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Traveling Europe from October to December. When to visit Germany?

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I have a plan to travel Europe from mid-October to mid-December. My itinerary has me mostly along the Mediterranean (eg, Seville, Nice, Florence), but I'll spend 2-3 weeks in Eastern Europe/Germany.

Initially, I thought I'd visit the Mediterranean spots early in my visit, and the Eastern/Central Europe spots towards the end. The idea here being that the Mediterranean spots are "built" for warmer weather, and Eastern/Central Europe is more of a destination during December than the Mediterranean is. I plan to spend the vast majority of my travels outside, by the way. My favorite part of traveling is walking around and meeting people.

But, I'm looking at the festivals in Germany and I feel so conflicted. First, I was initially planning a rather brief visit to Nuremberg, but this is the least built-out portion of my plan. Aka, very flexible. There are so many amazing festivals all over the place! Is there one I should be sure to attend?

Second, it just made me reconsider my timing. Did I get this backwards? Should I reverse my plan? Would I do better off, for example, visiting Germany in October, and then going to Seville in December?

Posted by
2956 posts

Prepare for rain no matter where you go. If you visit Germany (DE) in Dec dress warm. I was in Munich early Dec and was extremely cold. Wear a winter coat not a lined raincoat as I did and I was wearing long underwear and a hat. You may also want to wear hand warmers when taking photos.

Posted by
6643 posts

Mid-October? I guess you need to make choices really quickly. Or are you talking about 2024?

What festivals do you refer to? There's really not much until the end of November when the Christmas Markets begin. Maybe that's what your mean. If so, then December in Germany makes really good sense.

I love Nuremberg, but I'd caution you about being there during the Christmas markets. The place is way too well-known for its market and overpopulated. There are markets everywhere, so I would choose your destinations based on what ELSE they offer - like on their INDOOR sightseeing venues... museums, brewery tours, opera houses, palaces, cathedrals, etc. You'll need somewhere else besides the markets to hang out... a couple of hours in winter weather at one of those and you'll be ready for the great indoors.

Posted by
7668 posts

I lived in Augsburg, Germany for four years and didn't care for their long Winters.

In December, it get dark at 4:30PM and it is cold. If you go take a very warm overcoat, plus sweaters and warm socks, gloves and a hat.

Yes, the Christmas Markets are nice in Germany, but I suggest going when it is warmer.

Posted by
416 posts

I’d start in Germany and work your way south

It’s not just weather, but also day length. December in southern Germany is ≈2.5 hours shorter than October. Munich is a full hour shorter than it’ll be south of Barcelona at that time. It’s not just sightseeing, that daylight impacts your personal energy if you’re like most people.

And as long as you avoid the big holiday spots, the crowds will be super light. I always wanted to visit Venice in December for that reason

Posted by
2908 posts

Hi,

We have made trips to Germany and Austria in late November and early December with the main focus of seeing the towns and villages during the Christmas Markets. Yes it’s cold, but the holiday atmosphere and the beauty of the towns and villages lit up for Christmas was so worth the going in the cold.

Posted by
11180 posts

Unless the Christmas markets are on your 'gotta do' list, at that time of the year, I would start in Germany and work my way south and west. I see that as the way to have the best odds of moderate weather and fitting with your 'walking around and meeting people' travel preference.

Should I reverse my plan? Would I do better off, for example, visiting Germany in October, and then going to Seville in December?

I would answer those questions "Yes and Yes"

My $0.02
Happy travels

Posted by
1482 posts

You really can't lose either way.

We have visited the Christmas Markets 4 times and are going back this Nov/Dec. It is a fun time of year for us. We were stationed in Germany for 6 years and yes Advent Season can be cold. It can also be mild and rainy. I think the adage about dressing in layers is best: water and wind resistant shell with warm layers under neath. You will probably need the same sort of dress in southern Europe in December.

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