also with all the shops behind them. Nice atmosphere and good reason to see Potsdam at Christmas time. Best reached by S‐Bahn or regional train to Potsdam Hauptbahnhof, them Tram towards BUGA Park or Kirschallee to Brandenburgische Straße.

- Potsdamer Platz

Although surrounded by high.rises and stores, still nice and worth going over

- Schloß Charlottenburg

New this year, I think. So I cannot tell you anything about the dates and opening hours yet.

- Rote Rathaus (Berlin City Hall near Alexnderplatz)

Same as above.