Like many of its European counterparts, Germany is one of those countries that you can visit at any time of the year, and still have an amazing time. You don’t need to watch out for monsoon season, hurricanes or dust storms: you can just enjoy yourself, whenever you want to go. You’ll need to be aware of two things before booking flights though: Germany is more expensive in the summer, thanks to hot, sunny weather and an abundance of families on school holidays. Secondly, if you’re planning on heading to Munich or the surrounding area, the prices soar during Oktoberfest, and around it.

You won’t need to worry about packing too much: if you head over in the winter, you’ll need practical warm wear, as temperatures range between 5F – 38F. In spring, summer and fall, temperatures vary between 72F to 95F, but it’s always a good idea to pack some waterproofs and warm clothes, as you can’t rely on consistent weather too much! So, decide on what activities you plan on doing in the country, and see what season will make your vacation a success.

For spontaneous city breaks

As Germany doesn’t have wildly extreme weather, if you’re not planning on doing weather-dependent activities, you’ve got a lot of freedom. For city breaks, you don’t need super sunny days, and a bit of rain and wind won’t stop you from enjoying yourself. Of course, if you head over to Germany in the summer, you’ll get gloriously warm days – but you’ll also get higher airfares and hotel prices.

For exploring cities, you’ll be fine in any season: the spring and fall are usually warm to cool, with moderate rainfall. May and September are ideal times to take a city break: the weather is pleasant enough to enjoy walking around, but you won’t feel as though you’re missing out on being by the ocean on hot days. There’s plenty to do in German cities, regardless of the weather – just check out Mr Hudson Explores for more information on Berlin and its surrounding areas.

For outdoor activities

Germany is home to some of the best outdoor activities: from hiking to cycling, horseback riding to skiing, any adrenaline junky can find their favorite thrill. However, if you’re basing your vacation on being able to go outside, you need to be careful when it comes to the time of year to visit. The winter – unless you’re doing snow sports – isn’t great for outdoor fun. This is partly due to the freezing temperatures, wet weather and abundance of fog. As above, the spring and fall are great times to go, as you’ll have cooler weather but still get to enjoy the sun.

If you’re looking for glorious temperatures and endless sunny days, then head over during the summer. You’ll be able to try out everything that Germany has to offer when it comes to outdoor activities.

For cozy Christmas getaways

Nothing spells out Christmas better than the gorgeous German Christmas markets in Berlin, Dresden, Nuremberg and Munich. They’re replicated the world over, with Bavarian-style wooden houses popping up in city center markets, selling delicious frankfurters, and a range of mouthwatering sweet treats. So, if you’re prepared to brave the cold weather, you’ll be in for the perfect Christmassy holiday. Likewise, winter sports come to life in Germany, with downhill and cross-country skiing taking preference.