Best Time to Visit Cologne

May to September: the easy months

From May to September, Cologne is at its best. Days are mild to warm, and it stays light late. July is the warmest month, with highs around 25°C, but it rarely feels stifling. September is our top pick. It's still warm, it has fewer rainy days than summer, and the crowds ease off.

Summer is when the Rhine comes alive. You can walk the riverbank by the Rheinauhafen, with its crane-shaped buildings, and drink a Kölsch (the local light beer, served in small tall glasses) in a beer garden. Rain can still turn up in any summer month, so keep a thin jacket handy. Travelling with kids? Summer school holidays bring more families, and the cathedral queues get longer.

Spring and autumn: quieter and cheaper

April is fresher, with highs near 15°C and fewer rainy days than most months. It suits you if you want museums, the Romanesque churches and a stroll around the Altstadt (old town) without summer crowds. Pack for a cool morning and a bright afternoon.

October is Good, not Excellent. Leaves turn in the Stadtwald and along the Rhine paths, but the days get greyer and shorter. By November the sun shows up for under two hours a day on average, so plan for indoor stops like the Museum Ludwig or the Chocolate Museum.

Winter and Carnival

Winter is cold, damp and grey. December and January are the gloomiest, with rain on 15 or 16 days a month. Frost is common, but deep snow isn't. If you come now, come for a reason.

The best reason is the Christmas markets, from late November to Christmas Eve. The one beneath the cathedral is the biggest, and the Altstadt and Neumarkt markets are calmer. Drink hot Glühwein (mulled wine) from a collectable mug and wear proper boots.

The other big draw is Carnival. The main street party starts on Weiberfastnacht, the Thursday before Lent, and peaks with the Rosenmontag parade on the Monday. It usually falls in February or early March, and the dates move each year. Hotels fill up and the whole city dresses in costume. If you hate crowds, avoid it. If you love a party, it's the best week to be here.

Which month for which trip?

For a classic city break, choose May, June or September. For beer gardens and river evenings, pick July or August. For markets, go in December. For Carnival, check the dates for the year you're travelling.