When is the Best Time to Visit Berlin?

Are you hoping to visit Berlin soon? You might be wondering, when is the best time to visit Berlin? Each season has its advantages and disadvantages, so keep reading to see when is the right time for you.

The best time to go to Berlin is based on many things, and a lot of it comes down to personal preferences for weather, crowds, events, and when you’re able to travel. But also keep in mind that there are lots of things to do in Berlin any time of year.

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Best time to visit Berlin

Some people might argue that there is no bad time to visit Berlin. There are plenty of things to do all year round, and the best time might just be when YOU are able to book that ticket.

But let’s be real.

Berlin weather can be downright miserable at certain times of the year. Given a choice, you might really want to avoid traveling to Berlin during the worst of the winter.

Here’s a look at weather in Berlin for each season, and other factors like events that might influence your decision about when to come to Berlin.

What’s the weather like in Berlin?

The weather in Berlin changes greatly from one season to the next. Remember we’re in the northern part of Europe here, so summers are usually mild, though they can be quite hot at times.

And winters can be rather harsh with cold, gloomy days as the norm. Berlin’s latitude is 52.5N, which falls roughly halfway between Edmonton and Calgary, so it’s a lot farther north than many people realize.

>>Read: Where to Stay in Berlin: First Time Visitors Guide to Berlin Hotels

Berlin weather in summer

Summer in Berlin can be really wonderful. Temperatures range from mild to hot, days are long, and the sun is out almost every day. Locals know this is the short window to enjoy the fantastic weather.

Air conditioning is rare here so sometimes everything seems hotter than it is. Hotels are more likely to have air conditioning than apartments, but always check before booking something if this is important to you.

Even though the average highs are in the 70s, there’s almost always a few weeks when the high is anywhere from 85F to 95F.

Average high and low temperatures in Berlin:
June: 72F/54F
July: 76F/58F
August: 75F/58F

Berlin weather in winter

Winter in Berlin can be long, cold, and gloomy. I always feel like winter starts in November, a solid month or so before the calendar says so.

Temperatures drop, days become shorter, and the sky is more than likely covered in a layer of clouds that seems to stick around for several months.

Berlin in January and February is my least favorite time because it’s cold and gloomy, and there aren’t a lot of things going on.

Despite the averages listed below, there always seems to be at least a week or two when the high is around 20F.

Average high and low temperatures in Berlin:
December: 39F/31F
January: 37F/29F
February: 40F/29F

>>Read: How Many Days in Berlin Do You Need?

Berlin weather in spring

Spring can be all over the place in Berlin. It can feel like winter in May or summer in March, and you enjoy every scrap of sun you can get.

Basically, if you visit Berlin in spring, you need to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures. Check out my Berlin packing list for spring.

Average high and low temperatures in Berlin:
March: 48F/34F
April: 57F/40F
May: 67F/49F

Berlin weather in fall

Just like spring, fall can be warm or cold in Berlin. November will probably feel like winter, but then the Berlin weather in October can sometimes feel like the middle of summer.

If you visit Berlin in autumn, you need to pack layers because you never know how warm or cold it might be. Check out my Berlin packing list for autumn.

September: 67F/51F
October: 57F/44F
November: 46F/37F

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Visiting Berlin in summer

Summer is high season for travel in most of Europe, and Berlin is no exception.

The weather is great, so there’s less chance of getting rained on. This is also when many people, especially from North America and other parts of Europe, have the time to take vacation and travel.

This can mean both good and bad things if you’re considering coming to Berlin in the summer.

Tourist attractions are open and welcoming to visitors, and they usually have longer hours. The city has a lively vibe in the summer that can’t be beat.

Summer is a great time to visit Berlin beer gardens or have a picnic at one of the city’s wonderful parks. It’s also the perfect time for one of Berlin’s rooftop bars with a view.

But things can get crowded in the summer with all those tourists. Everyone else had the same idea about visiting during the warmer months.

You need to bring your patience if you come here in the summer because wait times will be longer to get into attractions and even to take your selfie at Brandenburger Tor or East Side Gallery.

This might be a great time to consider doing some outdoor activities in Berlin, especially ones that get you away from the crowds a bit.

Another thing to keep in mind if you travel to Berlin in summer is whether or not your hotel has air conditioning. Not many places have air conditioning here, though you’ll have better luck with hotels than other establishments.

Since it can get rather hot in the summer, make sure you book a hotel that has air conditioning. And make sure you know what to wear in Berlin in summer.

>>Read: 75 Famous Landmarks in Germany

Events and holidays in Berlin in the summer

Berlin has a great craft beer scene, and every summer it is celebrated with events and specials around the city. This is called Beer Week, and it’s usually in August or September.

That said, there are plenty of other beer-related events in the summer, and the dates change.

Summer in Berlin is also the best time for music lovers. Dozens of concerts and shows take place in the summer, many of which take place outdoors at open air venues.

CSD Pride events take place in the summer, usually June or July. This includes parades, street festivals, a boat party, and many other celebrations.

Berlin’s Long Night of Museums event is in August. This is when around 75 participating museums are open late, usually until 2am, on a specific day with special exhibits, workshops, talks, and more, all on one ticket.

There are so many reasons to visit Berlin in the summer, especially if you can tolerate the crowds.

There are no public holidays in the summer.

Visiting Berlin in winter

Winters can be harsh in Berlin. Not only is it cold, but the days are short – the shortest day of the year is 7 hours 39 minutes.

Berlin in January or February is when it’s most likely to snow, but we don’t get a ton of snow every winter. It can often be rainy in the winter though, which doesn’t make for fun outdoor sightseeing.

Attractions are still open, but many will have shorter opening hours. You also have to be aware of holiday closures around Christmastime if you’re visiting Berlin in December or New Years.

That said, museums and other attractions are still open. Since there will be fewer tourists, it might be great to have smaller crowds at the top Berlin sights you’re visiting. You can even find a few Berlin Christmas markets open after Christmas.

Just make sure your winter Berlin packing list includes some warm clothes, a good winter coat, hat, scarf, and gloves.

Holidays in Berlin in winter

Christmas here is officially December 25 and 26, so expect lots of closures for those two days. Many places will also close on December 24, either completely or earlier than on a non-holiday.

New Year’s Day is also a holiday when many things will be closed. Some places, including restaurants, will close early on New Year’s Eve.

Events in Berlin in winter

From late November until Christmas, the city is in a festive mood. You’ll find dozens and dozens of Christmas markets in Berlin spread out all around the city. If you decide to come in December, check out my suggestions for hotels in Berlin near Christmas markets.

The Botanical Gardens and Tierpark (the zoo in East Berlin) also host special Christmas themed events in the winter.

New Year’s Eve is a big deal in Berlin. Fireworks are shockingly easy to get, and people love to shoot them off all over the city. Be warned.

But there are more official events as well. There’s a huge party between Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column (think Times Square in NYC on New Year’s Eve) complete with a concert and fireworks. Bars and clubs all around the city have special events too.

Typically in January, Berlin Fashion Week is another big event that might attract you to Berlin in winter.

Berlinale, the Berlin International Film Festival, takes place in February. This 10 day event attracts elite members of the film industry as well as the largest audience of any film festival in the world.

Visiting Berlin in spring

Spring can be a great time to come to Berlin. The weather is pleasant, especially in late spring, and there are usually fewer tourists than in the summer.

The days are getting longer, and the city starts coming back to life in the spring. You can’t beat the vibe of a city that’s finally shaking the grip of gloomy winter.

Spring in Berlin is also a great time to visit if you’re interested in seeing cherry blossom trees and other spring blooms such as roses and tulips.

>>Attention history buffs, check out our list of places to see the best World War II and Cold War sites in Berlin.

Holidays in Berlin in the spring

March 8th is International Women’s Day, which is a newly recognized official holiday in Berlin. Grocery stores are closed as well as some other places, but there are also some special events or deals around the city to celebrate.

Easter is in the spring and usually falls in April, but sometimes late March. In Germany, both Good Friday and Easter Monday are holidays, so expect most things to be closed Friday, Sunday, and Monday.

May 1st is Labor Day in Germany, so expect normal public holiday closures. It’s also a big deal in Berlin, with demonstrations happening all around the city. They’re usually peaceful and festive, but sometimes things get a little nutty.

Ascension Day and Whit Monday are two Christian holidays that occur a certain amount of time after Easter, so they usually fall in May, but occasionally Whit Monday will be in June. Again, expect many places to be closed.

Events in Berlin in the spring

Several events take place in spring in Berlin, such as Berlin Design Week and the Performing Arts Festival. It’s also when outdoor music festivals start up again, and at Easter time, there are a few celebrations mostly aimed at kids.

The Berlin half marathon usually takes place in early April. This race attracts locals and international athletes alike.

The Berlin cherry blossoms are in full bloom in spring, and various cherry blossom festivals celebrate this time. In particular, you’ll find one at Gardens of the World and another at the Kirschbaumallee park.

The exact timing for the cherry blossom festivals depends on when the trees bloom, but it’s anywhere from late March to early May.

Ice Cream Week is typically in May. This is when dozens of ice cream shops around the city each develop a unique flavor to be sold at a special price, and it’s a fun, delicious week.

Spring is also asparagus season. This is apparently a magical vegetable, and locals go crazy for it. You’ll see white asparagus everywhere and in every form imaginable and on every restaurant menu.

I never knew a vegetable could be an event until I moved to Germany. If you’re here in spring, this is one of the German foods you should try.

Visiting Berlin in autumn

Similar to spring, Berlin in autumn means milder temperatures and fewer tourists. September and October are especially good months to visit if you’re planning a trip to Berlin in autumn.

October is a wonderful month for seeing fall foliage around the city. If that’s your goal, aim for early to mid October.

November can often feel cold enough to be considered winter in my opinion, but if you’re tolerant of cold weather, it’s a great time to see the attractions without the crowds.

While most attractions will still be running on summer hours in September and October, November is when many places will start posting shorter opening hours. Keep this in mind when planning your trip.

Holidays in Berlin in autumn

October 3rd is German Unification Day, the day that celebrates when East and West Germany became one country again. It’s a national holiday, and lots of places will be closed.

November 9th is the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. While it isn’t an official public holiday, Berlin often has events in various places in the city.

Check out our list of places where you can see the Berlin Wall.

Events in Berlin in autumn

German Unification Day (October 3rd) is celebrated throughout the country. Berlin hosts festivities and celebrations, mainly near Brandenburg Gate.

Oktoberfest is really a Munich thing, but Berlin does like to get in on the celebrations from mid September to early October. There are several different venues that host an Oktoberfest event, but try Alexanderplatz.

The Festival of Lights is a fun event in Berlin in autumn where art installations in the form of light shows are projected onto important buildings and other attractions in Berlin. It takes place in either September or October, and in 2022, the dates are October 7-16.

The Berlin Marathon takes place in late September. It’s one of the most popular races in the world and attracts over 40,000 runners from 120 countries each year.

And since November is technically still autumn, I’ll mention the Christmas markets again here. They typically start in mid to late November.

So when is the best time to go to Berlin?

Speaking strictly from a weather point of view, the best time to visit Berlin is late spring, summer, or early autumn. This is when the weather is warm, and the days are long and sunny.

But if you’re interested in visiting when there are fewer tourists, any time outside of summer is a good time to visit. Winter sees the fewest number of tourists, besides Christmas market season, so come in January or February if you want fewer crowds.

The best time to visit Berlin could simply be a matter of planning your trip around an event that interests you, or planning for seasonal beauty like cherry blossoms or fall foliage.

You’ll find something to enjoy no matter when you decide to go to Berlin.

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this guide to the best time to visit Berlin helps. But there are lots more tips on the site!