Germany is an excellent destination year-round; however, the majority of people visit between May and September when the skies are clear and sunny. Remember that rain is a possibility in any month though. The flipside of summer travel is, of course, bigger crowds at museums and other attractions. Accommodation will not be hard to come by unless you are drawn to beach and mountain resorts popular with German holidaymakers.

The shoulder seasons from March to May and from October to early November naturally bring fewer tourists, lower accommodation prices and often astonishingly enjoyable weather. In April and May, when flowers and trees are in bloom, it can be mild and sunny. With the exception of winter sports, activities between November and early March are prone to focus more on culture and city life. Within these months, skies tend to be gloomy and the temperature often drops below freezing. On the plus side, there are fewer tourists and shorter lines. Just bring the right clothes and keep in mind that there are only six to eight hours of daytime.

HOLIDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

January 6 Epiphany

March 21 Good Friday

March 23 Easter Day

March 24 Easter Monday

May 1 May Day or Labour Day

May 11 Whit Sunday

May 12 Whit Monday

May 22 Corpus Christi

August 8 Peace Festival

August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

October 3 Day of German Unity

October 31 Reformation Day

November 1 All Saints Day

November 19 Day of Prayer & Repentance

December 24 Christmas Eve - Government closed, half day for shops

December 25 Christmas Day

December 26 Boxing Day

December 31 New Year's Eve - Government closed, half day for shops

1In North Rhine-Westphalia, but also in other Catholic parts of Germany (Bavaria), during the carnival season many businesses close down. The so-called 5th season begins with the Thursday before Ash Wednesday with Weiberfastnacht (in Cologne and Dusseldorf) or Fasching (Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg). This day is normally only a half-working day (people start getting drunk after 12 noon!).

Non-Holiday Observances

January 27 WWII Genocide Memorial Day

Weekend Saturday, Sunday