Best Time To Visit Germany & Where To Travel in Every Season

Surely winter is the best time to visit Germany when the festive markets are in full swing? Think again. Cosmopolitan cities, quaint villages, magical castles, prestigious wine regions, and inspirational beauty spots (we could go on) make Germany a four-season destination.  

Naturally, the weather is the starting point for researching the best time to visit Germany. Although Germany has four seasons and differing weather patterns, all cities may be visited at any time of year. The same goes for landmarks like Neuschwanstein Castle, which is splendid against any backdrop.

Other aspects to consider include festivals and traveling during Germany’s so-called Fifth Season. In this guide, you’ll find out what Germany is like throughout the year, alongside suggestions for the best places to visit in Germany in every season.

An Overview of Germany’s Climate & Weather

As Germany is such a large country, diverse geographical features influence the temperate climate system. In general, expect conditions closer to that of northern France and the United Kingdom than Mediterranean Europe. 

For the most part, German summers are hot and winters are cold, the degree of which varies from region to region. 

Spring and fall are transitory, with a variety of weather to be expected. Spring can be rainy, and fall tends to be dry while temperatures ebb and flow. On the whole, the shoulder season is a good time to travel to Germany for a mixed itinerary. 

Cooled by the North and Baltic seas, Northern Germany experiences the mildest summers. Winters are typically brisk but not bitterly cold. Southern Germany’s Alpine regions and Bavarian cities receive the coldest winters and the highest likelihood of snow. 

Eastern Germany (including Berlin) tends to have hotter summers and colder winters compared to central and western zones. The southwestern German Wine Route experiences the warmest conditions overall. 

Regardless of what month you choose to visit Germany, temperatures do vary from city to city. The following summaries are a guideline.

Best Time To Visit Germany: A Season-by-Season Guide

Why Visit Germany in Spring (March to May)

The arrival of spring shoos away the last of the frost with gradually rising temperatures and extended daylight hours. Each month brings its own weather patterns. However, for the most part, you can anticipate mild conditions culminating in warm, sunny Mays.

Spring Weather & Climate in Germany

March is a transitional month with daytime temperatures ranging from 41° F to 54° F. Evenings remain cool and rainfall is sporadic.

April sees averages creep up a couple of degrees. Rain is more common this month and can strike with little notice although it doesn’t stick around too long.

May temperatures continue to fluctuate before settling into highs of 68° F.

Advantages of Visiting Germany in Spring

As a shoulder season, there are fewer crowds in Germany in spring. Streets may feel busier as locals get out and about although this shouldn’t impact lines and tour availability at famous landmarks. 

Flowers are in bloom, which makes spring an ideal time to venture out for an urban stroll or hike. Spring also sees a number of events including open wine cellar days and Easter happenings.

Best Places To Visit in Germany in Spring

March, April, and May are the best months to witness the arrival of spring in urban and rural areas.

Cherry blossoms bloom in Bonn. There is a short window to see these, and the season can range between late March and early April. Fortunately, it’s easy to make an impromptu day trip from Cologne or Frankfurt.

Tulips bloom from mid-April, with Mainau Island, Grevenbroich, and Neuss having the most tulip fields. They’re also incorporated into seasonal displays in major German cities. 

Hiking trails in the Bavarian Alps and Black Forest reopen in spring when meadows are alive with wildflowers and waterfalls are at their fullest. The mild weather is ideal for hiking and biking as well as photography. 

The Mosel Valley’s Festival of the Roman Wine Route sees the coronation of the latest wine queen, followed by processions, wine tastings, and food stalls.

Why Visit Germany in The Summer (June to August)

Summer is the high season in Germany. The warm weather means getting outdoors in city parks (or beer gardens) and exploring mountainous and forested regions. 

Germany is a hotbed for summer festivals encompassing food, music, and more. 

As July and August see the highest numbers of tourists, planning ahead and pre-booking accommodations, trains, tickets, and tours streamlines the experience.

Yet, if you’re traveling with JayWay, there’s no need to worry about anything. Our expert trip planners will make all the necessary arrangements for you.

Summer Weather & Climate in Germany

As a central European nation, Germany experiences summers that are hot but not unbearable. 

Daily temperatures rarely drop below 59° F, whereas highs generally nudge the low 80s in July and August. While it may be a touch brisker in mountainous areas, conditions are optimal for hiking, cycling, rafting, and other outdoor pursuits.

Summer thunderstorms and higher temperatures can bring a patch of rain or the occasional downpour, especially in southern regions. As with April showers, it shouldn’t impact your plans, and there’s always a museum to duck into.

Advantages of Visiting Germany in The Summer

The pleasant weather is a plus – not only does it lighten the packing, but it also means you can spend most of your trip outside. With the sun shining late into the evening, you can hurl yourself into long days of sightseeing, followed by al fresco dining. 

All attractions and tours are fully open for business in the summer months, and numerous festivals and pop-ups provide entertainment.

Most German cities have the perk of rivers or lakes. These regulate the temperatures and provide a great place to splash around on a hot day.

Best Places To Visit in Germany in The Summer

Heidelberg is one of the prettiest places to visit in Germany in any season. Visit between June and early August to experience the Heidelberg Castle Festival (Schlossfestspiele), where theatrical and music performances are staged on the grounds.

The Rhine River and Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a romantic region dotted with castles and vineyards. The weather is at its finest in summer and yields ample opportunities for exploration on foot, bike, and by boat. 

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is another picturesque town brimming with half-timbered houses. Typically visited on a day trip, it’s smart to book a night’s accommodation to experience sleepier streets and partake in a twilight tour with a local night watchman.

Why Visit Germany in The Fall (September to November)

The weather cools in September, and trees show their colors from the end of September until November. This is a wonderful time to travel to Germany for an itinerary combining outdoor activities, indoor culture, and traditional food.

Many travelers head to Munich in the fall for Oktoberfest, which celebrates beer heritage and the wider picture of Bavarian culture. Alternative beer festivals crop up in other cities, and vineyards welcome the annual harvest.

Fall Weather & Climate in Germany

September remains pleasant with average temperatures ranging from 54° F to 68° F. Hiking trails are still open and urban attractions remain on summer hours. 

October crispens as temperatures bob around the low 50s. This is the best time to visit Germany for leaf peeping and autumnal photography followed by snug evenings in taverns. 

The November air is noticeably fresher and this is the driest fall month to visit Germany. Most precipitation in fall affects Northern Germany and it’s likelier early in the season.

Advantages of Visiting Germany in The Fall

As with late spring, the majority of German destinations may be visited in fall – particularly in the months of September and October. 

Visiting Germany at the start of fall is best for catching the last of the warmer weather and spending time outside. 

September and early October bring a carousel of events that immerse you in traditional customs. 

Outdoor pursuits become less attractive as temperatures drop and nights lengthen in November. This is the quietest time to visit Germany before the influx of festive happenings.

Best Places To Visit in Germany in The Fall

Munich is Germany’s quintessential fall destination. Munich’s world-famous Oktoberfest launches in mid to late September and runs until the first Sunday of October. 

Elsewhere, Stuttgart’s Volksfest is the second-largest beer festival with a family-friendly vibe. Frankfurt, Hannover, Nuremberg, Hamburg, and Cologne all have their own takes on Oktoberfest.

Subject to the conditions, the vineyards of Rheinhessen, the Mosel Valley, and Baden can initiate the harvest season early in September. Tourists can attend festivals and tastings as well as assist in picking grapes. 

Rustic countryside taverns open temporarily in wine regions during the tail end of the harvest season. Known as Strausswirtschaften and Besenwirtschaften, these wine bars serve a selection of young wines – many are homemade.

Identifiable by a broomstick hanging over the door, these temporary taverns open for business in November and tend to attract a local crowd.  

Wurstmarkt in Bad Durkheim (Palatinate), Rudesheim Wine Festival (Rheingau), and Bernkastel-Kues Wine Festival (Mosel Valley) are some of Germany’s best wine festivals in fall. 

Why Visit Germany in Winter (December to February)

Some may say we’ve saved the best time to visit Germany for last. Hopefully, having studied the previous sections, you’ll be in agreement that Germany is a year-round destination.

Christmas markets and festive charm are the key motivations behind visiting Germany in winter. In fact, you can even devise an itinerary stringing together Germany’s greatest markets.

Winter Weather & Climate in Germany

January is the coldest month in Germany with lows of 28° F and highs of 37° F. As markets and lights are deconstructed for another year, metropolitan cities clear out. This is the best time to visit Germany without crowds of tourists and with the chance of seeing snow in cities. 

February sees similar weather conditions, although it’s usually warmer by the end of the month as carnival season looms.

Advantages of Visiting Germany in Winter

Europe’s oldest Christmas markets make winter the best time to visit Germany for festive shopping, food experiences, and a cozy atmosphere. Wooden huts serve tempting gingerbread, marzipan, and savory delights and the scent of Gluhwein wafts through the streets.

Winter sports and apres-ski beckon from December onwards. January and February are peak season for skiing and boarding in Germany’s mountain ski resorts. As Germany isn’t as popular a ski destination as France, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria, slopes tend to be less crowded. 

Not a skier? Tobogganing is a way of life for adults and kids alike in Germany. Cable cars ferry passengers up Germany’s highest peaks for beautiful views and dining.

Best Places To Visit in Germany in Winter

Germany’s large cities are ideal for a winter getaway based around festive markets and traditional culture. Nuremberg, Dresden, Cologne, and Munich have the most traditional markets. Yet, Berlin wins for sheer volume and variety. 

Beyond the main cities, every German town and village brings cheer through street illuminations, ice rinks, and fairs. Snow isn’t a given in urban areas although Bavarian cities stand a higher chance of it settling.

The snow-dusted villages of the Black Forest are as joyful in winter as they are in spring, summer, and fall. There are several lower-altitude resorts in the Baden-Wurttemberg area but the main draw is winter hiking and cross-country skiing.

Back at base camp, villages such as Freiburg im Breisgau and Triberg honor traditional craftsmanship through cuckoo clock-making and glassblowing. 

Germany’s highest ski station, Zugspitze, tends to open first and see the most reliable snowfall. Besides hitting the pistes, this resort preserves one of the country’s few cogwheel trains.

Traveling During Germany’s Fifth Season

Germany must be one of the very few places to experience a Fifth Season. This phenomenon refers to Carnival in Germany – known interchangeably as Fasching, Fastnacht, and Karneval across the country’s regions. 

Carnival is declared at 11:11 AM on the 11th day of the 11th month before swiftly taking a winter hiatus. The antics resume shortly before Lent when entire local populations flood the streets with parades, floats, marching bands, music events, parties, and food festivals. 

This is a great time to visit Germany and connect with the mischievous side of society. Women’s Carnival (Weiberfastnacht) would customarily see women cutting off men’s ties although each city adds a twist to this activity. Costumes span the full spectrum, from traditional to satirical. 

Attracting the most outrageous costumes and over a million spectators, Kolner Karneval is the grandest of Germany’s events. Dusseldorf Karneval is particularly satirical whereas Berlin’s variant celebrates cultural diversity. 

Smaller Bavarian and Black Forest towns carry a folkloric tone while the Rhine Valley villages are community and family oriented. Several carnivals have been inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. 

Bridging the gap between winter and spring, the Carnival season commences in February ahead of Lent and concludes before Ash Wednesday. Tourists are welcome to simply spectate but throwing on a costume and joining in with the revelry is encouraged.

Travel To Germany All Year Round With JayWay

Now that you’re no longer wondering about the best time to visit Germany, you should start planning your dream trip to this diverse country in Central Europe.

No matter if it’s the wide array of festive Christmas markets, the countless beer and wine festivals, or the promise of fairytale-like medieval castles scattered across landscapes of rare natural beauty that draws you to Germany, leave it to us to plan the perfect Germany trip just for you.