The month in detail
What to expect in December
Winter in Cologne is cool (7°C during the day). Days are short (1.5h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. With 62% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.
December ranks 12 out of 12 months in Cologne. Compared to November: −3°C daytime, −0.5h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
1 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
3°
Daylight
7.7h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 30
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Cologne is July (7.7/10), 7.2 pts higher than December.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Cologne
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Cologne
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.
Country · Germany
🗣️LanguageGerman
💶CurrencyEuro (€)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 24°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 6°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘDecember · 62%
🏛️ City break
📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in December
If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Cologne ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
GermanyTemperate climate with a 7.7 → 0.5 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
50.94°N · 6.96°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Cologne?
June is the best month with 23.0°C highs, 14.0°C lows, 6.7h of sunshine and 48.0% rainy days. The months of June & July offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Cologne get in June?
Cologne averages 6.7 sunshine hours per day in June. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.1/10.
What is the rainiest month in Cologne?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Cologne in June?
In June, overnight lows reach 14.0°C, while afternoon highs average 23.0°C.
Is Cologne good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Cologne scores 0.6/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains June with a score of 7.1/10.
When should you avoid Cologne?
January is the most difficult month to visit Cologne, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Cologne in December?
The average UV index reaches 1 in December in Cologne (low), with about 7.7h of daylight. No protection needed.