Best time to travel to Germany
We love Christmas markets, but this year we combined them with skiing in Bavaria. It felt as if Santa had come early.![]()
Germany has four well defined seasons, with summers averaging 22-25°C. To work out the best time to go to Germany, bear in mind some surprises. You can enjoy an Alpine arcadia in Bavaria in winter, northern beaches and island escapes in summer, hike among the wildflowers of the Rennsteig in May and June, and head to the forests of Hesse for spectacular autumnal displays and the grape harvest. For ‘Weihnachten’, or Christmas, the traditional markets, be it Nürnberg, Dresden, Bremen or Heidelberg, are simply a treat.
Our Germany Holidays
Germany walking holiday
Walk the Rhine Trail and discover Germany on foot
From
£795 to £905
8 days
ex flights
Lake Constance cycling holiday in Austria and Germany
A unique jewel in the crown of central Europe
From
£1879
11 days
inc UK flights
Danube cycling holiday, Germany and Austria
Follow the winding route of the Danube
From
£795
8 days
ex flights
Passau to Vienna cycling holiday in Austria and Germany
One of the most popular cycle paths in Europe
From
£1839
11 days
inc UK flights
Eifel hiking and culinary tour in Germany
Combine hiking and regional dishes in the Eifel
From
€459
5 days
ex flights
European rail tour, 29 days
Tour Europe's best cities on this 29-day adventure!
From
£2999 to £3629
4 weeks
inc Eurostar
Germany, month by month
Our top Germany Holiday
Germany walking holiday
Walk the Rhine Trail and discover Germany on foot
From
£795 to £905
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
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2023: 1 Apr, 2 Apr, 3 Apr, 4 Apr, 5 Apr, 6 Apr, 7 Apr, 8 Apr, 9 Apr, 10 Apr, 11 Apr, 12 Apr, 13 Apr, 14 Apr, 15 Apr, 16 Apr, 17 Apr, 18 Apr, 19 Apr, 20 Apr, 21 Apr, 22 Apr, 23 Apr, 24 Apr, 25 Apr, 26 Apr, 27 Apr, 28 Apr, 29 Apr, 30 Apr, 1 May, 2 May, 3 May, 4 May, 5 May, 6 May, 7 May, 8 May, 9 May, 10 May, 11 May, 12 May, 13 May, 14 May, 15 May, 16 May, 17 May, 18 May, 19 May, 20 May, 21 May, 22 May, 23 May, 24 May, 25 May, 26 May ...
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Germany or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
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What happens when in Germany
Adam Jarvis, from our supplier Headwater Holidays tells us his best times to go to Germany:
“It really depends on where you go. December for the Christmas markets, October for the beer festivals, and summers are surprisingly hot so make it a good summer holiday destination. I’m going to say the summer though as that’s when the beer gardens and parks really get going. The Germans are quite an outdoorsy, active bunch and they appreciate the fresh air and greenery. When the sun is out (which is a LOT more than many might think), the parks and other outdoor spaces can be a real joy and celebration of life. Who doesn’t enjoy a good picnic?”
“It really depends on where you go. December for the Christmas markets, October for the beer festivals, and summers are surprisingly hot so make it a good summer holiday destination. I’m going to say the summer though as that’s when the beer gardens and parks really get going. The Germans are quite an outdoorsy, active bunch and they appreciate the fresh air and greenery. When the sun is out (which is a LOT more than many might think), the parks and other outdoor spaces can be a real joy and celebration of life. Who doesn’t enjoy a good picnic?”
Festivals & events
Fastnacht
Fasching is the traditional word for pre-Lenten carnivals, or fiestas before the fast. Also known as Fastnacht, celebrations in the form of processions and parties can go on for weeks before Lent begins. One of its highlight days is Rosenmontag, or Rose Monday, before the traditional ‘shut down’ of all things fun and frolics on Ash Wednesday. So, if you haven’t thought of visiting Germany in January and February, think again.
Responsible Travel would like to thank the German National Tourist Board for their sponsorship of this guide.
More about Germany
To think that Germany is all lederhosen and beer fests, is like saying India is all curry and Bollywood.
Citybreaks are still very high up the tourist wish list when it comes to places to visit in Germany.
Germany is outdoors central - you can cycle or ski, or you can walk for days here, from inn to inn, castle to castle.
Dating back hundreds of years, traditional Christmas markets in Germany really do bring joy to the world.
Winter in Füssen is like a scene from Frozen but, because it's cold, the summer crowds are long gone.
With Bavaria’s plethora of mountains, lakes and forest, you realise why the Germans coined the phrase ‘wanderlust’.
If you have every thought about family holidays in Germany and then dismissed it for yet another trip to the Dordogne – don’t.
The most important bit of Germany travel advice we can give is, if you like hiking and biking, fine food and wine, then why haven’t you been there yet?
Responsible tourism in Germany is pretty much exemplary. In fact, if any other countries want to look and learn, start here.
