From golden leaves and crisp morning walks to cosy cafés and warm jumpers, Poland has a word for those who embrace autumn. And for some, the season offers a spectacular change of scenery they may never have experienced quite like this before.
By mid-October, autumn is hard to miss in Poznań. Trees are changing colour, leaves are collecting along pavements and park paths, and the cooler mornings offer a good excuse to reach for a favourite jumper. The city feels a little different from the summer months, inviting people to slow down, spend time outdoors and enjoy the changing landscape before winter arrives.
For some, the shorter days and falling temperatures are a reminder of the summer that has passed. For others, this is the best time of the year.
In Polish, there is a word for someone who wholeheartedly embraces the season: jesieniara.
The term has become a familiar part of contemporary Polish slang, describing someone, usually a woman or girl, who loves autumn and all its associated pleasures. Think colourful trees, warm jumpers, books, candles, seasonal baking and the simple pleasure of staying indoors while rain falls outside.
It captures an entire seasonal mood. And in a city such as Poznań, with its parks, lakes and tree-lined streets, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it.
What exactly is a jesieniara?
The word comes from jesień, the Polish word for autumn. Its meaning goes beyond simply preferring October to July.
A jesieniara is someone who looks forward to everything the season has to offer. The clothes, colours, food and atmosphere all play their part.
An autumn walk becomes an opportunity to admire the changing leaves. A chilly afternoon calls for a book and a blanket. A trip to a café feels especially inviting when there is a crispness in the air.
There is also a recognisable aesthetic associated with the term: oversized jumpers, long coats, warm socks, cinnamon, candles and hot drinks held between cold hands. Social media has helped turn these familiar pleasures into a shared visual language, with photographs of golden trees and cosy interiors appearing across autumn feeds.
The word received wider national recognition in 2019, when it came second in Poland's Youth Word of the Year competition. Since then, it has become a handy way to describe people who genuinely look forward to autumn, rather than simply accepting it as the end of summer.
Of course, there is no official checklist. You do not need a wardrobe full of knitted jumpers or a favourite pumpkin-flavoured coffee to qualify. Sometimes, enjoying the colours on your daily walk is enough.
When autumn feels like a discovery
One of the loveliest things about autumn in Poland is hearing how differently people experience it.
Among international friends who have moved to Poland from warmer climates, autumn often comes up as a favourite season. The changing colours of the trees are a particular attraction, especially for those who did not grow up experiencing four distinct seasons in quite the same way.
For someone accustomed to a climate where the landscape remains relatively similar throughout the year, the transformation can feel extraordinary. Trees that were green only weeks earlier turn yellow, orange and red. The light changes, the air becomes cooler, and familiar streets acquire an entirely different appearance.
What might seem ordinary to someone who has lived in Central Europe all their life can be a genuine novelty to a newcomer.
It is worth remembering that everyone experiences the seasons differently. Not everyone from a warmer country will feel the same way about autumn, and colder weather is hardly universally adored. Yet the enthusiasm of international residents offers a lovely reminder that the familiar can still be remarkable when seen through someone else's eyes.
There is something refreshing about that perspective. It encourages us to notice the season rather than simply move through it.
Where to enjoy autumn in Poznań
October is a particularly good time to explore Poznań on foot. The changing foliage adds colour to familiar places, while cooler weather makes a long walk followed by a warm drink an appealing way to spend an afternoon.
Park Cytadela is an obvious starting point. Its paths, mature trees and open green spaces offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the autumn colours. Whether you are out for a leisurely weekend stroll or taking a break from the city, it is a lovely place to see the season unfold.
Around Malta Lake, the cooler days bring a different atmosphere to the familiar walking and cycling routes. A circuit of the lake offers a chance to enjoy the changing landscape while staying active outdoors.
The streets and parks of Jeżyce offer another way to experience the season, particularly when a walk ends with a stop at a local café. In the city centre, the Stary Rynek and its surrounding streets provide opportunities to combine a wander through Poznań with a warm drink and a little people-watching.
These are not necessarily dramatic autumn adventures. Often, the appeal lies in the small details: sunlight filtering through yellow leaves, the sound of fallen foliage underfoot or the contrast between the cool air outside and the warmth of a café.
For those still getting to know the city, exploring these places can also be part of building a sense of home. A favourite walking route or café can become a small seasonal ritual, as familiar as it is comforting.
The pleasure of slowing down
Part of the jesieniara appeal is the invitation to change pace.
Summer often brings expectations of being outdoors, travelling, attending events and making the most of long evenings. By October, routines begin to shift. There is more reason to spend time indoors, cook something comforting, pick up a book or meet a friend somewhere warm.
This has something in common with the Danish concept of hygge, often associated with comfort, cosiness and enjoying simple moments. While the two ideas are not identical, both encourage an appreciation of everyday pleasures.
In Poland, autumn has its own familiar rituals. There are warm drinks after a walk, seasonal fruit, homemade cakes, changing wardrobes and evenings spent watching the rain from indoors. Some people embrace the darker, moodier side of the season; others simply appreciate the opportunity to feel comfortable and unhurried.
The appeal is not that every autumn day is beautiful. October can be wet and windy, and the shorter days are not always welcome. Rather, the jesieniara mindset finds things to enjoy alongside the less inviting parts of the season.
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