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LIVING IN GERMANY

IN PICTURES: The best autumn in Germany photos

We have had some stunning weather across Germany this autumn, as these photos - many taken by The Local readers - show.

A dog on the grass in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria. 
The Local reader Jacquie Rooney took this photo of her dog in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria. 

You’ll have to pause your ad blockers to see all the images in this article. 

Jacquie Rooney captured the strong fall colours in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in this photo.

 

Madeleine Oliver took the snap below of her dog on a gorgeous morning in Bonndorf im Schwarzwald, Baden-Württemberg.

Madeleine Oliver took this photo of her dog on a gorgeous spring morning in Bonndorf im Schwarzwald, Baden-Württemberg.

READ ALSO: Six signs autumn has arrived in Germany

Thanks to Sandra Leaton-Gray for these two photos of Baden-Baden in the autumn sunshine. 

Thanks to Sandra Leaton-Gray for the photo of Baden-Baden in the autumn sunshine recently. 

Joan Hazlett enjoys a cup of tea (or coffee) in Bavaria on an autumn morning.

Joan Hazlett enjoys a cup of tea in Bavaria on an autumn morning.

DPA photographer Jens Büttner took this picture as the sun went down in Warnemünde at the Baltic Sea. 

DPA photographer Jens Büttner took this picture as the sun went down in Warnemünde at the Baltic Sea. 

DPA photographer Julian Stratenschulte took this snap in the Georgengarten, a landscape garden in Herrenhausen, Hanover.

DPA photographer Julian Stratenschulte took this snap in the Georgengarten, a landscape garden in the northwestern part of Herrenhausen in Hanover.

Staying with the capital Berlin, a glimpse of a rainbow captured by DPA photographer Gerald Matzka.

Thanks to all The Local Germany readers who sent us pictures. We enjoyed seeing them all. If you’d like us to compile more readers’ photos in future let us know by emailing [email protected]

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GERMAN TRADITIONS

What’s open and closed in Germany over the Easter weekend?

People in Germany get a four day weekend over Easter. How are shops, transport and medical services affected by the public holidays?

What's open and closed in Germany over the Easter weekend?

Easter itself falls very early this year: Easter Sunday also coincides with the clocks going forward an hour for summertime, while Easter Monday in 2024 is on April Fool’s Day.

The Easter weekend starts on Friday March 29th, however, many Germans take some days before and after the weekend to extend their holiday. 

Whether you live in Germany or are visiting, here’s what to expect:

READ ALSO: What exactly is Germany’s Green Thursday?

Gründonnerstag or Green Thursday 

Gründonnerstag or Green Thursday falls on March 28th this year. 

This isn’t an official public holiday although some companies do give this day off to staff as a gesture. 

Many people in Germany book this day off themselves as part of their annual leave to extend their Easter holiday. 

One thing you should be aware of – shops will be busy with lots of queues on this day since the following day is a holiday. 

Karfreitag or Good Friday

In Germany, Good Friday, which is on March 29th, is a public holiday or Feiertag. 

Traditionally no church bells are supposed to ring and no music should be played as this is the day Jesus was crucified. The word Kar comes from old German Kara, meaning sorrow or grief.
 
For many parts of Germany, this quiet time also means it is still illegal to dance on Good Friday. But whether anyone actually enforces this is another question.

In general, you can except the majority of workplaces to be shut as well as schools.

Supermarkets, retail stores and pharmacies also won’t be open (except for a few in areas such as train stations) so make sure you have enough groceries at home. 

Restaurants and cafes are usually open on public holidays and eager to accept customers. 

Saturday

Opening hours across the country will function as they normally do on Saturday March 30th. 

But do expect supermarkets to be super busy because they are closed on the following two days.

Ostern or Easter Sunday

Like any other Sunday in Germany, shops and supermarkets will be closed. 

People in Germany often like to spend this day with families so you should expect lots of people of all ages doing activities like a walk in the forest or park, Easter egg hunts or going to church. 

Chocolate Easter eggs are not a big tradition in Germany compared to other places like the UK, for example. But there are still plenty of chocolate bunnies around. 

READ ALSO: 10 ways to celebrate Easter in Germany like a local

An Easter hare statue outside ah ouse in Coburg, Bavaria.

An Easter hare statue outside ah ouse in Coburg, Bavaria. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Daniel Vogl

Ostermontag or Easter Monday

This falls on April 1st and is another public holiday in Germany. 

Once again, that means workplaces are closed as well as shops, post offices and supermarkets. 

What about public transport?

Public transport runs all throughout the holiday period, but on public holidays there is normally a Sunday schedule. 

Nationwide train services also run across the period (but keep in mind that there could be a strike since we’ve seen a lot of them lately). 

What about schools?

Schools in Germany will be closed on Easter Monday and Good Friday.

Pupils also get a holiday that usually lasts two weeks around Easter, known as the Osterferien. 

Schools in Bremen, Hamburg and Lower Saxony started their break on March 18th. 

Other states follow around March 23rd-25th. Schleswig-Holstein schools are the latest to start their break, which runs from April 2nd to April 19th.

READ ALSO: What days will workers in Germany get off in 2024?

Doctors, pharmacies and hospitals 

Doctors’ offices and pharmacies are usually closed on public holidays, such as Good Friday and Easter Monday.

But you could still try calling your GP firstly in case they have a message letting you know the details of the on-call doctor. 

You can also contact the non-emergency medical on-call service by calling 116 117 who can advise you if you have urgent questions about your health.

You can also head to the 116117 website to find a local surgery that offers emergency services.

In an emergency, call 112 for the fire brigade or ambulance or 110 for the police. 

Make sure you are stocked up on any medications you need before the public holidays. 

Tourist attractions

Many tourist attractions will be open as normal throughout the Easter period, including Good Friday and Easter Monday but some may operate altered opening hours. Check the attraction’s opening hours before visiting. 

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