Summer, with its great weather, brings with it the desire to learn new things and indulge in the light-hearted fun that characterises the warm season. A trip to the German capital can be a good idea.
Berlin is the city of youth and summer, a city you will never forget. High fashion boutiques and business centres alternate with museums and galleries. Contemporary art is interwoven with the everyday lives of ordinary people.
This city offers a good insight into the rhythm of modern European life, values and attitudes. The German capital will happily and proudly prove to any traveller that it is not without reason one of the 'locomotives of the European Union', and that its intelligent and sophisticated inhabitants know how to separate work from play. For a trip to Berlin in July and the pros and cons of this summer month for travelling to the German capital, read our article.
Berlin in July: pros and cons
It's not uncommon to find positive reviews of a July holiday in Berlin on the internet. And it's true, there's so much to see and do this month! Although the Love Parade, which used to attract thousands of tourists, has long since been cancelled, Berlin in July continues to delight and amaze with other exciting events and holiday ideas.
It is a great time to visit the German capital. Here're the main benefits:
- The warmest month.
- It's fashion week and the beginning of summer sales.
- At the end of July, there's a colourful Holi festival.
- Comfortable weather for exploring the city.
- Residents leave for the sea.
- Flight prices are below the annual average.
To avoid unpleasant surprises, keep in mind that
- July is considered one of the rainiest months of the year.
- Rainfall tends to fall during the daytime.
- The summer sun can be treacherous, so it's a good idea to wear hats.
- Buying a WelcomeCard can save you money on sightseeing tours and visits to museums and exhibitions.
The weather in Berlin in July
The weather in July and August is the warmest of the year, but it rarely gets hot. The weather in early July heralds the wettest month of the year, as the sky is getting rainy. Tourists are advised to stock up not only on umbrellas but also on mackintoshes to protect themselves from the vagaries of the weather.
Temperatures in Berlin in mid-July stay at a comfortable level, but the sun beats down hard enough to dry the asphalt immediately after a rain.
Travellers with children shouldn't spend a lot of time in the sun, and headgear and sunscreen are recommended for long walks outdoors. The weather in Berlin at the end of July is becoming drier and sunnier. The rain seems to have subsided and there is less and less of it. That's not surprising — in August the rainfall is halved.
Air and water temperature
Berlin has such a pleasant climate that you can come here at any time of the year. That's why most tourists prefer to visit the German capital at any time other than summer, the season of the sea. But that's the trick — if you want to see the city in peace, without the hustle and bustle, come now.
Temperatures in Berlin in July are comfortable for enjoying the local attractions.
The streets are emptier as city dwellers move to the countryside or head south to warmer climes. Despite the rain, it's worth visiting in July for the summer city's architecture, cosy cafes, parks and museums.
Air temperature in Berlin in July
Due to the high humidity, the average temperature in July does not reach critical heights and stays at a comfortable +24.5°C. At night, temperatures drop to +16.1°C. In addition, despite the increased rainfall, temperatures are stable during this month, ranging between 3 and 4 °C, depending on the state of the sky. When it rains, the temperature drops a few degrees and rises again when the weather is clear.
Amount of precipitation
Ironically, the warmest month of the year is also the wettest. July tops the 'top three' of capricious weather, beating June and May by a quarter and a third respectively. The average rainfall in July is 66.7mm.
While this may not seem like a huge amount compared to other European cities, the unpredictability of this figure spoils the mood of tourists and locals alike, as the weather can change several times a day. The average number of rainy days per month is six.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
The good news is that July completes the top three sunniest months of the year with around 12 days of clear weather, or 39%. Clouds provide pleasant shade for a full 42% of the month, and what could be more pleasant than summer heat without direct sunlight?
But 19% of July is a worrying time of year, when cloudy skies can turn into heavy rain. It's a good thing Berlin has plenty of indoor activities where you can forget about the bad weather and get on with your holiday.
Tour holidays
There is always something to see and do in Berlin. The city is divided into 12 districts, each of which has something special to offer that is specific to the area.
Berlin also has a huge green park that is a favourite place for the residents of the German capital. This is the Grunewald Forest. It's a huge area of trees and cycle paths. You'll always find people here — sports enthusiasts, picnicking families or curious tourists.
Even the rain and slush underfoot in early July doesn't scare visitors away. The place simply attracts holidaymakers.
As well as the cool shade of the trees, the centre of the Tiergarten is fascinating with its 67 metre high Victory Column. At the top sits the goddess Victoria. The city authorities used a kilogram of gold to decorate it, and with good reason — the figure is visible from afar and is particularly spectacular in the summer sunlight of mid-July.
There are around 170 museums in the city, the most popular of which are on Museum Island. The buildings house some of the most impressive historical treasures, including The Pergamon Altar and the bust of Nefertiti.
When the rain tapers off at the end of July, it's worth taking a walk to the royal palace of Charlottenburg and its beautiful, pleasant park.
There is a lake with floating birds that look curiously at visitors waiting for treats. Children will love the chance to feed the local ducks. What can the little ones do during their summer break? Here are some options for the whole family to explore:
- The Berlin Zoo will delight young animal lovers with its variety of colourful and striped animals.
- The MACHmit! museum is just as much fun, but also has an educational component. In addition to the attractions, there are learning corners where children can get to know the world around them.
- The Natural History Museum will also make kids anf adults curious. In its halls you'll find dinosaur skeletons, an enlarged replica of a fly and a real meteorite.
Berlin is full of activities for the little ones, and not for nothing is it considered one of the best cities to visit with children.
Holidays, events and festivals
Berlin's festivals in July are numerous and varied. Most of them take place indoors. The highlight of the summer is undoubtedly Berlin Fashion Week. The city's many cultural hotspots host a wide range of fashion-related events. Not only do top fashionistas from all over the world come to the city, but also designers, make-up artists, stylists, buyers and fashion designers from all over the world.
Fashion shows are held for a select few in the fashion industry, as well as outdoors near the Brandenburg Gate for the general public.
The Berlin ExpoCenter and Station Berlin host renowned designers whose work is seen by celebrities, politicians and showbiz stars. In the second half of July, the city hosts a Night at the Botanical Gardens. Once a year, the doors of the Berlin Botanical Gardens open and visitors are invited to admire the plants surrounded by millions of colourful lanterns and illuminations.
As the sky begins to turn grey, marking the approach of sunrise, the festival ends with a glorious display of fireworks. July also sees the colour festival of Holi. On the day of the festival, you can buy white clothes and paint from shops and even street stalls.
Children love this event. When else can they get dirty and not have fun? Eventually, the action itself turns into a huge street party that spans the entire Olympic Park where the festival takes place.
Shopping
The last Monday in July is the official start of the summer sales in Berlin. They start with discounts of -20-30% and then go up to -60-80%. Although Berlin isn't exactly the cheapest city in which to shop, the sheer number of malls and shops during the sales period will make you forget that.
The KaDeWe shopping centre is a popular destination for tourists, with well-known European clothing brands.
Locals and visitors alike know Kurfürstendamm for its shops to suit all tastes and budgets. On the eastern side of the city, Friedrichstrasse is a shopping hotspot on sales days, with as many boutiques as any other street.
Quartier 205, Quartier 206 and Quartier 207 have attracted particular interest in recent years. Quartier 207 is home to the Lafayette Gallery. This is the spot on the shopaholic's map where locals start their shopping spree to get the best of the sales and where they end up spending their leftovers.
Cost of vacation
Prices in Berlin in July are pleasant for travellers. It's a good month to save money on accommodation and airfare.
Airfare
The cost of a flight remains almost the same throughout the summer period.
Hotels
Compared to June, hotel rates in July are down by almost 40%. In August, the price will be another 10% lower than in July. Accommodation prices used to go through the roof in July because of the 'Love Parade', which attracted an unimaginable number of tourists. But due to the crush that occurred in 2010 and killed people, the celebration was cancelled.
As for food, it's not cheap in Berlin and it doesn't depend on the season.
Lunch in an inexpensive restaurant will cost at least €20 per person, and dinner for two will cost up to €70. Berlin offers many alternative options for eating, including street food, restaurants on wheels and the traditional McDonald's. These places are cheaper, but not recommended for tourists with small children.
Tips for parents
Berlin in July is a great place to travel. There are many good things about this month that outweigh a few rainy days. There are plenty of activities for school-age children to keep them out of the weather. While mum goes shopping, dad and the kids can spend some time in one of the city's interactive and educational museums.
Consider location when booking a hotel or apartment. Try to stay in the city centre to avoid time-consuming public transport journeys. Take a bottle of water with you wherever you go. Treat yourself and your little ones to a trip to Germany's capital, which is full of surprises for adults and children alike.
And to help you plan your trip with the kids, check out Kidpassage's Kids' Guide to Berlin, which tells you where the whole family should go first.
