In Frankfurt, Germany: golden leaves, jazz and the scent of apples

In autumn, Frankfurt reveals a tranquil side, deeply rooted in local traditions. The banks of the River Main provide the backdrop for walks amongst the changing colours of the trees, with the financial skyline in the background. Among the city’s green spaces, the Palmengarten – a historic botanical garden – and the Bethmannpark, home to a tranquil Chinese Garden with ponds and pavilions, stand out. Culturally speaking, on 3 and 4 October, the historic Römerberg (the main historic square in the old town) provides the setting for ‘Jazz zum Dritten’, an open-air festival coinciding with the celebrations for German Unity Day. From 7 to 11 October, the city hosts the famous Frankfurt Book Fair, which in 2026 will feature the Czech Republic as the guest of honour under the slogan ‘Czech Republic – A Country by the Sea’. The autumn season is also linked to the apple harvest: in traditional neighbourhoods such as Sachsenhausen, taverns serve Apfelwein (the local cider, listed as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage), often accompanied by traditional dishes. To see where this produce comes from, you can climb the Lohrberg hill, a vantage point surrounded by orchards where the MainÄppelHaus is situated – a centre dedicated to promoting regional fruit growing.