As the German capital enters its holiday season, it's a good time to explore the city. The rains wash the dust off the streets and refresh the pavements. June is characterised by a relatively small influx of tourists and an already strong outflow of locals.
June is a great time to visit Berlin with the family. Tourists with children will find a wealth of interesting sights and museums and, weather permitting, can enjoy the great outdoors in the capital's many parks. What makes the first month of summer a good time to visit Berlin? Kidpassage tried to get to the bottom of this question.
Holidays in Berlin in June: pros and cons
Reviews of holidays in Berlin in June are mixed. But they do confirm that a trip in this month is a good idea. Some people prefer to go to a seaside resort in June, while others are put off by the frequent rain in the German capital when choosing a city to visit.
However, Berlin in June has many advantages:
- It's humid but very warm.
- Thanks to the rain, there is still no stifling heat in June.
- There are many cultural events in June.
- There are relatively few people on the streets and in the tourist hotspots.
- Flight prices drop by 20% to below the average cost for the year.
To make your holiday the best it can be, there are a few things to consider:
- Buying a WelcomeCard can help you save money on travel and visits to tourist attractions;
- June is the second wettest month of the year, so pack umbrellas or mackintoshes for you and the children;
- Stay in a quieter area of Berlin so you won't be bothered by the nightlife.
The weather in Berlin in June
The weather in June and July is quite rainy, but this is a big plus for Berlin, with its large area of pavements. The pavements don't get so hot in the sun, as the rain cools them down nicely and keeps the city fresh and clean.
The weather at the beginning of June is quite mild, with the thermometer gradually rising as the summer progresses, greatly influenced by the humidity index.
Daytime temperatures in Berlin in mid-June are between +20°C and +25°C. The weather in Berlin at the end of June is pleasant for outdoor activities, as the heat wave hits the city later in August. In the meantime, put on your favourite trainers, jeans and a T-shirt, an umbrella and a raincoat just in case, and head out to explore the city and all its secrets.
Air and water temperature
Berlin's temperate climate balances the seasons, with relatively warm winters and slightly humid summers. The city is a pleasant place to live, as it never experiences extreme cold or stifling heat. This climate is popular with locals as well as tourists who visit the city throughout the year.
Temperatures in Berlin in June are ideal for a wide range of outdoor festivals, as it's already warm enough to be outside all year round. And there's no danger of party-goers overheating.
Even if you're caught in the middle of bad weather, don't be discouraged — most of the fun is in museums and leisure centres. So it pays to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly.
Air temperature in Berlin in June
The average temperature in Berlin in June is around +22.2°C during the day, and the air cools down to +14°C when the sun goes down. Throughout the month, it gets gradually warmer, with temperatures fluctuating by only a few degrees.
On the sunniest days, the thermometer can reach +25°C, but more often than not, it rains in the evening, bringing things back to normal. June in Berlin is characterised by stable temperatures, no sudden changes in temperature and plenty of rain, which doesn't affect the thermometer in any way.
Amount of precipitation
June is the second wettest month of the year. The average for the month is 52.8 mm. That's not much compared to most German and European cities.
May is 10% drier than June and July is 10% wetter than June. It rains in Berlin for around four days. The month is characterised by roughly equal proportions of showers and fine precipitation.
Locals have noticed that it rains most often at weekends. The reason for this phenomenon may be that there are fewer exhaust fumes in the atmosphere on these days, creating a kind of microclimate over the city.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
In June, Berlin has 11 days of clear, sunny weather where you can safely leave your umbrella at home. This weather makes up 37% of the month, alternating with 37% of cloudy days. The remaining 26% of June is more overcast than cloudy and there's a good chance of rain, even if it's just a scare.
Tour holidays
Like any European capital, Berlin offers many interesting and informative excursions. The city was badly damaged during the Second World War, but has been rebuilt as much as possible, especially since the reunification of Germany.
The symbol of the German capital, along with the Reichstag building, is the Brandenburg Gate. It is so impressive that even Napoleon once had a quadriga — a chariot pulled by four horse — removed from the gate and transported to Paris. But after he was overthrown, it returned home.
See the remains of Berlin's most famous landmark, the wall that once divided the country.
Children are unlikely to be interested in seeing the ruins, but adults with an interest in the subject are likely to be interested. Berlin's central square, Alexanderplatz, is home to many interesting buildings.
You'll find the Haus des Lehrers, Berlin's first high-rise hotel, a huge shop, a fountain and a large revolving clock that tells the time around the world. The Berlin Television Tower — Germany's tallest building — deserves your attention. The queues at its viewing platform and restaurant are testament to its popularity with tourists and the fact that it contributes to the city budget.
Germans joke about it like the French do about the Eiffel Tower, claiming that the only good thing about it is that you can't see in from it. If you find yourself in bad weather in early June, spend a day or two visiting the Museum Island in the heart of the city. The Pergamon Museum is well worth a visit, with exhibits that will impress adults and schoolchildren alike.
At the Berlin Art Gallery you'll find great paintings by Rubens, Titian, Caravaggio and a huge collection of Rembrandt. Art lovers will also enjoy the surrounding beauty.
For a refreshing break in mid-June, a trip to one of the parks adjacent to the Charlottenburg, Ephraim and Kepenike palaces or to the countryside of Potsdam is a must. For families with children, the following places are well worth a visit:
- Berlin Zoo.
- Museum of Natural History.
- Legoland games centre.
- Tropical Island water park in the suburbs.
Little inventors and experimenters in Berlin will especially enjoy the Labyrinth Museum and the Museum of Technology — both are interactive, educational and highly entertaining.
Holidays, events and festivals
Berlin's festivals alternate with remarkable frequency in June. Sometimes the beginning of the month is marked by the Carnival of Cultures, a four-day parade of national minorities through the city's crowded streets in traditional dress and costumes, showcasing the characteristics of their people. This colourful event attracts locals as well as tourists with children, as the youngsters don't care about the festivities, just the spectacle.
Also at the beginning of the month, Berlin's Oberbaumbrücke bridge hosts the Open Air Gallery, where young artists exhibit their work and visitors can try their hand at painting on giant canvases free of charge.
There is also a multi-metre-high canvas that children enjoy painting.
In the middle of the month, the German-French Art of Living fair takes place in the Reinickendorf district. For a few days, Berlin is transformed into a small French town, with music, carousels, wine and delicacies, and colourful fireworks in the evening.
Three events take place at the end of June. The first is the Night of Music, when young musicians give free concerts throughout the city and at venues across Berlin. The second is the Long Night of Science, when the city's research centres, archives and laboratories open their doors to the public. And then there's Christopher Street Day, Berlin's queer day parade, which is a big, colourful, slogan-laden procession.
Feathers, leather, sequins — all are present in the costumes of almost 50,000 participants, and the procession is often used as a platform for local political forces. Berlin is also home to the ILA Berlin Air Show, which attracts up to 200,000 visitors every two years. Here you can see the latest innovations in the world of aeronautics and an air show that will delight adults and children alike.
Cost of vacation
Prices in Berlin in June are not the lowest of the year. This may be due to the number of holidays and festivals.
Airfares
Airfares for scheduled flights are pretty much the same throughout the summer. If you want to save money, we recommend booking in advance or taking advantage of low-cost airlines.
Hotels
In terms of hotel room rates, June is the most expensive of the summer months. In July, room prices drop by 40% and in August by a further 10%.
Food
The cost of eating in Berlin can be regulated by the variety of places to eat. There are many fast food outlets, small cafes, restaurants and bars in the city. Lunch for one person ranges from €10 in a McDonald's or €25-40 in a restaurant, while dinner for two costs at least €70.
Tips for parents
Berlin in June is practically ideal for family trips. It's a safe time to take children of all ages out. It's not yet hot, but it's already warm, the weather is pleasant and the city's many parks offer plenty of opportunities to relax in the shade of the trees and get some energy before heading off to another museum.
Although it is considered one of the wettest months of the year, it loses out to most other German cities in terms of rainfall. So pack an umbrella and a small suitcase full of light clothes and comfortable shoes, plus a light jumper or sweatshirt for the evenings.
Berlin will live up to your expectations and be as comfortable as a gentle June breeze. And to make sure you're not disappointed, explore Kidpassage's collection of children's and family activities — there's sure to be something for you and the kids to enjoy.
