What's the weather like in Berlin in January
Ranked as one of the top most-inhabited urban areas in the European Union, Berlin is home to over 3.5 million people. The capital of Germany, the city sits in the north-eastern part of the country and enjoys a temperate oceanic climate that includes cold winters and chilly January days.
Temperature
The average daily temperature sits at -1°C (about 30°F), pretty cold for being outside unless you have the proper warm clothing.
Fortunately, the city is home to many indoor activities such as museums and theatres, and you can also warm up at a local café or restaurant. During the evening and overnight hours, the lows drop down to -3°C (around 27°F), so be sure to bundle up if you plan on checking out the famous nightlife of Berlin. The daytime highs get up to a still-chilly 2°C (about 36°F), so you'll want a heavy coat, a hat and gloves if you'll be outside.
Daylight
It's a good idea to pack clothing that you can easily layer to stay warm when outdoors and remove to cool off when inside. The days are short this time of the year, with only three hours of daylight on average. Plan accordingly and see any outdoor sites in the middle of the day during the daylight hours. Unfortunately, even during the daylight hours the sun is rare this month with a 40 percent chance of rain each day and lots of cloudy days.
Rainfall
Nearly 42 mm of rain falls this month, coming over 15 days, so you'll want to be sure to pack the umbrella. Thanks to the cold temperatures, some of the precipitation may fall as snow, creating a winter wonderland on the city streets. Morning frost is also common this time of the year. Despite the cold weather and snow, this can still be a good time to visit thanks to fewer visitors and less crowding.
Berlin Hotels for January
Tryp Berlin Mitte Hotel
Part of the Melia family of hotels, the Innside Berlin Mitte Hotel offers modern accommodations, quality amenities and is a good launch pad for the city's sights and attractions. The four-star hotel is decorated with Spanish accents and features an on-site Mediterranean restaurant, workout facilities and meeting rooms. The 229 guest rooms have contemporary décor, DreaMax mattresses and large windows.
Arco Hotel
Arcotel John F Berlin has a welcoming ambience, excellent breakfast and is situated near Berlin's main sights. If you're into shopping, the hotel sits next door to KaDeWe, Berlin's largest department store, so you have a place to crash after you shop till you drop during your January trip. The boutique hotel provides guests with a hearty breakfast each morning and a lovely garden terrace to use in the warmer summer months.
Lindemann's
From the sleek, cool furnishings to the helpful and friendly staff, Lindemann's is an affordable, modern and clean option for your stay in Berlin. Although it sits a little further out from the city centre, it still offers convenient access to public transportation to reach the main attractions. The rooms have interesting touches like deep soaker tubs, beaded curtain room dividers and patios and balconies with views of the city.
Bars and Restaurants
Hackethal's
At Hackethal's, you'll enjoy authentic German fare in the heart of the city. The restaurant features a rotating lunch menu of several choices, all under five euros. If you're a vegetarian, you'll also find plenty to eat with numerous non-meat choices on the regular and lunch menus. The chefs strive to use fresh and seasonal ingredients whenever possible. After dinner, check out the coffee menu with specialty drinks.
Haveli
For a change of pace from German food, head over to Haveli for authentic Indian dishes prepared fresh for you. The extensive menu includes classic tastes like tandoori, paneer and mango salad. Depending on your tolerance for spicy foods, the kitchen staff can prepare your meal with more or less zing. Each Sunday, the restaurant serves up an extensive and filling brunch for a bargain price.
Restaurant Tim Raue
Classic and chic, Restaurant Tim Raue features an ever-changing menu that revolves around what's freshest and most in season at that point in the year. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and the menu includes a la carte choices, as well as four, six and eight-course meals. To complement your dishes, check out the large wine menu with vintages from all over the world, specially chosen by the chef to go with the food.
Things to do in Berlin in January
International Green Week
One important event in Berlin in January is International Green Week, known around the world as the premier exhibition for food, agriculture and gardening. It's open to both professionals and hobbyists and is held at the Messe Berlin Exhibition Grounds. The 10-day show features German cuisine from produce to meat to wine and beer. Along with numerous exhibitors, you can check out seminars and workshops.
Chameleon Theatre
For a truly unique and entertaining experience, don't miss the Chameleon Theatre. The eccentric venue shows a variety of productions throughout the year, including ROOTS, featuring the Czech company Cirk La Putyka, and SWITCH, combining circus, theatre, music and dance acts. You won't see anything like it anywhere else. The theatre offers various food and drink packages so you can make a whole night out of the experience.
Kaufhaus des Westens
If shopping's your game, you must pay a visit to Kaufhaus des Westens, more commonly known by its nickname KaDeWe. It's the largest department store in Europe and sells everything from clothing to home décor to food products, ideal for any shopaholic. The sixth floor houses the expansive food hall, serving up over 35,000 different types of food. The food hall is the largest deli of its kind in all of Germany and most of Europe.
