I discovered completely by accident today that there is a unique little spot in Frankfurt that lays claim to being the warmest place in Germany and a good 4-6°c warmer than the local area: the Nizza.

I’m going back in the summer for a warmer looking photo though! March is still a bit chilly 😅

Now, for anyone who has been in Frankfurt for more than a few months, the Nizza will be known. Specifically for the well-known restaurant Main Nizza (well worth a visit for a posh meal upstairs or a beer downstairs in the Summer), but generally just a nice part of the north bank of the Main river alongside the finance district.

Next time you go for a walk along the river, take a look at the plants and framing. This area used to be an island in the river until 1858 when this arm of the river was filled in as part of the construction of the harbour railway line. The high embankment wall was then constructed which provided a man-made windbreak. Sunlight reflection from the river did the rest and resulted in a warm micro-climate inside Frankfurt’s already existing urban heat island.

The slice of land was developed as public gardens and the warmer temperatures were spotted quickly with the gardens converted in to one of the largest tropical gardens north of the Alps and renamed Nizza after the Mediterranean city Nice (wishful thinking?!). Temperatures still go down below zero in the winter though, so although the gardens enjoy about 300 frost free days, the plants used to be moved into greenhouses every winter. This was changed 20 years ago with the introduction of frost-free variants so now it is a permanent exhibit throughout the year.

To give you an idea of temperature, they have bananas, figs and kiwis growing there, among other things!

So next time you are looking for somewhere to set up a picnic, or just enjoy a break from work, now you know where to put your towel down. As soon as the sun comes out in Spring, I will be the first there with a pack of beer…