Things to Do in Germany in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Germany
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means you'll find accommodation rates 20-30% lower than summer peaks, particularly in Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt where business travel drops off mid-month
- Fewer crowds at major museums and galleries - the Pergamon Museum, Neues Museum, and Munich's Pinakothek collections are actually browsable without the summer crush of tour groups
- Late March brings the first signs of spring, particularly in southern regions where you might catch early cherry blossoms in parks and beer gardens start reopening their outdoor sections
- Ski season overlaps with early spring activities - the Bavarian Alps still have decent snow coverage through mid-March while lower elevations are warming up for hiking and cycling
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get crisp sunny days at 12°C (54°F) or grey drizzle at 4°C (39°F), sometimes within the same week, making packing frustrating
- Daylight is improving but still limited at 11-12 hours, meaning outdoor activities need to be planned around shorter days and some attractions maintain reduced winter hours until April
- Many traditional beer gardens and outdoor dining spaces remain closed or operate sporadically depending on weather, limiting that quintessential German outdoor social experience until late in the month
Best Activities in March
Berlin Museum and Gallery Circuit
March is actually ideal for Berlin's world-class museums because tourist numbers haven't hit summer levels yet. Museum Island is manageable without advance booking most days, and you can spend proper time with the Ishtar Gate or Nefertiti bust without being jostled. The variable weather makes indoor cultural activities more appealing anyway. Temperatures ranging from 1-10°C (34-50°F) mean you'll appreciate the heated galleries. Late March also sees several gallery openings and art events as the spring season kicks off.
Rhine Valley Wine Town Exploration
Early March marks the start of wine cellar openings in the Rhine and Mosel valleys. While vineyard tours don't really start until April, wine tasting in historic cellars is perfect for cool March days. The medieval towns like Rüdesheim, Bacharach, and Cochem are quiet, and you can actually walk the cobblestone streets without tour bus crowds. River cruise boats start limited service late March, offering a different perspective of the castle-dotted valley. Temperatures in the valleys tend to run 2-3°C (4-5°F) warmer than cities.
Bavarian Alps Late-Season Skiing and Snowshoeing
March offers the best of both worlds in Bavaria - decent snow coverage in higher elevations with longer daylight and warmer temperatures than January or February. Resorts like Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Berchtesgaden have good conditions through mid-March, with afternoon temperatures sometimes reaching 8-10°C (46-50°F) at base level, making it more comfortable than deep winter. Late March transitions to snowshoeing and early spring hiking as lower trails clear. The crowds thin out significantly after German school holidays end in early March.
Christmas Market Hall and Indoor Market Tours
While outdoor Christmas markets are long gone, March is perfect for exploring Germany's year-round covered market halls. The Markthalle Neun in Berlin, Kleinmarkthalle in Frankfurt, and Viktualienmarkt in Munich operate daily with local produce, prepared foods, and regional specialties. These heated indoor spaces are ideal for March's variable weather, and you'll experience actual local food culture rather than tourist-oriented markets. Cooking classes and food tours operate regularly, and the seasonal transition means you'll find both winter comfort foods and early spring produce.
Romantic Road Medieval Town Circuit
The Romantic Road's medieval towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, and Nördlingen are genuinely atmospheric in March with minimal crowds and occasional morning fog that makes the medieval walls even more dramatic. Without summer tour buses, you can photograph the iconic Plönlein junction in Rothenburg without 50 people in your frame. Indoor attractions like the Medieval Crime Museum and town wall walks are perfect for cool March weather. Late March brings the first outdoor café openings on market squares.
Dresden and Saxon Switzerland Hiking Preparation
March in Dresden means you can explore the reconstructed Frauenkirche, Zwinger Palace, and Semper Opera without summer crowds, while nearby Saxon Switzerland National Park transitions from winter to early hiking season. Lower elevation trails around the Bastei Bridge become accessible late March, though higher routes may still have mud and ice. The dramatic sandstone formations are particularly photogenic with lingering winter atmosphere. Dresden's museums and galleries provide excellent backup options when weather turns grey.
March Events & Festivals
ITB Berlin Travel Trade Show
The world's largest travel trade show takes over Berlin's Messe exhibition center in early March. While primarily a business event, the final weekend typically opens to the public, offering a fascinating glimpse into global tourism with pavilions from 180+ countries, cultural performances, and food tastings. It's an unusual way to experience Berlin if you're interested in travel industry trends.
Starkbierzeit Strong Beer Season
Munich's traditional strong beer season runs through March, particularly at historic breweries like Paulaner and Augustiner. These stronger Doppelbock beers were originally brewed by monks as liquid bread for Lenten fasting. Beer halls host special Starkbierfest events with traditional music, hearty food, and satirical performances. It's a more authentic local experience than Oktoberfest, with fewer tourists and actual Münchners in attendance.