Germany
The best time to visit
When to go to Germany
Go from May to September for the mildest weather and long days. Late September is Oktoberfest, and late November to December is Christmas-market season. Winter is cold and grey beyond the markets.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Berlin. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Sep.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Hard cold.
In short
The year at a glance
Germany is a classic four-season destination, and Berlin sets the ratings below. From May to September the weather is mild and the festival calendar is full, with daylight stretching toward 10pm at midsummer. The shoulder months of May, June and September are the most comfortable.
Two seasonal events drive a lot of trips: Oktoberfest, which despite the name runs from mid September into early October in Munich, and the Christmas markets, which open across the country in late November and run through December. Winter is otherwise cold and short on light.
Month by month
Germany month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Berlin.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°C / 37°F | -2°C / 28°F | 42 mm | Avoid 18 | Cold and dry. |
| February | 5°C / 41°F | -1°C / 30°F | 33 mm | Avoid 28 | Cold and dry. |
| March | 9°C / 48°F | 1°C / 34°F | 41 mm | Good 48 | Cold and dry. |
| April | 15°C / 59°F | 5°C / 41°F | 37 mm | Ideal 79 | Cool and dry. |
| May | 20°C / 68°F | 9°C / 48°F | 54 mm | Ideal 96 | Mild and dry. Berlin hotels in May |
| June | 23°C / 73°F | 12°C / 54°F | 69 mm | Ideal 91 | Warm with a little rain. |
| July | 25°C / 77°F | 15°C / 59°F | 56 mm | Ideal 96 | Warm with a little rain. Berlin hotels in July |
| August | 25°C / 77°F | 14°C / 57°F | 58 mm | Ideal 95 | Warm with a little rain. |
| September | 20°C / 68°F | 11°C / 52°F | 45 mm | Ideal 100 | Mild and dry. Berlin hotels in September |
| October | 14°C / 57°F | 7°C / 45°F | 37 mm | Ideal 75 | Cool and dry. |
| November | 8°C / 46°F | 3°C / 37°F | 44 mm | Good 48 | Cold and dry. |
| December | 4°C / 39°F | 0°C / 32°F | 55 mm | Avoid 25 | Cold with a little rain. |
By city
Which city, which month
The strip above rates Berlin. Pick a month to see how 8 cities compare.
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin North and east | 18 | 28 | 48 | 79 | 96 | 91 | 96 | 95 | 100 | 75 | 48 | 25 |
| Hamburg North coast | 22 | 27 | 47 | 75 | 91 | 89 | 86 | 87 | 90 | 73 | 46 | 28 |
| Cologne Rhineland | 34 | 39 | 60 | 79 | 92 | 87 | 86 | 87 | 92 | 77 | 57 | 34 |
| Frankfurt Rhine-Main | 30 | 34 | 58 | 83 | 95 | 95 | 92 | 96 | 98 | 78 | 52 | 31 |
| Dresden Saxony | 18 | 26 | 48 | 79 | 94 | 92 | 85 | 87 | 98 | 75 | 46 | 24 |
| Munich Bavaria | 17 | 24 | 49 | 76 | 74 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 86 | 73 | 43 | 21 |
| Freiburg Black Forest | 29 | 38 | 64 | 82 | 76 | 82 | 82 | 86 | 91 | 77 | 53 | 34 |
| Garmisch Bavarian Alps | 13 | 15 | 34 | 57 | 55 | 51 | 50 | 51 | 63 | 63 | 27 | 13 |
Same 0 to 100 rating as the strip above, from each city's own long-run normals.
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Berlin and the north
Cool and flat, best from late spring to early autumn. The north coast is breezy and made for summer.
Bavaria and Munich
Home of Oktoberfest in late September and a gateway to the Alps. Summer for hiking, winter for the markets and snow.
The Alps and the south
Warm valleys and cool peaks in summer, ski resorts from December to March in the Bavarian Alps.
Backpacker route
The classic Germany loop
Berlin south through Dresden and Nuremberg to Munich, then west to Cologne and up to Hamburg. Every stop is on the rail network, and a Deutschland-Ticket or rail pass covers most of it.
Lines show the order of stops, not the roads or ferry tracks.
Berlin
Museums, the Wall, the nightlife. Most loops start here.
Leipzig
Bach, the peaceful revolution and a cheap, lively bar scene.
Dresden
Baroque old town on the Elbe, with Saxon Switzerland a day trip away.
Nuremberg
Medieval walls, the castle and the best bratwurst in the country.
Munich
Beer halls and the English Garden. Day trip to Neuschwanstein castle and the Alps.
Garmisch
The Zugspitze, alpine trails and the Partnach gorge.
Freiburg
Gateway to the Black Forest, with the sunniest weather in the country.
Heidelberg
A castle above the Neckar and the old university town below it.
Bacharach
Castles and vineyards along the Rhine gorge. Take the river boat one way.
Cologne
The cathedral, the Rhine and the Kölsch bars. Add a Rhine castle stop on the way.
Hamburg
The harbour, Speicherstadt and the Reeperbahn. Two hours back to Berlin to fly out.
Route drawn from Hostelz, Germany 3-week backpacker itinerary, kimkim, 2 weeks in Germany, Bucketlistly, 2 to 3 weeks Germany itinerary, The Broke Backpacker, backpacking Germany. Check timetables for the month you travel.
Go for
Best time to visit Germany for
Cityscapes and culture
May, June and September, with mild weather, long days and lighter crowds than high summer.
Oktoberfest
Mid September to early October in Munich. Book accommodation across Bavaria two to three months ahead.
Christmas markets
Late November through December, when squares from Nuremberg to Cologne fill with stalls and mulled wine.
Hiking and the Alps
July and August for the warmest mountain weather and open high trails in the south.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Oktoberfest, late September
Munich fills its beer tents for the world's biggest folk festival, running into early October.
Christmas markets, December
City squares across the country become glowing markets from late November.
Hard cold
Dec to Feb.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Germany
Compare hotels and rentals around Berlin, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions