The Mediterranean planting
Palms, figs and cacti growing in Germany thanks to an unusually warm local microclimate.
Carl Theodor Reiffenstein — Public domain · Sebastian Kasten — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kasa Fue — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dguendel — CC BY 3.0
Nizza Park is a small garden on the bank of the river Main, named after the French city of Nice for a good reason: this spot has an unusually warm microclimate, sheltered from wind and facing south, so Mediterranean plants grow here that do not normally survive in this part of Germany. It holds palms, fig trees, cacti and other southern plants, some wrapped for protection in winter. The park is free and always open, laid out on terraces stepping down to the river, with a fine view of the Main and the city towers.
Palms, figs and cacti growing in Germany thanks to an unusually warm local microclimate.
The garden steps down to the river in terraces, each level with its own outlook.
A view of the Main and the Frankfurt towers from a quiet spot away from the crowds.
Untermainkai, 60311 Frankfurt
Städel MuseumThe Städel is Frankfurt's most important art museum and among the most important3 minutes walk4.7
Liebieghaus Sculpture CollectionThe Liebieghaus is Frankfurt's home of sculpture: five thousand years of the fig4 minutes walk4.7
Museum Giersch of Goethe UniversityMuseum Giersch is one of the smaller and least-known houses on the Museumsufer, 4 minutes walk4.6
Museum for Communication FrankfurtThe Museum for Communication in Frankfurt traces how people have communicated th5 minutes walk4.6
Jewish Museum FrankfurtFrankfurt was for centuries among Europe's great Jewish cities — the Rothschilds5 minutes walk4.6Because the spot has an unusually warm microclimate: sheltered from wind and south-facing on the riverbank. That allows Mediterranean plants that do not normally survive in central Germany, so the townspeople likened it to the French Riviera.
May to September, when the planting is uncovered and at its best. In winter many palms and tender plants are wrapped against frost, and the place loses much of its charm.
Half an hour. It is small, but a good stop within a longer walk along the Main between the Eiserner Steg and the museum embankment.