With the Christmas holidays in full swing, it's time to take an exciting European trip. With so many fascinating cities, getting lost in the mix is easy. But we can help you choose the best option for your January trip: Cologne. The beauty of the ancient city is softly combined with the bright illuminated streets and festive customs of Germans. Any tourist will love this city like a sip of well-aged wine.
Holidays in Cologne in January: pros and cons
Read all the reviews about Cologne in January and see that it pays to put all your doubts aside and enjoy this city '100%'. Cologne in January offers the best conditions for your holiday, and that's why:
- The festivities are in full swing at the beginning of the month, giving you a taste of Europe.
- The city's beautiful street lights will lift even the poorest of moods.
- Christmas services in beautiful old cathedrals are packed with crazy energy.
Discounts in the shops are hysterical, driving every shopaholic in the world to hysterics.
However, the following should be taken into account:
- It is still January, and you should dress warmly not to spoil your holiday with a cold.
- We recommend leaving the little ones at home, as the weather in Cologne in January is not the best choice for travelling with small children, especially if you have a pram.
- Air travel in January is one of the most expensive of the year.
- Discounts in shops are great, and the size range is empty.
Weather in Cologne in January
The weather in Cologne in January and February is not the friendliest of the year. But not so bad that you should pass up an exciting trip to this city. The weather in early January borrows its rains from December, even more than in the previous month. For this reason, it is best to carry a small portable umbrella.
The temperature in Cologne in mid-January does not drop below freezing during the day, but it can get chilly at night. Snow and ice are more common during the darker hours of the day, but they add a bit of shimmer and glamour to the city.
The weather in Cologne at the end of January begins to feel more like winter. This month is considered the coldest of the year for a reason. Although in Cologne, the notion of actual cold is somewhat blurred, given that the daytime temperature is rarely below freezing.
Air temperature and precipitation
The temperature in Cologne in January is sometimes like November. The climate is relatively mild, so no sudden temperature drops or bitter frosts exist. This, incidentally, is the case throughout most of Germany. However, the high windiness of January is not the best option for travelling with small children. It is better to leave the little ones in the warmth and comfort of home with their grandparents — all the more reason for the adults to spend time together, too, sometimes. The romance of the lively city will envelop you gently in its enchanting atmosphere and awaken a spark of cosy happiness in your soul like never before.
Air temperature in Cologne in January
The average temperature in Cologne in January is around +4°C during the day. At night, the average temperature is slightly lower, at around +1°C. No particular temperatures are particularly distinctive for a certain period of the month: it can be +9°C at the start of January, +6°C in the middle and +4°C at the end, or absolutely the other way round - in mixed or opposite order.
One thing is sure: Cologne frosts are only expected at night. A nasty bonus, however, is the winds of around 4.5 m/s, which bring moist air from the Rhine River into the city.
Amount of precipitation
January is considered the fourth month of the year in terms of rainfall after May and the two summer rainfall leaders, June and July. The month is mainly characterised by moderate rainfall. However, despite the winter, most rain falls in the form of rain. Only a small proportion may fall as snow or in the form of so-called freezing rain — a mixture of hail and frozen water chips — during darkness. The average precipitation in January is 63,8 mm, falling most often in 5 days.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
Unfortunately, December and January are the least sunny months of the year. There are around six sunny days per month compared with about five days of rainy weather. The weather in January is divided in the following way: only 20% of the month is clear and sunny, 32% will be cloudy, and 48% will be overcast. But Cologne is beautiful in any weather, especially since periods of rain can wait out the temperature in a cosy café or spend it visiting one of the fascinating local museums.
Tour Holidays
Cologne is a relatively young city. The only building that survived the Second World War is the beautiful Cologne Cathedral, St Peter and Mary's Cathedral. At the beginning of January, it looks especially solemn in the festive illumination.
The Rhine River Tram runs year-round on the river Rhine and takes tourists on a ride. If you venture out on it in mid-January, sit inside, as the icy winter wind outside is bound to blow you away.
On the other hand, a visit to Town Hall Square should be a must — the festive illuminations will continue to hang there for most of January and delight visitors and residents with their cheerful lights. If you want to leave a memento of your visit, you can climb over the Hohenzollern Bridge and hang your castle as a symbol of lasting love or a deep wish.
If you can't escape the rainy weather in late January, head to the local circus Roncalli. It's one of the best in Europe. And once you've seen how good the circus performers are, you'll want to check out their performances on your next trip with the kids when it's warmer.
Cologne's most fascinating museums, the Fragrance Museum and the Chocolate Museum are also not to be missed.
In the former, you can enjoy pleasant aromas and learn the history of the famous cologne, while in the latter, you can taste the renowned dessert and choose sweet gifts for your children and relatives.
Holidays, events and festivals
The festivities in Cologne in January are still full of New Year's celebrations. Residents continue to party hard throughout the first half of the month, pausing only for a family dinner on Epiphany night, which falls on January 6. Roast geese are served on the table on this day. On the doors of the house, symbols of blessing are chalked up. The children wear white robes, identifying them as the Magi who found the little Jesus.
It's the last time you'll see the festive Christmas tree lit in the town square. Although the days of the Christmas market are long gone, the streets are still lined with stands selling delicious sausages and roasted chestnuts. Sweet treats, gingerbread and lollipops are on sale everywhere.
As the city draws tourists in with the festivities, locals try to maximise their income by selling novelties and curiosities on the streets. The second half of the month is quieter, with Cologne hibernating in anticipation of February's carnival. So it's an excellent time to take a breather and enjoy the local architectural beauty and cosy streets.
Shopping
The sales that started after Christmas are at their peak in January. By the middle of the month, they are -70-90% off. However, you'll have to look hard to find the right size - the best ones are already sold out.
Cologne's largest and most popular shopping centres are the Neumarkt Galerie and Galerie Karstadt.
Even on a typical weekend, it can be crowded, and there are long queues on discount days. But shopaholics are not afraid of the competition and are eager to hit the local boutiques in pursuit of an exciting purchase. Schildergasse and Breitestrasse are worth a visit for quality shoes or cosmetics, as it's not just clothes that are on sale in Cologne during the sale period.
Cost of vacation
Prices in Cologne in January are among the most expensive of the year. The holiday and carnival crowds push them to the limit. This applies to all areas of entertainment, including restaurants. Hotels and hotels can be booked at a reasonable price during the second half of January before the carnival crowds flock to the city. As for the beginning of the month, they are still 5-30% overpriced, depending on the location and category of the hotel.
Airfares in January are only 3-5% lower than in February. Flying this month will not be cheap.
It's worth taking advantage of cheap carriers, booking early, or buying a ticket to a less famous city and taking the train or bus to Cologne to save some money. The first half of the month is still high season, so tours are sold at a significant markup, sometimes as much as 30%. Getting a cheaper flight may be worth it, as many tour operators have tickets for New Year's Eve at reasonable prices.
You can't save money on New Year's Eve, even if you stay home. It is better to spend these magical days in a good way — spend on an unforgettable experience, which will give a trip. Cologne is a great choice to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of solemn Germany without the cumbersome depth of museums and exhibitions. It would be best to go for the excitement, not the history. And relax both mind and body.
Tips for parents
Cologne in January is an excellent option for a winter holiday. When planning your trip, plan your itinerary with the weather conditions in mind. Try to alternate between outdoor walks and indoor museums and children's centres.
Check the museums' websites beforehand for holiday times, as the Cologne public holiday season continues through January. And even better, don't forget to bring your good spirits, so you can enjoy whatever the weather brings!
