Month guide · Cologne · Germany
Cologne in September
What September is really like in Cologne: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bordeaux, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
September is one of the best months to visit Cologne. Expect average highs of 20°C (68°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 12.5 hours of daylight. Pleasant and settled, good for walking and Rhine trips; trade fairs can push up prices.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 20°C (68°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in September
September is the 4th-warmest month in Cologne: days average 20°C (68°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 30 days. Compared with August (24°C (75°F)), September is cooler; by October highs drop to around 15°C (59°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 07:07
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 19:47
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
Autumn (September–November). Settled September, autumn colour, then the carnival season opening on 11 November and the first Christmas markets.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, September 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 September
September has no major recurring festival in Cologne, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in September
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Gallery · Cathedral
Museum Ludwig
Start with the Pop Art galleries, then look for the Picasso rooms.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Gallery · Old Town
Wallraf-Richartz Museum
The city's oldest museum covers European painting from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century, with the gold-ground altarpieces of the medieval Cologne School, Rubens and Rembrandt, and a strong collection of Impressionists and Post-Impressionists.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
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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
What to pack
For highs near 20°C, lows near 11°C and 9 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September a good time to visit Cologne?
One of the best months to visit Cologne. The other best months are May–August and December. Compare every month.
Cologne in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is September a good time to visit Cologne?
It is one of the best months to visit Cologne. Pleasant and settled, good for walking and Rhine trips; trade fairs can push up prices.
+How warm is Cologne in September?
Average highs are around 20°C (68°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Cologne in September?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.