Germany is a beautiful European country that encompasses the heart of central Europe. It stands among the most developed European economies. The majestic cathedrals, gorgeous castles and palaces, classical architecture, top automobile brands, and a rich cultural heritage are why tourists and visitors flock to Germany. The Berlin Television Tower, the Berlin War Memorial, and the Brandenburg Gate are noteworthy attractions in Berlin, the German capital. The peak tourist season kick starts from June to September, and May is an ideal month to encounter fewer crowds and get more time to enjoy the sunny German days and its beautiful landscape and attractions at your own pace.
Why is visiting Germany in May so special?
Less crowds: As you plan to visit Germany in May, just before the peak tourist season. You can expect a much lower tourist crowd while exploring attractions and tourist spots within the country at your own pace.
Enjoyable weather: The weather is hovering around 19oC, which is pleasant for a relaxing holiday. You may receive average rainfall during this month.
Budget-friendly accommodation: Accommodation prices may not skyrocket during the peak tourist season, and you can crack a good deal for fabulous accommodations with modern facilities. We recommend you book accommodations and transportation earlier to unlock the best discounts.
German weather in May
Overall, the weather is pleasant, with mild showers welcoming you with bouts of sunshine and temperatures around 19oC, making exploring the fabulous German attractions and impending cities ideal. The northern side is much cooler and drier compared to the south region, where the summers are humid and hot. You can expect a good 7-8 hours of bright sunshine with the sun setting sometimes as late as 9 pm towards the month’s end.
Places of interest in Germany in May
Germany’s incredible natural beauty, alluring architecture, gorgeous landscape, and diverse festivals make it a great place to visit this season. Let us take you through some of the most iconic and popular sites you should plan for when visiting Germany in May.
Bonn
Bonn is a beautiful place in western Germany renowned for its quality of life and the birthplace of popular composer Beethoven. This city will surely be on your interest list if you are among the people who dive deep into history and its exotic elements. The pink and gold Town Hall are among the top attractions within this city. A short 20-minute train ride from Cologne city will land you in Bonn, where you can enjoy a tour with a local to get the best experience here.
Black Forest
This is among the top German attractions that are eyed open by tourists globally. This thick and dense vegetation cover can block sunrays at times, which makes the forest floor almost deprived of sunlight. Hot springs discovered by Romans almost 2 million years ago are converted today into spa resorts for one to relax and rejuvenate their body, mind, and soul. The spa town of Germany, Baden-Baden, to help you refresh. You can hike up to the hills while exploring this dense forest or catch a train from Offenburg to Konstan while enjoying a glimpse of the black forest and its intense darkness during the ride.
Brandenburg Gate
Leaving Germany without visiting the Brandenburg Gate would be considered a cardinal sin. One of the most iconic sites in Germany, this site represents the Cold War separation into the western and eastern German halves. It regularly features among the most elegant classical structures still standing in no-man’s land. The gate is open for visitors throughout the day, where people look to admire the fascinating architecture of this spectacular site. You can easily reach this site via taxi, subway, or train from Berlin.
Cochem Castle
This gorgeous castle stands tall, towering 300 feet above the river. Entering into its 1000+ year since its inception, this is among the historic landmarks in the region. The history of the throne is fascinating to explore. The basement of this enchanting site has several interesting components that are impossible to miss. The secret passages, octagonal towers, and multi-cuisine restaurants are something you cannot miss while exploring this. Open from 9 am to 5 pm, this site charges an entry fee of 6-7 Euros for adults and 3.5 Euros for children. You can catch a car, train, bus, or Autobahn to reach this iconic site.
Mercedes Benz Museum
German automobile has always been a dream for automobile lovers and is considered among the top assets of its economy. The top automobile brands, such as BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, and Skoda, are all German brands. Mercedes is one of the pioneers of German engineering, showcasing in its own museum how they are produced and the rich history starting from the first Mercedes that came into existence. The museum attracted 0.8 million in its first year when it opened to the public in 2006. Open from 9 am to 6 pm daily except Monday, you will be charged an entry fee of 12 Euros for adults and 6 Euros for children aged 13-17.
Moselle Valley
Vineyards, castles, quaint towns and villages, and a great weather are what await you when you visit Moselle Valley in May. Known to be the oldest and the most popular wine producing areas in Germany, the best thing to do here is visiting the numerous vineyards, learning about the wine making process, and enjoying some delicious wine. Then there are the towns and villages of Moselle valley that are known for their deep-rooted history and medieval architecture. If you are visiting this region, you must visit Trier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also the oldest city of Germany.
Miniature Wunderland
It regularly features among the top German attractions and is among the largest rail museums worldwide. Visitors and tourists can witness several versions of the countries and their airports. Built in the 2000s, you can plan for a visit on a weekday to avoid waiting in long queues. You can even collect a miniature souvenir of the places you have visited here. Open from 9:30 am to 6 pm daily, visitors are charged an entry fee of 20 Euros. You can easily reach this site via bus and train, which is a short walk from Baumwall station.
Rheinsteig Trail
This site is among the popular hiking spots in Germany and covers almost 320 kilometers in distance. Unlock your inner peace as you enjoy a surreal experience exploring nature’s best-kept secrets. Starting from Bonn, you will reach Wiesbaden over 18-20 days. Many visitors look to take a break from their hectic city life to be in the lap of nature. This site is open all through the year.
Shopping in Germany
Germany is renowned for its beautiful and vast shopping destinations that fulfill the shopping thirst of every traveler. Germany is never short of fulfilling your shopping desires, and if you want to carry home something special for your loved ones, you can choose from pure honey, cheese, smoked meats and eels, beer, chocolates, and souvenirs. If you want to refill or revamp your wardrobe, numerous high-street fashion brands are lined up in the city malls and streets. Ceramics and homeware are also great shopping options.
Best festivals and events to unlock in Germany in May
Germany in May gives you a great opportunity to access several mind-blowing festivals and events that speak volumes about Germany’s culture, history, and heritage. Each festival or event has a story to uncover, and you will truly enjoy every minute of your time in Germany by participating in the season’s festivities.
Labor Day
1st May is commemorated as Labor Day worldwide and is a public holiday in Germany. Families use this day to take time off with their family and friends to enjoy nature, villages, and beautiful valleys. Traditional maibaum, carved figures, and colorful ribbons are often raised to celebrate the onset of the spring season in Bavaria.
Baumblutenfest
The gorgeous spring weather welcomes Germany’s largest fruit wine fest, celebrated with great vigor. Werder is one of the most popular towns in West Berlin. Wines are often combined with delicious and fresh strawberries that arrive simultaneously. You can taste delicious wine flavors from several wine booths within the locality. You can enjoy the best of this festival in the first two weeks of May, and it is mostly centered around Berlin and its remote locations.
Hafengeburtstag
This grand festival celebrates the anniversary of its harbors in Hamburg, among the largest seaports in the region, built around the 12th century. It is a key contributor to the trade within and outside the country. The locals arrive at the seaport to celebrate the grand anniversary with zest and zeal. Boat exhibitions, open theatre concerts, grand fireworks displays, and boat parades are synonymous with the celebrations here. This festival is attended by almost a million visitors, which is increasing in count with each passing year.
The Rhine in flames
Between May and September, especially the first Saturday of May, The Rhine and Linz Valley celebrate with vivacious fireworks, vibrant lamps, and illuminated boats that make it stunning to witness live. If you are lucky, try going for a river cruise to take a closer look at the stunning fireworks display. This festival is worth visiting, as it adds to the grandeur of your German vacation in May.
Spargelzeit fest
Germans are crazy about festivals that come in as a combo with food and beverages, and Spargelzeit is the perfect occasion to celebrate one such event. Asparagus, the Vegetable Queen, is excellent for your brain and gut health. It roughly takes three years to generate its first produce, and the locals are truly overboard when the season arrives. Enjoy a unique delicacy where you taste Asparagus specials in different corners of Germany from May till late June.
Eurovision
This is a singing competition held in Europe every May. Incepted in 1950, almost 40 countries vying for this fascinating prize, and you receive an annual viewership of almost 125 million. Germany has only got its hands on the trophy twice but regularly competes to feature among the top five yearly.
Germany travels essentials
- A spring jacket for the cooler evenings and early mornings.
- An umbrella or a rain jacket to counter the unexpected showers that are often followed by bright sunshine
- Good shades and sunscreen are recommended to counter longer sightseeing hours during the day.
Key tips for making the most of your Germany trip in May
World-class transportation
Germany boasts a modern public transportation system ideal for intercity and local travel. Trams, buses, and ground trains (S-Bahn) are affordable, user-friendly, and equipped with modern amenities to make your travel plans smooth and enjoyable. Utilizing this modern transportation system rather than using cabs to navigate within the city.
Clothing and attire
The weather is quite diverse in nature. You can expect sudden showers followed by rounds of hot sunshine. The seasonal needs are sunscreen, shades, light clothing, natural cosmetics, and medications.
Conclusion
Being the last off-season month, May is an excellent choice to explore the best of what Germany has to offer. Book your accommodation, flights, rentals, and attractions early to avoid any last-minute disappointments. The festive vibes and charismatic décor are part of the grand memories you will make when you visit Germany in May. Dance performances, open-air concerts, theatrical drama, and fireworks displays are quite common this month as part of the festivities. The weather is overall pleasant, with mild showers interrupting your sightseeing tours. The incredible natural beauty, spectacular mountain ranges, free-flowing rivers, wild and raw forests, and beautiful beaches are synonymous with Germany’s landscape, which has caught the attention of millions of tourists and visitors globally. Berlin, Frankfurt, Baden-Baden, Hamburg, and Munich are some German cities you should be adding to your to-do list. The month also reopens several wine regions and river cruises for a different experience. Booking early is always recommended to unlock great discounts for all your bookings.