When to go · Cologne
Cologne, month by month
The best months for Cologne: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Dec. Months to avoid: Nov.
Month by month
- JanuaryMixedOutside the best window (Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets). Across Germany: Cold, short days; cheap city breaks and museums; skiing in the Bavarian Alps.6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 12 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: Low
- FebruaryMixedOutside the best window (Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets). Across Germany: Carnival week in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz; Berlinale film festival fills Berlin hotels mid-month.7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 10 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchMixedOutside the best window (Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets). Across Germany: Grey and changeable; spring trade fairs lift prices in Frankfurt, Hannover and Leipzig.11 °C (52 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilGreatInside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 10 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 10 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- MayGreatInside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 11 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- JuneGreatInside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 12 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: High
- JulyGreatInside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.25 °C (77 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: High
- AugustGreatInside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.25 °C (77 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: High
- SeptemberGreatInside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 11 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- OctoberGreatInside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 11 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- NovemberAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Nov (grey and wet); Carnival week if you want quiet streets.10 °C (50 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 12 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberGreatInside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 13 rain daysCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cologne, side by side.
Verdict
Apr: Great
May: Great
Daytime high
Apr: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
May: 20 °C (68 °F)68 °F (20 °C)
Night low
Apr: 5 °C (41 °F)41 °F (5 °C)
May: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Rain days
Apr: 10 (better)
May: 11
Crowds
Apr: Medium
May: Medium
Prices
Apr: Medium
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Apr: 0
May: 0
April: Inside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.
May: Inside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.
Cologne: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.