Germany Travel Weather

April - May

In the spring months the weather can be changeable, once warm and sunny other times cloudy and rainy. Days are getting longer and warmer, with temperatures oscillating between 10°C and 18°C, but evenings and nights remain much cooler. Thunderstorms and fleeting rainfall are common, occurring throughout the country (in mountainous areas somewhat more often).

Spring is a good time to relax for those who want to skip the peak heat and peak tourist season. Moderate temperatures guarantee a pleasant time away from the hustle and bustle of tourism. Nature waking up from winter lethargy encourages outdoor activities, including hiking and bicycle tours. It is also a good idea to organize round trips around the country and several-day excursions to major cities combined with visits to the most famous monuments and places of interest.

June - August

The summer months are the peak tourist season in Germany. Temperatures rise to 20°C - 25°C. The southwestern areas (Deutsche Weinstraße - German Wine Route, Upper Rhine Plain) can experience heat up to 30°C. It's slightly cooler in mountainous areas (including the Alps), where the mercury bar drops to around 10°C in the higher elevations. Even in summer, rain is not unavoidable, occurring throughout the country in the form of frequent but not very intense downpours.

It is possible to organize round trips and multi-day excursions involving visits to the country's largest cities and main attractions. Weather on the coast and islands (including Borkum, Niedersachsen) is favorable for beachcombing and active recreation - sailing, surfing, diving. The North Sea is less windy and less humid than the Baltic Sea. The water temperature in August reaches about 17°C in the seas. You can confidently enjoy all swimming pool complexes and recreation at the lakes. Very popular is Lake Chiemsee, known as the "Bavarian sea," clean and with beautiful beaches and plenty of water sports opportunities.

Summer is also the best time for mountain trekking and cycling on well-prepared scenic routes near mountains, forests and lakes, including the scenically rich Ahr-Radweg bike trail (through the region's vineyards, along the Ahr River). Family hiking is extremely popular in Bavaria. The trails are very well prepared and well marked. On almost every trail, you can encounter an inn every now and then offering something to eat to fortify you before a more strenuous hike.

September - October

The autumn months bring a gradual cooling, with temperatures dropping to 10°C - 19°C. Despite more frequent rain and thunderstorms, you can still enjoy plenty of sunshine. Warm days without heat and bustling tourists are a good time for those set on exploring the country and who appreciate a more intimate holiday. Unfortunately, it is too cold for blissful beachcombing on the coasts. Nature in autumn's multi-colored setting makes active leisure, hiking and mountain trekking more enjoyable. It is possible to organize round trips around the country and short excursions of a few days connected with visiting the largest cities and monuments of Germany.

At the end of September and the beginning of October it is worth visiting Bavaria, then the Oktoberfest takes place, a traditional beer harvest festival that has been organized for years. You can taste countless varieties of beer, get acquainted with the flavor bouquet of Rhenish wines and sample a variety of regional delicacies.

November - March

The winter months are the coldest period of the year, with temperatures dropping from -3°C to 5°C. Days are getting shorter, more cloudy and gloomy, and rain or snowfall is also abundant. In the north and northwest of the country, storms are common and it can be windy. Although temperatures are moderate (just above 0°C), the humid air makes the perceived temperature much lower. The Baltic coast is several degrees cooler than the North Sea coast. Winter is not a good time to visit this part of Germany, the activities of the seaside resorts are limited, and some tourist attractions are temporarily closed. In other regions, too, the sun is visiting the sky less and less frequently, and increased precipitation and heavy cloud cover are causing most of the country to take on a somewhat depressing character.

In mountainous areas, thanks to heavy snowfall and temperatures as low as -10°C, the weather guarantees ideal conditions for skiers and snowboarders. Ski resorts are filling up with tourists. Well-developed infrastructure: resorts, ski lifts and well-prepared slopes create a veritable paradise for ski lovers. As a rule, the ski season lasts from December to March. The most popular destinations for many winter sports include the Ore Mountains and the Black Forest. The Bavarian Alps with the Allgäu and Fellhorn-Kanzelwand regions are also attractive destinations, as is the area around the Algavian Alps (Oberstdorf). Slightly smaller areas that are particularly family-friendly, on the other hand, are found in the Harz, Thuringian Forest, Bavarian Forest and Sauerland areas. Germany's Zugspitze, on the other hand, has the longest ski season; thanks to its location (more than 2,000 meters above sea level), it is generally open from December until early May.

During the Christmas and New Year's seasons in the larger cities (Nuremberg, Cologne, Dresden, Berlin) you can take part in colorful Advent fairs. The cold weather also does not prevent those willing to visit the resort of Baden-Baden and enjoy its healing mineral springs.