Home › Dresden › Best time to visit
Best time to visit Dresden: month by month
Short answer
May to September is the best period, with highs of about 18–25°C and long evenings by the Elbe, though July and August bring 12–15 rainy days, often as showers. May–June and September–October are ideal for hiking in Saxon Switzerland. Late November to December is busy for the Striezelmarkt, while winter is cold and grey at about 0–5°C.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5°C | 0°C | 16 | low |
| Feb | 6°C | -1°C | 14 | low |
| Mar | 10°C | 1°C | 12 | low |
| Apr | 11°C | 3°C | 13 | medium |
| May | 18°C | 8°C | 9 | high |
| Jun | 25°C | 14°C | 9 | high |
| Jul | 25°C | 15°C | 12 | high |
| Aug | 24°C | 15°C | 15 | high |
| Sep | 21°C | 11°C | 10 | high |
| Oct | 16°C | 8°C | 10 | medium |
| Nov | 9°C | 3°C | 13 | medium |
| Dec | 5°C | 0°C | 17 | 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 10°C in March to 18°C in May, with 9–13 rainy days a month; good for sightseeing, and May is a good hiking month.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of about 24–25°C and lows of 14–15°C, with 9–15 rainy days, often thunderstorms; long evenings by the river and open-air events.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Highs fall from about 21°C in September to 9°C in November; September and October are good for hiking and wine on the Elbe slopes.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs of about 5–6°C and lows around -1–0°C, with 14–17 rainy or snowy days; cold and grey, but December has the Christmas markets.
Events worth planning around
- Striezelmarkt Christmas market on the Altmarkt — late November to 24 December
- Dresden Music Festival (Dresdner Musikfestspiele) — May and June
- Bunte Republik Neustadt street festival — June
- Filmnächte am Elbufer open-air cinema and concerts by the river — summer
When to avoid
Avoid December weekends if you dislike crowds and high hotel prices, as the Christmas markets draw large numbers. January and February are cold, grey and often wet, with short days.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
What is the best time to visit Dresden?
May to September for warm weather (about 18–25°C), or May–June and September–October for hiking.
When is the Dresden Christmas market?
The Striezelmarkt usually runs from late November to 24 December on the Altmarkt.
How cold is Dresden in winter?
Average highs are about 5°C and lows around 0°C, with frequent grey, wet days.