Ascension Day

Make it longer

Take Friday 7 May off and get 4 days in a row (Thu 6 May – Sun 9 May).

Plan more breaks with the leave planner.

Where to go for Ascension Day

Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday, so many people take the Friday off and get four days away. Late spring weather makes it a good moment for coastal towns, river valleys and wine regions.

Budget-friendly

• Potsdam · Brandenburg

  Sanssouci and the other Prussian palaces and gardens are good for long walks, and the lakes around the city suit boat trips and cycling. It is easy to reach by suburban train from Berlin.

  Typically around 6 May: high 17°C (63°F), low 6°C (43°F), rain on 26% of days.

  historyattractionsnatureoutdoorsculture

• Passau · Bayern

  Passau stands where the Inn and Ilz rivers meet the Danube, with a baroque cathedral above the old town. The Danube cycle path and river boats make it a good base for gentle outdoor days.

  Typically around 6 May: high 16°C (61°F), low 6°C (42°F), rain on 49% of days.

  outdoorsnaturehistoryattractions

Mid-range

• Lübeck · Schleswig-Holstein

  The Holstentor gate, Gothic churches and narrow courtyards make up a Hanseatic old town on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Lübeck marzipan is a local speciality, and the Baltic beach at Travemünde is close by.

  Typically around 6 May: high 15°C (59°F), low 6°C (42°F), rain on 31% of days.

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• Würzburg · Bayern

  The baroque Residenz is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the old bridge over the Main looks up to the Marienberg Fortress and the vineyards. Franconian wine, served in squat Bocksbeutel bottles, is the local speciality.

  Typically around 6 May: high 17°C (63°F), low 6°C (43°F), rain on 31% of days.

  winehistoryattractionsfoodculture

• Strasbourg · Alsace

  Just over the Rhine from Baden, Strasbourg has a Gothic cathedral, the half-timbered Petite France quarter and Alsatian cooking such as tarte flambée. The Alsace wine route runs along the hills to the south.

  Typically around 6 May: high 18°C (65°F), low 7°C (45°F), rain on 39% of days.

  foodwineculturehistoryattractions

Splurge

• Hamburg

  The harbour, the red-brick warehouse district of the Speicherstadt and the Elbphilharmonie concert hall make for a varied city trip. Ferries on the Elbe and the Alster lakes add time on the water.

  Typically around 6 May: high 16°C (61°F), low 5°C (42°F), rain on 29% of days.

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Trip ideas chosen by Public Holidays World, not sponsored. “Typically” lines are past averages, not forecasts; when the date is within about 9 days, a forecast is shown too. For trips abroad, check your government’s official travel advice and entry rules before you book.