Are you planning a family trip to Germany during the Spring months? Learn more about what to pack and things to see when visiting Spring in Germany!
Spring in Germany can be a beautiful time of year to visit! The flowers start blooming with vibrant colors, and the sunshine begins to shine through, with each day having more sunshine than the last.
Many Germans go outside on sunny days, and you can see them sitting on benches, soaking up the sun during the cool temperatures.
Visiting Germany during the Spring months (also known as shoulder season) is a great time to travel and can be very beneficial if you’re traveling to Germany with kids.
There is so much to see and do, and with the high season during the Summer and Christmas holidays, Germany during spring can be quite perfect to avoid the Summer crowds and heat.
Germany during Spring offers beautiful green landscapes, stunning gardens, festivals, and so much more! Learn more about why visiting Germany during the Spring season can be ideal for you and your family!
Many areas of Germany will celebrate Karneval/ Fasching/ Fastnacht forty days before Easter, during Lent. These celebrations are unique events and vary according to the regions of Germany. For example, in my city of Überlingen, the Hänsele chase away the winter spirits to welcome Spring.
When is Spring in Germany
The spring in Germany dates vary by year. The first day of Spring, the Vernal Equinox, typically starts between the end of March and the beginning of April.
Just days from welcoming Easter Sunday (Ostersonntag). Easter is the perfect holiday to celebrate the arrival of spring!
Easter is one of the major holidays in Spring. You can see the German storefronts with beautiful easter decorations and Easter eggs.
Weather in Germany in March
The weather in Germany in March can still be a bit cold. It is often still dreary, with the Southern portion of Germany having a little more sunshine than Northern Germany.
The average temperature in Germany in March is 5.7C/ 42F. (Statista)
It is important to note that the average temperature in Germany in February is 3.2C / 37F (Statista), with evenings being pretty chilly.
If you’re traveling to Germany during the early Spring, be sure to have the family pack winter coats, especially if the year has a longer winter.
The average temperature in Germany in April
The average temperature in Germany in April is 7.5C / 46F (Statista). There are typically more days with sunshine but expect rainy days.
We live in Überlingen, a small town in Southern Germany off Lake Konstanze. The weather is often nicer than in Northern Germany, but it does seem to have many rainy days.
Germany weather in May
The average temperature in Germany for May is 13.1C/ 56F (Statista). Although the air is cooler, it can feel quite warm when the sun is out.
This is much cooler than South Georgia!
Related Post: The Best Toddler and Baby Packing List
Things to do in Spring in Germany
Germany is such a beautiful country during the Spring months, and it truly is a good time to visit.
With so many outdoor activities and cultural events, there is surely something for the entire family to enjoy!
Attend Spring Festivals
Starkbierzeit (Strong Beer Festival) in Munich
The history of Starkbierzeit dates back to the 13th century and has a great historical significance that is still celebrated today.
You can read more about the history of Starkbierzeit here.
This “fifth season” is celebrated over several days. Much like Oktoberfest, it takes place in large halls with live music from Oktoberfest bands.
It is a highly anticipated cultural event! It’s also a great opportunity to wear the traditional German garments: Durdle and Lederhosen!
You can purchase tickets here.
Literature festival in Cologne
Literature in Cologne is Europe’s largest literature festival. This Spring festival usually takes place in late March. It even has a program for young children to enjoy!
Check out their website to read more and to purchase tickets ahead of time.
Cherry Blossom Festivals
The City of Bonn and the Nation’s capital, Berlin, are two of the best places to visit and see cherry blossoms. These cherry trees have the most beautiful pink blossoms.
The festival is in mid-April, and the flowering period can last up to two weeks.
Research ahead of time for parking. Often, there will be street closures to allow a more pedestrian-friendly event.
Enjoy the local beer gardens.
Sitting outside at the local beer garden is a perfect way to enjoy some of the Spring weather while enjoying the local beer and food! The beer gardens are quite wonderful places for families.
Many beer gardens will have playgrounds and slides for younger kids. All the beer gardens we have been to have been very child-friendly!
Hiking
Hiking is very popular in Germany! Many German cities will have their own hiking trails, but some of the most popular hiking destinations would be the Bavarian Alps and the Black Forest.
The Bavarian Alps are perfect for those who love adventure and want to make a trip filled with national parks, trails, and other outdoor activities.
During the early spring season, there is likely to be some snow for winter sports as well.
The Black Forest is an enormous national park and incredibly dense forest in Southwestern Germany. It is stunning; you can easily take a day trip or two to hike some trails.
This is also where the famous Black Forest Cake and custom-made Coo Coo Clocks are made.
Black forest cake is my favorite, so I try a piece every time we stop through! The black forest cake is a little different than in the States; in Germany, it is typically made with liquor.
Also, The Grimm’s fairy tales were set in the Black Forest. They are the original and much darker versions of some of Disney’s fairy tales. Some include Rapunzel, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Hansel and Gretel.
Visit Castles and Castle Ruins
There are plenty of Castles in Germany! In fact, when I gave birth to my daughter in Germany, there were Castle ruins right outside our hospital window!
Visit Neuschwanstein Castle in Southern Germany. It is one of the most well-known and picturesque castles in Germany. Visiting during the spring season is a great idea to avoid peak tourist season and long lines.
There are so many different types of castles in Germany! Consider visiting Burg Meersburg, The Castle on Lake Constance. It is the oldest inhabited castle in Germany. It’ like walking though time.
Enjoy the cafe with a beautiful view at the end of the tour.
During sunny days, visiting castle ruins can be a great outdoor activity. I prefer seeing ruins over some castles! Stop at a bakery, and bring a picnic.
They can be a great area for your child to run around!
Ever since our trip to Disneyland Paris, my toddler loves to search the Castles and Ruins for a dragon
Take a beautiful boat ride
I suggest visiting the area of Lake Constance during the spring months.
The Germans refer to Lake Constance as the Bodensee.
The water is pristine, with the Alps as a beautiful backdrop. Take a boat ride and visit some of the most picturesque German cities!
Tip: If you love to scuba dive, it is a very popular destination for divers. During the colder months, you can actually see Roman ruins.
Take a ride down the Rhine River! It can offer spectacular views of cities and castles. Stop by at one of the local wineries!
Visit beautiful Cathedrals
There are so many beautiful Cathedrals in the German cities. My favorite are the ones with the Rococo style. They are absolutely gorgeous!
Tip: Many Cathedrals will let you climb up the bell tower. The staircases are often very narrow, but the tower will offer beautiful views of the city!
Visit the hot springs and bathhouses
This can be a perfect time for some relaxation. The water from these bathhouses comes from hot springs and is considered to have healing properties.
You can easily spend an entire day at a bathhouse. Many of them are children-friendly with slides and toddler pools.
If there is a sauna, be sure to check out an aufguss treatment! Don’t let the nudity intimidate you; it will be an experience you will never forget!
- Related Post: Proper German sauna etiquette and rules
Visit Europa Park
Located in Rust, Germany, about an hour from Strasbourg, France, Europa Park is an incredible amusement park. Aside from the roller coasters, there is so much to see and do, especially for little kids.
We had a much more enjoyable time at Europa Park than at Disney World and Disneyland Paris.
There are so many rides, playgrounds and things to do for little kids, and the prices are very reasonable!
- Related Post Helpful tips for experiencing Europa Park with kids
Visit Rulantica
Rulantica is the water park adjacent to Europa Park. It is not huge but offers something for all ages. During the summer months, the outdoor water park is open.
The park even offers late-price tickets. This means you can visit Europa Park during the day and then visit Rulantica for a couple of hours afterward.
For more information and ticket pricing, check out their website.
Spend time in the Market Square
The market square is known for having Christmas markets, but it is also an integral component of German culture.
The market squares are quite important. They often hold the local market with fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, eggs, flowers, and alcohol.
What to pack for Spring in Germany
What to wear in Germany in Spring is an important consideration when packing your bags! If traveling to the mountainous regions during early Spring, be sure to pack layers and a puffy jacket.
- Related Post: The Best Travel Items for a Baby and Toddler
For the warmer days, I would suggest having a light puffer jacket with a sweater underneath. When the sunshine hits, it can feel nice and warm!
Expect rain during the Spring in Germany; pack a rain jacket and waterproof boots.
What is the easiest way of getting around in Germany
Public transportation in Germany is amazing. The Deutsche Bahn is easy to use and goes all through the country.
Renting a car is also a great alternative!
Tip: Your car must undergo a rigorous inspection if you are moving to Germany through an OCONUS PCS.
- Check out my complete guide on: Shipping a car to Germany
My thoughts on visiting Germany during the Spring
If you don’t mind the rain, visiting Spring in Germany is probably one of the best times to see the country! It feels like Germany is returning to life after the Easter holidays have arrived! The landscape is beautiful, with so much to see and do.
Visiting Germany during the Spring is a great way to avoid the tourist crowds, the summer heat and it still gives you the opportunity to see many different cultural trips!
I would love to hear your feedback and suggestions! Do you have a favorite place to visit in Germany during the spring months?
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Great guide and information on traveling to Germany! I love the details regarding weather, and would love to visit in the spring. Thank you!
Hi Kristine! Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post! Aside from the rain, Spring is such a beautiful time to visit!
Great recommendations! My significant other’s family are from Germany, and we have been fixing to make a trip to visit in the near future. This will definitely come in handy! Thank you for sharing 🫶🏽
Hi Jasmine!
That is so exciting! Will this be your first trip? I hope you have a wonderful trip! Germany is such a beautiful country!