Season guide · Cologne · Germany
Cologne in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Laurens Lamberty / Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Foundation Corboud, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Settled September, autumn colour, then the carnival season opening on 11 November and the first Christmas markets. Expect highs up to 20°C (68°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F), with about 30 rainy days across September–November. September is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 4°C (39°F) to 20°C (68°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 30
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 20°C (68°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 9 | 12.5 h | 3/5 |
| October | 15°C (59°F) | 7°C (45°F) | 10 | 10.6 h | 3/5 |
| November | 9°C (48°F) | 4°C (39°F) | 11 | 8.8 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 15°C (59°F) against a yearly 15°C (59°F), and 30 of the year's roughly 120 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- October: Cologne Marathon (usually early October)
- November: Carnival season opening at 11:11 on 11 November
- November: Christmas markets open (usually late November)
Good choices for autumn
Museum · Cathedral
Kolumba
The archdiocese's art museum is a building by Peter Zumthor that rises over the ruins of the Gothic church of St.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Innenstadt
EL-DE Haus (NS Documentation Centre)
Allow time for the basement cells, which are the most powerful part of the visit.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Old Town
Farina Fragrance Museum and 4711 House
Eau de Cologne was created here: the Farina house opposite the City Hall has made it since 1709 and offers guided tours of its fragrance museum.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Museum · Innenstadt
Schnütgen Museum
Combine it with the neighbouring Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum of world cultures in the same complex.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral
Begun in 1248 and finished only in 1880, the Gothic cathedral has twin spires of about 157 metres and one of the largest church façades in the world.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Day trips in autumn
- Aachen (About 35–55 minutes by train) — Charlemagne's capital has a cathedral built around his octagonal Palatine Chapel, the first German site on the UNESCO World Heritage list, plus thermal springs and Printen gingerbread.
- Düsseldorf (About 25 minutes by train) — Cologne's rival on the Rhine has the Altstadt's brewpubs serving darker Altbier, the Königsallee shopping boulevard and the MedienHafen's Gehry buildings.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Cologne?
Yes: September is among the best months. Settled September, autumn colour, then the carnival season opening on 11 November and the first Christmas markets.
+What is the weather like in Cologne in autumn?
Highs of up to 20°C (68°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F), with about 30 rainy days over the season.