The holiday season in Berlin is magical, conjuring up an extra half-million or so visitors from Germany and abroad for its famed Christmas markets. More than 60 markets open the last week of November through Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.

While the holidays bring unique markets to the city, shopping here is special year-round, according to Kirsten Schmidt of Visit Berlin. “The different neighborhoods all have their distinctive scene and flair,” says Schmidt, “from elegant and established to creative, up-and-coming and ‘becoming.’ Berlin is an inexpensive city, and it is quite often that artists, designers and fashion people make the art [and] fashion in the back of the studio and sell it in front.”

If you are lucky enough to visit Berlin during the holidays, get into the spirit of the season with the famed German and French cathedrals of Gendarmenmarkt Square as a backdrop to its Nostalgic Market. The market opens at 11 a.m., but the best time to shop is early evening, when you can take in the beautiful lit-up square while sipping mulled wine. The star-tipped vendor tents welcome visitors until 10 p.m.

At the market, travelers browse handstitched flax embroidery and one-of-a-kind woodcarvings while also taking in performance art including musicians, jugglers, acrobats and dancers. Pick up a pair of ice skates and whirl around the magnificent square’s ice rink after a day of shopping.

Another can’t-miss spot is Weihnachtsmarkt vor dem Schloss Charlottenburg. What could be more magical than buying presents at the foot of a castle? Charlottenburg Palace, modeled after Versailles, was meant to be a small garden castle for Sophie Charlotte. But when she became queen, a century of construction and expansion ensued. Today, it’s the only surviving royal residence in the city. At the holiday market, pick up unique mementos from handmade soaps to scarves.

Be sure to make reservations at the market’s open-air Der Vierte Mann traditional Austrian restaurant. But don’t fret if you can’t book a table at the wildly popular spot. All the top hotels and restaurants offer holiday specials such as roast goose and braised cabbage.

If traditional Christmas isn’t your scene, don’t worry. Berlin has urban, modern markets, too. Among them is the über-trendy Holy.Shit.Shopping lounge. This is an art and design market comprised of more than 100 selected young designers, creative types and artists. It features fashion, jewelry, design, art, photography and more where, Schmidt says, “Patrons have the opportunity to support young artists and acquire some great ‘unestablished’ art.”

Trade the carolers for international DJs and the mulled wine for cocktails at this unique market, open Dec. 15–16.