Travel across Germany year-round
When and where is Germany at its best? Here’s some inspiration for planning your next holiday.
Deep forests, vibrant cities, glorious beaches, dramatic peaks – Germany has a lot to offer. With so much choice, it can be hard to decide where to go on your holiday. Here are our suggestions for every month of the year.
Spring
March
The first signs of spring appear in Zavelstein in the Black Forest, where hundreds of wild crocuses poke their purple heads through the soil. Along the German Wine Route in Rhineland-Palatinate, the almond trees are now in bloom with pink blossoms. The best way to enjoy them is on foot or by bike.
April
Cherry blossom is a special sight in Bonn or in Schwetzingen Palace Gardens. Then on 30 April, one of the year’s spookiest nights takes place: during Walpurgis Night, witches are said to dance on the Brocken mountain in the Harz. Numerous festivals in the region celebrate this tradition.
May
In many towns across southern Germany, a maypole is raised on 1 May. Decorated with colourful ribbons, it symbolises the arrival of spring Once the pole is standing, the celebration begins – with food, drink and dancing. For a more tranquil experience, visit the Spreewald It’s best explored by paddle boat on the water, and Spreewald gherkins make the perfect snack along the way.
Summer
June
In June, the days are longer and the nights are shorter – the perfect time for events. In northern Germany, Kiel Week – the world’s largest sailing event combined with a folk festival – draws large crowds. This is also when the festival season kicks off. One of the biggest is Rock am Ring in the Eifel region.
July
On hot days, water offers the best way to cool down. Swim at the beaches of the North Sea or the Baltic, or visit Rügen Island and explore its striking chalk cliffs. In the far south lies Lake Constance, Germany’s largest lake. Whether swimming, sailing or cycling around the lake – the choice is yours.
August
Right now, Lüneburg Heath in the north is in bloom, glowing violet. Hike through the gently rolling hills and spot grazing sheep. In the east, Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm offers plenty of shady spots in which to relax. Take a tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site with its palaces and parks – Goethe himself enjoyed the gardens here in summer.
Autumn
September
Autumn is a time for eating and drinking well. The Oktoberfest in Munich starts each year towards the end of September, attracting millions of visitors from around the world. If you’re not a fan of German beer, don’t worry – September also hosts the world’s largest wine festival. In Bad Dürkheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, you can experience German wine culture at the Wurstmarkt.
October
Who has grown the world’s biggest pumpkin? You’ll find answers to all your pumpkin questions at the world’s largest pumpkin exhibition in Ludwigsburg. Things get especially spooky in Europapark in Rust, where Halloween is celebrated for an entire month. With events like the Festival of Fear, it’s not for the faint-hearted.
November
A visit to a castle in the mist is a magical experience. Neuschwanstein Castle looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale, while the medieval Eltz Castle in the Eifel breathes centuries of history. These sites – and the German Fairy Tale Route – bring legends and folk stories to life.
Winter
December
During Advent, Germany’s Christmas markets offer food, gifts and festive atmosphere. One of the oldest and most beautiful is the Striezelmarkt in Dresden. Be sure to try the city’s famous festive treat, the Christstollen.
January
January is the coldest month of the year – the perfect time to warm up in one of Germany’s thermal spas, for example in the spa town of Baden-Baden. If you want to enjoy the winter outdoors, take a guided torchlit walk through the snow-covered Breitachklamm gorge in the Allgäu. Or go skiing in the Alps.
February
Think February is grey and boring? Think again! In Germany, it’s colourful and full of sparkle: join the fun at Cologne’s carnival or meet international film stars at the Berlinale in Berlin Both cities are worth a visit year-round, but these two events are real highlights you won’t want to miss.
