Berlin, one of the most visited cities in Europe, is well-known for its vibrant art and nightlife scenes in addition to its impressive museums and poignant WWII sites. Millions of tourists visit Germany’s hip capital every year to take in its famous sites and lively cultural scene.
Even though Berlin is a very multicultural city with a lot of fascinating and novel things happening all the time, the winter months are undoubtedly chilly, dismal, and gray. Since the weather is at its warmest and you can spend more time outside seeing the city, most tourists choose to travel between May and September.
Let’s take a peek at Berlin living month by month to help you plan your vacation. Then, depending on your spending limit, the weather, and the activities taking place, you may choose when to attend.
How is the weather in Berlin right now?
Berlin experiences bright, sunny summers and chilly, gloomy winters due to its maritime climate. Temperatures frequently drop below freezing during the months of December through February, and snowflakes occasionally fall but rarely remain for very long.
The days become longer and the temperature gets warmer starting in the spring. June has the highest daylight of the year, with up to 17 hours for walking. Average temperatures of 23 or 24°C (73 to 75°F) are ideal for riding bicycles across the city and unwinding in its parks once summer arrives. In July and August, heat waves are becoming more frequent.
Even if there is less daylight and sunshine in the fall, the pleasant temperature makes it still pleasant to be outside. However, because Berlin is a windy city, you’ll want to bring a jacket. Even though there are 12 to 16 days with at least some rainfall per month, the precipitation total is often not very high.
Best Months to Visit Berlin
Generally speaking, May through September is the ideal time of year to visit Berlin. Even if costs are higher and there are a lot more people there, the longer, brighter days are perfect for seeing the city’s numerous landmarks or relaxing in the garden. With a variety of outdoor festivals and events happening, the city has a really vibrant vibe.
Despite the lower temperatures, October and December are nonetheless quite popular travel months. While autumn offers breathtaking fall foliage and is much more reasonably priced, Oktoberfest winter offers charming Christmas markets for you to explore.
April and November also see a good number of visitors, although whatever bargains you discover may be somewhat spoiled by their erratic weather.
January in Berlin
January is one of the least popular months to visit Berlin since it is the coldest and greyest time of year. Fortunately, some Christmas markets and holiday lights remain open for the first week, adding much-needed joy to the otherwise gloomy and dreary days. The average temperature is 2°C (35°F), so now is an excellent time to enjoy gluhwein while ice skating or relaxing in a sauna.
If you don’t mind staying warm, hotels and flights are significantly less expensive. However, the wind, precipitation, and cloudy sky certainly make you want to stay indoors and visit some of its top-notch museums for longer time. Its Days of Dance event has some amazing acts as well.
February in Berlin
Although the days are a little longer and dryer in February, the mood is still depressing. There are no crowds or lines at any of its sites or museums, and the prices are still low. There are also thrilling occasions like the Berlinale, which is one of the most prominent film festivals in the world. The Berliner Philharmoniker also hosts many excellent concerts of classical music.
The chilly weather is still not ideal for seeing the Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Wall, even though the sun does begin to peek out from behind the clouds a little more regularly. Charlottenburg Palace is certainly worth a visit, but Museum Island offers much to see and do. It can be enchanted to stroll around its lovely parks if it snows.
March in Berlin
March sees a significant increase in the number of residents going outside to enjoy Berlin’s parks and green areas as spring arrives and the temperature rises (just a little, mind you!). However, because all of the trees, bushes, flowers, and plants are only starting to bud, everything still appears quite sparse. It’s not a bad month to hunt for bargains because there are still a lot of tourists.
There is plenty of time to see important locations like the Reichstag and Holocaust Memorial because there are twelve hours of daylight each day. March doesn’t see a lot of rain, but you’ll still need to pack layers.
Additionally, there are many performances at the Berlin State Opera and the MaerzMusik Festival. Also held is ITB, the biggest tourism convention in the world.
April in Berlin
Even though April’s weather in Berlin is erratic, more people travel there, particularly around the Easter break. Although there is a chance of hail, snow, or hot periods, temperatures can reach 13°C (55°F)! As spring has arrived and the weather is often more pleasant, don’t miss the Gardens of the World’s stunning Cherry Blossom Festival.
While the thrilling rides, rollercoasters, and carnival games of the Spring Festival may be experienced at Kurt-Schumacher-Damm, Easter markets are also hosted in Alexanderplatz. Even though it is still the off-peak season, flights and lodging are a little more costly due to the increase in travelers. Before it gets too crowded, this is a great month to ride a bike or take a riverboat excursion.
May in Berlin
Things in Berlin really start to improve in May. The weather is ideal for sightseeing and sitting at biergartens, with typical temperatures of 19°C (66°F), seven hours of sunlight each day, and sixteen hours of daylight. The city has a beautiful, lively vibe with everyone outside taking advantage of the nice weather, and it’s a little quieter and less expensive than in the summer.
In addition to riding a bike around Tempelhofer Feld and touring its amazing zoo, you can stroll along the Spree River and visit the East Side Gallery. There are also vibrant street parades, live music, and dance performances like MyFest and the Kreuzberg Carnival of Cultures. It’s worthwhile to make day visits to cities like Leipzig and Potsdam before they are also inundated with visitors.
June in Berlin
June is the wettest month of the year, while having the longest, sunniest days. However, it shouldn’t deter you from taking advantage of its outdoor attractions. Its lakes, beaches, and Wannsee on the western suburbs are popular places for swimmers. Berlin has a really summery atmosphere, despite the fact that costs are higher and there are bigger crowds in the center.
In addition to the free performances during Fete de la Musique, the well-liked Mauerpark holds Sunday flea markets, food trucks, and entertaining street entertainers. The Kurt-Schumacher-Damm fairgrounds provide more than fifty rides and attractions during its Volksfestsommer. It’s an excellent month to come because of the average temperature of 22°C (71°F) and the eight hours of sunlight each day.
July in Berlin
The warmest month of the year in Berlin is July, which is a few degrees higher. Recent heat waves have occasionally caused temperatures to soar into the upper 30s (95–100°F). The majority of eateries, motels, and tourist destinations are overcrowded with travelers and have higher lodging rates. In the summer, it’s especially nice to take a bath in its lakes and have a barbecue in its parks.
With so many fascinating events happening all across the capital, Berlin is a hive of activity. In addition to Fashion Week, Gendarmenmarkt and Wassermusik host outdoor music. July is undoubtedly one of the busiest months in Berlin because of the numerous street parades and celebrations of Pride and Christopher Street Day.
August in Berlin
Despite the fact that August is even more popular than July, lodging costs are actually lower, but airfares are still costly. The weather is generally pleasant, but a little hot and muggy, even though it rains for at least 14 days on average. You may walk and swim in some of the lakes and woods that surround Berlin in addition to unwinding in biergartens or enjoying leisurely river cruises.
Visitors interested in culture may visit the Pergamon or Charlottenburg Palace during its Long Night of Museums, while concertgoers will want to check out Musikfest’s crowded itinerary. Additionally, more than 100 DJ sets and performances are presented at the Pop-Kultur Festival. However, because so many people visit the city’s major historic sites and museums over the summer, they will be quite congested.
September in Berlin
Even though the summer vacation is gone and the children are returning to school, the lines and crowds persist until September. Even if the days are a little shorter, the capital is maybe even more lovely to explore with average temperatures of about 19°C (66°F). Additionally, there is less rain and humidity, which makes it perfect for strolling in Tempelhofer Feld and Tiergarten.
Because there are so many events in September, hotel rates increase even if airfares are significantly less expensive. There is Beer Week and the Marathon to visit in addition to Berlin Art Week and all of its fascinating exhibitions. The two-week-long Oktoberfest at Alexanderplatz also offers traditional games, music, cuisine, and carnival attractions. Every time you come, you may go partying at Berghain and Tresor, since the city is well known for its vibrant nightlife.
October in Berlin
Although there are still many visitors, October is a little more sedate. The average temperature is just 13°C (55°F), which makes seeing all of the city’s parks and historical sites a little less enjoyable even if the days are often dry. The city’s skies are frequently overcast, with only four hours of sunshine every day, despite the breathtaking October foliage.
Prices for hotels and flights drop significantly after Oktoberfest. At Food Week, you may sample a ton of delicious foods in addition to helping the smaller crowds. While the weather is still pleasant, day visits to Leipzig and Potsdam are also worthwhile. Finally, several of Berlin’s most recognizable sites are exquisitely illuminated by its Festival Lights.
November in Berlin
Both the cost and the number of visitors continue to decline as the days become gloomier and the temperature drops. The city’s historic attractions and museums are considerably less crowded during the nine hours of daylight that are available for exploration. However, you’ll likely want to spend more time indoors because roaming around is less enjoyable due to average temperatures of 7°C (44°F), wind, and rain.
However, fantastic events like JazzFest and the Berlin State Opera’s series of Barocktage performances brighten the gloomy, chilly month. Additionally, thousands of dazzling lights are hung around the Tierpark and Botanical Garden halfway through November. Numerous Christmas markets thereafter begin to appear in the city’s squares. The carnival rides, booths, and seasonal fare at Family Wonderland only heighten the joyous atmosphere.
December in Berlin
Even if the weather is worse in December, the markets, lights, and decorations all help to make up for the chilly nights, which frequently go below freezing. You’ll have a great time exploring its charming winter markets if you dress warmly and have a few glasses of gluhwein. These are located, among other places, at Potsdamer Platz, Gendarmenmarkt, and Alexanderplatz.
Both accommodation rates and crowds rise as a result of the large number of visitors for the Christmas markets and New Year’s. In addition to browsing their booths and sampling local cuisine, you may ice skate or take in the breathtaking views from the Ferris wheel. Between Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column, up to a million people gather for Silvester Berlin, the biggest New Year’s Eve celebration in the world.
