A city more famous for its buzzing arts scene and lively nightlife than its sun-seeking opportunities, Berlin throngs with visitors all year round. Typically crisp and cold during the winter (November to March) and warm and sunny during the summer (June to August), Berlin is an impressive city in any weather. The varied schedule of cultural events and festivals  means there’s no shortage of things to do in the German capital, and the lively bar and clubbing scene doesn’t slow down when temperatures drop. 

Beating the Heat

Berlin has a continental climate, and things can get very hot indeed during the summer months. There’s usually a good  deal of sunshine from June to August, with temperatures typically hovering  around 23ºC but sometimes reaching above 30ºC. Visitors heading to Berlind during the summer should pack plenty of light clothing for the warm days, but temperatures can drop dramatically at night, making warmer layers invaluable too. This being Germany, rain showers are always a threat whatever the time of year, so pack an umbrella.The summer months are also the busiest time for tourism in Berlin, and the queues and crowds can make hot days and evenings feel even stickier. To cool down, pull up a chair at one of the city's many cafe bars and enjoy an ice cold beer as you watch the crowds go by. Expect accommmodation  prices to rise during high summer, and bargain beds in hostels to fill up quickly. The months of May and June are good times to catch the city at its best, with warm but not stifling temperatures and less crowds than the height of summer.

Winter Wonders

Berlin is a beautiful city during the winter months of December through to February, and with temperatures often falling below zero, snow is always a possibility. Wrap up warm and head out to one of the city's many winter markets, where you can warm up with a mug of steaming gluhwein - hot spiced wine, and cinammon biscuits. These markets are wonderful places to do your Christmnas shopping - with the opportunity to buy all kinds of handicrafts and gourmet goodies such as spiced sausages and home-made cheeses. The winter month also see an outdoor icerink open in the city centre, which is a popular attraction among visitors of all ages. Christmas is a major holiday in Berlin, with plenty of places to enjoy a festive feast, and New Year is riotously celebrated with street parties and major clubbing events.

Budget Escapes

Head to Berlin outside the main tourist seasons of high summer and deep winter and you can find some great deals on bargain holidays to Berlin. During February, March and April, and again from October through to November, there are plenty of spaces to be found in the city's many good youth hostels, and flight operators offer some competitive deals aimed at luring holidaymakers out to the German capital.