Best time to visit · Berlin · Germany
The best time to visit Berlin
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Christian Wolf ( www.c-w-design.de ), CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Quick answer
The best times to visit Berlin are May to September, when beer gardens, lakes and open-air events make the most of long days; May, June and September balance warmth with fewer crowds than July and August. Winter is cold and grey but brings Christmas markets in December and low prices in January.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–September
- Shoulder season
- April, October and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 25°C (77°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 3°C (37°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~10 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January, March and November
Seasons
Berlin has a temperate continental climate: cold, grey winters often around freezing, warm summers with occasional heatwaves and thunderstorms, and rain spread fairly evenly through the year.
March–May
Spring
Chilly March warming into green, blossom-filled May, with café terraces and beer gardens reopening.
June–August
Summer
Warm days, lake swimming, open-air cinema and Pride; the busiest season, with occasional heatwaves and thunderstorms.
September–November
Autumn
Settled September with the Marathon and art events, colourful October with the Festival of Lights, then grey November.
December–February
Winter
Cold and dark, but Christmas markets, the Berlinale in February and low hotel rates outside the holidays.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°C | -2°C | 10 | 8.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 5°C | -2°C | 8 | 9.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| March | 9°C | 1°C | 8 | 11.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 15°C | 4°C | 7 | 13.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 20°C | 9°C | 8 | 15.7 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 23°C | 12°C | 8 | 16.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 25°C | 14°C | 9 | 16.4 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 25°C | 14°C | 8 | 14.7 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 20°C | 11°C | 7 | 12.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 14°C | 6°C | 8 | 10.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 8°C | 3°C | 9 | 8.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 4°C | 0°C | 10 | 7.7 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | International Green Week — food and agriculture fair (usually January) |
| February | Berlinale international film festival (usually February) |
| April | Berlin Half Marathon (usually early April); Gallery Weekend — open studios and gallery shows (usually late April or early May) |
| May | Labour Day street festivities in Kreuzberg (1 May); Karneval der Kulturen — multicultural street parade (usually Pentecost weekend, May or June) |
| June | Fête de la Musique — free concerts across the city (21 June) |
| July | Berlin Pride (CSD) — large parade through the centre (usually late July) |
| August | Long Night of Museums (usually August) |
| September | Berlin Marathon (usually late September); Lollapalooza Berlin (usually September); Berlin Art Week (usually September) |
| October | Day of German Unity (3 October); Festival of Lights — monuments illuminated with projections (usually early to mid-October) |
| November | Anniversary of the fall of the Wall (9 November); Christmas markets open (usually late November) |
| December | Christmas markets at Charlottenburg Palace, Gendarmenmarkt and Breitscheidplatz (December); New Year's Eve party at the Brandenburg Gate (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January, March and November, and the sights are quietest in January, March and November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Berlin?
The best times to visit Berlin are May to September, when beer gardens, lakes and open-air events make the most of long days; May, June and September balance warmth with fewer crowds than July and August. Winter is cold and grey but brings Christmas markets in December and low prices in January.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Berlin?
Usually in January, March and November. Cold, dark and grey with occasional snow; museums and clubs are the main draw, and hotel prices are low.
+What is the rainiest month in Berlin?
January, with about 10 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Berlin get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 25°C (77°F) and lows of 14°C (57°F).