sightseeing tour frankfurt

Discover Frankfurt short & sweet with our "Express Ticket Tour"

Express Ticket Tour

“Express Ticket Tour“ through Frankfurt

The “Express Tour” is our classic sightseeing option allowing the visitors to familiarise themselves with the city of Frankfurt. The tour takes you to all major highlights throughout the city. If you like it, you can get off the bus at different sights, such as Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Goethe House, “Riverbank Museums”, “Sachsenhausen” Pub District and “Römer” Town Hall, among others, to explore the tourist attractions more thoroughly.

If you prefer a compact and quick sightseeing tour or if you have not so much free time, you can take the complete “Express Ticket Tour” sitting back aboard the coach. You will be back at the departure point within an hour.

Our city bus tours are available with commentaries in nine languages. So you can listen to information about the visitor attractions in your language during the sightseeing tour. The buses depart several times per day for an “Express Ticket Tour” through the city of Frankfurt. Once validated, the ticket is valid 24 hours.

Please click here for more information about the departure times of our sightseeing buses and the city’s highlights.

Our tours are available in the following languages: German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Russian, Chinese

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Mutiple departures per day from saint paul's cathedral / römer, skyline ticket.

Instead of 26€ online ticket only

about 2 hours

Sightseeing

• Overview Service and Administration
• Applications and Forms
• Municipal Offices
• Services at a Glance
• Online Services
• New in Frankfurt
• Overview City Politics
• Municipal Administration
• Overview About Frankfurt
• Frankfurt on the up and up
• Festivals in Frankfurt
• Global marketplace
• Global village
• City culture on the river
• A good place for ideas
• A famous son
• A very green city
• Overview Getting here
• Barrier-free
• Public transport
• Overview Sightseeing

Guided city tours and sightseeing tours

• Frankfurt's New Old Town
• Online City Tour

Historical buildings

High-rise buildings.

• Overview Welcome to Frankfurt
• Overview Business in Frankfurt
• Overview International Affairs
• City Partnerships
• Promotion of the Exchange with Partner Cities
• City friendship associations
• European City of Frankfurt am Main
• Hessian Consular Corps
• City-to-city cooperation
• Visit programme
• Overview Museums
• Museums at a glance
• Museumsufer Card and Ticket
• Overview Theatres
• Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company
• English Theatre
• International Theatre
• Mousonturm House of Artists
• Old Opera House
• Opera Frankfurt
• Papageno Musical Theatre
• Schauspiel Frankfurt
• Tiger Palace Variety Theatre

Those who set out on a discovery tour of Frankfurt can easily reach many of the sites on foot or by bus and train.

Many attractions are not very far from one another in the city centre, as our virtual city tour shows. And with public transport, you can quickly reach further sights such as the Palm Garden and the Zoo.

A city tour with the nostalgic tram, the ‘Ebbelwei Express’ is particularly popular. And culture lovers will find an impressive selection of renowned museums on both banks of the Main.

Online city tour

You can explore Frankfurt on screen before your visit.

Frankfurt's New Old Town

Explore the new heart of the city's historic centre. 15 picturesque reconstructions and 20 new buildings have become a landmark.

Frankfurt’s history can be experienced even today through a large number of historical buildings

More than any other city in Germany the Frankfurt’s panorama is defined by its famous high-rise skyline.

Frankfurt’s public gardens offer an impressive degree of diversity.

15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Frankfurt

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 27, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

A picturesque old imperial city on the River Main, Frankfurt am Main has long been an important commercial and economic center. Frankfurt's impressive skyline is dominated by a great cluster of high-rise buildings in the banking quarter, giving it a distinct North American flavor, along with the nicknames "Mainhattan" and "Chicago on the Main."

Frequently ranked in the top 10 best cities in which to live and do business, this truly global city has also long been an important center for cultural and tourism activities. Its huge trade fair complex, Messe Frankfurt , hosts important events such as the Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse), the world's most important publishing event, along with internationally renowned music and cultural festivals.

Frankfurt is also well known for its exceptional number of fine museums covering art, science, and history. It's also a lovely city to explore on foot, with many of these museums and attractions being within easy walking distance of the downtown core. If you do walk, be sure to include a stroll across the Main via the Eiserner Steg , a pedestrian footbridge originally built in 1911 (and rebuilt since) that links the Sachsenhausen district to the downtown core.

To learn more about the best places to visit and things to do along the way, be sure to read our full list of the top tourist attractions in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

1. Römerberg: Frankfurt's Old Town Center

2. städel museum, 3. museum district: museumsufer, 4. maintower, 5. the palm garden, 6. senckenberg natural history museum, 7. frankfurt cathedral, 8. kleinmarkthalle, 9. goethe house and museum, 10. the hauptwache, 11. museum of modern art, 12. frankfurt zoo, 13. the old opera house, 14. eschenheim tower, 15. jewish museum frankfurt, where to stay in frankfurt for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to frankfurt.

Set in the heart of Frankfurt's Old Town (Altstadt), the Römerberg is an irregularly shaped square with the Justice Fountain (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen) at its center. Not only is it Frankfurt's most picturesque public square, it's the city's busiest pedestrian zone and home to numerous tourist attractions and fun things to do, including Christmas markets and other events.

Points of interest here include its many open-fronted shops. Once common throughout the old town, and the Römer , this cluster of 11 historic buildings together made up the medieval-era Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus). This popular Frankfurt attraction was faithfully reconstructed in 1954 from original 15th- to 18th-century floorplans. Of special note is the elegant Imperial Hall (Kaisersaal), once the scene of splendid banquets.

Other notable buildings in the Römerberg include the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) dating from 1908; the 14th-century Gothic Church of St. Leonhard; and St. Nicholas Church , with its carillon.

Also of interest here is the Historical Museum ( Historisches Museum Frankfurt) . Founded in 1878, its interesting collections relate to Frankfurt's rich cultural history from medieval to modern times, and the six traditional-style buildings of the Ostzeile .

The historic Wertheim House (Haus Wertheym), the only building to have survived the 1944 air raids that destroyed much of old Frankfurt, can also still be seen and is now home to a popular restaurant. Built in 1479, it's an undeniably romantic setting for a memorable meal (reservations recommended).

Address: Römerberg 26, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Read More: Best Places to Visit in Germany

The Städel Museum (Städelsches Kunstinstitut und Städtische Galerie), with its excellent collection of paintings from the 14th century, is the most important of the world-class museums that make up Frankfurt's Museum District (Museumsufer).

Of its many collections, the most important include works by Old Masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Goya, and into the later centuries with Monet, Degas, Beckman, and Picasso. The more contemporary works include those by Bacon and Baselitz. The collection also features prints and drawings from Durer and Cezanne to Pollock and Ernst.

English-language guided tours are available, along with audio guides for those who prefer to go it alone. For those with additional time, workshops and talks, along with a research library, are also available. A café and bookshop are also located on-site.

Address: Schaumainkai 63, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Frankfurt's Museum District (Museumsufer) on the south and north banks of the River Main is a first-rate collection of some 16 separate museums, many of them of international standing.

In addition to the centerpiece, the Städel Art Museum , a highlight is the excellent Museum of World Cultures (Museum der Weltkulturen). Regarded as one of Europe's top ethnological museums, it was founded in 1904 and features collections that include more than 65,000 artifacts from as far afield as Asia, Africa, and North and South America.

The Museum of Ancient Sculpture is another important museum here. Situated in the 19th-century Liebieghaus , the museum is home to a large collection of Asian, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman sculptures, as well as pieces from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods.

Also worth visiting, the Icon Museum (Ikonen-Museum der Stadt Frankfurt am Main) is a rare institution housing a treasury of more than a thousand Christian Orthodox images from all over the Orthodox Diaspora.

Other museums of note are the German Architecture Museum (Deutsches Architekturmuseum), focusing on architectural design and offers more than 200,000 plans, drawings, and models; the Film Museum (Deutsches Filminstitut), with exhibits relating to the Lumière brothers and the history of cinema; and the Museum of Applied Art (Museum Angewandte Kunst), or MAK for short, with its displays of more than 30,000 objects representing European and Asian decorative art.

Try to squeeze in a visit to the Frankfurt Archaeological Museum (Archäologisches Museum Frankfurt), set in a former monastery and dealing with the city's history from its foundation to the present. Even a quick visit is time well spent.

Address: Schaumainkai, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Read More: Best Places to Visit in Germany in Winter

Located in the heart of Frankfurt's Inner City (Innenstadt) district, the 200-meter-tall Maintower (Aussichtspunkt Frankfurt) should rank highly on your list of fun things to do. Considered one of the top tourist attractions in Germany, it was completed in 1999, this impressive 56-story skyscraper is one of the largest in Germany and was built with a superb rooftop observatory that's open to the public.

Two public viewing platforms are on its top floors, and the views from here are simply breathtaking. In addition to enjoying panoramic vistas of the Old Town (Altstadt) and the many other Frankfurt attractions on your must-see list, the river views alone make the fast glass-fronted elevator journey to the top worth it.

If visiting on a Friday or Saturday, you may want to time your visit for after nightfall. The viewing platforms are open later on these days, offering a unique opportunity to view the city from on high at night.

You may also want to combine your visit with a meal at the popular Main Tower Restaurant & Lounge on the building's 53rd floor (reservations recommended). Be sure to also check out the art installations and mosaics in the building's lobby area, too.

Address: Neue Mainzer Str. 52-58, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Located on Bockenheimer Landstrasse, the beautiful 54-acre Palm Garden (Palmengarten) is the largest botanic garden in Germany. One of three such gardens in Frankfurt, it was an instant hit with the public upon its opening in 1871. In fact, the attraction lured some of the top performers of the time from around the world, including Buffalo Bill, who visited with his Wild West show in 1890.

Highlights of a visit today are the lovely outdoor botanical exhibits laid out according to their geographical location, along with a number of greenhouses containing subtropical and tropical plant species. The gardens also offer boating, a children's playground, and picnic spots, and guided tours are available.

The Europaturm , a 337-meter-tall telecommunications tower also known as the "Tower of Europe," is just a short walk away and worth visiting for its viewing platform and restaurant. Great views can also be enjoyed from the viewing platforms of the nearby Main Tower, one of its tallest skyscrapers.

Other Frankfurt parks of interest are the 72-acre Grüneburgpark and the even larger Nidda Valley People's Park (Volkspark Niddatal). Covering some 415 acres on the outskirts of the city, Nidda Valley is a pleasant place for a stroll or a fun family picnic.

Address: Siesmayerstraße 61, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Located in Frankfurt's Senckenberg Gardens , the Senckenberg Natural History Museum (Naturmuseum Senckenberg) is one of the most modern museums of natural history in Europe and the second largest of its kind in Germany.

Along with its numerous displays relating to our planet's biodiversity and the evolution of organisms, the museum houses Europe's biggest exhibition of large dinosaurs, making it a particularly pleasant spot to stop if you're traveling with kids. A number of life-size replica dinosaurs greet you in the museum's forecourt and make for an excellent backdrop for a family selfie.

The museum is also home to the world's largest collection of stuffed birds, along with an extensive exhibit outlining the development of mankind. English language tours are available, and you can rent audio guides if you want to tour on your own. Educational workshops and lectures are also held regularly. A bistro and a souvenir shop are also located on the premises.

Address: Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

The Roman Catholic Frankfurt Cathedral (Frankfurter Dom) certainly stands out for its lovely color. Officially known as St. Bartholomew's Cathedral (Dom St. Bartholomäus), its dazzling exterior comes from the red sandstone it was built with between the 13th and 15th centuries.

Add to this its Gothic styling and 95-meter-tall tower, and this impressive cathedral still manages to stand out in this city of skyscrapers. One of only a handful of churches in Germany to be designated as an Imperial Cathedral, it was here in the Election Chapel from 1562 to 1792 that the coronation of Emperors took place.

Beneath the tower is the magnificent Crucifixion by Hans Backoffen, sculpted in 1509, while in the Marienkapelle is the Maria-Schlaf-Altar from 1434. Other highlights include the grave slab of King Günther von Schwarzburg, who died in Frankfurt in 1349, as well as numerous carved side altars dating from the 15th and 16th centuries.

The cathedral's most important relic is the skullcap of St. Bartholomew, kept in the Late Romanesque Bartholomew's Choir. Many of the cathedral's most important artifacts can be viewed in Frankfurt Cathedral Museum (Dommuseum Frankfurt).

Address: Domplatz 1, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Markets are always a good place to get a feel for a city, and Frankfurt's Kleinmarkthalle , where many locals shop daily, is no exception. The present hall dates from 1954, and its 1,500 square meters house 150 market stalls selling some of the finest foods in Germany.

This is a good place to try out the famous Frankfurt "Green Sauce" ( Frankfurter Grüne Soße), a traditional condiment made of seven herbs, sour cream, and egg. You can also savor local specialties like sausages, cheeses, and pastries.

Address: Hasengasse 5-7, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Frankfurt was the birthplace of Germany's greatest writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. His family home, Goethe House (Goethe Haus), was where Goethe was born on August 28, 1749, and lived until 1765. Immaculately preserved, it shows how the well-to-do family and their staff would have lived at the time.

You can see everything from the sumptuously decorated dining room on the main floor to Goethe's writing room on the top floor. It was here he penned many of his early works and where he played as a child with his puppet theater.

Next door is the Goethe Museum , a 14-room gallery showcasing artworks from the writer's time, including masterpieces of the Late Baroque and Romantic periods. Family guided tours of both properties are available.

Goethestrasse , a high-end shopping area with many fine boutiques, art galleries, and cafés, is another Frankfurt attraction that testifies to the writer's fame and importance.

Address: Großer Hirschgraben 23-25, D-60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Situated in the middle of the city and one of Frankfurt's busiest pedestrian areas, the Hauptwache, which literally translates as the "Main Guard," is famous for its mix of fine historic buildings and modern structures. The most notable building here is the old Baroque Guard House after which the square is named. Built in 1730, it once housed the city's militia, a prison, and later, a police station, and now houses a café.

The square itself is one of Frankfurt's main shopping areas, complete with a large underground mall. It's also the point from which the city's main shopping and commercial streets radiate.

Pedestrian-friendly Zeil heads east, and Kaiserstrasse , with its many places of entertainment in its side streets, runs southwest past the Rossmarkt and Kaiserplatz to the Hauptbahnhof. This is the city's main train station, built in 1888 and one of the largest train terminals in Europe.

Address: An der Hauptwache 15, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

The Frankfurt Museum of Modern Art (MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst Frankfurt) is widely regarded as one of Europe's most important galleries of contemporary art.

Opened in 1991 in a stunning postmodern building in the heart of the city, the museum includes in its vast collection some 5,000 fine examples from more than 450 leading artists. Spanning from the 1960s to the present, works are by artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Francis Bacon.

The museum also operates Zollamt MMK, a satellite exhibition space featuring works by younger and as yet unknown artists; the Frankfurt Museum of Applied Art (Museum für angewandte Kunst), with more than 30,000 items of European and Asian applied art, including furniture, tapestries, glass, ceramics, and books; and Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, showing both modern and contemporary art.

Also of interest is the Caricatura Museum (Caricatura Museum für Komische Kunst), which is notable for its exhibits and displays relating to comic art.

Address: Domstraße 10, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Home to more than 4,000 animals representing at least 450 different species, Frankfurt Zoo covers 32 acres near the city's old Friedberger Tor.

Founded in 1858 as the Frankfurt Zoological Garden, it's Germany's second-oldest zoo and is noted for its excellent animal houses, including the unique Grzimek House with displays of Madagascar's diverse fauna.

Also of interest is the Exotarium, with animals from different climatic regions, including marine life, reptiles, and crocodiles. The Borgori Forest has a superb ape house in an authentic jungle setting.

Other highlights include the Nocturnal Animals House and the Bird Hall. A variety of events and programs are offered, including family festivals, exhibits, themed tours, and feeding experiences.

Address: Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, 60316 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Situated in the heart of Frankfurt's Opera Square (Opernplatz), the Old Opera House (Alte Oper) was constructed in 1880 in the style of the Italian High Renaissance. Destroyed during World War II, it was rebuilt and reopened in 1981 as one of the city's most important concert venues. Fun English-language guided tours are available.

The city's new opera house, Oper Frankfurt , and the drama theater, Schauspiel Frankfurt, share a contemporary, state-of-the-art venue known as Städtische Bühnen Frankfurt.

Address: Opernplatz, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

The Eschenheim Tower (Eschenheimer Turm) was built in the early 1400s and remains the finest relic from Frankfurt's old town walls. Standing 47 meters high, it still impresses with its dimensions and dominates the Eschenheimer Gate district.

Today, the tower houses a great café restaurant as well as meeting rooms used by local historical societies. Also of interest is the nearby Stock Exchange , built in 1879 and the largest in the country.

Address: Börsenplatz, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Opened in 1988 on the 50th anniversary of Kristallnacht, a pivotal point in the persecution of Germany's Jews in the 1930s, the Jewish Museum Frankfurt (Jüdisches Museum Frankfurt) is well worth a visit.

Spread across two venues, the displays in the main collection in the Rothschild Palace location focus on the more than 900-year history of Jewish life and culture in Frankfurt. Highlights include an exhibit relating to Anne Frank in the Frank Family Center, as well as a state-of-the-art research library.

The second location, Museum Judengasse, is also worth seeing. Of greatest interest here are the foundations of 19 houses dating back to the foundation of Europe's first Jewish ghetto in the 1400s. Artifacts and interesting exhibits relating to this period provide a fascinating glimpse into Jewish culture during this period of European history.

Address: Untermainkai 14-15, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

If you want to sightsee in Frankfurt, one of the most convenient places to stay is the city center. Many of the top tourist attractions are found here, including the Frankfurt museum embankment (Museumsufer), historic churches, quaint shops, and the Old Town (Aldstadt) with its lovely half-timbered buildings and picturesque town square (the Römerberg). Below are some highly-rated hotels in the city center:

Luxury Hotels:

• Located in a great location near the shops of Zeil Street and a short stroll from the Römerberg, JW Marriott Hotel Frankfurt offers modern luxury in the heart of the city. Rooms come in a variety of sizes, and many offer excellent views of the city and River Main. There are also suites with separate living space and pullout sofas should you be traveling with the kids. Some suites even have kitchens. Amenities here include an indoor swimming pool, a spa, and a great fine-dining restaurant.
• As its name suggests, the five-star Sofitel Frankfurt Opera is within walking distance of Frankfurt's Alte Oper, which dates back to the 1800s. The hotel is set inside a stylish villa in the heart of Old Town Frankfurt. The rooms and suites are contemporary and plush and feature warm hues, designer toiletries, and Bose sound systems. On-site amenities include a French restaurant, an indoor pool, a spa with a sauna, and a fitness center.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• If you just want a good-value hotel and don't mind a chain brand property then check out the popular Premier Inn Frankfurt Messe Hotel . Just a short bus ride from Frankfurt's main attractions, it features amenities like Hypnos beds in contemporary rooms, which are big enough to sprawl out in. The restaurant serves three meals a day including a breakfast buffet.
• Located in the center of Frankfurt's creative east end, 25hours Hotel The Goldman is an excellent mid-range choice. The property features bright and colorful rooms decorated with historic-themed art and unique wooden headboards on comfy beds. There is a restaurant on-site, and you can rent a bike to explore the city.
• Just across the street from Frankfurt's Central Train Station, the trendy Hotel Hamburger Hof has an energetic city center vibe. The rooms here are colorful and comfortable. If you are traveling with the family, consider a suite with a separate living room for the kids to sleep in. There is a free breakfast buffet each morning.
• Hotel Villa Florentina is an excellent value mid-range choice that is just outside the city center in Frankfurt's elegant Westend banking district. This popular three-star hotel is inside a century-old villa and has an Italian design theme throughout. Families will appreciate the fact that kids under 12 stay free.

Budget Hotels:

• Within walking distance of the main train station in the city center, Ibis Frankfurt Centrum overlooks the River Main and is a great option if you're watching your wallet. The rooms are contemporary and clean, and business travelers will appreciate in-room work desks, as well as free Wi-Fi and breakfast.
• About a 10-minute walk from the Römerberg, Hotel Expo Frankfurt City Centre is another popular budget property, near shops, art galleries, and restaurants. This boutique property features tidy rooms with wood furnishings and pops of color in the form of bed covers and matching drapes. If you're traveling with a small family, some rooms can sleep up to three people. Wi-Fi and parking are also free here.
• Sightseeing: The most convenient, single-day sightseeing tour option is the double-decker, open-air Frankfurt City Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour . This tour allows you to get off at any of the 14 stops to explore some of the top attractions or stay on the bus and listen to the audio commentary and get acquainted with the city and sites.
• Day Trips: If you have time to explore the countryside, there are some wonderful day trips from Frankfurt . One of the most popular is the Rhine Valley Trip including a Rhine River Cruise , with full-day and half-day options available. This is a coach tour through the scenic Rhine Valley and a steamboat cruise along the Rhine River, complete with a guide and lunch. Another good option is a Half-Day Trip to Heidelberg , with coach transportation, plenty of free time to explore this medieval city, and free entrance to the Heidelberg Castle. Combining two popular tours and visiting one of Germany's most famous castles, the Frankfurt Super Saver: Neuschwanstein Castle and Rothenburg Day Trip is a great option. This tour includes skip-the-line admission to the Neuschwanstein Castle and a guided tour of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, as well as time to explore the medieval streets on your own.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Germany Vacation Ideas : In addition to the great tours mentioned above, there are so many other great things to do in Germany . Those interested in seeing more world-class attractions should visit the country's capital Berlin , where they can spend time exploring the wonderful galleries and museums of Museum Island . The historic city of Potsdam , just a short journey away from Berlin, is another must-see destination. Some of the best places to visit, including fine old palaces and art galleries, are located on the grounds of Sanssouci Park.

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Frankfurt Sightseeing: A Free Walking Tour of Frankfurt, Germany

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Both modern and historic, Frankfurt, Germany is a fascinating place to visit. The rebuilt Romerberg sits just steps from the Main River and soaring skyscrapers surround the quaint Frankfurt Old Town. Travelers can discover the best city attractions on a fun Frankfurt Walking Tour. 

Frankfurt Walking Tour – Self Guided or Guided

While we were Frankfurt sightseeing, we navigated our own way around the city admiring the juxtaposition of old and new. The city is incredibly walkable, which makes it easy to complete a Frankfurt Self Guided Walking Tour. 

In fact, we created a step-by-step, easy-to-follow Self-Guided Frankfurt Walking Tour that features the absolute best of the city. Below, we share the details of our walk for free – so that fellow travelers can experience the best of Frankfurt like we did. 

While our Frankfurt Walking Tour Self Guided Route features top sights, information and map link directions, we know that many travelers prefer sightseeing with a local tour guide. There are many Frankfurt tours that are led by guides – including paid and free tours (that are tip based). 

Guided Free Tour Frankfurt, Germany

During our trip, we were also interested in finding a Frankfurt Free Walking Tour that was led by a local guide. 

Eager to learn more, we sought out a Guided Free Walking Tour of Frankfurt that would help us get even better acquainted with the city. We discovered the Alternative Tour, a free Frankfurt tour that focuses on the edgier areas of town and the stories behind them.

Although the Alternative Frankfurt Free Tour was informative regarding the it’s history of progress, prostitutes and drug addicts, it was not an all-encompassing Frankfurt city tour.

Therefore, we designed a more comprehensive Self Guided, Free Walking Tour Frankfurt, Germany that includes top Frankfurt landmarks and attractions as well.

If you are looking for Frankfurt, Germany things to do, start your trip by using this Free Self-Guided Frankfurt Tour for a fabulous introduction – or join one of the highly rated guided Frankfurt sightseeing tours that we highlight later in the article. 

Self-Guided Free Walking Tour Frankfurt Details

Our Self Guided Walking Tour Frankfurt focuses on the sights in Frankfurt downtown, which is easily walkable. Visitors who have one day in Frankfurt – or one week – can use our City Sightseeing Frankfurt Guide to explore the history and sights.

The tour can be completed in as little as 3 hours, but we suggest allowing 5-7 hours (including time for stops, detours and lunch) to truly enjoy walking around Frankfurt. What makes this one of the best Free Walking Tours Frankfurt is that you can explore at your own pace and suit it to your interests. 

Frankfurt Walking Map

At the end of the blog post, we have included a Frankfurt Walking Tour Map that includes all the stops on our walk. However, we recommend picking up a Frankfurt tourist map (or buying one in advance) for easier navigation.

In order to get from sight-to-sight on our Self Guided Walking Tour of Frankfurt, we include links to Google Maps that show directions from one sight to the next.

That said, in order to use the links, you will need an internet connection. You can inquire about adjusting your cell phone plan for international data, but we have found it more convenient to use a Pocket WiFi device that can connect up to ten devices- like GlocalMe .

Pin, Save or Bookmark our Frankfurt Walking Tour so that you can access it during your trip to Germany!  

Self Guided Frankfurt Walking Tour Free Route

Lace up your shoes and get ready to start walking in Frankfurt to the top city sights! Start your sightseeing in Frankfurt at the train station. 

#1 Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof

Like many tours in Frankfurt, Germany, ours begins at the Hauptbanhof. 

As one of the busiest train stations in Germany, the Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof is traversed by 450,000 passengers a day. The station opened on August 18, 1888 and today services long-distance trains, local underground trains and tram lines.

Before racing from the station into the city, make sure to pause and take in the ornate east-facing façade. Above the main entrance, a large clock is flanked by figures that represent Day and Night. Look up to the roof to see a statue of Atlas holding the globe; he is assisted on either side by two statues, which signify Steam and Iron. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#2 Kaiserstrasse, Frankfurt

Kaiserstrasse is one of three Frankfurt streets that lead from the train station east into the city center. The street features several 18th century buildings, which are among the few structures that survived the World War II bombings.

Once a highly fashionable shopping street, after the war Kaiserstrasse became part of Frankfurt’s Red Light District.

Although the area is currently undergoing revitalization, brothels and strip clubs can be found on Taunusstrasse, the street to the north that runs parallel to Kaiserstrasse.

While strolling this street is one of the top Frankfurt things to do, use caution and common sense when strolling through this area – especially after dark. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#3 Old Frankfurt City Walls and Wallanlagen

The next stop on our City Tour Frankfurt Walk is the city’s best public park. 

The Wallanlagen Park encircles Frankfurt just as the ancient city walls once did. When the 14th century fortifications were dismantled in the early 1800s, the land was designated as a green space, creating a 5-km-long green belt.

The open public park is one of the beautiful places in Frankfurt. The park features modern art, picturesque fountains, historic memorials, significant statues and plenty of space to spread out a blanket and relax. Walking Directions To Next Stop Note: If not going to the next sight, the Main Tower observation deck, simply continue walking through Green Belt to Old Opera House. 

#4 Frankfurt Skyscrapers and Main Tower

Of the 20 tallest buildings in Germany, 18 of them are in Frankfurt. The Commerzbank Tower is currently the tallest, standing at 984 feet (including the antenna) – and it quite literally can’t be missed on Frankfurt walking tours. It ranked as the tallest building in all of Europe from 1997 until 2003 and is visible from numerous vantage points around the city center.

Standing near Commerzbank Tower is the cylindrical, glass Main Tower. Although not nearly as tall as Commerzbank, Main Tower is one of the most popular Frankfurt tourist attractions, because it has an open-air observation deck.

Going to the top is one of the fun things to do in Frankfurt, Germany. A 20% discount is offered to visitors with a Frankfurt Card (more on the tourist card at the end of the article). 

Built in the late 1990s and opened in 2000, Main Tower stands at 656 feet (787 feet to the top of the antenna) and ranks as the 4th tallest building in Frankfurt. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#5 Alte Oper (Old Opera House, Frankfurt)

Although neither an opera house nor old, the Old Opera House is claimed by many as the most beautiful building in the city and one of the top places to visit in Frankfurt.

Completed in 1981 to replace the 1880 building that was destroyed in the war, the elegant theater hosts musical performances and events.

The spacious plaza is a common meeting place for locals: events are often held on the square. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#6 Fressgass ‘Grazing Street’ Frankfurt

Until the 1970s, Fressgass – which directly translates to ‘Grazing Street’ – was simply a nickname for Grosse Bockenheimer. Now, the street is one of the most visited by tourists and a regular stop on Frankfurt city tours. 

The street’s popularity dates to the 1900s when Frankfurt’s West-end elite flocked to the posh dining establishments and food shops on the street (just as they – and corporate executives – do today).

In addition to gourmet eateries and bistros, visitors will find numerous high-end stores – like Apple, Devialet and Telsa – on Fressgass. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#7 Borse (Frankfurt Stock Exchange)

With a history that dates to the 11th century, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange was officially established in 1585 and developed into one of the first stock exchanges in the world.

Since 1879, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange has been housed on Borsenplatz, where Bull and Bear statues are prominently displayed. Visitors interested in taking a tour can go to the Stock Exchange Visitors Center. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#8 Eschenheimer Tower, Frankfurt

A Frankfurt landmark, Eschenheimer Tower was erected in the early 1400s as part of the city fortifications. At one time 60 towers stood in Frankfurt, but only three remain today.

The 154-foot tall Eschenheimer Tower is the oldest, original building in the city and a worthy historic sight on your Free Frankfurt Walking Tour.

Today the tower houses one of the best Frankfurt Old Town restaurants, an upscale restaurant called the Eschenheimer Turm 1428 (read TripAdvisor reviews ).  Walking Directions To Next Stop

#9 Hauptwache Square Frankfurt

Continue your free walking tour in Frankfurt to Hauptwache Square. The centrally located Hauptwache Square is one of the most popular plazas – and one of the top places to visit in Frankfurt am Main. 

In the middle of the square is the historic Hauptwache building, which dates to 1730 and has been used as military headquarters, a police station and prison. Since 1904, the building has housed a café…as it still does today. The beautiful Baroque building is now dwarfed by the surrounding buildings, but remains a focal point of the square. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#10 Galeria Kaufhof Rooftop View

Located on the north side of Hauptwache Square is the Galeria Kaufhop, which isn’t a typical stop most Frankfurt guided tours. The modern mall offers a typical shopping experience…and a phenomenal rooftop view.

The 7th floor cafeteria-style restaurant has an open-air deck with views of the Frankfurt skyline. Taking the elevator to the viewpoint is one of the top free things to do in Frankfurt! Walking Directions To Next Stop

#11 Katharinenkirche (St. Catherine’s Church, Frankfurt)

Katharinenkirche – the largest Protestant church in Frankfurt – sits on the south side of Hauptwache Square. Built in 1681, the church had to be rebuilt after WWII – and a simple interior was constructed rather than the original opulent Baroque décor.

With a long history of church music, Katharinenkirche offers free organ concerts (at 4:30 pm on Mondays and Thursdays), which provide a relaxing environment to take a break from Frankfurt sightseeing! Walking Directions To Next Stop

#12 Goethe House Frankfurt

The famous writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, was born in Frankfurt in 1749. The house he grew up in – a prominent 18th century abode – has been transformed into a museum that features historic furnishings.

We did not visit the Goethe House, but it is one of the most popular Frankfurt museums. It can be visited for a discount with the Frankfurt Card and it can easily be included on your Free City Tour Frankfurt route. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#13 Zeil Street, Frankfurt Shopping

Frankfurt’s famous shopping street, Zeil Street, is chock-a-block with international retail outlets and department stores. Not-to-be-missed is the MyZeil mall, which features a curved glass facade and Europe’s longest interior escalator (running nearly 140 feet).

The wide pedestrian Zeil Street, which is pleasantly lined with trees, is the best street in Frankfurt, Germany for shopping. 

While retail therapy is what attracts many to the street, it is also a lovely promenade for a simple afternoon stroll when you visit Frankfurt, Germany.

Top Tip : On Thursdays and Saturdays, head to the intersection of Zeil and Kurt-Schumacher for the Bauernmarkt farmer’s market – a great spot to relax with a glass of Frankfurt’s famous apfelwein.  Walking Directions To Next Stop

#14 Frankfurt Food Market: Kleinmarkthalle

If you are not already hungry, you will be by the time you walk through Kleinmarkthalle – which is why we recommend stopping here for lunch!

The art-deco market hall was built in the 1960s – but a market has taken place on the site for hundreds of years. It is a must-see when you tour Frankfurt, Germany on foot. 

Vendors sell everything from fresh flowers to ready-to-eat meals to heavenly sweets. Both international and local fare is available at Kleinmarkthalle, including many Frankfurt specialties. It is one of the best places to visit in Frankfurt, Germany for a taste of the local cuisine – so we are highlighting a few of the must-eat dishes! 

Kleinmarkthalle in Frankfurt: What To Do and Eat

At Kleinmarkthalle, visitors can indulge in classic Frankfurt cuisine, like sausages. Frau Schreiber’s famous sausages will likely have a long line (it was 20 people deep during our visit!) – but they are the best in the city. 

Other things to eat at the market are Handkase with Musik (Hand Cheese with Music), Rippchen mit Kraut (pork cutlet with sauerkraut and Grune Sosse (a specialty Green Sauce served with boiled eggs and potatoes that is absolutely delicious!). 

In fact, with so much classic Frankfurt fare at the market, visitors could create their own Frankfurt food tasting tour and sample multiple dishes from several different vendors. 

Also, don’t miss the second floor and balcony wine bar!  Walking Directions To Next Stop

#15 Paulskirche (St. Paul’s Church) and Paulsplatz

Built as a Lutheran church at the turn of the 19th century, St. Paul’s Church holds a significant place in Germany’s history that makes it a must-see on Frankfurt, Germany tours.

In 1849, St. Paul’s Church was the meeting place for the Frankfurt National Assembly – the first freely elected parliament for Germany. It was inside the church that the first constitution was written, which included key elements of subsequent constitutions.

The church was nearly destroyed in World War II. When it was rebuilt, they designed it as a museum (free entry) and a place to host ceremonies.

The square that surrounds the church is Paulsplatz – and it’s the largest square in the Frankfurt Old Town. The south end of the square extends to the Frankfurt City Hall (Romer).  Walking Directions To Next Stop

#16 Romerberg, Frankfurt

As one of the top things to see in Frankfurt, Germany, spending time in Romerberg is a must during your sightseeing tour! The iconic gabled Romer sits prominently on the west side of the spacious square and has been the site of the Frankfurt City Hall since the 15th century.

Opposite the Romer is the Ostzeile, a row of fairytale half-timbered houses (which were completely restored in the 1980s).

On the south side of the square is Old St. Nicholas Church, which dates to the 15th century and only suffered minor damage during the war. The church carillon, which is comprised of 51 bells, rings at 9:05am, 12:05pm and 5:05pm.

The Fountain of Justice, which dates to the mid-1500s, stands in the center of Romerberg.

The famous Frankfurt Christmas Market takes center stage in Romerberg – as well as other events throughout the year.

Top Tip : At Romerberg’s north entrance, there is a small German pub called Binding Schirn (look on the east side as you enter), which features friendly bartenders and local Frankfurt Binding beer on tap. If you need a break from your Sightseeing Tour Frankfurt, this is a good place to do it! Walking Directions To Next Stop

#17 Haus Wertheym, Frankfurt

Dating to the early 1400s, Haus Wertheym is the only half timbered house on Romerberg that was still intact after the bombing of World War II. As an original architectural gem in the city, it is one of the top Frankfurt places to visit. 

The building has served as a public bathhouse, a customs house, guards’ quarters and, today, is a classic German restaurant. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#18 Eiserner Steg Bridge, Frankfurt

The Eiserner Steg pedestrian footbridge crosses the Main River, connecting the Frankfurt Old Town to the Sachsenhausen district to the south. The first bridge on the site was built in 1868, but the current bridge dates to the 1940s.

The bridge recently became a popular site for Love Locks, but has long been a favored spot for taking in the spectacular Frankfurt skyline views. Only walk half way across the bridge for views, then return for more sight seeing Frankfurt near Romerberg (we cross over to Sachsenhausen later in the tour). Walking Directions To Next Stop

#19 Saalgasse Street Architecture

Continue your Self Guide Tour Frankfurt to Saalgasse Street. Prior to World War II, Saalgasse Street was lined with historic houses, which were all sadly destroyed by fire during the 1944 bombings.

When the neighborhood was reconstructed in the 1980s, however, several postmodern architects were called on to recreate the street. Each architect was allowed to design one building on the street so that there are no two facades alike.

Saalgasse Street in the Frankfurt Old Town is a great example of how the city looks to the future. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#20 Frankfurt Cathedral

Although not truly a cathedral, the official name of the historic Frankfurt church is the Imperial Cathedral of St. Bartholomew – but it’s also called Kaiserdom, St. Bart’s or just The Cathedral.

Built as a collegiate church in the 14th century, the church served as the site of Holy Roman Empire coronations between 1562 and 1792; 10 kings were crowned in the church.

The unmissable bell tower is 310-feet-tall – and for a small fee visitors can climb more than 300 steps to the viewing platform for fabulous views of the city. We highly recommend taking a break from your self guided Frankfurt walking tour to climb to the top. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#21 Kaiserpfalz Franconofurd (Imperial Palace)

The next stop on our tour, Kaiserpfalz Franconofurd, is one of the free things to do in Frankfurt, Germany. 

The free, outdoor exhibit is part of the Frankfurt Archaeological Museum. The excavated area of Kaiserpfalz Franconofurd reveals ancient structures that were only recently discovered.

Evidence of buildings, cellars, fortifications and public baths exist – and are complimented by informative plaques. The archaeological site – parts of which are thought to be more than 1,000 years old – provides visual insight to the deep history of Frankfurt. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#22 New Old Town, Frankfurt

The district between the Cathedral and Romer – dubbed the New Old Town – has recently been overhauled. Efforts were made to utilize original building materials and recreate some historic sites, while also emphasizing modern architecture. It is one of the architecturally interesting places to see on your Frankfurt, Germany walking tour. 

Within the New Old Town district there is living space, shops, restaurants, cafes and museums. Walk through the passageways to enclosed courtyards and follow the path of past kings on the Coronation Route from St. Bartholomew Cathedral to the Frankfurt Town Hall. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#23 Jewish Cemetery and Memorial, Frankfurt

The Jewish Cemetery on Battonnstrasse has a historic past and gravestones that date to the year 1272. Unfortunately, much of the cemetery was destroyed by the Nazis, with only a cluster of headstones still standing in one corner.

The outer wall of the cemetery, however, has been transformed into a memorial, displaying 10,000 name plaques of Jews killed in the Holocaust.

Top Tip : If the gate is locked, ask for the key at the Jewish Museum next door (ID is required).  Walking Directions To Next Stop

#24 Alte Brucke (Old Bridge) and Portikus Museum

The Alte Brucke, first mentioned in 1222, is the oldest crossing over the Frankfurt Main River. Since then, the bridge has been rebuilt an astounding 18 times. 

The Portikus Museum sits on an island near the south end of the bridge, representing a historical watermill that was once part of the bridge. The one-room gallery is free to visit and features contemporary art. Use the bridge to cross from City Centre Frankfurt into Old Sachsenhausen. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#25 Old Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt

Narrow lanes, timber-frame houses, artistic water fountains and quaint courtyards are found throughout the historic Old Sachsenhausen district. The quaint district is a highlight of the Frankfurt walk. 

Once a separate village, Sachsenhausen was encircled by the Frankfurt city walls in the late 1300s (the Kihhirtenturm Tower still stands on Rittergasse).

The district was used as farmland that included apple orchards, thus the rise of Frankfurt’s famous apple wine.

The history of apple wine and taverns has taken on a modern twist – and now the lanes are filled with cliché party bars (there is even a Hooters). Hanging out in Sachsenhausen is one of the top things to do in Frankfurt at night. Although particularly quiet during the day, it’s worth a wander through the district to imagine what this area of Frankfurt once looked like (just ignore all the neon bar signs).

Despite the historic district being overrun by garish touristy bars, one of the fun things to do in Frankfurt is to visit the apple wine taverns in Old Sachsenhausen. While there are many taverns to choose from, unfortunately, our only recommendation is to avoid Gaststatte Atschel, where the staff were overtly rude and ruthlessly disrespectful to tourists. Walking Directions To Next Stop

#26 Museumsufer, Frankfurt

Visiting museums is one of the top Frankfurt activities – and some of the best museums in Frankfurt are clustered together in an area called Museumsufer.

Ten of Frankfurt’s most prominent museums are found on the south bank of the River Main between Alte Brucke and Friedensbrucke, while a few more are found along the north bank. The museum embankment is a nice place for a walk, even if you don’t intend on visiting any museums. 

Two of the most popular museums on the south bank are the Stadel Museum and the Deutsches Filmmuseum. Most museums offer significant discounts on entry with the Frankfurt Card.  Walking Directions To Next Stop

#27 Frankfurt River Walk

Tree-lined paths and riverside parks are found on both banks of the Main River – and are a perfect place to end your free walking tour of Frankfurt. Relax on a bench, stroll in the shade or take in the city views. 

Frankfurt, Germany Map

Use this link to Google Maps to use our interactive, online Frankfurt city map with attractions to find your way on your self-guided walk. Like we already mentioned, it’s also a good idea to pick up a map of Frankfurt from the tourist office or buy one in advance of your trip.

More Frankfurt Walking Tour Options

Our Self Guided Walking Tour in Frankfurt is an excellent way to get acquainted with the city. That said, there are fabulous walking tours of Frankfurt that are also led by knowledgeable local guides. We are sharing a few of the top rated tours. 

Guided Walking Tours Frankfurt

Join fellow travelers on a group Frankfurt walking tour. The walk is led by a local guide who shares insider information and fun facts about the city that might otherwise be missed. Book it here!

Private Frankfurt Tourist Guide Tour

Rather than discovering the city with a group, take one of the Frankfurt private tours of the city that is led by a professional Frankfurt tourist guide. Get the details here ! 

Frankfurt Free Tours

Travelers interested in joining a Free Guided Frankfurt Walking Tour can easily find one that suits their style. Just keep in mind that the guide expects – and deserves – to be tipped…so it’s not really free. If you don’t want to pay for a tour, we recommend using our step-by-step guide of Frankfurt. 

More Frankfurt Sightseeing Ideas

Our free walking tour of Frankfurt is a fantastic way to see the city…but it does include a lot of walking! Although our preferred method of discovering the city is on our own two feet, we have a few tips on other ways to explore Frankfurt.

Hop On Hop Off Frankfurt Bus

The Frankfurt sightseeing bus is a great option for getting around the city without wearing out the tread on your shoes. Visitors interested in a Frankfurt bus tour can book tickets on the Hop On Hop Off Bus Frankfurt. Get the details here !

Applewine Express Tourist Train

The Ebbelwei Express is a historic tram that chugs through the city past numerous city sights. In addition, guests are treated to an on-board glass of apple wine, pretzels and music. Find out more !

Frankfurt River Cruise

A popular way to see the city is from the River Main. There are several boats that take passengers on  river cruises up and down the Main River. Book Your Cruise !

Frankfurt Airport Tour

Travelers with a layover in the Frankfurt Airport (and those who are just really interested in aviation) can join a Frankfurt Airport Tour . The tour offers a behind-the-scene look at one of the busiest airports in Europe. 

Frankfurt Christmas

One of the top things to do in Frankfurt in December is visit the Christmas Markets. In fact, the Frankfurt Christmas Market is the reason we decided to visit the city…and it was fabulous!

Frankfurt Sightseeing Card

The Frankfurt Card offers an array of benefits. Card holders are granted free access to all public transportation (including trains between the airport and city) and discounts of up to 50% on museums, attractions and guided tours.

Tickets are valid for either one or two days. Families or friends traveling together can benefit from the group ticket (up to 5 people). Visitors can buy and print passes in advance so the pass is ready to use as soon as you arrive! 

• One-Day Ticket
• Two-Day Ticket
• One-Day Group Ticket
• Two-Day Group Ticket

More Frankfurt, Germany Things To Do

Although our self-guided Frankfurt walking tour includes the top things to do in Frankfurt, Germany there are a few more sights you can add to your list. 

Palm Gardens

The exquisite Frankfurt Botanical Garden is a fantastic city park to visit during your trip. In addition to the vast array of plant species featured throughout the grounds and in the glasshouses, the Palm Garden also hosts a Butterfly House, ponds and cafes. A small fee is required to enter. 

Berger Strasse

A main thoroughfare that extends from the northeast side of the Old Town near Bethmannpark, Berger Strass is a well-known shopping street lined with boutique cafes and shops.

IG Farben Haus

Now the main building of Frankfurt University, but previously a large chemical company, the massive building is an architectural gem. The nearby Gruneburgpark is also worth seeing when visiting the campus. 

Schillermarkt

A Friday-only street market, Schillermarkt features vendors selling fresh product, bratwursts and regional culinary treats near the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. 

Frankfurt Museums

As we mentioned previously, museums are top Frankfurt attractions. Below is a list of popular museums that you might want to check out when you visit Frankfurt. 

• Senckenberg Natural History Museum
• Stadel Art Museum
• Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt
• German Film Museum
• German Museum of Architecture
• Goethe Museum
• Historisches Museum
• Jewish Museum
• MMK Museum of Modern Art Frankfurt
• Archaeological Museum
• Museum for Communication

Read reviews of the top-rated Frankfurt Museums on TripAdvisor .

Frankfurt Day Trips

Looking for the best places to visit near Frankfurt? Check out these top-rated Frankfurt Day Tours on Viator .

Heidelberg Half-Day Trip from Frankfurt

Travel by luxury bus from Frankfurt to Heidelberg and tour the medieval town with a knowledgeable guide. Book it now !

Black Forest and Strasbourg Day Trip from Frankfurt

Visit the thermal baths in Baden-Baden then cross the border into France to explore the UNESCO-listed Strasbourg . Book it now !

Rothenburg Day Trip with Heidelberg

Discover the walled village, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a preserved medieval town full of cobblestone lanes. This full day trip also includes a stop in Heidleburg. Book it here!

Wine and Rhine Valley Full-Day Tour

Embark on a full-day tour of the villages along the Rhine Valley and a Rhine River Cruise. Travel through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Valley – from Rudesheim to Sankt Goarshausen. Cruise the river on a steamboat and end your day with a wine tasting. Book this trip !

How Many Days in Frankfurt?

Whether you are looking for things to do in Frankfurt for a day or advice on how to spend a weekend in Frankfurt, we’ve got your covered! Use our tips below to create your ideal Frankfurt itinerary.

1 Day in Frankfurt

Wondering what to do in Frankfurt for a day? No problem! There are numerous ways to see Frankfurt in a day.

We recommend starting with our above outlined Frankfurt sightseeing tour. At the end of the self-guided walk, either visit one of the famous museums in Frankfurt, Germany or stroll along the riverside.

End the day back in Romerberg and have a pint of local Frankfurt beer at the Binding Schirn bar at the north entrance of the square.

2 Days in Frankfurt

There are many options for a Frankfurt 2-days itinerary! On Day 1, we recommend following our advice for what to see in Frankfurt in one day.

Then, on Day Two visit two more museums in the morning. In the afternoon, travel 10 km west to explore the well-preserved town of Hochst.

3 Days in Frankfurt

Visitors planning 3-day Frankfurt vacations will find it is easy to fill the time! Use our recommendations for things to do in Frankfurt in 2 days, then on your last day take one of the highly-rated Frankfurt day trips (listed above).

Planning a Trip to Frankfurt, Germany

We have highlighted the top things to see and do in our Frankfurt Walking Tour – as well as highlighted other nearby attractions. However, we have a few more tips for travelers – like how to get there and where to stay. 

Travelers visiting from overseas should start with our guide to Planning a Europe Vacation – where we share heaps of need-to-know details about traveling abroad. 

Visitors creating a Germany Itinerary to other destinations around the country can use our guides to some of the best German cities beyond Frankfurt. 

• How To Spend 3 Perfect Days in Berlin
• Munich Self Guided Walking Tour
• What To Do in Dusseldorf
• Things To See in Freiburg
• 3-Day Dresden Itinerary

As you make your plans and reservations for visiting Frankfurt, organization is key! We recommend using a travel planner – like our Trip Planning Printables – to keep track of the details of your trip! 

How To Get to Frankfurt, Germany

The Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) is a major European gateway with flights from around the world. In addition to being the main hub for Lufthansa Airlines, all major US carriers fly to FRA as well.

Direct flights from the US to Frankfurt are offered from numerous gateways including Denver , NYC , San Francisco , DC , Boston , Chicago , Philadelphia , Seattle  and San Diego .

Use our tips to find the best fares on airline tickets – then use a site, like  Skyscanner , to find the best priced tickets for your trip. 

Where To Stay in Frankfurt, Germany

Visitors will find numerous Frankfurt hotels and Airbnb Apartments in a range of prices.

That said, we think the best place to stay in Frankfurt is near the Hauptbahnhof train station. The location is close enough to walk (or take a tram) into the center and being close to the train station makes it easy to get in and out of Frankfurt.

Furthermore, we think staying in a Frankfurt hotel is best for short trips, while a short term vacation rental with a kitchen may be better for stays of 1 week or longer. 

Start your search for places to stay in Frankfurt, Germany on Booking.com – but before you do, read our tips on Finding the Best Hotels .

What To Pack for Your Trip to Frankfurt, Germany

We have a few final tips on what you will need to pack for your Frankfurt trip. You can find all of our packing advice – including top packing hacks and a complete packing list – on our Travel Packing Tips page. Need a Packing Checklist? Get a FREE Packing Checklist here !

Walking Shoes

Frankfurt is a walkable city…but only if you have the right travel shoes ! Don’t forget to pack a pair of lightweight and comfortable walking shoes for your trip so that you can complete your Frankfurt walking tour without sore feet. I like to wear versatile sneakers and Kris prefers wearing these shoes by Merrell .

Travel Camera

Frankfurt is gorgeous – and we’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your trip. Rather than relying on your mobile phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for higher quality photos.

We travel with a Canon Rebel (which takes amazing photos and is fantastic for beginners) along with an 18-135mm lens . It’s a fabulous  budget camera for budding photographers.

Whether you decide to travel with a backpack or a suitcase , you’ll want to have a great day bag to keep all your everyday travel essentials organized and secure.

Frankfurt Map and Guidebook

It’s easy to get turned around in any new place…even Frankfurt! Make sure to have a good city map and/or Germany Guidebook before arriving. Visitors can pick up a free Frankfurt train map at the Frankfurt Tourist Information Center in the main train station. 

Germany Trip Insurance

Delayed flights, lost luggage and illness while abroad can all happen unexpectedly – and trip insurance can help. If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip to Germany, consider traveling protected with World Nomads .

Start planning your trip to Germany ! Search for the lowest airfares , the best accommodations and fun things to do …then start packing !   Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning page for more information and tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides page !

We want to know:  What is your favorite part of Frankfurt sightseeing? What would you add to our Free Walking Tour Frankfurt? Give us your best tips and advice in the comments! 

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Ian Ramsey and Cici Peng

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

This article is part of FT Globetrotter’s guide to Frankfurt

In a 2022 article, the FT’s previous Frankfurt correspondent described Germany’s financial capital as “the perfect 15-minute city” . Bewilderingly, the concept of key services being a short walk or bike ride from one’s home has morphed into a weapon in the culture wars , but whatever your stance, it’s hard to deny that Frankfurt is a byword for urban liveability — and that extends to its offerings on the arts, sports and festivals fronts. Major art retrospectives dedicated to Käthe Kollwitz, Elizabeth Catlett, the Casablanca Art School and 50 years of hip hop; music ranging from outstanding opera to gigs by jazz genius Brad Mehldau and the idiosyncratic pop-pianist Chilly Gonzales; English-language theatre; five Euro 24 matches and festivals galore: it’s all going on — and more than likely to be close at hand.

‘Elizabeth Catlett’, Museum für Moderne Kunst (MMK)

The African American-Mexican artist and activist Elizabeth Catlett (1915-2012) powerfully expressed the female Black experience and the struggle for civil rights in her Modernist sculptures and prints. Successive US governments viewed her as such a threat that, after moving to Mexico in the 1940s and eventually taking citizenship there, she was deemed an “undesirable alien” and repeatedly refused entry back into the States, only regaining her American citizenship in 2002. This major exhibition presents her pioneering work across different eras. Until June 16; further information and tickets here

‘Bilderwelten aus dem Alltag’ ( Visual Worlds of Everyday Life), Städel Museum

Displaying works by photographers Wolfgang Tillmans, Pietro Donzelli, Barbara Klemm, Nobuyoshi Araki and Jack Pierson, this fascinating show aims to represent the ebbs and flows of our daily existence. Until November 3; further information and tickets here

‘Ugo Rondinone: Sunrise. East’, Städel Museum

In a playful exploration of the language of comics and emoticons, as well as the ways in which we perceive the passing year, the Städel Museum’s garden is temporarily home to 12 giant, wondrously grotesque aluminium heads by Swiss artist Rondinone, each representing a different month and standing in a huge circle. Until June 9; further information and tickets here

‘The Culture: Hip hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century’, Schirn

To mark the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip hop, the Schirn is dedicating a major interdisciplinary exhibition to its influence on the contemporary cultural landscape. The show features over 100 paintings, photographs, sculptures, videos and fashion by contemporary artists such as Julie Mehretu, Tsch­a­balala Self, Arthur Jafa and more. Until May 26; further information and tickets here

‘Kollwitz’, Städel Museum

The German artist Käthe Kollwitz (1867–1945) was one of the most important printmakers of the 20th century. Her Expressionist-style lithographs, etchings and woodcuts, as well as her sculptures and drawings, depicting social inequality and the impact of war on the working classes remain topical today — discover more than 100 of her unforgettable works at this major retrospective. Until June 9; further information and tickets here

Performance

‘Sylvia’, The English Theatre Frankfurt at Theatre am Zoo

A quirky romantic comedy about a New York couple and a dog called Sylvia that comes between them. Until May 26; further information and tickets here

‘Giulio Cesare in Egitto’ (Julius Caesar in Egypt), Oper Frankfurt

A new production by stage director Nadja Loschky (whose credits include the gorgeous Alice im Wunderland for the Zürich Opera in 2022) of Handel’s opera — a masterpiece of the Baroque canon. US countertenor Lawrence Zazzo sings Caesar, while South African soprano Pretty Yende makes her Oper Frankfurt debut as Cleopatra. May 4, 8, 10 and 18; further information and tickets here

Chilly Gonzales, Alte Oper

You could be in for a very long evening here: at a 2009 gig in Paris, this Canadian, Cologne-based singer-songwriter and all-round pop polymath stayed on stage for 27 hours. Very Chilly Gonzales, that — you never know what he might do next (his long CV also includes a Grammy for his work with Daft Punk, a collab with Jarvis Cocker about LA’s Chateau Marmont hotel and membership of Berlin hip-hop “toy band” Puppetmastaz). After releasing an album of chanson last year, French Kiss , his latest single, “F*ck Wagner” , accompanies his campaign to have Cologne’s Richard-Wagner-Strasse renamed after Tina Turner (his beef is with the man, not the music). Expect to find “Gonzo” at the piano in his trademark silk dressing gown and slippers, merrily ploughing his own furrow — as ever. May 6 and 7; further information and tickets here

‘Tannhäuser’, Oper Frankfurt

Name-checked by Oscar Wilde in The Portrait of Dorian Gray , Wagner’s romantic opera traces the trials of a man torn between lust and love. In a new staging by South African director Matthew Wild of the composer’s 1875 Vienna edition, German tenor Marco Jentzsch sings the tormented Tannhäuser, Swedish soprano Christina Nilsson is Elisabeth, the object of his spiritual affections, and German mezzo-soprano Dshamilja Kaiser plays the temptress Venus. May 5, 11, 20 and 30 and June 2; further information and tickets here

Brad Mehldau Trio, Alte Oper

Brad Mehldau is a divisive figure. Some jazz fans find him too austere, too coolly intellectual; for others, the American pianist, composer and arranger’s rigour, precision and far-reaching repertoire (from the German Romantics to Radiohead, Nirvana and Nick Drake) are pure poetry. Decide for yourself at this outing with much-lauded drummer Jorge Rossy (part of Mehldau’s trio from 1994 to 2004) and young Danish double-bassist Felix Moseholm. May 12; further information and tickets here

‘Elektra’, Oper Frankfurt

Director Claus Guth’s 2023 production of Richard Strauss’s adaptation of the Sophocles tragedy returns to the Frankfurt Opera, with sopranos Aile Asszonyi and Susan Bullock singing Elektra and her mother Clytemnestra respectively. May 9, 12, 16 and 25 and June 1 and 9; further information and tickets here

Opera Square Festival

Nine days of live music — from classical recitals to DJ sets — and food stalls by the opera house in a long-standing highlight of the Frankfurt cultural calendar. May 8 to 17; further information here

Wäldchestag (Forest Day)

The Tuesday after Whitsun is known as Wäldchestag , or “Forest Day”, in Frankfurt. Every year, locals flock to a fair in the municipal forest in a tradition dating back centuries. May 17 to 21; further information here

‘Selma Selman: Flowers of Life’, Schirn

A major solo exhibition dedicated to the self-described “world’s most dangerous artist”, whose work has included trashing cars to use the scrap bodywork as canvases and creating sculptures with gold painstakingly extracted from defunct computer motherboards. Born in Bosnia and Herzegovina and of Romani origin, Selman addresses the Balkans’ brutal past and subverts anti-Roma stereotypes. June 20 to September 15; further information and tickets here

‘The Two Popes’, The English Theatre Frankfurt

A stage adaptation of the 2019 papal succession drama that starred Anthony Hopkins as Benedict XVI and Jonathan Pryce as the future Francis I. Absorbing, surprisingly funny and moving. June 7 to July 12; further information and tickets here

Manchester Collective & Abel Selaocoe: ‘Sirocco’, VGF Gutleut Depot

Part of the Alte Oper’s Auswärtsspiel (Away Game) season will see British chamber ensemble the Manchester Collective perform alongside South African cellist/vocalist Abel Selaocoe in a historic tram depot owned by local public transport operator VGF. They promise “Viennese classics, African and European folklore and much more” — whatever the final programme is, it’s sure to be a genre-bending evening. June 9; further information and tickets here

‘Otello’, Oper Frankfurt

A revival of director Johannes Erath’s 2011 staging of Verdi’s Otello , with the titular role sung by Korean tenor Alfred Kim and Georgian soprano Nino Machaidze as Desdemona. June 22 and 30, and July 4, 7, 10 and 12; further information and tickets here

Uefa Euro 2024, Deutsche Bank Park

With Germany hosting this year’s tournament, five games will be played in Frankfurt: Belgium vs Slovakia (June 17), Denmark vs England (June 20), Switzerland vs Germany (June 23), Slovakia vs Romania (June 26) and a match in the quarter-finals-preceding Round of 16 (July 1). Further information and tickets here

‘Casablanca Art School: A Postcolonial Avant-Garde 1962–87’, Schirn

Celebrating the intense period of cultural activity that followed Morocco’s independence, at the forefront of which was the groundbreaking Casablanca Art School, the Schirn will present 100 works ranging from large-format paint­ings to graphic exper­i­ments and everyday objects, by artists such as Farid Belkahia, Mohammed Chabâa, Bert Flint, Toni Maraini and Mohamed Melehi. July 12 to October 13; further information and tickets here

Festivals and events

CSD Frankfurt 2024

The centrepiece of Frankfurt’s annual LGBTQ+ celebration is the 250,000-strong CSD parade (Christopher Street Day, named in honour of the Stonewall riots of 1969 on that New York street) through the city centre to the Töngesgasse. It’s bookended by three days of live acts, DJs and drag in the Pride Village on Konstablerwache. August 8 to 11; further information here

Main Festival

Taking place each year on the banks of the River Main is one of Frankfurt’s oldest fairs, dating back to the mid-14th century. A highlight is the time-honoured “Fisherman’s Joust”, where participants on boats attempt to knock each other into the water using long wooden poles. Don’t miss the firework display for the finale. August 2 to 5; further information here

Frankfurt Apple Wine Festival

In August, everything at the Rossmarkt in downtown Frankfurt revolves around this popular local beverage, which is known for both its flavour and its alleged qualities as a remedy for multiple ailments. August 9 to 18; further information here

Museum Embankment Festival

This three-day event blends art, culture, music and food in a celebration that attracts thousands of visitors, offering everything from museum tours and special exhibitions to live music and theatrical performances. August 23 to 25; further information here

Rheingau Wine Festival

An annual celebration on Frankfurt’s Freßgass promenade of wines from Germany’s Rheingau region. Meet the makers and pair your wine of choice with the culinary delicacies on offer. August 28 to September 6; further information here

Deutsches Jazzfestival Frankfurt

Founded in 1953, this is Germany’s oldest jazz festival. Last year’s stellar line-up included acts such as the John Scofield Trio and Jakob Bro & Joe Lovano. October 23 to 27; further information here

‘Carol Rama’, Schirn

The first major retrospective in Germany dedicated to the late Italian artist, whose category-defying oeuvre shifts between the figurative and the abstract in its explorations of female desire and personal and societal trauma. October 11 to January 19 2025; further information and tickets here

‘Hans Haacke’, Schirn

The New York-based German conceptual artist has long dissected and challenged the workings of institutions such as art galleries, museums and major corporations. Experience his “artivism” at its most powerful via more than 70 installations, paintings, photographs and objects. November 8 to February 9; further information and tickets here

Frankfurt Christmas Market

Dating back to the 14th century, this is one of the largest and most popular festive markets in Germany, drawing some 3mn visitors to its 250 stalls in the city’s historic quarter. November 25 to December 22; further information here

Please tell us in the comments below about any other calendar highlights for Frankfurt that other readers might like to know about

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