Germany in January: Snow, Family Time, and a “Wahlheimat” Pause Button

Germany has a special talent for reminding you who’s in charge—and this time, winter had a bloody firm grip on us. You know that white, wet stuff that looks magical in photos but turns sidewalks into skating rinks and every “quick errand” into a full expedition? Exactly that. It slowed us right down and, honestly, kept us in the house far more than out exploring.

And that’s the thing about travelling to Germany for us: it’s rarely the kind of trip where you bounce from one postcard-perfect spot to the next with a camera permanently glued to your face. It’s usually a family matter. There are visits to squeeze in, warm meals to share, stories to catch up on, and the occasional “since you’re here, can you also…?” request that somehow turns into a whole afternoon. We wouldn’t have it any other way—but it does make the trip feel less like a holiday and more like real life… just with colder temperatures and better bread.

Also, let me say it plainly: in my opinion, nobody should visit Germany in January if they don’t absolutely have to. The days are short, the sky often can’t decide between grey and darker grey, and the cold gets into your bones in that damp, sneaky way. Add slushy snow to the mix and suddenly you’re planning your day around weather apps, train delays, and whether your shoes can survive another round of icy puddles.

Still, we’re lucky—because at least we’ve carved out a few days in Munich, my third or second hometown, my “Wahlheimat,” as Germans so perfectly put it. (One of those words that doesn’t quite translate the same way in English: not your birthplace, not where you ended up by accident, but the place you choose and feel connected to.) Being here feels a bit like hitting the pause button. Even if the weather keeps us indoors, it’s comforting in a way that’s hard to describe unless you’ve had a place that feels like your own—without technically being “home.”

And if winter gives us even a small break—just a few hours of decent visibility and roads that aren’t covered in that slippery half-snow-half-water mess—we’re hoping to squeeze in some short trips. Nothing heroic. No ambitious schedules. Just the kind of simple escapes that make you feel like you’ve actually been somewhere.

If the weather allows, we’d love to head toward the Bavarian Alps for a quick breath of mountain air—those dramatic peaks that make even a rushed day trip feel like a reset. The Alps in winter are a different kind of beautiful: sharp outlines, quiet villages, frozen lakes, and that crisp cold that somehow feels cleaner than city cold.

And Salzburg is also on the wish list—just across the border in Austria, close enough for an easy hop, and charming enough to feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook. Even in winter (or especially in winter), Salzburg has that mix of elegance and coziness: the historic old town, the fortress watching over everything, and cafés that seem made for warming up slowly while the world outside stays frosty.

So that’s where we are right now: Germany in January, slightly snowed in, mostly family-focused, and taking things day by day. If the weather behaves, we’ll wander a little. If it doesn’t, we’ll embrace the indoor season—hot drinks, slow mornings, and the quiet kind of travel that isn’t about ticking off sights, but about being exactly where you are.