The Christmas holidays are over, and the city is slowly returning to normal. With a drizzle of snow, New Year's Eve Berlin still welcomes tourists with its delicious food, mulled wine and January sales. Don't be surprised to see trees lying in the streets on January 2 — Germans throw them away the day after the party, and a Christmas tree patrol collects them. Such is the German capital in January.
Holidays in Berlin in January: pros and cons
If you're planning a winter holiday in Berlin, don't worry — the weather can't hurt: museums, galleries, shopping malls and restaurants are always warm and cosy. The reviews of your Berlin holiday in January will likely be positive if you have a well-planned trip. We want to share with you the benefits of a January trip. Our pros:
- Winter in Berlin is mild, with temperatures of -4°C to +2°C; abnormal drops in these figures are rare. So you can run or move from museum to gallery without getting cold.
- All of the museums, exhibitions and shopping centres reopen on the 2nd of January — the holiday season is short, so there's plenty to do and see.
- In January, Berlin has official sales with discounts of up to 80%, so you'll have an excellent opportunity to shop for bargains.
- Top family-friendly hotels in Berlin
- Where to go and what to see in Berlin
You must know some peculiarities of a January trip to choose the proper holiday. Here are a few of the cons of travelling in January:
- The weather is often uncomfortable — humid, with gusty winds, making zero temperatures feel like subzero. Therefore, if sightseeing and walking are the purposes of the trip, it is better to choose a different time.
- The first half of the month is very popular with tourists, as it is a time of winter holidays and sales, so the shopping malls, public transport and streets will be crowded. Berlin is not very suitable for a quiet holiday in January.
The weather in Berlin in January
January is the coldest month of the year, so the weather in January and February is appropriate by European standards. The average temperature is between -3°C and +3°C.
It does not mean any variation to one side or the other. Anomalies may occur, such as temperatures below -10°C, which for Berlin is instead an exception to the rule. So when planning a trip, it's a good idea to get a short-term weather forecast so you won't be caught unawares by the cold.
Temperatures are around -5°C to +2°C, although occasional highs are up to +8°C. So it isn't easy to know exactly what the weather will be like in early January. If snow does fall, it will be for a short time, about three weeks, and the thickness of the blanket is minimal.
Temperatures in Berlin in mid-January can remain the same as at the beginning of the month or drop by 2 to 3 degrees. If so, the snow cover will hold out and provide tourists with some winter scenery. The weather in Berlin at the end of January is still chilly in winter. However, temperatures may not dip below zero but stay between +1°C and +3°C.
Air temperature
The temperate continental climate characterising Germany's capital city ensures mild winters with little precipitation and no freezing temperatures.
Temperatures in Berlin in January don't usually drop below -5°C and don't rise above +4°C.
But given the frequent gusty January winds, pack another warm jumper, a hat and a scarf to keep out the chill.
Air temperature in Berlin in January
The average daytime temperature in January is +2°C. Over the month, these figures can vary by two or three degrees in one direction. The same is true of the average night-time temperature, which usually stays between -5°C and +1°C, but can rise or fall by 2 to 3 degrees.
Amount of precipitation
The number of rainy or snowy days in January is low at around five. A total of 45 mm of precipitation falls during the month. However, the humidity in Berlin is relatively high, so temperatures feel much lower than they are.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
January is not a sunny month for Berliners and holidaymakers. Most of the month is cloudy, with 19 days and seven days with variable cloudiness. On average, there are only five sunny days in the month. Therefore, you can warm up and relax in cosy cafés over a cup of coffee, mulled wine or a glass of the famous German beer.
Excursion holidays: Where to go in January
The hustle and bustle of the festivities is starting to die down, it's cold, sometimes frosty and windy outside, and you want warmth, cosiness and something out of the ordinary. If your walks and sightseeing have to be postponed until the warmer months, it's time to hit the museums, galleries and exhibitions.
Even if you're visiting in early January, all are open (except January 1 and 6, public holidays). Here's a selection of the most exciting and original places to get bored.
- Be sure to visit the Reichstag, a majestic structure with a huge glass dome and four corner columns. It's a symbol of Germany and its history. The inscriptions on the walls are from the war years and are kept as relics. The building now houses the halls where the parliament meets. The 23-metre-high glass dome with an enclosed viewing platform and a cone of mirrors is particularly interesting for tourists.
Their inclination is adjusted by a particular computer programme, providing the most comfortable light in the meeting room. Access to the Reichstag is free between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., as long as you sign up online and undergo a rigorous identity check. Already in mid-January, the influx of tourists begins to diminish, and it will be possible to admire the view of Berlin from under the dome in a more relaxed atmosphere.
The museums and leisure centres below are a must-see for kids:
Holidays, events and festivals
Although the most important winter festivals are over, that doesn't mean that tourists visiting in January have nothing better to do. Germans know how to party, and the capital often welcomes visitors worldwide to important events, so there are certainly festivities in Berlin in January.
- On 6 January, Germany celebrates the Feast of the Three Kings. It is the biggest children's solidarity event ever. It is reminiscent of Orthodox Christmas — children gather in small groups and go door to door. They dress up as three kings with crowns and robes, hold stars in their hands and sing songs to collect donations for charity. As it is an official holiday, many museums and shops are closed, so it's worth considering this when planning your trip.
- If you follow fashion trends and always know what's on this season, adore designer clothes or want to keep up with the times, then January Fashion Week Berlin is for you. Twice a year, the German capital hosts designers, models, journalists and business people worldwide. Most shows are closed to invited guests only, but the organisers always hold various events in the form of parties and exhibitions for all comers.
Shopping
The first month of the new year marks the start of a season of crazy sales and dizzying bargains everywhere. Berlin has turned into one massive shopping centre with millions of shoppers. While December sees around 30-50% off, January sees about 70% and even 80% off.
If you're going on a shopping spree, there are a few rules to keep in mind:
- shops are not open on Sundays;
- on Saturday, the shopping flow and the amount of discounts increase many times over;
- carry cash: some smaller shops do not allow you to pay by card.
Shoppers and beauty enthusiasts will get a real aesthetic treat from a visit to Berlin's most beautiful shopping centre, Galeries Lafayette. The exquisite glass and mirror structure is already a delight to visitors. And if you shop there a couple of times, you'll love it forever.
And let's not forget Berlin's largest and most famous shopping centre, KaDeWe.
For Germans themselves, it is more than just a shop; it is a symbol of shopping. KaDeWe is Europe's largest department store; to put its scale in perspective, it is visited by around 200,000 people a day during the sale season. So plan your January trip with this capital's must-see attraction in mind.
Cost of vacation
January is a month of winter family vacations, sales and school holidays, so it is in good demand by tourists. Prices in Berlin are, therefore, up 10 - 15% in January compared to the previous month.
Airfares
The European fashion capital has shifted towards Berlin in the past few years. And tourists have loved flying here for sales and fashion shows. These facts explain the rise in airfares. January is one of the months with the highest airfares, rising by 8 - 15% compared to December.
Package Tours
The price increase for January tours to Berlin is slight — up to 10%. Still, it's best to plan your trip well in advance so that you and your family can choose your preferred dates and book your favourite hotel - tourism activity is rising this month.
Food
Given that tourists spend a lot of time in huge shopping malls in January, the menu for the day will be varied — restaurants and cafés abound in the big shops. You can get soup for 4 to 5 euros and a pork knuckle with salad for 12 euros to feed the whole family: the portions are big enough to cope with on your own.
The street food is simple and inexpensive but no less delicious. For example, a meat casserole from minced pork served in a bun will benefit you for €3. Local beers start at €3 for a glass, and a cappuccino on a chilly January day costs €3-3.5.
Tips for holidays with children
The winter holidays are a time of favourite activities. If you've chosen Berlin as your destination, despite the chilly weather, it promises to be a busy and exciting holiday, but make a list of places to visit beforehand.
Pre-school and school children of all ages will love the hilarious ice skating rinks, the hot street sausages, the Natural History Museum and the MACHmit Children's Museum! And if time permits, the Legoland play centre completes the list.
We recommend postponing a trip with kids in January — the deluge of bargain hunters and the cold January winds are not the best companions for travelling with a little one.
A trip to the German capital in January is not easy: you must combine shopping, children's holidays and family holidays. So plan your trip well in advance, as there are many things to see, such as the biggest shopping mall in Europe or the most exciting children's museum.
Ensure your significant other, your child and yourself get the best out of your trip. We hope that our recommendations will help make your trip unforgettable.
