While it’s sad to say goodbye to summer, autumn or Herbst is a fabulous time to enjoy Germany. From wrapping up warm and getting outdoors to seasonal eating, here’s how to prepare for autumn like a local.
While the meteorological beginning of autumn (Herbstanfang) in Germany was on September 1st, we’ve just entered the Astronomical start of fall.
September 23rd marked the autumnal equinox or Tagundnachtgleiche, the day of the year when the length of daylight and night hours are the same. That means there’s no debate: we are in autumn.
READ ALSO: German word of the day – Tagundnachtgleiche
But don’t worry – this time of year can be magical in Germany. Here’s how to prepare for the cooler months like a local.
Dig your scarf out
Autumn is a mixed bag when it comes to the weather in Germany. Days can be sunny and warm but the temperature dips quickly if it’s cloudy or during the night and early morning hours.
Still, Germans really like to get outside and make the most of the light, particularly before the days get shorter in winter.
However, you’ll notice they will only go on their signature long walks if they’re warm and protected from all kinds of weather. And in particular, their neck must be safe from stray gusts of wind.
For that reason, you’ll start to start to see people in Germany wearing their Schal or scarf.
We can’t blame them – it does feel good to be cosy. And you never know, maybe adopting this habit will save you from a nasty cold.
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel wears an FC Energie Cottbus scarf during a match against Borussia Dortmund in 2008. Photo: picture-alliance/ dpa | Bernd Settnik
Invest in an Übergangsjacke
Unfortunately, the days of pulling on a t-shirt and a pair of shorts and running out the door are behind us. But you don’t have to find your winter coat just yet.
Instead, make sure you have an Übergangsjacke – a jacket for the in-between seasons.
Whether it’s a puffy short coat or a longer one fitted with a hood, these jackets are perfect for getting by in autumn without feeling too hot or cold.
Be thankful for the harvest
The beginning of October in Germany is traditional a time for Erntedankfest or Harvest Thanksgiving.
On the first Sunday of October, you’ll find communities gather to hold church services, parades and fairs, serving delicious snacks and drinks. Sometimes food is gathered for those in need.
Thanksgiving festivals are particularly common in rural parts of Germany.
Eat seasonal
Germans love to eat with the seasons. In spring, there is Spargel (asparagus). In summer it’s Erdbeeren (strawberries). And in autumn, you’ll find Germans tuck into a lot of Pflaumen (plums), Kürbis (pumpkin) and Zwiebeln (onions).
Whether Kürbissuppe or Kürbis-Flammkuchen, you’ll find pumpkin embedded in menus at restaurants up and down Germany over the coming weeks. There’s even a festival dedicated to the vegetable. Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival (Kürbisausstellung) runs until October 31st.
Onions or Zwiebeln are another top choice at this time of year in Germany. The Weimar Onion Festival takes place from October 9th-11th and guarantees delicious food, including Zwiebelkuchen (onion tart), a savoury snack that might not be the best option if you’re on a date but will certainly be tasty.
If you’re looking for something sweet, let the humble plum do the talking. Look out for fresh Pflaumen at farmer’s markets, or indeed Zwetschgen, which are smaller and darker in colour than traditional plums.
In true German style, you should also opt for Kaffee und Kuchen. Zwetschgenkuchen or Pflaumenkuchen (plum cake) are classics stocked in bakeries and cafes at this time of year.
READ ALSO: Nine fruits and vegetables eaten in Germany that aren’t common elsewhere
Get out and about in nature
Autumn is a wonderful time to explore the natural word in Germany, whether crunching on fallen leaves in a forest or taking a long cycle to a lake.
Visit the Baltic Sea Coast (Ostseeküste) where it will be slightly quieter than the peak summer season, or head to a national park like Kellerwald-Edersee in Hesse.
Mushroom picking is also an activity enjoyed in autumn, but make sure you go with an expert who knows how to spot poisonous Pilze.
READ ALSO: The best places to go mushroom foraging in Germany
Enjoy an ice cream
Did you know that Germans will (probably) eat ice cream regardless of the weather? We wouldn’t put it past them to enjoy a Schokoladeneis in the middle of winter.
But once again: it all comes down to what you’re wearing. You’ll know the phrase by now: “Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur falsche Kleidung” (there is no bad weather, only the wrong clothes). That means you have to be bundled up.
Make the most of the sunny days in autumn by heading to your local ice cream shop. They usually remain open until at least the end of October.
Get cosy
Gemütlichkeit (cosiness) is a serious business in Germany. Cafes and restaurants across the country will keep their outdoor seating areas open for as long as possible. But they have a trick up their sleeves to make it cosy. As it gets cooler, large blankets are provided on seats which guests can wrap around themselves.
When dusk arrives, bars, cafes and restaurants will light candles indoors, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
At home, you can also begin adding blankets to your sofa – and it’s probably a good time to pack away your fan for the year.
Come October 1st, the heating will be turned on in your building so you can put your radiator on, should you need it.
The Heizperiode (heating period) in Germany typically runs from October 1st to April 30th.
In case you’re curious, the landlord must set the heating so that the minimum temperature in the flat reaches between 20-22C during the day, while the temperature can be lowered to around 18C at night (11pm to 6am), according to the Deutsche Mieterbund (DMB).
Enjoy German films and TV
Autumn is a great time to get into a TV series or visit your local cinema. Why not get into German culture at the same time?
Fans of the hit German crime series 4 Blocks can go back to the beginning with 4 Blocks Zero, an eight-part prequel set in 1990s Berlin, when the Hamady family first arrives in Germany from Lebanon. It’s showing on HBO Max.
And if you fancy heading to the Kino, look out for Everytime, a German-Austrian drama from director Sandra Wollner about grief and family, which is still showing in cinemas.
Fly a kite
Is there a greater pleasure in life than flying a kite? Ask a German and they might say it’s the perfect wholesome autumn activity for the kids.
Head to Tempelhofer Feld in Berlin or the Olympiapark in Munich. But anywhere with little tree coverage and a good blast of wind will do.
Bonus points if you’ve constructed your own kite.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: thelocal.de
