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Best time to visit Cologne: month by month
Short answer
May to September is the best time, with highs of about 19-25°C, long days and beer gardens on the Rhine. Late November to 23 December is popular for the Christmas markets, and Carnival in February brings huge crowds and tripled hotel prices. Rain falls on 10-18 days in most months.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6°C | 2°C | 16 | low |
| Feb | 9°C | 2°C | 12 | high |
| Mar | 11°C | 3°C | 13 | medium |
| Apr | 13°C | 4°C | 13 | medium |
| May | 19°C | 9°C | 14 | high |
| Jun | 25°C | 14°C | 10 | high |
| Jul | 24°C | 15°C | 14 | high |
| Aug | 24°C | 15°C | 15 | high |
| Sep | 22°C | 13°C | 10 | high |
| Oct | 17°C | 9°C | 14 | medium |
| Nov | 10°C | 5°C | 16 | medium |
| Dec | 7°C | 3°C | 18 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from about 11°C in March to 19°C in May, with about 13-14 rainy days a month.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm, with highs of 24-25°C and lows of 14-15°C; outdoor beer gardens and Rhine cruises, and the occasional heatwave.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is pleasant (22°C, about 10 rainy days); October (17°C) and November (10°C) get greyer and wetter.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Mild and grey, highs of 6-9°C, lows of 2-3°C; Christmas markets until 23 December and Carnival in February.
Events worth planning around
- Cologne Carnival, peaking from Weiberfastnacht (the Thursday before Lent) to Rose Monday
- Christmas markets at the cathedral, Alter Markt and Heumarkt, late November to 23 December
- Kölner Lichter fireworks over the Rhine, usually in July
- Cologne Pride (ColognePride / CSD), usually in early July
- Art Cologne, the art fair, usually in spring
When to avoid
Avoid Carnival week and major trade-fair weeks if you want normal hotel prices; the Christmas market weekends in December are also very crowded.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Cologne?
May, June or September, with mild weather and outdoor life on the Rhine.
When is Cologne Carnival?
It peaks from Weiberfastnacht, the Thursday before Lent, to Rose Monday, in February or early March.
When are the Christmas markets?
From late November to 23 December, at the cathedral, Alter Markt, Heumarkt and other squares.