DUBAI, 15 Oct., 2026: As autumn settles over Germany, the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) says the season brings golden sunshine, colourful forests and crisp air, alongside harvest season traditions and opportunities to travel more slowly through nature and culture.
In its update aimed at GCC travellers, the GNTO says that from late September, German landscapes shift into shades of yellow, orange and red, while cooler temperatures create conditions it describes as suitable for walking, cycling and sightseeing. The office also frames the period as harvest time, pointing to seasonal produce including apples and chestnuts, and stating that visitors can experience local traditions tied to regional agriculture.
The GNTO also highlights what it calls an easy planning advantage: Germany’s mix of cities and countryside within one trip, supported by what it describes as an extensive rail network. The office says rail connections can help travellers reduce reliance on a car, while enabling multi-stop itineraries that combine museums, shopping and cultural landmarks with forests, river valleys and rural areas.
Forest landscapes and seasonal traditions
The GNTO names several forest and nature destinations for autumn viewing and activities. It cites the Black Forest, Spessart and Bavarian Forest as areas it says become especially vibrant, and points to Hainich National Park in Thuringia, describing it as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and noting that its deciduous trees create a “natural canvas” each autumn.
Further north, the office mentions Jasmund National Park on the Baltic Sea island of Rügen, saying it combines colourful beech forests with Germany’s chalk cliffs. It also references mushroom foraging as a woodland tradition, stating that forests around Dresden, Heidelberg, Berlin and Brandenburg offer opportunities to search for varieties such as porcini and chanterelles. The GNTO says visitors can join guided educational walks with mushroom experts that it describes as an approach to combining outdoor time with instruction and safe foraging.
Harvest regions for apples and chestnuts
According to the GNTO, autumn in Germany is closely tied to harvest time across the country. It highlights apples in regions including Altes Land near Hamburg and Lake Constance, where it says orchards, farm shops and themed walking routes are available.
The office also points to chestnut harvests in the Palatinate Forest, stating that October marks the sweet chestnut season. It notes that visitors can follow the signposted Keschde Trail beneath chestnut trees and that the walk offers a way to experience what it describes as a seasonal tradition within Germany’s largest contiguous forest area.
Following the Moselle by bicycle or rail
For travellers seeking activity alongside scenery, the GNTO spotlights the Moselle region. It says hillside vineyards turn golden as the river passes historic villages, medieval castles and steep vineyard landscapes.
The office mentions the Moselle Cycle Path, describing it as extending for more than 300 kilometres and saying travellers can choose individual sections for relaxed day rides. Among highlights it lists Bernkastel-Kues and Bremmer Calmont, adding that slopes there reach gradients of up to 68 degrees.
GNTO also describes the Moselle as suitable for rail travel, saying that travelling between Koblenz and Trier allows visitors to experience the landscape at a slower pace while connecting two historic cities. It further states that Germany’s wider rail network can support continued travel to other cultural centres and natural regions through multi-stop plans.
Wellness and health resorts
Beyond outdoor activities, the GNTO says Germany has more than 350 certified spas and health resorts, portraying wellness as a straightforward addition to an autumn itinerary. It adds that after walking or cycling, travellers can visit thermal waters and wellness retreats across the country.
GNTO comments
Yamina Sofo, Director of the Marketing & Sales Office, Gulf Countries at the German National Tourist Office, said the season brings together comfortable weather, natural beauty, cultural discoveries and the ability to explore at one’s own pace. She cited experiences that include travelling through the Moselle by train, cycling by the river, walking beneath forest canopies and visiting seasonal harvest traditions.
The GNTO’s release also references its relaunched “Feel Good, Experiences That Last” campaign, describing it as showcasing the diversity of travel experiences available in Germany, from natural settings to cities.
The GNTO concluded that convenient rail connections and a range of seasonal experiences can make Germany an autumn option it describes as effortless to explore for GCC travellers.