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Best Time to Go to Berlin

Updated: January 13, 2024

This is a guide to choosing the best time to visit Berlin, based on flights, hotel prices, weather, and events and activities.

We provide a month-to-month comparison, with suggestions of the best events to attend on the month you plan to be here. Let’s get started! 


THE QUICK ANSWER

The best time to visit Berlin depends on what “best” means to you.

If by best you mean the cheapest times to visit, then that's much easier to answer.

Come just about anytime between January and March.

If your definition of best mostly concerns the weather, then that's also an easy answer.

You should visit between May-June or between September-November.

panorama brandenburg gate berlin
Panorama Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, at night

If your definition of best focuses on activities, then really any month works.

There are enough museums and other indoor attractions to keep a visitor busy for weeks.

Berlin is a vibrant international city and one that attracts some of the most important events in film, music, fashion, and technology.

It also shows its spirit in the events it holds around various holidays and festivals, including Oktoberfest, and Christmas Markets. 

For a list of activities, by month, visit here.


Before we continue, check out what some of the members of our Berlin Travel Tips Facebook Group recommend as the best time of the year to visit.

Our group has over 14k members, consisting of previous visitors, locals, and those planning their first trip.

Click the image to join the conversation.


Cheapest Time of Year

If you want short lines and cheaper hotel and flight rates, and you don’t mind cold weather, then January, February, March, and November are the cheapest months to visit Berlin.

This is the low season when the weather is really nothing to brag about.

There won’t be as many tourists so prices on flights and hotels will be lower.

In-between pricing comes during the shoulder season. 

These months are April through mid-June and September up until Oktoberfest

The weather is a bit hit-or-miss but the crowds are definitely smaller.

There’s plenty to see and do and average prices are lower than they are during the high season of travel, although not the cheapest.

Hotels can be on the expensive side, especially near big conventions that are taking place, which occur often in the shoulder months.

If you want to take part in outdoor activities like food and music festivals or boat cruises, and money is not the greatest of concerns, mid-June through August is your best bet.

These are the most popular months for tourists and locals looking to enjoy the warm weather and all of the entertainment that the city has to offer. 

Prices will be highest though, as everyone crowds flights and accommodations.

The same is true for the time period just before Oktoberfest, between late September and early October, and also late December because of Christmas.


Cheapest Hotel Prices

On average, nightly stays in Berlin in 2024 cost around $114 (£93) per night.

But, this isn't a particularly helpful number since it depends on the time of year.

The best months in which to find hotel deals are January, July, August, and November. Even December has some good deals before the Christmas rush.

Hotels.com: $99 or Less

Prices for hotels will run from $72-$99 (£59-£81) a night on average during those months.

Mid-range pricing can be found in the months of February, March, May, and October.

Pricing runs between $106-$124 (£65-£101) a night on average. 

The most expensive months are found in the months of June, September, and April - and again around Christmas

You’ll be looking at around $141-$184 (£115-£150)

If you plan to use the U-Bahn, you’ll have more options and can stay away from the city center. 

You can utilize sites such as Booking.com and TripAdvisor and filter the reviews for the lowest price first.


Cheapest Flight to Berlin

Airfare cost is one of the top deciding factors for many of us when planning a trip.

So, using a tool like Google Flights is a great way to see the best times to save money flying to Berlin.

Prices tend to follow the weather, so the higher the temperature, the higher the ticket cost.

However, flights to Berlin are fairly consistent all year, except in the summer months of June, July, and August.

Holidays will also play a factor in increased airline ticket prices.

Here are a few tips when booking tickets:

  • Utilize search engines to compare prices between airlines, such as Booking.com and Cheapair.com.
  • Sign up for airline loyalty programs to get frequent flier points.
  • Plan to visit after a holiday.
  • Fly during off-peak hours, such as a red-eye flight.

BEST TIME TO VISIT BERLIN WEATHER WISE

Berlin runs the gamut between warm and comfortable to freezing and rainy.  

If you’re looking for temperatures between 18°C (65°F) and 27°C (80°F), that have little rain or humidity, then the best times to visit Berlin weatherwise are the roughly 2-month periods of May and June as well as September and October.

Average-Temperatures-in-Berlin-in-June-1024x360

It's during these 2 periods that the weather (both day and night) is stable and warm.

While July and August can be humid at times, humidity is usually low, under 50%. It can be quite warm during the day.

If you come from a hot and humid climate though, such as Florida or Queensland, then you should easily acclimate yourself.

Hotels.com: $99 or Less

As it’s important to know what the weather will be during your trip so you pack appropriate clothing, below is a breakdown of the temperature and weather conditions during each season.

After you read this section, check out our section on things to do by month.


Weather Overview by Seasons

Winter (December-February)

Snow is most likely in December and January, with it tapering off throughout February.

Note that snow has tended to run to an inch or less of snow, so warm clothes and boots are really all that’s needed.

This time of the year tends to be overcast. There’s about a 73% chance of it being overcast in December, decreasing a bit to 67% in January, and 62% in February. 

There’s also a chance of rain over many days. This is the coldest time of year as well. 

Early December can be relatively mild but can be quite cold as well.

average temperatures in berlin in december

The temps can run anywhere from 0.9 C to 4.1 C (low to high 30s), and in the evenings it can even fall to around -9 C (16 F).

Daily afternoon high temperatures in January and February will be mostly around 3-5 C (in the upper 30’s F to near 40 F), with evening and morning low temperatures around -2 to -3 C (the mid to upper 20’s F).


Spring (March-May)

There’s a small chance of snow in March, and over April and May odds are low you will see any snowfall at all.

Rain usually makes an appearance.

Berlin gets rain across the entire year though and April is actually the city’s least wet month; it averages just over 5 days with small amounts of precipitation. 

Afternoon temperatures early in March will most likely be in the about 7 C (mid-40s F).

And afternoons near the end of the month are more likely to see 12-13 C (mid-50s F) and sometimes even 15-17C (low to mid 60s F).

Afternoon temperatures early in April run around 12-13C (mid-50s F), with temperatures at the end of the month a more pleasant 17-19C (mid-60s F).

Weather Calendar Berlin April

Afternoon temperatures in May run around 18-20C (the mid-60s), and those at the end of the month will usually reach 21-23C (lower 70s F) with a few days possibly reaching up to 26-28C (into the lower 80s F).


Summer (June-August)

Throughout the summer months, you have about a 25% chance of rainfall.

In fact, July is the wettest month of the year, with an average of over 9 days of precipitation and an average rainfall of almost 2 inches. 

There’s also a slightly higher chance for humidity, although it’s more likely to be comfortable than oppressive over these months.

In June, afternoons tend to average around 24-25C (mid-70s), with a few days reaching 29C (mid-80s F) or more.

In July, daytime highs tend to be around 21-23 C (70-73 F), warming to 23-25 C (74-77 F) by month’s end.

In August afternoon high temperatures tend to be near 25-26 C (77-79 F) early in the month, falling to 22-23 C (72-74 F) by the end of the month.


Autumn (September-November)

September starts out warm and comfortable but by November you can expect to start seeing snow.

You can expect about 17 days of rain in September although only six of those days even get 1mm (0.04 inches) of precipitation.

It’s a bit cloudier in October but rainfall often remains small. There’s a light to moderate chance of rain in December, with a 20% chance of snow by the end of the month.

average temperatures in berlin in september

In September, afternoon high temperatures tend to be near 20-22 C (68-71 F) but cool down to 17-18 C (63-66 F) near the end of this month.

Mornings and evenings can dip down 5 C (41 F).

In October daytime high temperatures will tend to be around 15-17 C (59-63 F) early in the month, falling to 11-12 C (51-54 F) near the end.

Average October Berlin Temps

Late night and early morning lows should average around 7-9 C (45-48 F) early in the month but are more likely to be near 4.5 C (39-41 F) near the end of the month. 

In November, early in the month, the afternoon high temperatures are mostly 10-11 C (lower 50s F).

As the month progresses daytime highs will more likely be 6-7 C (in the low to mid-40s F).

Average Temps in Berlin in November

Overnight and early morning lows are 5-6 C (in the lower 40s F) while the end of the month will see lows of 1-2 C (in the mid-30s F) with a few days even falling to -3 to -4 C (mid-20s F). 


Monthly Weather Reports


BEST MONTHS TO VISIT BERLIN

Best Months for Indoor Activities and Museum Visiting

Berlin museums are open year-round for visitors to enjoy and are an excellent option when the weather is cold or rainy, or when you need to beat the heat for an afternoon.

No matter when you visit, consider purchasing a museum ticket or a discount card.

Depending on the card you buy, it can provide discounts on not just museums, sights, attractions, restaurants, and bars, but also public transportation. 

Some museums that may be included are:

If the skies are clear, consider going to the top of the Berlin TV Tower, Kollhoff-Tower, or Panoramapunkt Berlin Observation Deck for impressive views of the city.

These viewing spots tend to be most popular in the summer, so travelers coming outside of those months will enjoy shorter lines and fewer crowds.


Best Months for Theater, Live Music, and Comedy

While you can see great theater, live music, or comedy anytime in Berlin, December offers seasonal holiday shows, some of which you can see below here.

Theater des Westens, Berlin, Germany
Photo by A.Savin

Other shows can be found year-round at: 

The English Theatre Berlin: Plays, comedy shows, and festival events take place here. Performances are in English as a “bridge between cultures, countries, and traditions”. 

Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin: The stunning ARISE Grand Show takes place here, with hundreds of musicians, dancers and other artists, all in gorgeous costumes, taking to the stage.

Charlottenburg Palace: The Berlin Residence Orchestra plays classical music, and a 3-course candlelight dinner is served. The event is popular and booked out weeks in advance.

Showbühne Berlin: Berlin has a thriving Burlesque community with dozens of shows and even a Burlesque Festival in October. Showbühne puts on a fun show of burlesque, cabaret, and acrobatics. Food can be purchased on-site as well.

Wintergarten Variete: shows with acrobats, music, dance and even comedy take place here, something that’s been done in some form or another since 1887!  


HIGHLIGHTS OF EACH MONTH

January

January is one of Berlin’s coldest months, but it’s also a good time to visit if you’re looking for less expensive flights, hotels, and activities. 

This is a good time to explore one of the dozens of museums in Berlin.

Or you might take in some theater, something like ARISE Grand Show, an incredible (dialog-free) show of music and dance and extravagant costumes.

If you’re willing to brave the cold, some Christmas markets are still open, and early in the month, the night sky is lit up when the Christmas Garden takes place at Berlin’s Botanical Garden.

Berlin Fashion week happens over four days in the middle of January. 

And Days of Dance, a contemporary dance festival, comes to town.


February

February is quite cold, with an average temp around 4° C (40°F) and a chance of rain and snow.

You can still get some deals when it comes to flighting and hotels.

This is the month of the Berlin Film Festival, one of the largest film festivals in the world and one of the big three (along with Venice and Cannes).  

The Berlin Independent Film Festival, a separate festival, screens low-budget indie films, hosting various events around them, and awarding multiple jury prizes.

The Berlin Wine Fair also returns to Berlin, with over 4000 wines for tasting.

The Transmediale Festival for art and digital culture takes place over five days in February, with exhibitions, discussions, and shows taking place at venues throughout the city.

The Tanzolymp International Dance Festival brings in dance artists from around the world for competitions, classes, and workshops. 


March

March in Berlin tends to be somewhat cold, however, temperatures do start to warm and the weather dries out a bit near the month’s end.

Berlin has several Irish pubs, making it the perfect spot to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

If you’re looking for a great place to grab a drink, check out this list of Irish pubs in Berlin.

Alternatively, you could also go on a pub crawl to discover some of the best bars in the city.

St. Patrick's Day Festival 2017
Photo by Garry Knight

The MearzMusik Festival takes place over ten days, bringing together some greats in the contemporary music scene.

Berlin Fashion week has the first of its two events in Berlin each year, bringing fashion shows, international designers, expert talks, and more to the city.


April

April in Berlin offers changeable spring weather and tends to be cool and sometimes wet.

More visitors are starting to come to the city, meaning the deals of the cold months are a bit harder to find.

One of the city’s most popular events is the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Japan sent over 9,000 trees to Berlin, and there are over 50 locations throughout the city in which to enjoy them.

There are also Easter markets open at Alexanderplatz and Kurfürstendamm.

The Berlin State Opera puts on a festival each year, bringing some of the best artists in the world of opera to Berlin.

On the 30th of the month is Walpurgic Night, with music, bonfires, costumes, and special events taking place at various locations throughout the city, all of it ringing in the month of May.


May

May can be very pleasant with generally mild spring-like weather prevailing. 

The Formula E Championship comes to Tempelhof Airport. 

The 3-day Punk and Disorderly music festival comes to the city, with local and internationally-touring bands participating.

International Museum Day takes place, with over 37,000 museums in 158 countries and territories putting on special events and activities.

The Carnival of Cultures (Karneval der Kulturen), a four-day street festival, brings music and theater performances to the city, allowing the many diverse folks living in Berlin to showcase the best of their cultures.


June

Berlin in June is pleasantly warm but can be a bit on the wet side.

The average temp is around 75° F (23°C) although humidity may make it feel warmer. Tourism definitely picks up and hotels and flights are more expensive.

Fete de la Musique, an open-air music festival, brings musicians to the streets of the city to play live music for free.

21.06.2016, berlin, germany.
Photo by iZilla at flickR from Berlin, Germany

The Berlin Volksfestsommer has for 60 years brought rides, games, and fireworks to town in June. There are also German and French delicacies on offer.

The Long Night of the Sciences sees lectures and libraries open to the public, and experiments guests can take part in, all with the goal of bringing the truth about science to the general public.


July

July is Berlin’s warmest month, with average temperatures around 75° F (23°C) although humidity makes it feel warmer.

You can also expect rain over at least half of the days. Even so, it’s one of the more expensive times to visit the city.

German Fashion Week returns to Berlin for its second annual event.

The Classic Open Air festival comes to Genermenmarkt. The buildings in the square are used as a backdrop to performances of many genres of music and often include light shows.

The Lesbian and Gay City Festival takes place around Nollendorfplatz square. The two-day event usually occurs the week before Gay Pride and is the largest LFBT street festival in Europe. 

Botanical Night sees illuminated paths (around 10 miles worth) and themed areas in Botanical Gardens in Berlin-Dahlen.

In addition to light installations, there’s also music, food, and guided tours.


August

August in Berlin is an excellent time to explore the city as the weather is relatively dry and temperatures are quite pleasant.  

Over 100,000 people take part in this 60-year-old German American Folk Festival. It brings American-style food, drink, music, and family entertainment to Berlin.

The 3-day Pop-Kultur Festival arrives at the KulturBrauerei with concerts, films, lectures, installations, and exhibits, all celebrating diversity in pop culture.

In August over 70 museums open their doors to guests for free for the Long Night of Museums. There are talks, workshops, concerts, and special tours along with special exhibition tours.


September

September in Berlin is more comfortable than it was in July and August due to a drop in temperature and humidity.

This is Berlin’s most comfortable month, with less rain, warm days, and cool mornings and evenings. Prices start to rise in the leadup to Oktoberfest.

Almost 50,000 people attend International Stadium Festival events each year in Berlin and have been since 1937. 

This one-day celebration brings hundreds of world-class athletes together in competition at Berlin Olympic Stadium.

Oktoberfest begins in late September, starting two weeks of beer consumption and celebration.

Millions of people arrive to participate in such fun as dancing and amusement park rides, parades and music, games, and costume-wearing.

Oktoberfest, Pützchens Markt 2019; Bayernzelt
Photo by Axel Kirch

The now annual Berlin Art Week celebrates art through panel discussions, receptions, and installations.

Artists, International experts from the art world, museums, and more join in the celebration of contemporary art.

Berlin Beer Week is a ten-day celebration of German beer, taking place at multiple venues across the city.

There are tastings and food pairings,  pub crawls, karaoke, and more, all in celebration of German craft beer.


October

October sees a big shift in the weather, with it cooling significantly and less chance of rain. 

Oktoberfest continues into the first week of the month.

The national holiday known as the Day of Unity takes place in commemoration of a reunified Berlin.

A three-day festival brings live music, poetry, comedy, and more, in addition to food, and drink to Platz der Republik. 

St. Martin’s Day is a celebration of Catholic Saints and one especially popular with children.

There are lantern processionals, bonfires, and singing at various locations, and some restaurants serve a traditional meal of roasted goose with red cabbage, kale, dumplings, and gravy.

Halloween isn’t a German holiday, but there are many activities to be found in Berlin, including a Halloween Run, a Zombie Walk flash mob, and a Horror Night Film Festival.

There is also a two-day party at Kulturbrauerei, various pub crawls, and costume parties around the city.

Berlin’s landmarks, buildings, and monuments are illuminated during Berlin’s popular annual Festival of Lights.

Local and international artists showcase their light work around Berlin over nine evenings, bringing millions of tourists into the city.


November

November finds the temperatures tending towards cold with frequent periods of rain and some risk for snow.

Since 1964 the award-winning Berlin Jazz Fest has brought the best of jazz music to Berlin.

Jazz musicians from around the world arrive to perform before sold-out crowds at multiple venues. 

Christmas Garden Berlin begins in November, with the installation of millions of lights in Berlin’s massive Botanical Gardens.

Guests can follow a map or take a 90-minute tour. Traditional food and drink are on offer as well.

The International Short Film Festival brings films and filmmakers from around the world to the city.

In addition to the showing of films, usually presented with English subtitles, there are discussions and a jury prize.

Berlin is well known for its Christmas Markets. This is a ca n’t-miss, and there are over 80 different markets to visit.

They come in all different sizes and run from the end of November through December.   


December

Here comes the snow! Berlin is cold this month, with a high chance of snow and rain.

You’ll definitely want your winter attire as temps can fall to the low 30°s F (-1°C). 

Christmas Markets continue throughout the month, as does the light installation at Berlin’s Botanical Gardens.

Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin
Photo by Clouha

Adults and children can go ice skating around the Neptune fountain or ride the 50-meter Ferris wheel at the Berliner Weihnachtszeit.

For almost 20 years the Roncalli Circus has come to Berlin with a Christmas Show at Tempodrom.

Circus artists, clowns, jugglers, and even robots put on a show that delights children and adults alike. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Kelly Family of singers throws a Christmas party at Mercedes-Benz Area. Tickets can be purchased here.

There are a few New Year’s celebrations that can match Berlin.

Clubs stay open for days, millions of residents and visitors fill the streets after an evening of eating and drinking, and amateur and professional fireworks fill the skies at the end of the evening. 

About The Author

Anne Wittig

Anne was born in East Berlin and came of age in the unified city. She has an intimate relationship with her city of birth and still calls Berlin home. For the past 10 years, she has managed and written Free Tours by Foot's Berlin blog, detailing the best places to go, where to stay, and what to do in her hometown. This blog has been featured on Berlin's official website, mainstream press like Berlingske, and local blogs like Berlinforallthefamily.com. Over 14,000 visitors to Berlin have taken a tour from Free Tours by Foot.
Updated: January 13th, 2024
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