Germany is a year-round destination, but each season shows a different side of the country. The right time for your trip depends on what you want to see, how you like to travel and how much you want to spend. Here is our guide, based on twenty years of planning tours across the country.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is one of the most pleasant times to travel. Fruit trees bloom along the Moselle and on Lake Constance, cities are not yet crowded and hotel prices are moderate. Days are often sunny but nights stay cool, so pack a warm layer. Easter brings decorated fountains in Franconia and the first open-air cafés.
From late April the mountain railways in the Alps start running again, and by May the beer gardens in Munich are full.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is the classic season, with long days and temperatures between 20 and 30°C. This is the best time for the Bavarian Alps, the Zugspitze, Lake Königssee and boat trips on the Rhine. It is also the busiest time, so book Neuschwanstein tickets and popular hotels early.
- Long evenings until after 9 pm
- Open-air festivals and concerts in every town
- Best weather for lakes, mountains and river cruises
Autumn (September to November)
September and early October are our favourite months. The weather is often stable, the forests turn gold and the wine harvest begins on the Rhine and Moselle, with wine festivals in many villages. Oktoberfest in Munich runs from mid-September to the first Sunday in October. From November the days become short and grey, but museums and concert halls are at their best.
Winter (December to February)
From late November until 23 December, Germany turns into a Christmas fairy tale. Markets in Nuremberg, Dresden, Rothenburg and Cologne fill the old squares with lights, mulled wine and gingerbread. January and February are cold and quiet, ideal for skiing in the Alps or for city breaks at low prices.
Our recommendation
For a first trip with a mix of cities, castles and landscapes, choose May, June or September. For Christmas markets, plan your tour for the first two weeks of December, when the markets are open but less crowded than at the weekend before Christmas.
Tell us when you would like to travel and we will suggest the best route for that season.
