Germany is a beautiful country, offering pristine nature, hiking trails, and history. Summertime is especially fun, due to the long daylight hours and warm weather. In fact, July is considered the best time of year to travel to Germany for many. Keep reading to learn more .
An Overview of the Weather in July
July is “Sommerzeit” or summertime in Germany. Although most of the country is landlocked, temperatures are cooler than in other places in Europe, such as Itay and Greece.
If you’re an American visiting Germany, you may even be surprised with how cool the temperatures are in contrast to places like Florida or even New England. Below are some temperatures of major cities:
- Berlin: Averages are between 73 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit
- Frankfurt am Main: Averages are between 74 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit
Please note: Climate change is impacting weather patterns and Germany is no exception. Until recently, Germany has not really needed air conditioning since the temperatures don’t usually go as high. As a result, many places will still not have this installed, including stores and homes.
Is July the Right Time to Go to Germany?
July is a perfect time to go to Germany, especially if you like the summer. The weather is warm and there is plenty to do. Be sure to check out these destinations and attractions.
Go Sailing in Hamburg
Located in the Northern part of Germany, Hamburg is often referred to as “Little Venice” due to the Elbe River flowing through. Summertime is a beautiful time to enjoy a boat ride in the Alster Lakes. The temperature in July is also very comfortable, rarely exceeding 84 degrees.
Sailing in Hamburg
Drink Beer in a Biergarten
Biergartens are a big part of German culture. They typically serve various kinds of beer and food as well, for a very reasonable price. Most will have long tables and large outdoor spaces.
Don’t like beer? We recommend getting a Radler (which is much sweeter and mixes lemonade and beer)
Pro Tip: Wasps like to drink beer too, especially sweet ones like Radler. Usually you will get a coaster with your drink. Use this to cover your drink so nothing flies in.
Swim in The North Sea
As noted above, Germany is primarily landlocked. However, there are beaches in the Northern part of the country. Sports such as waterskiing and kite surfing are very popular here.
Explore History in Heidelberg
Heidelberg, Germany is an extremely pedestrian-friendly place. Be sure to check out the downtown, hike Philosopher’s Way, or make your way to the castle. You can also picnic on the Nekarwiese, which is popular amongst the local college students.
The view from Philosopher’s Way!
The castle in Heidelberg
Climb the Steps of Ulm Münster
Ulm is a charming town with the tallest church in the world (soon to be surpassed by Barcelona).
You can climb to the top and soak up the views. However, the higher parts of the church are often closed in the winter due to ice, making July an ideal time to visit.
The view on the way to the top of the Ulm Münster
Ulm
Please note: In recent years, there has been construction that has prevented people from going all the way up, so be sure to check before you go.
Taste Wine in Freiburg
The Freiburg wine festival takes place in early July every year. It hosts 400 winemakers and various culinary specialists. Outside of the wine festival, Freiburg is a charming city, located in the Black Forest region of Germany.
Go to Barfusspark
I loved coming here as a kid. Barfusspark or “Barefoot Park” is, as the name suggests, a park where you walk around barefoot. It’s in the Black Forest and free to visit (though it costs a few Euros to park your car). It has a has various trails to explore and hike.
Ride Roller Coasters at Europapark
Europapark is a big park, attracting six million people a year. Each section of the park is themed for a different European country.
Our favorite ride? Silverstar. It’s the tallest rollercoaster in Germany (at 73 meters high).
Explore Neuschwanstein
Nestled between the mountains, Neuschwanstein is actually the castle Walt Disney based his on. It’s very beautiful and you can tour the inside. Bavaria (the state where the castle is located) is also very charming and it’s worth spending a few days here.
Eat Spaghettieis (Spaghetti Ice Cream)
Spaghettieis a common ice cream treat in Germany that I haven’t seen anywhere else. It’s esentially vanilla ice cream that is put through a spätzle press, so it resembles spaghetti. It is then usually topped with a strawberry or berry sauce to resemble the tomato sauce.
Spaghettieis comes from Mannheim originally (which is near Heidelberg), but has since spread over other parts of Germany too.
Final Thoughts
While there is no best time to visit Germany (since it depends on your interests), July is a great time to go! Let us know if you have any other recommendations in the comments below.
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