December · Germany
Best time to visit Cologne in December Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in Cologne in December
Average temperature 5°C, 86 mm of rain, about 7 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 86% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
December score
4.6/10
Ranked #11 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- 5°C
- Rainfall
- 86 mm
- Humidity
- 86%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 7
- Crowd Density
- Quiet / Uncrowded
- Average Expenses
- $ · Budget Friendly ($)
December in Cologne scores 4.6/10 for sightseeing and cultural travel - ranked #11 of 12. Expect around 5°C, 86 mm of rain, and roughly 7 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
Cologne's twin-spired cathedral rises over a Rhine city of Roman roots and a famous carnival.
December in Cologne: expect compromises
Expect 5°C (41°F) in December. A good month for city streets, viewpoints and long meals; leave swimming for another season.
Budget for roughly 86 mm of rain this month — a flexible day or two helps — with about 7 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 8 hours of daylight to work around it.
That is 4.6/10 on the same scale — 11th of 12 months, versus 8.9/10 for the best month here.
Pack a mid-weight jacket, long sleeves and shoes you can walk 15 km in, a packable rain layer.
Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
If your dates are flexible, August is materially better in Cologne — 4.3 points higher on the same scale.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in Cologne in December?
- In December, Cologne averages 5°C, 86 mm of rain, and about 7 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 4.6/10.
- Is December a good time to visit Cologne?
- December earns a 4.6/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in Cologne in December?
- Expect about 86 mm of rain in December. Average humidity is 86% and there are about 7 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
Curated in Cologne
Tickets & experiences
Things to do in Cologne
Cologne, Germany. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.