When to go · Cologne
Cologne in January
Mixed month. Outside 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.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) / 0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 12
- Crowds
- Low
- Germany overall
- Prices
- Low
- Germany overall
Verdict
Outside 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.
Is another month better than January?
January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- AprilGreatInside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.
- MayGreatInside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.
- JuneGreatInside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.
- JulyGreatInside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.
Weather in January
- CologneHighs around 6 °C (43 °F), lows around 0 °C (32 °F), rain on about 12 daysHighs around 43 °F (6 °C), lows around 32 °F (0 °C), rain on about 12 days
- Rhine and the west, Germany · Cologne, Frankfurt, Rhine and Moselle valleys, Heidelbergcool
Mildest winters; wine harvest and river trips at their best in September–October.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Germany overall
- Low
- Prices · Germany overall
- Low
Germany overall: Cold, short days; cheap city breaks and museums; skiing in the Bavarian Alps.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cologne, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Mixed
Apr: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 6 °C (43 °F)43 °F (6 °C)
Apr: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Night low
Jan: 0 °C (32 °F)32 °F (0 °C)
Apr: 5 °C (41 °F)41 °F (5 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 12
Apr: 10 (better)
Crowds
Jan: Low
Apr: Medium
Prices
Jan: Low
Apr: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 0
Apr: 0
January: Outside 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.
April: Inside Cologne's best window: Apr–Oct; also Dec for Christmas markets.
Cologne: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket