If you plan to travel to Germany in winter, you are in luck. This can be an inexpensive time to travel, and you will find far fewer crowds than in the peak summer season. On top of that, this is the birthplace of modern Christmas, world-famous skiing, and deep discounts. Expect to see beautiful lights strung for the holidays, joyous Christmas markets, cozy snow-covered streets, and more. Also, there is delicious mulled wine to keep you warm.
Germany Weather in winter
Wrap! German winters are cold, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Expect snow, sometimes lots of snow. German winters can be unpredictable, and you should always be prepared for rain or special blue skies and sunny days.
- December: Average Low 27 degrees Fahrenheit, Average High 41 degrees Fahrenheit
- January: Average Low 23 degrees Fahrenheit, Average High 40 degrees Fahrenheit
- February: Average Low 25 degrees Fahrenheit, Average High 41 degrees Fahrenheit
What to pack
The weather in Germany can change rapidly, often over the course of a day. So be prepared when packing for all conditions, particularly severe cold in winter. The essentials such as elegant and good walking shoes are a given. Scarves are also common for men and women when the weather turns cool. For winter, you should also invest in a quality jacket. This doesn’t have to be insanely expensive or sporty, but look for something that will really seal in the heat. There are few things worse than realizing that your jacket is not up to the task of the German winter.
Also buy boots that can handle slippery ice, as well as freezing cold. Help them out with some decent socks. Cover with gloves and a hat and you should be ready for most winter days.
It’s not uncommon for you to need an extra layer of protection if you’re planning a long day of sightseeing in the great outdoors. In these cases, it might be worth wearing some thermal layers under your clothing. In a pinch, this can be just socks, or you can go completely German and buy specific garments to protect your kidneys (seriously).
For outdoor activities like skiing, of course, you should be prepared with waterproof ski suits and gear. And you can always plan to warm up with some traditional German glühwein (mulled wine).
Winter events in Germany
Some of the best festivals and events in Germany are in winter. Find out what is happening in Germany, during December, January and February.
- Christmas Markets – Christmas markets are a wonderful part of the German Christmas tradition and a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. Every German city celebrates the season with at least one Christmas market, usually from the last weekend in November until Christmas Day. Larger cities have a large number of markets to choose from. Try visiting the best Christmas markets in Germany, from Nuremberg to Munich and Dresden.
- Winter Sports and Skiing – Looking for an action-packed vacation? From the Alps to the Black Forest, Germany offers many winter sports areas, whether you go downhill skiing, cross-country skiing or snowboarding. In turn, these cold conditions result in some excellent winter sports in Germany, especially in the higher German regions such as the Bavarian Alps. Alpine and cross-country skiing is plentiful and generally much cheaper than places like Switzerland and Austria.
- New Years Eve : Germans celebrate the New Year (or Silvester ) on the eve of December 31st. Join the locals in searching for mustard donuts, sipping sekt (champagne), looking for lead signs, marveling at the many fireworks, and having fun. after midnight. If you want to participate, buy your own feuerwerk (fireworks). Before the big night they are on sale in all German supermarkets and street stalls. If you want to join the biggest New Year’s Eve party in Germany, head to the Berlin Open Air Party at the Brandenburg Gate.
Travel tips
- Airfare and hotel fares tend to rise in late November, when markets are open until late December. The traditional German Christmas markets attract thousands of visitors from all over the world.
- January and February are the cheapest time to visit Germany. And there are far fewer crowds as the holiday season ends.
