People pack for Hamburg's temperatures and get caught by the rain. July, the month you'd expect to be dry, is the wettest of the year with 19 rain days, and the wind off the Elbe makes 14°C (57°F) feel a lot colder. A real waterproof jacket matters more than anything else in your bag.
Hamburg weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 5°C41°F | 7°C45°F | 11°C52°F | 14°C57°F | 19°C66°F | 22°C72°F | 22°C72°F | 23°C73°F | 21°C70°F | 14°C57°F | 8°C46°F | 6°C43°F |
| Low | 1°C34°F | 1°C34°F | 3°C37°F | 5°C41°F | 9°C48°F | 13°C55°F | 14°C57°F | 14°C57°F | 12°C54°F | 8°C46°F | 4°C39°F | 3°C37°F |
| Rain days | 14 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 19 | 12 | 8 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Season by season
Winter
December–FebruaryCold, grey and damp. Highs reach only 5°C (41°F) to 7°C (45°F), lows sit at 1°C (34°F) to 3°C (37°F), and there are 12 to 14 rain days a month. Bring a warm waterproof coat, a hat and gloves, especially for the Christmas market at the Rathaus and walks along the harbour, where the wind is strongest.
Spring
March–MaySlow to warm. March tops out at 11°C (52°F), April at 14°C (57°F) with 14 rain days, and May finally reaches 19°C (66°F). Pack layers and a rain shell and you'll be comfortable walking the Alster lakes on the good days.
Summer
June–AugustPleasant, not hot. Highs sit at 22°C (72°F) to 23°C (73°F), which is ideal for the harbour ferries and the Elbe beach at Övelgönne. The catch is rain, with 19 rain days in July, so keep a shell in your day bag even on a sunny morning.
Autumn
September–NovemberSeptember is the dry spell, with 8 rain days and highs of 21°C (70°F), a good month for HafenCity and the Elbphilharmonie plaza. Then it turns fast. October drops to 14°C (57°F) with 14 rain days and November brings 15 rain days with 8°C (46°F) highs, so the warm coat comes back.
What to bring to Hamburg
0 of 20 packedJuly is Hamburg's wettest month with 19 rain days, so a shell that packs into its own pocket earns a place in your bag all year, not only in winter.
The wind off the Elbe kills umbrellas, and a waterproof jacket that compresses small is what you actually want on the harbour promenade.
- Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 20LBags & Luggage
Weather sealing around the zippers keeps your camera and laptop dry on a wet walk from the Speicherstadt to the Elbphilharmonie.
- A warm wrapClothing
A wool wrap is warm on the flight over and doubles as a scarf on a 5°C (41°F) January day by the harbour.
- Hydro Flask 18 oz Standard Mouth Bottle with Flex CapWater Bottles & Hydration
It's rated 12 hours hot, so fill it with coffee before a cold early start at the Sunday Fischmarkt.
- Epicka 70W Universal Travel AdapterTech & Power
Germany uses European C and F sockets, and this one charges a laptop and phones from a single wall outlet through its 70W of ports.
Clothing
- Warm sweater or fleece · 2Wind off the Elbe makes 14°C feel colder
- Long pants · 3
- Hat, gloves and scarfNov–Feb, highs of 5–8°C
- Light layers for summer · 2 setsAugust peaks at 23°C
Footwear
- Waterproof walking shoes · 1 pairJuly has 19 rain days
- Spare pair of shoes · 1 pair
- Wool socks · 5 pairs
Gear
- Compact umbrella
- Reusable shopping bag
Health and toiletries
- Lip balm and hand cream
- Basic medications
Documents and money
- Passport
- Some cash in eurosSome smaller places still prefer cash
Tech
- Phone with offline maps
What shoes should you pack for Hamburg?
Waterproof shoes or leather boots, not mesh sneakers. You'll walk a lot on cobbles in the Speicherstadt and along the harbour, and wet pavement is the default for much of the year. Good soles matter too, because the city spreads out along the water.
What do people wear in Hamburg?
Hamburg dresses practical and understated. Dark colors, a good jacket and a scarf are the uniform for most of the year, and few people dress up outside a concert at the Elbphilharmonie. Casual is fine in St. Pauli and on the Reeperbahn.
What plugs does Hamburg use?
Germany uses type C and F plugs at 230V, the standard European two-pin. Bring an adapter if you're coming from the US, UK or Australia. Check that hair dryers and straighteners are dual voltage before you plug them in.
Tours and things to do in Hamburg
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Hamburg.
What should you leave at home for Hamburg?
Leave the umbrella if you can. The wind off the Elbe turns cheap ones inside out, and a hooded rain shell is easier on the harbour promenade. Skip suede shoes as well, because they won't survive a week of Hamburg rain.
Packing for Hamburg: questions people ask
Does it rain a lot in Hamburg?
Yes. Most months get 11 to 15 rain days, and July is the wettest with 19, so pack a waterproof jacket in any season.
What should I wear in Hamburg in summer?
T-shirts, jeans or light trousers, and a rain shell. Highs average 22°C (72°F) to 23°C (73°F), and evenings by the water can feel cool.
What should I wear in Hamburg in December?
A warm waterproof coat, a hat, gloves and waterproof shoes. Highs are around 6°C (43°F) with 14 rain days, and the harbour wind makes it feel colder.
Is Hamburg cold in winter?
Cold and damp more than freezing. Highs run 5°C (41°F) to 7°C (45°F) and lows sit around 1°C (34°F) to 3°C (37°F).
Do I need an umbrella in Hamburg?
A hooded rain jacket works better. The wind along the Elbe and the Alster tends to wreck umbrellas.
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