An all-season guide to the best time to visit Berlin

A rebellious city that refuses to play by the rules, it’s hard to pick the best time to visit Berlin. One month, you’re sipping mulled wine at a Christmas market by Charlottenburg Palace, and the next, you’re dancing at an open-air party along the Spree River. From biking through golden autumn parks to late-night lakeside dancing at Müggelsee in the summer, Berlin is full of reasons to visit any time of year. This month-by-month guide to Berlin breaks down what each season has in store to inspire the ultimate trip.

Choosing the best time to go to Berlin

Best time for outdoor lovers

If you love the outdoors, the best time to visit Berlin is any time between April and September. Visit in winter only if you have room for a thick coat in your luggage.

Best time for people on a budget

Berlin is the cheapest in the winter but brings an average of two hours of sunshine daily. Choose the spring or autumn instead and skimp on costs elsewhere.

Best time for sightseeing

Head to Berlin in May or June if you want fewer crowds and gorgeous weather. Visit the city during September or October to catch the tail end of the summer season and its many festivities.

Berlin throughout the seasons

Spring in Berlin

March to May

Spring in Berlin brings the first hints of warmth, transforming parks and riversides as flowers bloom and the city begins to feel alive. Celebrate the season’s rebirth with Walpurgis Night, an ancient pagan tradition featuring bonfires and “Tanz in den Mai” (Dance into May) celebrations.

Summer in Berlin

June to August

With long, warm days, summer in Berlin is ideal for open-air movie screenings and lakeside hangouts at Müggelsee. The Christopher Street Day Parade transforms Berlin Mitte into a massive celebration of LGBTQ+ pride. Spend a relaxed afternoon in the parks of Kreuzkölln and along the Spree River, where locals swim and sunbathe.

Fall in Berlin

September to November

Fall in Berlin blends mild days with a touch of crispness, setting the stage for Unity Day on October 3, marking Germany’s reunification. For Berlin — a city divided until 1990 — this public holiday is a big deal, with street marches, live music concerts, and events across iconic spots like Brandenburg Gate.

Winter in Berlin

December to February

Berlin in winter is chilly but full of life, especially on New Year’s Eve, when the city’s major districts like Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, and Neukölln see street parties and fireworks. Clubs like Tresor host legendary events, while open squares fill with revelers ringing in the new year.

January in Berlin

Strike up a sweet bargain and absorb the snowy Berlin landscape in January. Fashion houses from around the world take over the city at Berlin Fashion Week. Take advantage of the low temperatures and wind chill to visit the Teufelsberg, a long-abandoned US listening station. Warm up after with hearty German comfort food like bratwurst, schnitzel, and a glass of hot apple juice brewed with cinnamon, cloves, and citruses — a must at Berlin’s remaining winter markets, such as the Kulturbrauerei.

Weather

The average temperature is 34 F (1 C). Typically cold with gray skies and occasional snow.

February in Berlin

The Berlinale transforms the city into a meeting point for film directors, creatives, and celebrities. Catch a screening at the Kino International, a Socialist Modernist cinema with a slick interior. February is also the time for Fasching, Germany’s pre-Lenten carnival, where it’s common to see people dressed up as witches, jesters, and straw bears. If you’re up for it, take a night walk around Museum Island, beautifully lit in winter, or warm up in one of Berlin’s renowned art museums.

Weather

The average temperature is 36 F (2 C). Cold, with occasional snowfall.

March in Berlin

As winter fades, Berliners eagerly await the arrival of spring. In March, you can see hints of greenery and perhaps early cherry blossoms in parks like Tiergarten. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade also happens this month, with people donning green and pubs packed full of Irish spirit. While still brisk, March is a great time to curl up in cozy cafes and sample Berlin’s evolving specialty coffee scene. Don’t miss the Spring Festival, from late March to May, with fairground rides, markets in Alexanderplatz, and even jousting.

Weather

The average temperature is 41 F(5 C). It’s chilly but getting warmer, with some rain.

April in Berlin

April in Berlin sees the arrival of cherry blossoms, especially at the Tree Blossom Festival in Britz and along the stunning Cherry Blossom Avenue at TV-Asahi-Kirschblütenallee. Enjoy the Easter markets if you’re around early in the month. April also marks the start of Berlin’s famous open-air markets, like the flea market at Mauerpark, where you can thrift, eat, and people-watch. Join the Walpurgis Night party with readings of witchcraft and wizardry — don’t forget to leave bread spread with butter and honey for the phantom hounds.

Weather

The average temperature is 48 F (9 C). Occasional rain with some sunshine starting to peek through.

May in Berlin

May Day kicks off the month, and Berlin’s Labor Day celebrations in Kreuzberg bring music, dancing, and a bit of chaos. It’s a great time to see the city’s more rebellious spirit, but there are also family-friendly festivals. May is the peak of spring, with blooming gardens, bike rides along the Spree River, and outdoor dining starting up again. The Carnival of Cultures is a must if you’re here — an explosion of music from Brazil to China, mind-bending acrobatics, and dance.

Weather

The average temperature is 57 F (14 C). Mild and mostly sunny, with some rain possible.

June in Berlin

June is a lively month in Berlin. It begins with the Fête de la Musique, an all-city music festival where every street corner might become a stage. The open-air movie season begins with screenings in parks and rooftops across the city — the screen at Potsdamer Platz has a cityscape backdrop. Don’t miss Berlin Pride Week, a city-wide celebration of LGBTQ+ culture culminating in the colorful Christopher Street Day parade.

Weather

The average temperature is 64 F (18 C). Warm and sunny, with some cooler evenings.

July in Berlin

Locals make the most of July in Berlin with simple activities, such as flying a kite in Tempelhofer Feld. They also hit the lakes — Wannsee and Müggelsee are local favorites, where you can swim, sunbathe, or paddle. Classic Open Air at Gendarmenmarkt offers concerts on warm summer nights, under the stars, and with fireworks in one of the city’s most beautiful squares. Once a year, Berlin’s Botanical Garden invites the public to Botanical Night to enjoy the tropical plants and flora post-sunset.

Weather

The average temperature is 68 F (20 C). Warm and mostly sunny.

August in Berlin

In August, everyone flocks to the outdoor spaces in Berlin. While there is plenty to do at the city’s numerous lakes, indoors can be fun too — the Long Night of Museums lets you explore 70+ museums into the early hours. Yes, there is also another beer festival. The International Beer Festival runs the length of Karl-Marx-Allee on the first weekend of August, featuring brews from all over the world. Sunsets over the Spree River are a must, whether you’re on a boat cruise or just picnicking along the banks.

Weather

The average temperature is 70 F (21 C). Warm and sunny, with occasional thunderstorms.

September in Berlin

September in Berlin still sees warm days but without the summer crowds. The best art galleries across the city open their doors for Berlin Art Week, and of course, beer gardens are still buzzing. September is a paradise for craft beer lovers, with Berlin Beer Week running in the first week. Go beyond the typical Berliner Weisse and join tastings and brewery tours across town. And if you still haven't collected enough steins, Oktoberfest celebrations begin as the month comes to an end. Even in Berlin, beer tents and Bavarian food pop up everywhere.

Weather

The average temperature is 63 F (17 C). Pleasantly mild, with crisp mornings and less rain.

October in Berlin

The changing leaves in October make it a beautiful time to explore Berlin’s parks and trails, like Treptower Park or Grunewald Forest, for a colorful fall show. Berlin is also famous for the Festival of Lights, where landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate, TV Tower, and Berlin Cathedral are illuminated with creative light displays. There’s also German Unity Day on October 3, celebrated with events around Brandenburg Gate. Get into the Halloween spirit at Berlin Dungeon, which is especially popular with families.

Weather

The average temperature is 52 F (11 C). Cool and crisp, with a fair amount of rain. Think knitted sweater weather.

November in Berlin

The scent of roasting chestnuts fills the air as festive markets begin to pop up in November, mixing with the soulful sounds of JazzFest Berlin’s soulful performances. Talks and exhibits at Berlin Science Week also take over the city, sparking curiosity indoors on chilly days. Warm up with a bowl of German mac and cheese, then duck into a candle-lit bar for a hot spiced cider or schnapps. By night, take a stroll through Mitte and Potsdamer Platz under the first festive lights.

Weather

The average temperature is 43 F (6 C). Chilly with a mix of rain and gray days — pull out your cozy coat.

December in Berlin

December is the best month to go to Berlin when it is draped in festive magic. Wander through the Christmas markets, such as Gendarmenmarkt and Charlottenburg Palace Market, where you’ll find everything from hand-painted figurines to sizzling bratwurst. Savor Berlin’s must-try dishes like crispy schmalzkuchen, a tiny powdered donut, piping hot kartoffelpuffer — delicious potato pancakes served with applesauce. Brave the chill at the ice rinks or stroll through a (hopefully) snowy Tiergarten. When you need a break from the cold, slip into a tucked-away bar for a cup of Feuerzangenbowle (mulled wine with rum-soaked sugar set aflame)

Weather

The average temperature is 36 F (2 C). Cold with occasional snow.

Best time to visit Berlin: FAQs

What is the best time to visit Berlin for a vacation?

December is the best month to experience Berlin’s festive holiday season. The city’s famous Christmas markets, like the Charlottenburg Palace Market and Lucia Christmas Market, bring in crowds from across the globe, and lights illuminate major shopping streets like Kurfürstendamm. Stick around for New Year’s Eve, with dramatic fireworks over Brandenburg Gate and parties throughout Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain.

What is the best time to visit Berlin for nightlife?

Summer is Berlin’s peak nightlife season when long-established techno clubs like Berghain, Sisyphos, and Watergate have non-stop weekend events. There are also pop-up raves, bar and pub crawls across the city, and open-air concerts in parks and along the Spree River.

Is October a good time to visit Berlin?

Yes, October is an ideal time to visit Berlin — the fall foliage makes parks and forests, like Grunewald and Tempelhofer Feld, especially beautiful. October 3 is German Unity Day, with concerts and events surrounding Brandenburg Gate. The Festival of Lights also comes around in October, illuminating Berlin’s main landmarks. As temperatures cool, unwind in Berlin’s cozy and ultra-cool cafés.

What are some non-touristy things to do in Berlin?

For an off-the-beaten-path experience in Berlin, head to the Turkish Market at Maybachufer in Neukölln, a local spot for fresh produce and street food. Explore Teufelsberg or “Devil’s Mountain,” an abandoned Cold War listening station atop a hill with stunning graffiti and panoramic views. Take a quiet stroll through the Britzer Garten, a lesser-known park with beautiful gardens and peaceful walking trails, or spend an afternoon in the Stasi Museum, housed in the former Stasi headquarters, which unpacks the history of East Germany’s secret police.

What can I do in Berlin in three days?

If you’re spending three days in Berlin, Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, and Museum Island, namely Pergamon or Neues Museum, are some of the classic Berlin landmarks that you shouldn’t miss. Of course, visit the Berlin Wall Memorial and Checkpoint Charlie, but leave time to explore Prenzlauer Berg’s brunch spots and the flea market at Mauerpark. Visit Charlottenburg Palace first thing in the morning for fewer crowds, and check out the murals at the East Side Gallery.