Things to Do in Germany in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Germany
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring blooms transform Germany into a stunning display of cherry blossoms, magnolias, and tulips - parks like Munich's English Garden and Berlin's Tiergarten are at their absolute peak, typically mid-to-late April, with far fewer crowds than summer months
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation costs run 20-35% lower than June-August rates, and you'll actually get tables at beer gardens without reservations - locals are just starting to emerge after winter, so tourist infrastructure is fully operational but not overwhelmed
- Daylight extends dramatically through April - you'll have usable light until around 8:00-8:30pm by month's end, giving you 14+ hours to explore without the oppressive heat that makes July sightseeing exhausting
- Easter markets and spring festivals create unique cultural experiences you won't find other times of year - these aren't the famous Christmas markets tourists know about, so you're experiencing something more authentically local, with traditional egg decorating, spring foods, and considerably fewer international visitors
Considerations
- Weather unpredictability is genuinely challenging - you might get 18°C (64°F) sunshine one day and 6°C (43°F) drizzle the next, which makes packing frustrating and means you'll need to build flexibility into outdoor plans rather than committing to full-day hiking trips weeks in advance
- Some Alpine attractions and mountain roads remain closed through early April - if you're planning Zugspitze cable cars or high-altitude hiking in Bavaria, check specific opening dates as snowpack determines accessibility and some facilities don't open until late April or early May
- Rain happens frequently enough (roughly 10 days in the month) that you'll need solid indoor backup plans - these aren't typically all-day downpours, but the 70% humidity means when it does rain, everything feels damp and takes forever to dry
Best Activities in April
Rhine Valley Castle Exploration
April is actually ideal for the Rhine Gorge between Koblenz and Bingen - vineyards are just starting to green up, river cruise boats resume full schedules after winter reduction, and you can explore castles like Marksburg and Rheinfels without the June-September tour bus chaos. Temperatures in the 12-16°C (54-61°F) range make the uphill walks to castle ruins comfortable rather than sweaty. The occasional rain shower just adds atmospheric mist to the valley views.
Berlin Museum Circuit
April weather makes Berlin's Museum Island perfect - you'll want indoor activities for those 10 rainy days anyway, and the Pergamon Museum, Neues Museum, and Alte Nationalgalerie are substantially less crowded than summer months. The 70% humidity is actually lower than July-August levels, making the long indoor museum days more comfortable. Easter week brings slightly higher visitor numbers, but nothing compared to peak summer.
Black Forest Hiking Trails
Late April is when Black Forest trails become genuinely accessible after winter - you'll find waterfalls at peak flow from snowmelt, wildflowers emerging on lower elevation paths, and significantly fewer hikers than summer. Focus on trails below 800 m (2,625 ft) elevation in early April, expanding to higher routes after mid-month. The variable weather actually works in your favor - morning starts often have clearer skies before afternoon cloud buildup.
Bavarian Beer Garden Culture
April marks the official reopening of traditional beer gardens after winter closure - locals are genuinely excited to be outside again, creating an authentic atmosphere you won't find in peak tourist season. Temperatures are cool enough (10-14°C / 50-57°F) that beer gardens aren't packed, and you'll experience the real culture of bringing your own food while buying drinks. The chestnut trees are just leafing out, which locals consider the true start of beer garden season.
Romantic Road Cycling Routes
The Romantic Road between Würzburg and Füssen is perfect for cycling in April - cooler temperatures make the 460 km (286 mile) route comfortable for multi-day bike touring, spring blossoms line the route through Franconia, and you'll have medieval towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Dinkelsbühl without the summer crowds. The route is well-marked, mostly flat to gently rolling, and supported by bike-friendly guesthouses.
Saxon Switzerland National Park Hiking
April is when Saxon Switzerland near Dresden transitions from winter quiet to spring accessibility - the dramatic sandstone formations like Bastei Bridge and Schrammsteine are stunning with spring green emerging, rock climbing routes reopen as ice clears, and you'll hike in genuine solitude compared to summer weekends. The Elbe River valley below shows classic German landscape at its finest. Morning fog often creates dramatic photography conditions.
April Events & Festivals
Walpurgis Night (Walpurgisnacht)
April 30th brings Walpurgis Night celebrations, particularly strong in the Harz Mountains around Wernigerode and Thale - this pre-Christian spring festival involves bonfires, witch costumes, and folk traditions that feel genuinely authentic rather than tourist-oriented. Towns throughout Germany hold smaller versions with maypole raising and spring dancing. It's worth experiencing if your dates align.
Stuttgart Spring Festival (Frühlingsfest)
Running late April through early May, this is Germany's second-largest beer festival after Oktoberfest but with a fraction of international tourists - massive beer tents, carnival rides, and traditional Swabian food in a genuine local atmosphere. The festival grounds on Cannstatter Wasen host around 1.4 million visitors, mostly regional Germans celebrating spring.
Easter Markets (Ostermärkte)
Throughout Germany, Easter markets pop up in town squares during the two weeks before Easter - these feature spring decorations, traditional egg painting demonstrations, regional foods like lamb and asparagus (white asparagus season starts late April), and handcrafted goods. Much smaller and more intimate than Christmas markets, they offer genuine cultural insight. Major markets in Nuremberg, Munich, and Cologne worth timing your visit around.