The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Frankfurt In Autumn

There’s no better way to experience the magic of autumn than to spend some time in Frankfurt during this glorious season. The days are shorter but sunny, crisp, and cool, and even though there will be some cloud cover and rain, the lower temperatures and occasional wet days won’t stop you from having a good time. Frankfurt in October and November is alive with seasonal activities and events, opportunities to enjoy entertainment, art, and culture, local traditions, outdoor activities, wining and dining, and exhilarating nightlife. Use our ultimate guide to plan a fantastic time in Germany’s economic powerhouse. We cover:

• Things to do in autumn
• Outdoor activities to do in autumn
• Indoor things to do in Frankfurt
• Frankfurt nightlife in autumn
• What to pack for autumn in Frankfurt
• Where to stay in Frankfurt

Things to Do in Autumn

A vibrant and modern city with ancient roots, Frankfurt has much to offer. During your stay in Frankfurt, you can experience all the city has to offer. Here are a few of our favourite things to do in Frankfurt in October and November this year:

Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte opera: Be spellbound by a brilliant new production of Mozart’s acclaimed opera, Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), at the Opernhaus. Various dates in October and November.

Skylight Tours: Let the city skyline and illuminations on the main embankments and bridges enchant you as you view them from the comfort of a boat on the river. Tours operate on various dates in October and November.

Frankfurt Buchmesse - 19-23 October: The world-renowned Frankfurt Buchmesse (Book Fair) is one of the most popular events in Frankfurt in October. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover what’s happening in the world of literature..

German Jazz Festival - 26-30 October: The 53^rd edition of this iconic festival will see international stars and local newcomers play with heart and soul on stages around the city.

Cirque du Soleil – Crystal - 9-13 November: The acclaimed Cirque du Soleil presents their latest show Crystal, a heady mix of circus high performance and figure skating, to Festhalle Frankfurt.

Christmas Garden Frankfurt - From 18 November: Get into the festive spirit a little earlier this year by strolling along a two-kilometre-long circular trail with gorgeous illuminations through Deutsche Bank Park.

Frankfurt Christmas Market - From 21 November: Christmas markets are one of the best things about this time of year in Germany. Frankfurt has a particularly impressive pedigree, with its origins dating back to 1393. Explore approximately 200 stalls selling seasonal gifts, decorations, ornaments, candles, and treats such as gingerbread, spiced cookies, marzipan, stollen, and mulled wine, against a backdrop of Römerberg and St Paul's Church.

Explore the Römerberg: A square in the heart of the Old Town, the Römerberg is the city’s busiest pedestrian zone. The Römer, a cluster of 11 buildings faithfully reconstructed from the original 15^th-18^th century plans, is one of the highlights. You’ll find numerous other attractions around the square.

Visit the Main Tower: Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city from the public viewing platforms on the top floor of this 56-storey skyscraper.

Marvel at Frankfurter Dom: The Gothic red sandstone Cathedral of St Bartholomew is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Without the summer crowds of tourists, you can explore it in peace.

Outdoor Activities to Do in Autumn

The weather in Frankfurt during September, October and November is usually warm enough to enjoy a few outdoor activities. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

Hike or cycle in the Stadtwald: The Stadtwald (City Forest) is one of the vestiges of Germany’s Imperial Forest. A short 15-minute drive from the city centre, the forest has a 450km network of trails for hiking, cycling, and running. If you love the fiery colours of autumn foliage, don’t miss the chance to hike or cycle in this incredible place.

Cycle the GrünGürtel-Radrundweg: The GrünGürtel-Radrundweg (Green Belt cycling path) is one of the most popular cycling paths in the city. Well, around the city, as the 62.5km green path encircles Frankfurt. Into cycling? This one’s for you!

Explore the Palmengarten: One of Frankfurt’s best-loved botanical gardens, the Palmengarten’s many varied areas invite exploration. Spend a few hours immersing yourself in a truly spectacular collection of plants..

Visit Taunus Hills Nature Park: Covering almost 1,350 square kilometres, the Taunus Hills Nature Park near Frankfurt is Hesse’s second-largest nature park. It’s ideal for longer hikes and other outdoor activities (that are still possible in colder weather during autumn in Frankfurt).

Participate in or watch the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon: One of Germany’s oldest marathons always attracts crowds, including runners and spectators. The 42.195km route starts at Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage at the Messeturm expo tower, passes through several neighbourhoods and along the River Main, and ends at the Festhalle. Whether you participate or cheer on the runners, the atmosphere is amazing.

Watch a football match: Football is an important part of modern German culture, and there are plenty of matches happening at Waldstadion in Frankfurt in October that are sure to be thrilling! Check out Eintracht Frankfurt vs Marseille on 26 October, Eintracht Frankfurt vs Borussia Dortmund on 29 October, and Eintracht Frankfurt vs Hoffenheim on 9 November.

Indoor Things to Do in Frankfurt

You won’t be disappointed in Frankfurt on colder autumn days that call for indoor things to do. Take a look at our top picks:

Visit Frankfurt’s mind-boggling museums: Take advantage of the free museums in Frankfurt on certain days of the month (usually the last Saturday). Alternatively, go on other days for even smaller crowds. A few to check out include the Archaeological Museum, the Jewish Museum, the Museum of World Cultures (open from 2 November), and the Museum of Applied Art. Other fantastic places include Frankfurt Art Museum Stadel and the Goethe Museum Frankfurt.

See a show at a theatre: Frankfurt’s best theatres have exciting programmes lined up for October and November, from plays and performance art to music and dance. Consider seeing a show at the English Theatre Frankfurt, the Frankfurt Opera, the Internationales Theatre, Schauspiel Frankfurt, or the Tigerpalast Varieté Theatre.

Head to one of the city’s best live music venues: Frankfurt has a great live music scene. Head to one of these great spots for a gig or two: Baile Bar, Nachtleben, Jazzkeller, Balalaika, and Elfer Music Club.

Explore the top markets: There are numerous markets worth exploring in Frankfurt. A few local favourites include Kleinmarkthalle (for local and international foods), Sudbahnhof Market (a farmer’s market on Tuesdays and Fridays), and Konstablerwache Market (Thursdays and Sundays).

Hunt for souvenirs in the best shopping areas: Whether you’re looking for souvenirs and gifts, or you simply want to do some window shopping, you’ll love moseying around Frankfurt’s best shopping districts. Make your way to Zeil (the main shopping street), MyZeil (one of Germany’s largest shopping and leisure centres), Goethestraße (for high-end and designer brands), the trendy Sachsenhausen area, and Berger Straße (for exciting fashion, design, and vintage shops as well as cafes, restaurants, and bars).

Frankfurt Nightlife in Autumn

The nightlife in Frankfurt is hard to beat. There’s very little difference between the nightlife of autumn and what you can enjoy in summer, except that there are fewer (if any) outdoor events and smaller crowds. As there are no hard closing times in Germany, most restaurants close when the last patrons leave, which is usually around midnight. Bars and clubs keep going until the early hours of the morning, if not until after sunrise.

Looking for the best restaurants in Frankfurt? We recommend Emma Metzler (on Museumsufer), Chairs (on Gronauer Straße), No. 16 (Löwengasse, Bornheim), Atschel (in Sachsenhausen), and the Michelin-starred Seven Swans on the Mainkai. The best districts for bars include Bahnhofsviertel (be warned – this is a red-light district), Bornheim (especially Berger Straße), Salzhaus (for cocktail bars), and Sachsenhausen (for bars and locals’ favourite apple wine taverns). If clubbing’s more your thing, check out establishments such as Robert Johnson (techno), Tanzhaus West (cyber house to Goa trance), Club Anthrazit (electro), Dreikönigskeller (themed nights), Chango Latin Palace (Latin music), and Final Destination Club (gothic rock, metal, and hardcore).

What to Pack for Autumn in Frankfurt

HAutumn is a time of change, weather-wise, in Germany, and there’s a big difference between the beginning and the end of the season. Frankfurt weather in September tends to be pleasant and often sunny during the day, although mornings and evenings can be a little chilly. The month sees an average minimum temperature of 10.6°C (51.08°F) and an average maximum of 20.0°C (68°F)

October is noticeably cooler, with an average minimum temperature of 6.6°C (43.88°F) and an average maximum of 14.5°C (58.1°F), as well as slightly more rain than during the previous month. November can be cold, with an average minimum temperature of 3.0°C (37.4°F) and an average maximum of 8.3°C (46.94°F). There also tends to be more rain, and the days are much shorter than at the beginning of the season.

When packing for a trip to Frankfurt in autumn, it is recommended that you should bring light and heavy skirts, jeans, warm socks, sneakers or comfortable shoes, a light jacket or fleece, long-sleeve shirts or blouses, a good raincoat or waterproof poncho, a scarf, a hat, waterproof footwear, and an umbrella. Gloves and a coat or heavier jacket are a must for November. Consider bringing a more formal dress and shoes if you’re planning on going to decent restaurants, the theatre, or other venues and events that require a smarter look.

Where to Stay in Frankfurt

Frankfurt in autumn brims with local traditions, lively events, and thrilling nightlife, plus there are popular attractions such as museums, churches, old squares, galleries, and places of natural beauty. There’s plenty to keep you on the go during your stay here. Capri by Fraser Frankfurt is the perfect spot to come back to after a busy day in our bustling city.

Whether you’re here for business or pleasure, our range of rooms will make you feel right at home. Our serviced apartments have comfortable bedrooms and living spaces, a fully equipped kitchenette, a comprehensive home entertainment system, and a bathroom with a rain shower. Other amenities you’ll find at our hotel include a restaurant and cocktail bar, a fully equipped 24-hour gym, and a laundrette. Located next to the popular Messe area, Capri by Fraser Frankfurt is your conveniently located home from home.