Month guide · Cologne · Germany
Cologne in March
What March is really like in Cologne: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
March is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 11°C (52°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 11.7 hours of daylight. Carnival in some years, then a quiet, changeable spring with the first café terraces.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 11°C (52°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 11.7 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in March
March is the 8th-warmest month in Cologne: days average 11°C (52°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with February (7°C (45°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 15°C (59°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 06:46
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 18:37
- Daylight
- About 11.7 hours
Spring (March–May). Mild, changeable weather and blossom along the river, with carnival in some years.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 3 for crowds (the peak is February at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in February). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in March
- Street carnival in years when Easter falls late (early March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in March
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Neighbourhood · Old Town
Old Town and Alter Markt
Look for the Tünnes and Schäl statue near Great St. Martin; rubbing Tünnes's nose is said to bring luck.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
- Photo spot
Religious site · Old Town
Great St. Martin Church
With its massive square crossing tower and four slender turrets, this Romanesque church is the second landmark of the Rhine skyline.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
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Viewpoint · Deutz
KölnTriangle viewing platform
Time your visit for sunset, when the cathedral is lit from the west.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Religious site · Citywide
Romanesque churches walk
Twelve large Romanesque churches ring the old Roman and medieval city.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 11°C, lows near 2°C and 10 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is March a good time to visit Cologne?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–September and December are better overall. Compare every month.
Cologne in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Cologne?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Carnival in some years, then a quiet, changeable spring with the first café terraces.
+How warm is Cologne in March?
Average highs are around 11°C (52°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cologne in March?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.