Best Time to Visit Berlin

Short answer: May, June and September. Days are long, the parks and beer gardens are open, and it is rarely too hot to walk all day. Every season works if you plan for it.

Spring

March can still feel like winter, with grey skies and a cold wind. By late April the trees in Tiergarten are green, terraces fill up, and the light stays on into the evening. May is the sweet spot for a first visit. The weather swings, so carry a rain layer, and read our what to wear guide for packing.

Summer

Summer is Berlin at its most social. Locals live outdoors, in the parks, beside the Spree and at the lakes on the edge of the city. Some days climb past 30 degrees, and the city has few air-conditioned corners, so plan museums for the afternoon heat. The Fête de la Musique on 21 June fills the streets with free music, and wide spaces such as Tempelhofer Feld come alive. Hotel demand rises, so book early.

Autumn

September and early October are our favourite weeks for walking. The air is clear, the crowds are thinner and the leaves turn in the parks. The Berlin Marathon usually takes place in late September, which fills hotels and closes streets, and the Festival of Lights lights up landmarks in October. From November the days shorten fast and the weather turns damp.

Winter

Winter is cold, dark by mid-afternoon and often grey, but it suits a museum-heavy trip. Museum Island and the city's cafés are at their best in the cold. Christmas markets run from late November until Christmas, and the Berlinale film festival takes over parts of the centre in February. Snow is possible but not reliable, and some outdoor sights are less pleasant in January winds.