Citytrip Berlin 2025 Christmas
- Apr 22
- 9 min read
The Christmas season in Berlin is a magical time to visit the city—a must-see and must-do for us Limburgers who love good food and good company.
Berlin is one of the better wheelchair destinations in Europe, with a strong focus on accessibility. In this travelogue, I share our personal experiences during a city trip to Berlin, including tips on traveling by ICE and using the underground metro.
Duration: 4 days
Transportation: Train - ICE
Travel time: just under 5.5 hours
Travel party: The three of us
Wheelchair type: Hippocamp sports wheelchair with Stabilo seat cushion
Period: Nov 2025
The following applies to every outing/trip:
All trips and vacations are primarily practical challenges and concerns about potential infections or other physical ailments. However, we no longer let this stop us from doing what we love most: spending time together, discovering new places, and letting ourselves be amazed by—and immersed in—unknown landscapes and cultures. Choosing Love and Joy, not Fear.
City Trip 2025 ✨
Why this trip is special to us:
Mom once lived in Berlin for a few months -> 21 years old, finished her first degree, just fallen in love with Dad, still mentally and physically flexible, a gym fanatic... you might know the story 😉 Since then, Mom and Dad went to Berlin every year until Lanah was born. So yes—this trip also had a touch of nostalgia.
🌍Outbound Journey Aachen - Berlin
Our trip began with the ICE train, one of the fastest and most comfortable ways to reach Berlin from the Netherlands or other parts of Germany.
Grandpa and Grandma were so kind to drop us off at the station in our own van.
Our luxury: boarding in Aachen and traveling straight to Berlin without a transfer—ideal!
The ICE is well-equipped for travelers in wheelchairs.
The train is comfortable and features:
wheelchair spaces
accessible restrooms (unfortunately, no changing table >17kg)
ample space
Mobility assistance with boarding and alighting
*Train Tip: Wheelchair spaces are not easy to book online → call well in advance with the special Mobility Service.
Book early = significant discount.
Accommodation
We stayed at a hotel literally right on Kurfürstendamm—because if you’re going to do it, do it right. Or as they say here: “wenn schon, denn schon”.
Our experience:
Spacious, clean room
Bathroom with shower and tub
Plenty of space for a wheelchair
No need to weave through crowds → always a good sign.
Breakfast: Good and extensive, but between 9:00–10:00 AM = rush hour
Big pluses:
Subway around the corner with an elevator → a huge plus.
Nice café and restaurant across the street where the Berliner Pils is always deliciously cold
💡 Berlin is a great city to explore anyway, even in a wheelchair. Public transportation is well-organized and many sights are spread throughout the city, so you’re basically always in a good spot. No need to stress about “the perfect spot” here—saves you the hassle of choosing.
For Mom and Dad, it wasn’t their first time in Berlin (they know the city better than their own shopping list by now), so this location was a deliberate choice. No tourist stress, just enjoying ourselves and heading out with a plan.
Activities
Since Mom and Dad are already seasoned Berlin travelers, we were able to be pretty selective. No “we have to see everything” stress—just the highlights and the things we were really in the mood for.We deliberately chose quality over quantity.
KurfürstendammShopping + Christmas market + the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
East Side GalleryEasily accessible and impressive (history)
Ice hockey gameIt felt like coming home. This is where my love for the sport began, so attending a game in Berlin felt almost like destiny. And to top it off, it was against Cologne, the German club near my hometown that I’ve since grown to love.
Potsdamer PlatzModern, spacious, and well-organized. Here you’ll also find the Spy Museum, a covered shopping mall, and various restaurants. From here, you can take a pleasant, flat walk past a “Denkmal” to the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag.
Lego Discovery Centre – Not a success. Wheelchair accessibility was disappointing; there was an elevator, but that was about it. She wasn’t allowed on the mini “monorail” because she couldn’t walk. Furthermore, the play areas weren’t designed with wheelchair users in mind; they were small inside, and the only thing Lanah enjoyed was the replica of Berlin.
AlexanderplatzCrowded, but a classic with the TV Tower, shopping center, and charming surrounding streets like Hackischer Markt and Rothes Rathaus. From here, you can walk to Museum Island, Mom’s favorite area.
Museum Island – soak up culture in style with beautiful historic buildings. Museum lover? You’re in for a treat!
Brandenburg Gate – remains a must-see, even if you’ve been there ten times. Especially right before Christmas, when there’s a beautifully lit, huge Christmas tree.
Christmas markets – all over the city. Super cozy, but be prepared for crowds (and feet… or wheels… right on your heels). It’s especially packed in the evenings and on weekends. Great Christmas markets: Gendarmenmarkt, Alexanderplatz, Potsdamer Platz, Museum Island, Hackischer Markt.
Got more time in the run-up to Christmas?
Then be sure to check out the Christmas event at the Botanical Garden.
Friedrichstrasse - Gendarmenmarkt
This is an area for shopping and culture. Here you’ll find plenty of shops (including luxury stores), Checkpoint Charlie, and several museums. Mom’s tip: Chocolate shop: Rausch.
There is sooooo much more to see and do in and around Berlin.
Curious? Ask Mom and Dad for tips via the contact form.
🍽️ Food & Drink
Hard Rock Cafe – A tradition for the Caioni family. We love it ;) It’s spacious, so it’s easily accessible by wheelchair. And bonus points for the atmosphere: dining surrounded by rock history.
Vapiano (various locations) – A tradition for the Caionis. Ideal if you’re out and about with a variety of tastes (and opinions 😉). Pasta, pizza, salad, good coffee: everyone’s happy. Often nice and spacious with a clear layout. Order food via an app; it’s brought to your table. Perfect for a hot lunch or a tasty dinner without the hassle.
‘On the go’ – Because let’s be honest: sometimes standing still is a waste of your time and energy. Berlin is bursting with quick bites—from sandwiches to street food. Perfect for in between meals, though it can sometimes take a bit of searching to find a spot without steps and without crowds. But hey, that’s what makes the adventure complete.
Tapas Bar Das Bonito - Dining without kids or a wheelchairFantastic, intimate, serving whatever’s available that day, pricier than average, reservations required, and large groups not allowed.
Café 100 Wasser – The name alone sounds like you’ll get at least three kinds of water and a philosophical life lesson here. This café is a bit like Berlin in miniature: creative, slightly chaotic, and above all, cozy.
💡 Dining Tips for Wheelchair Users:
Check in advance whether the restaurant (or terrace) is accessible, perhaps via Google Maps or simply by giving them a call.
Want to be sure of a nice spot with your wheelchair? Make a reservation!
Does your stomach not handle late-night meals well? Have a hearty, substantial lunch.
No reservation? Walk in and point to your adorable child in the wheelchair—they’ll often make room ;)
Avoid tourist hotspots for better food
🛣️On the Road
This vacation, we set out without our “big” wheelchair.
It might sound exciting, but there was a simple reason: we wanted to stay in the city center and not have to walk far or rely on the special taxi service for people with disabilities. This is convenient in theory, but in practice it often involves waiting, planning, and waiting some more… and we weren’t up for that in Berlin.
Our experience? We love spending time outdoors when the weather is nice, so we walk (and roll) a lot.
⚖️ Our decision: our own vehicle vs. train
With our own vehicle (and electric wheelchair). Downside: Due to the height of our wheelchair-accessible van, a parking garage isn’t an option, which rules out 95% of the hotels in and around the city center. Additional problem: the subway and tram are difficult to access with the electric wheelchair due to the gap between the platform and the train cars: In our case, the small swivel wheels get stuck between the platform and the train car = dangerous! Alternative: Street parking around the city center or calling the MIVA service (taxi service) for transportation, or walking/rolling a long way.
Traveling to Berlin by train or plane with a manual wheelchair or sports wheelchair and staying right in the city center. Disadvantage: Lanah cannot propel herself in a sports wheelchair. Why did we choose this option anyway? Lanah finds it unpleasant to have to propel herself when there are large crowds around her (think of crowded Christmas markets, shopping streets, etc.).
Lanah prefers to be pushed so she can focus on looking around and isn’t stressed by all the stimuli combined with having to maneuver the wheelchair herself.
Things went surprisingly smoothly with the sports wheelchair, especially on the subway. Many stations have elevators, and if they’re working (always a bit of a nerve-wracking moment), you can actually get just about anywhere. Once you’re downstairs, you roll right onto the platform and are on your way before you’ve even properly pronounced “Kurfürstendamm.”
If you really want to do it the ergonomic way, check the subway map to see which stations are wheelchair-accessible and therefore equipped with an elevator.
Us? Being stubborn, we didn’t go that route. We’re used to lifting the sports wheelchair up a flight of stairs as a little workout. Unless you have an 18-kg child in the wheelchair, lifting isn’t an option, of course.
They say that if you’re waiting at the front (near the driver’s cab) with a wheelchair user, the driver will lay out a wheelchair ramp for you. Mom, however, has her doubts about this during rush hour and the accompanying crowds.
In short: less dependence, more freedom. And yes, a little muscle soreness too… but we’re happy to take that along with it.
♿ Do’s & Don’ts – our Berlin edition
Traveling by car?
Visiting Berlin in a wheelchair-accessible van? It’s possible… but don’t expect a hassle-free city trip.
Parking is really a “thing” here.
Many hotels only have parking garages—and a minivan usually just doesn’t fit in there height-wise (or only if you’re willing to test your heart rate). Street parking is possible, but sometimes feels like winning the lottery: you’re dependent on that one free spot.
And yes, parking illegally is not a good idea. In Berlin, they’re not shy about towing. Before you know it, your car will be on a city trip without you.
Our tip: use the car mainly to get to Berlin, and then leave it parked (remember your Disability Parking Permit).
BVG public transit takes care of the rest.
Public Transit and Tickets
Berlin’s public transit system has a handy app for your phone; download it for useful tips on buying tickets online.
Tourist tickets aren’t always cheaper!
Children travel for free with adults up to a certain age.
Berlin’s public transit system offers many different ticket options—take the time to explore them! It might just earn you an extra currywurst!
Medical & Practical Matters
Bringing spare parts isn’t a luxury—not even in a metropolis. Think: batteries, pump, inner tube, tools… You’re slowly turning into a sort of MacGyver on wheels.
And yes, bringing an English-language medical certificate is still a smart move. You hope you won’t need it, but it’s one of those “better safe than sorry” items.
Corset
Lanah likes to sit on a regular chair or sofa every now and then, so we always bring the soft-body corset for her to wear, so she can sit upright more easily.
Elevator = jackpot 🎯
Subway stations often have elevators, but they don’t always work. Think of it as a little daily challenge. Does it work? Great day. Doesn’t it work? Then it’s time to get creative—find an alternative route or call the Muva service (special taxi).
Cobblestones & Sidewalks
Berlin has those charming, historic little streets here and there… read: cobblestones that make your wheelchair start vibrating on its own. Authentic? Definitely. Comfortable? Meh.
Plan smart, but not too rigidly
Distances are longer than you think. Just popping over to “that one spot” can easily cost an extra hour.
Being selective = enjoying yourself
Since we already knew Berlin, we could choose what we really wanted to see and what we thought would be fun and enjoyable for Lanah.
Less “must-dos,” more enjoyment—it works surprisingly well.
Travel period
We always find the period just before Christmas super cozy; it’s busy, of course, but when aren’t big cities?!
In the summer, it can get quite hot in the city, which we find less pleasant with kids.
Every season has its charm and events in Berlin.
🌟 Reflection – Berlin edition (rolling through reality and putting things into perspective)
If this trip made one thing clear again, it’s this: we seem to be a magnet for everything that “goes just a little differently” during a vacation with a wheelchair. And honestly? Apparently, that’s exactly our talent—experiencing it, solving it, and then cheerfully sharing the story here 😉
Elevator out of order in the subway? Check.
Cobblestones that spontaneously give you a free back massage? Check.
Rush hour on public transit where you think, “Where do I leave my wheels?” Check.
And yet: we always find a way out. Okay, sometimes with a deep sigh first… and then with a smile.
We’ve learned that Berlin is surprisingly wheelchair-friendly, as long as YOU stay flexible. That a working elevator feels like hitting the jackpot.
That “just popping over somewhere” in this city means turning it into a mini-expedition.
But the most important thing remains the same: We came. We saw. We rolled. We enjoyed.
From places like the East Side Gallery to the Brandenburg Gate and our beloved ice hockey!
With the realization that fear doesn’t have to stop us from continuing to explore together. Not the distances, not the obstacles, and not even that one elevator that just happens to be out of order today.
So yes… our travels remain a mix of planning, improvising, small frustrations, and big moments of happiness.
💙✨
