Cologne in April

In April, Cologne averages 15°C (59°F) during the day and 5°C (41°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 17 days of the month see precipitation (49 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

April is one of the wetter and less comfortable months in Cologne. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.

15°C
Avg high
5°C
Avg low
17
Rain days
49 mm
Rainfall

How April compares to the rest of the year in Cologne

7th
warmest month of the 12
11th
wettest month of the 12
6%
of yearly rainfall falls in April
13 h 48 min
daylight on the 15th

April is in the middle of the year for warmth in Cologne (7th of 12) and one of the driest months (11th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C below the annual average (15°C). April runs 4°C warmer than March (11°C) and warms a further 4°C into May (19°C).

April sunrise & sunset in Cologne

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:37 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
8:26 PM
Day length
13 h 48 min

Times shown for Cologne local time (Europe/Berlin), calculated for the 15th of April. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Cologne — April

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of April, in Cologne's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:37 AM – 6:17 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:17 AM – 7:17 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:46 PM – 8:46 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:46 PM – 9:26 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Fair
Core only briefly above the horizon — a marginal month even from dark sites near Cologne.

📅 When to book — Cologne in April

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on April's tier (Shoulder) and Cologne's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — April in Cologne

Shoulder

Cologne is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — April in Cologne

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
9
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Cologne in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 6°C / 43°F 1°C / 35°F 91 mm 23
February 8°C / 47°F 2°C / 35°F 65 mm 17
March 11°C / 52°F 3°C / 37°F 71 mm 18
April 15°C / 59°F 5°C / 41°F 49 mm 17
May 19°C / 66°F 9°C / 49°F 68 mm 18
June 23°C / 74°F 14°C / 57°F 67 mm 18
July 24°C / 76°F 15°C / 59°F 96 mm 20
August 24°C / 75°F 15°C / 59°F 79 mm 20
September 21°C / 69°F 12°C / 54°F 69 mm 16
October 16°C / 60°F 9°C / 48°F 64 mm 19
November 10°C / 50°F 5°C / 41°F 83 mm 21
December 8°C / 46°F 3°C / 37°F 88 mm 20

Other cities with similar April weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Cologne in April →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Cologne in April?

In April, Cologne averages a high of 15°C (59°F) and a low of 5°C (41°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Cologne in April?

April is quite rainy in Cologne, with about 17 rainy days on average.

Is April a good time to visit Cologne?

April is cool but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Cologne in April?

Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full April packing list for Cologne for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Cologne on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.