Best time to visit · Hamburg · Germany
The best time to visit Hamburg
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
The best time to visit Hamburg is May to September, when days are long and mild, beach bars on the Elbe open and the port anniversary and summer festivals take place. December is popular for Christmas markets. Winters are cold, dark and wet but cheap and fine for museums and concerts.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–September
- Shoulder season
- April, October and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 23°C (73°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 4°C (39°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~12 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March
Seasons
Hamburg has a mild, maritime climate: cool, damp and windy winters around freezing, pleasant summers that rarely get very hot, and rain spread throughout the year, often as light drizzle.
March–May
Spring
Cool, changeable weather that warms through May, with the spring DOM funfair, blossom along the Alster and the port anniversary.
June–August
Summer
Mild, long days rarely too hot, with Elbe beach bars, Alster boating and open-air events; showers remain common.
September–November
Autumn
Mild September with the Reeperbahn Festival, then windy, wet weeks with autumn colour and fewer visitors.
December–February
Winter
Cold and dark with drizzle, brightened in December by Christmas markets; low prices in January and February.
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 | 4°C | -1°C | 12 | 8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 5°C | -1°C | 10 | 9.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 9°C | 1°C | 11 | 11.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 14°C | 4°C | 9 | 13.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 18°C | 8°C | 10 | 15.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 21°C | 11°C | 11 | 17 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 23°C | 13°C | 12 | 16.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 23°C | 13°C | 12 | 14.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 19°C | 10°C | 11 | 12.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 14°C | 7°C | 11 | 10.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 8°C | 3°C | 12 | 8.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 5°C | 0°C | 12 | 7.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| March | Spring DOM funfair on the Heiligengeistfeld (usually late March to April) |
| April | Hamburg Marathon (usually April); Spring DOM funfair (usually until late April) |
| May | Hafengeburtstag — port anniversary with ship parades (usually early to mid-May); Cherry blossom fireworks on the Außenalster (usually May) |
| July | Summer DOM funfair (usually late July to August) |
| August | Christopher Street Day pride parade (usually early August); Summer DOM funfair (usually until late August) |
| September | Reeperbahn Festival — club concerts across St. Pauli (usually September) |
| November | Winter DOM funfair (usually November to early December); Christmas markets open (usually late November) |
| December | Christmas market at the Rathausmarkt (usually late November to 23 December); New Year's Eve fireworks over the harbour and Alster |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–March, and the sights are quietest in January–March.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; 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 compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Hamburg?
The best time to visit Hamburg is May to September, when days are long and mild, beach bars on the Elbe open and the port anniversary and summer festivals take place. December is popular for Christmas markets. Winters are cold, dark and wet but cheap and fine for museums and concerts.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Hamburg?
Usually in January–March. Cold, grey and short days, but museums, concerts and cosy cafés are quiet.
+What is the rainiest month in Hamburg?
January, with about 12 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Hamburg get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 23°C (73°F) and lows of 13°C (55°F).