Things to Do in Germany in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Germany
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect shoulder season weather - daytime temperatures around 18°C (64°F) are ideal for walking tours through cities like Munich, Berlin, and Dresden without the exhaustion of summer heat or winter cold. You'll actually enjoy those 5-6 hour walking days through historic centers.
- Asparagus season is in full swing - every restaurant from roadside gasthofs to Michelin-starred establishments serves Spargel (white asparagus) prepared dozens of ways. This is THE month Germans obsess over this vegetable, and you'll find dedicated asparagus festivals in towns like Schwetzingen and Beelitz with prices around 8-15 euros per dish.
- Beer gardens open for the season - by May, every major city has its chestnut-shaded beer gardens operating at full capacity. Locals emerge after the long winter, and unlike the tourist-packed July and August crowds, you'll find a genuine mix of families, students, and regulars. Expect to pay 8-10 euros for a liter of beer.
- Rhein and Mosel valleys are stunning - vineyards are bright green with new growth, river cruises operate full schedules, and castle hiking trails are accessible without mud or snow. The light in May creates exceptional photography conditions, especially early morning along the Mosel between Cochem and Bernkastel-Kues (roughly 50 km/31 miles of scenic river road).
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - that 8°C (46°F) low means you might need a winter jacket one evening and be in a t-shirt the next afternoon. Rain happens about 10 days in the month, often as brief showers, but occasionally as all-day drizzle that can derail outdoor plans. Pack layers because you'll use them all.
- Public holidays create booking chaos - May has multiple public holidays (May 1st Labor Day, Ascension Day around mid-month, Whit Monday at month's end) when Germans take long weekends. Hotels in popular areas like the Black Forest or Romantic Road can be 30-40% more expensive and fully booked. Plan around these dates or embrace the local festival atmosphere.
- Not quite warm enough for Alpine activities - hiking trails above 1,500 m (4,921 ft) often still have snow patches, many mountain huts don't open until late May or early June, and cable cars run reduced schedules. If serious mountain hiking is your goal, you'll be limited to lower elevation trails around 800-1,200 m (2,625-3,937 ft).
Best Activities in May
Rhine Valley Castle Hiking and Wine Tasting
May is arguably the best month for hiking the castle-to-castle trails between Koblenz and Rüdesheim. Temperatures are perfect for the steep climbs up to ruins like Rheinfels or Marksburg - you'll work up a sweat on the ascents but won't be overheating like in July. Vineyards are lush and green, wine taverns have just opened their outdoor terraces, and river steamers run full schedules. The light is exceptional for photography, especially golden hour shots of castles. Most trails are well-marked and range 8-15 km (5-9 miles) with moderate elevation gain around 300 m (984 ft).
Berlin Historical Walking and Cycling Tours
May weather makes Berlin perfect for extensive outdoor exploration - the city is designed for walking and cycling, and at 18°C (64°F) you can comfortably cover 15-20 km (9-12 miles) daily without exhaustion. The Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park is surrounded by blooming trees, Tiergarten is green without being overgrown, and outdoor Cold War sites like the East Side Gallery are pleasant to explore. Locals flood the streets after winter, creating genuine neighborhood energy in areas like Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg. UV index of 8 means you'll want sunscreen for all-day outdoor exploration.
Bavarian Beer Garden Culture Experience
By May, Munich's legendary beer gardens are fully operational and locals are celebrating the end of winter. This is when you'll experience authentic beer garden culture - families with children playing in chestnut groves, older regulars at their stammtisch tables, and that particular Bavarian mix of formality and gemütlichkeit. Weather is perfect for afternoon sessions from 2pm onwards when gardens fill up. Temperatures rarely get uncomfortably hot, and evening chill around 10°C (50°F) just means you move closer to the fire pits. Bring cash - many gardens are cash-only, and expect to pay 8-10 euros per liter, 7-12 euros for traditional dishes.
Black Forest Hiking and Village Exploration
May is ideal for Black Forest trails - lower elevation routes around 600-1,000 m (1,969-3,281 ft) are completely clear of snow, waterfalls are running strong from snowmelt, and the famous cuckoo clock villages like Triberg and Schonach are accessible without winter road closures. The forest itself is that perfect spring green, wildflowers are blooming on meadow trails, and you'll encounter far fewer hikers than summer months. Temperatures in the valleys reach 16-18°C (61-64°F) while higher elevations stay cooler - perfect layering weather. Traditional gasthofs serve seasonal dishes like wild garlic specialties.
Romantic Road Medieval Town Exploration
The famous Romantic Road from Würzburg to Füssen is spectacular in May - medieval towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, and Nördlingen have flowering window boxes, outdoor cafes open for the season, and manageable crowds compared to peak summer. Walking the preserved town walls in mild 18°C (64°F) weather is genuinely pleasant rather than sweltering. The surrounding Franconian countryside is green and photogenic, and you'll catch the tail end of fruit tree blossoms in some areas. Coach tours are running but haven't reached July intensity.
Dresden and Saxon Switzerland National Park
May is arguably the best month for this combination - Dresden's baroque architecture looks stunning under variable spring skies with dramatic clouds, and the nearby Bastei Bridge hiking area in Saxon Switzerland is perfect at these temperatures. The sandstone formations and forest trails involve significant climbing - around 400-500 m (1,312-1,640 ft) elevation gain on popular routes - which would be exhausting in summer heat. The Elbe River is scenic for cycling routes that connect Dresden to the national park, roughly 30 km (19 miles) of mostly flat terrain along the water.
May Events & Festivals
Spargelfest (Asparagus Festivals)
Throughout May, towns across Germany host asparagus festivals celebrating the white asparagus harvest. Schwetzingen near Heidelberg and Beelitz near Berlin host the largest festivals with asparagus markets, cooking demonstrations, and traditional dishes. You'll find everything from asparagus soup to asparagus ice cream (yes, really). This is peak German food culture on display - locals take their Spargel seriously. Entry is typically free, dishes cost 5-12 euros.
Maifest (May Day Celebrations)
May 1st is a public holiday across Germany with traditional Maifest celebrations in villages and towns. The most visible tradition is the Maibaum (maypole) raising ceremony, often accompanied by folk dancing, brass bands, and beer tents. Munich's Viktualienmarkt hosts one of the most accessible celebrations for visitors. It's a genuine local tradition rather than a tourist event, giving real insight into regional culture.
Hafengeburtstag Hamburg (Hamburg Port Anniversary)
If your dates align, Hamburg's port birthday is one of Europe's largest harbor festivals, typically held over a long weekend in early May. Tall ships, maritime exhibitions, fireworks, and concerts along the Elbe River attract over a million visitors. The festival is free to attend, though harbor cruises and ship tours cost 15-30 euros. Hotel prices in Hamburg spike 40-50% during this weekend, so book well ahead or skip the city entirely if you're not specifically attending.