wiki travel frankfurt

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Frankfurt Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 31, 2023

Frankfurt is a city ripe with culture, restaurants, and history. It’s also the center of banking and business in Europe . While Frankfurt lacks the charm of Munich or Berlin , it’s more than just a stopover destination (Frankfurt’s airport is one of the world’s busiest international airports so a lot of people have short stopovers here).

For more than five centuries, Frankfurt was known as the Free City of Frankfurt, an important city-state in the Roman Empire. Today, the city is incredibly diverse; half of the population has a foreign background, and a quarter of the population are foreign nationals.

While most people who stop here never leave the airport, Frankfurt is actually worth exploring for a few days. Eat dinner at one of the city’s famous cider houses, relax at a beer garden, spend the afternoon at one of the free parks, or soak up the city’s history in a museum.

This travel guide to Frankfurt can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit to this overlooked gem!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Frankfurt

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Frankfurt

1. See the Dom

Frankfurt’s main attraction, this reddish sandstone cathedral dates back to the 14th century when it was used to crown the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. It boasts a 95-meter-tall (311 feet) Gothic tower, which you can climb via 328 steps. Admission is free, but the tower is 3 EUR.

2. Visit the Städel-Museum

The Städel Museum has an impressive collection of art, with a heavy focus on German and Renaissance art. There are over 3,000 paintings, 4,000 photographs, 600 sculptures, and 10,000 drawings from the likes of Monet, Picasso, Bacon, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, and others. Admission is 16 EUR.

3. Explore Römerberg

The historical center of Frankfurt is home to colorful half-timbered buildings and several medieval buildings that date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Most buildings were destroyed during World War II, but many have been restored to reflect what they used to look like. It’s a picturesque spot to stroll and take in the local pace of life.

4. Relax in Frankfurt City Forest

The city forest is the largest forest contained within any city limits in Germany. The six playgrounds and nine ponds make the forest a popular place for people looking to relax in nature. There is also a 450-kilometer-long (279 miles) network of trails for hikers, walkers, cyclists, and runners!

5. Visit Offenbach

Offenbach is a small neighboring city with tons of little shops, a flea market, a farmer’s market, an old baroque castle, and the stunning Neo-baroque Büsing Palace. Offenbach is the perfect place to escape the hectic city for a day and enjoy a slower pace of life.

Other Things to See and Do in Frankfurt

1. cross the eiserner steg.

Otherwise known as the Iron Bridge, this Neo-Gothic pedestrian bridge connects the downtown core to the Sachsenhausen district. Built in 1869, the bridge provides unique views of the city from over the Main River from which the city takes its full name, Frankfurt am Main (Frankfurt on the Main). Over 10,000 pedestrians cross the bridge daily!

2. Eat and drink in Sachsenhausen

South of the Main River, Sachsenhausen has many of the best cider taverns and pubs in the city. After visiting some pubs, take a stroll along the Main River and enjoy the view. Sachsenhausen is also known for Museumsufer, a row of 38 museums along the river with themes exploring the arts, architecture, and Jewish history. With the two-day Museumsufer Pass, you can visit all the museums for just 21 EUR.

3. Spend the day at the Palmengarten

Spanning 54 acres, Frankfurt’s botanical garden is the largest of its kind in Germany. Opened to the public in 1871, the garden was actually visited by the famous cowboy Buffalo Bill in 1890. Don’t miss the Palm Garden and its enormous collection of native, tropical, and subtropical plant life. Moreover, the gardens also offer lots of activities year-round, including concerts and guided tours. It’s 7 EUR to visit.

4. Walk around the Bornheim

The Bornheim neighborhood has some wonderful medieval-style houses that survived World War II. Since so much of the city was destroyed in the war, this is your only chance to see what the city looked like before everything was destroyed. The city’s longest street, Berger Strasse, is Bornheim’s commercial hub, and it’s chock full of restaurants, wine bars, boutique shops, and bars.

5. Stroll through the Frankfurt Book Fair

Held in the middle of October for nearly 500 years, this fair is considered the largest event in the publishing industry. Publishers, writers, and creative professionals from all over the world come to hold discussions, network, and celebrate the written word. It’s a week-long affair, but it’s only open to the public during the last two days. A day pass is 25 EUR.

6. Climb the Main Tower

The most rewarding views over Frankfurt are from the top of the 56-story Main Tower, the only high-rise that’s open to the public. Named for the Main River, from here you can take the elevator up to a viewing platform overlooking Frankfurt’s skyline. Tickets to the observation deck are 9 EUR.

7. Visit Goethe House

Born in Frankfurt in 1749, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is considered Germany’s most important writer. Born in 1749, he was a poet, playwright, novelist, and theater director. Destroyed during World War II, the Goethe House was restored with its original furniture, paintings, and books that belonged to the family. You can also see his writing desk, where he wrote his most famous work, The Sorrows of Young Werther in 1774. Admission is 10 EUR and combination tickets that include special exhibitions are 13 EUR.

8. Visit Senckenberg Museum

The Senckenberg Museum is a treasure trove of natural history artifacts, with everything from fossils to Egyptian mummies to dinosaur skeletons. It’s the second-largest natural museum in the country, home to some 17,000 skeletons. One of the most amazing pieces here is a fossil with a bit of preserved scaly skin attached to it. Admission is 12 EUR.

9. Check out the DialogMuseum

The DialogMuseum is easily one of the most unique museums in Germany. Rather than visiting a museum to view exhibits, this museum invites you to navigate the world as a blind or visually impaired person. On a one-hour tour through four completely pitch-black rooms, visitors experience what it’s like to live without any visual cues, relying on other senses to get them through. Admission is 16 EUR.

10. Explore the Deutsches Filmmuseum

This is another unique museum in Frankfurt, focused on film in Germany. There are exhibits on the history of film, behind-the-scenes insights into filmmaking, interactive displays, film artifacts like sketches, and more. A combined ticket to both the permanent and temporary exhibits is 12 EUR. You can also see a film at the museum’s theater for 8 EUR.

11. Check out the Kleinmarkthalle

If you’re looking for a unique culinary experience, head over to the Kleinmarkthalle for a huge assortment of high-quality fresh produce, delicatessen items and wine, handmade German regional products, and also international favorites. There are various small eateries with seafood, Italian specialties, and much more. It’s a great place to wander around, especially on a rainy day.

  For more information on other cities in Germany, check out these guides:

• Berlin Travel Guide
• Cologne Travel Guide
• Munich Travel Guide

Frankfurt Travel Costs

Hostel prices – A bed in a 4-6-bed dorm costs 31-38 EUR per night while a dorm with 8 beds or more costs 22-25 EUR per night. A basic double private room costs about 160 EUR per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard and some charge a supplemental one-time fee of 3-4 EUR for linens. None of the hostels in Frankfurt offer free breakfast, though a couple offer robust breakfast buffets for 6-8 EUR. Most hostels also have a bar/café on site.

For those traveling with a tent, camping is available outside the city. A basic plot for one person without electricity costs 15 EUR per night.

Budget hotel prices – Budget hotels start at 50-65 EUR per night. Free Wi-Fi, TVs, and private bathrooms are all standard. Free breakfast is rare, though most hotels offer a breakfast buffet for an additional 8-10 EUR.

Airbnb is available everywhere in Frankfurt. Private rooms start around 35-55 EUR per night while a full apartment starts at 80-125 EUR per night. Expect prices to double if you don’t book early.

Food – Food in Germany is very cheap (and hearty). Meat is a staple of most meals, especially sausages; there are over 1,500 different kinds of sausages in Germany (sausages here are known as “wurst”). Stews are also a popular traditional choice, as are potato dumplings and sauerkraut. Breakfast is usually composed of bread, cold cuts, cheese, and boiled eggs.

Frankfurt has tons of cheap food options. Currywurst and frankfurters are everywhere for less than 4 EUR, while a hearty plate of fries is less than 6 EUR. A traditional meal of chicken at a cider house costs 9-11 EUR, while a glass of cider to go with it is about 2 EUR.

A beer costs about 4 EUR while a glass of wine is 4.50-6 EUR.

A combo meal at McDonald’s costs about 8.50 EUR while a pizza is around 9-11 EUR. At a mid-range restaurant, a sandwich or German savory pancakes cost between 7.50-10. A big bowl of salad is 8.50-11.50.

If you want to splash out, a set six-course menu at a gourmet restaurant starts at 100 EUR, including traditional German food like schnitzel. A single entree may cost as much as 35 EUR for a duck breast.

If you cook for yourself, you can spend as little as 50 EUR on groceries per week. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, bread, produce, and some meat. You can save money by shopping at supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, Penny, and Netto, which are pretty cheap and even have organic products for a fair price.

Backpacking Frankfurt Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Frankfurt, my suggested budget is 60 EUR per day. This budget covers staying in a hostel dorm, using public transportation to get around, cooking all of your meals, limiting your drinking, and sticking to mostly free activities like walking tours.

A mid-range budget of 135 EUR covers staying in a private Airbnb room, eating out for some of your meals, renting a bike or taking the occasional taxi, enjoying a few drinks, and doing some paid activities like visiting museums.

On a “luxury” budget of 235 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a budget hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink more, take more taxis, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Frankfurt Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Frankfurt is one of the more expensive cities in Germany. However, you can turn Frankfurt into a more affordable destination with just a few simple tricks. Here is how to save money in Frankfurt:

• Purchase a Museumsufer ticket – For those of you that love visiting museums, this two-day pass saves you tons of money. Costing 21 EUR, this card provides access to 34 museums in and around Frankfurt.
• Get the Frankfurt Card – An alternative to the Museumsufer Card is the Frankfurt Card, which provides free travel on all public transport (including to the airport) as well as up to 50% discounts on tours, museums, and other attractions. You can get a one-day card for 11.50 EUR, or a two-day card for 17 EUR.
• Take a free walking tour – Frankfurt Free Tour provides an overview of the historic center and all its highlights. It’s a great way to get the lay of the land on a budget. Just remember to tip your guide at the end!
• Stay with a local – If you want to save money on accommodation while getting some insight from the locals, try Couchsurfing. It’s a great way to meet people in the city and discover some off-the-beaten-path destinations while also getting free accommodation.
• Take advantage of SaTOURday – Many of the main museums in Frankfurt offer free entry on the last Saturday of every month.
• Get a transportation day pass – If you don’t want to get the Frankfurt Card (which includes unlimited public transport), you can get a regular transportation day pass. It costs 5.50 EUR, which is much cheaper than paying per ride.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Frankfurt

Frankfurt only has a few hostels in the city. Here are my suggested places to stay in Frankfurt:

• Five Elements Hostel Frankfurt
• Meininger Frankfurt/Main Airport

How to Get Around Frankfurt

Public transportation – Like other German cities, Frankfurt is well connected by its subway (the U-Bahn) and its above-ground rail system (the S-Bahn). A single ticket is 2.75 EUR and is good for up to 60 minutes, or you can get a short-distance ticket (for journeys less than 2 kilometers) for 1.50 EUR. You can purchase tickets at the station or with the RMV-App. Always keep your ticket on you as random checks on the train are very common.

A day ticket with unlimited travel costs 5.50 EUR. If you’re in a group, take advantage of the all-day group ticket for up to five people for 11.50 EUR (or 16.95 EUR if including the airport). A weekly pass costs 26.80 EUR, including the airport.

You can use your tickets across the train, tram, and bus network.

Ticket prices for trams are the same for the train and bus system. You can buy them onboard the tram, at kiosks next to specific tram stops, or in the app.

Buses take you anywhere you need to go, especially where the trains and trams don’t go. Ticket prices are the same as the trains and trams and can be used interchangeably. You can buy tickets at kiosks next to the bus stop, from bus drivers, or in the app.

Bicycle – Bicycle rentals are plentiful in Frankfurt, with daily rates starting at about 9-15 EUR per day. Try a company like Call a Bike or nextbike, which both have docking stations all over the city. Prices are cheaper if you rent the bike for a week versus half or full days.

Taxi – A base fare for a taxi in Frankfurt is 3.50 EUR, with each additional kilometer costing 2 EUR per kilometer for the first 15 kilometers. After that, it’s 1.75 EUR for every subsequent kilometer. In short, taxis add up fast so skip them if you can.

Ridesharing – Uber is available in Frankfurt, though since the public transportation here is comprehensive you likely won’t need it.

Car rental – Car rentals can be found for as little as 35 EUR per day for a multi-day rental, however, you won’t need one to get around the city. Drivers need to be at least 21 years of age.

When to Go to Frankfurt

Summer is the peak tourist season, specifically July and August. The average daily temperatures are in the upper 20s°C (high 70s°F) and days are sunny and bright. You’ll be rubbing shoulders with lots of other tourists, but there are always fun festivals and events happening during this time.

Spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November) are both shoulder seasons that bring cooler temperatures, sunny days, and fewer crowds. If you want to take advantage of lower room rates and a more laid-back vibe, this is the best time to visit Frankfurt!

Like the rest of Germany, Frankfurt’s winters can be harsh, with temperatures dropping below 1°C (34°F). The city experiences some snowfall, but the Christmas markets throughout November and December are magical. It makes for a good weekend getaway destination in the winter if you plan to hit the holiday markets.

How to Stay Safe in Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a safe city to visit. Violent crime is rare. However, like all big cities, you should stay alert for pickpocketing and petty theft. Keep your valuables secure and out of reach at all times just to be safe.

At night, it’s best to avoid the areas around the Hauptbahnhof, Konstablerwache, and Hauptwache just to be safe.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.)

Scams here are rare, but if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

And be sure to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Frankfurt Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Frankfurt Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Germany and continue planning your trip:

Where to Stay in Berlin: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

How to Survive Oktoberfest

The 18 Best Things To Do in Berlin

Munich is Better than Berlin

Get my best stuff sent straight to you, pin it on pinterest.

• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

The Ultimate Frankfurt Travel Guide for 2024

Although I grew up only 2.5 hours away from Frankfurt I never really explored the city as much as I should have. My first time visiting Frankfurt was only in 2006 during the FIFA World Cup football in Germany.

We slept outside on the grass on the river side in a sleeping bag. It was the adventurous end of an epic night out after Netherlands played against Argentina. That experience has always resonated with me and ever since I am a fan of visiting Frankfurt. 

Here are all my travel tips and recommendations to also make your trip to Frankfurt one to remember.

Although Frankfurt is one of the biggest cities in the country it is not really one of the most popular tourist spots in Germany. Cities like Berlin, Munich and Cologne draw more tourists on average than Frankfurt. The city is a business hotspot and most people that travel to Frankfurt are there for business. This is not surprising regarding the fact that Frankfurt is the European banking capital. That said the city definitely has a cosmopolitan vibe and many expats from all over the world live in the big apple of Germany.

In this Frankfurt travel guide you will find multiple Frankfurt travel tips, some facts about the city, 16 unique things to do, a walking tour, an itinerary and some nice hotel recommendations. basically all you need to make the most of your city trip to Frankfurt.

Are you traveling to Frankfurt by plane and looking for the best way to stay connected? You can buy a prepaid sim card on arrival at the airport, but it is not recommended. Check out my guide for  buying a sim card at Frankfurt Airport in 2024 .

you may also like...

Theere are much better sim card deals and e-sim card plans for Germany and I am sure you will like my article about buying a sim card for Germany in 2024 .

Best time to visit Frankfurt

No need to mention that the best months for a trip to Frankfurt are the summer months in Europe. That said, July and August can get hot and since it is the holiday season many people travel to Frankfurt. Good thing about the peak season is that there are events on a daily basis, so it just depends what you are looking for. If you are a fan of Christmas markets then plan your Frankfurt city trip in the weeks before Christmas. Usually they start around the last week of November.

How to get to Frankfurt

Traveling to Frankfurt by train? Pretty sure you found out that can be expensive! The bus is surely a cheaper option. Traveling by bus to Frankfurt is cheap and convenient. Check out the prices below in the public transport search engine.

Powered by 12Go system

The 12Go transportation search engine will give you all the options for you to compare: bus, train, flight and you can directly book online and reserve your seat.

Also check out my article about the  best way from Aachen to Cologne  for more tips on how to get around in Germany.

Some cool facts about Frankfurt

• Frankfurt has a massive forest in the heart of the city and is within walking distance from the old town.
• There is only 1 skyscraper in the top 15 highest buildings in Germany that is NOT located in Frankfurt. This is why this is called the Big Apple of Germany.
• The headquarters of the European Central Bank is located in Frankfurt.
• Frankfurt was heavily bombed in WW2.
• This is the city of Goethe. The famous German Poet was born here and lived all his life in Frankfurt.
• More than 25% of the people living in Frankfurt are expats.
• Frankfurt Airport is the biggest airport in Germany and is the 4th biggest airport in Europe.

16 Things to do in Frankfurt

1. enjoy a drink in a rooftop bar.

As I mentioned before already you have to go up one of the skyscrapers when you visit Frankfurt. There are 3 bars that really stand out.

1.1 City Beach

There is a €4 entrance fee for this rooftop bar on top of a parking lot. Finding the entrance is a little challenging but once you up on the roof the views are good.

There are two small pools, loads of beach chairs, sand and uncomplicated vibes.

1.2 Long Island Summer Lounge

This is the posh version of City Beach with a proper dress code. Officially no flip-flops and shorts allowed. Entrance fee is €6 but the views at Long Beach Summer Lounge are better. The rooftop is higher as City Beach as well. 

1.3 Oosten am Main

According to locals the most laid-back skybar is Oosten am Main. Since it is a little walk out of the center it has the best skyline view as well. Uncomplicated local vibe is guaranteed here. Sipping a cocktail for sunset is definitely one of the best things to do in Frankfurt.

2. Hop-on-hop-off bus

A standard things to do in Frankfurt, but quick and easy to see all the tourist spots in Frankfurt when you don’t have that much time. There are several lines to choose from. Buying a ticket online is cheaper than on the bus itself or at the street vendors.

3. Viewing terrace Frankfurt Airport

Often listed as one of the most exciting things to do in Frankfurt with kids is the viewing platform at Frankfurt Airport. This covered area is a great place for spotting airplanes taking off and landing. There is a Food Court and a Mc Donalds if you get hungry.

4. Walk through Old Town

The old part of the city is actually called Romerberg and was rebuilt the traditional way after the second World War. The medieval colorful buildings are a favorite instagram spot in Frankfurt. In summer there are many terraces lined up for having a drink, in winter this place is heaven for Christmas market lovers.

5. Tricycle ride around Frankfurt

For those that are willing to see the best places to visit in Frankfurt from the back of a bike they can take one of the tricycles around the city. Be aware that these guys are expensive! For 30 minutes you already pay more than €22 or 2 kilometer is €8. It is a cool but rather expensive way to explore Frankfurt.

6. Marvel at the Euro sign

This huge sculpture of the Euro stands in front of the European Central Bank on the Willy-Brandt square and is pretty big. Probably about 30 meters high. There is some info about the Euro on the base of the sign, but there also is a Euro information center and book shop next to it. Although it is more like a gift shop.

7. Lock your Love at Eisener Steg bridge

The bridge that also got destroyed during World War 2 was reconstructed straight after and is now famous for people locking their love with a padlock. From this walking bridge you will have a good view over the skyline and the boulevards on both sides. It connects the old town of Frankfurt with Sachsenhausen, the place to go out at night. But more about what to do in Frankfurt at night later!

8. Ignatz-Bubis bridge instagram spot

If you are not going up on one of the rooftop bars then head to the Ignatz-Bubis bridge for the best skyline photos. Also a great Instagram spot in Frankfurt and cool for sunset. Another free thing to do in Frankfurt.

9. Try Apfelwein

Apparently this kind of apple cider is home to Frankfurt and a a popular drink around the city. Frankfurt is home to many idyllic cafes and traditional bars where they happily serve you their signature drink called Apfelwein. 

Not sure if this is one of the best Frankfurt travel tips because I did not like it. I much rather had the a normal beer with a Frankfurter wurst on the side! :)

10. Visit the Goethe House

Located just a few minutes walk from Central Station is the Goethe Haus. Here the famous German Poet was born in 1749. There are 4 different floors to explore and learn about his life. Entrance fee is €7 and it is open from 10am to 6pm. A weekend in Frankfurt is not complete without visiting the Goethe House.

11. Viewing platform cathedral tower

On of the best things to do in Frankfurt is to climb up to the viewing platform 66 meter above the city. The cathedral tower is open to the public for the best city views. Costs are €5 and you will have to walk a lot of steps, but the view is worth it.

12. Free walking tour

If you feel like you have crossed off all the things to do in Frankfurt then join one of the free walking tours and get to know the city through the eyes of a local. Free walking tours are tip based tours and depart every day around 10am and 2pm. There are a couple different ones so check your meeting point online.

13. Viewing platform Main Tower

If amazing city views are your thing then head up to the viewing platform of the main tower when you visit Frankfurt. Entrance fee is €7,50 but you will get unobstructed city views!

14. Have breakfast/lunch at the river side

Simply one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Frankfurt is the river side. Big lawns with some trees and a boulevard where active people bike, run and skate. The park on the Main river is a perfect spot to picknick. It is relaxed and one of the best ways to enjoy this city. Definitely add a picknick on the river side to your trip to Frankfurt.

15. Go out at night in Sachsenhausen

The place to go out in Frankfurt at night is Sachsenhausen just across the river. Here many quaint pubs are lined up next to each other and is the bustling heart of the city at night. If you spend a weekend in Frankfurt I am sure you are willing to end up here in one of the many traditional German bars.

16. Enjoy a coffee at a floating restaurant

There are a couple boats where you can grab a drink or have lunch/dinner but not so many. A great one is below the Eisener Steg bridge with great views, also close by is the Döner Boat.

Things to do around Frankfurt

If you are visiting Frankfurt for more than just a weekend then you might be interested in some things to do around Frankfurt. Have a look at these great day trips from Frankfurt.

1. Burg Eltz

This Harry Potter like castle became a popular tourist spot in Germany after it went viral on Instagram. Visiting Burg Eltz is free and can be reached by car from Frankfurt center within 2 hours.

2. Rudesheim

This picturesque town on the banks of the Rhine River actually is a UNESCO world heritage site and less then an hour away from Frankfurt. Walk through the cobblestone streets of the old town and marvel at the castles and vineyards on the hills around you. There also is a cable car for a scenic ride.

3. Michelstadt

Looking for more fairy tale towns then drive towards Michelstadt. This medieval and idyllic town dates back to more than 1,000 years ago. In summer a great spot to have a drink on one of the many terraces. In winter famous for its Christmas markets.

Some more Frankfurt travel tips

• Bring cash! Germany is a third world country when it comes to wireless payments. Creditcards nor bankcards are often not accepted.
• Don’t take a boat tour on the Main River! Why? Boring!
• There is a zoo, but I don’t support this thing to do in Frankfurt.

Events in Frankfurt

Major events in the city are:

• Christmas Markets: start end of November
• Main Festival: first week of August (pop-up amusement park across the city)
• Appel Wine Festival: mid August
• Wäldchestag: beginning of June (like summer Christmas markets in the forest)
• Wine Festival: begining of September (culinary event)

When I visited Frankfurt the Main Festival was taking place.

How to get around Frankfurt

Going around Frankfurt is made easy by the U-Bahn which goes underground as well as overground. Day tickets cost around €7 and single trip tickets cost €3. Be aware that if you are with two people or more it is cheaper to buy a group ticket for the U-Bahn. Group tickets for up to 5 people valid all around the city cost only €11.

Depending on the kind of Frankfurt city trip you are planning there is no real need to take the public transport. Most of the things to do and places to see in Frankfurt are within walking distance.

How to get from Frankfurt airport to the city center

There is a train called S-Bahn which connects Frankfurt Airport with the city center and takes only 10 minutes. There are loads of lines from the airport to the city for example 1, 8 and 9. Tickets cost €5 for a single trip.

Don’t get fooled by the airport Frankfurt/Hahn if you are planning to travel to Frankfurt. It actually is a 2 hour drive from the city and when you ask me the name of the airport it is a tourist trap. A bus ticket into the city cost €15.

Where to stay in Frankfurt

1. 5 star hotels in frankfurt.

• Jumeirah Frankfurt: luxury hotel - click here for the rates on  booking or check  Agoda .
• Sofitel Frankfurt Opera: very central: click here for the rates on  booking or check  Agoda .

Another iconic place to stay in Frankfurt is the Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof right in the middle of the city. Click here for the  Booking rates  or the Agoda rates .

2. Boutique hotels

• Moxy Frankfurt East: hip and stylish - click here for the  booking rates or here for  Agoda .
• Scandic Frankfurt Museumsufer - click here for their rates on Agoda .

3. Under €50 hotels

• EasyHotel Frankfurt City Center - click here for the  Booking or Agoda  rates.
• FreddApp One: click here for the  Booking or Agoda  rates.

My Frankfurt travel tips

Together with Ave I found a cheap but surprisingly good hotel pretty much in the city center. There were actually a couple nice hotels to choose from with good ratings and great locations. On top of my hotel I also found a couple other Frankfurt budget hotels for less than €50 a night and a rating around 8 out of 10. I will list them all later when talking about where to stay in Frankfurt.

We actually ended up staying in Hotel Primus in Sachsenhausen just across the river from the city center. It was less than €50 a night. In fact Sachsenhausen turned out to be a nightlife hotspot but more about that later in the things to do in Frankfurt section. As I traveled to Frankfurt by car I was happy the hotel offered a parking spot for just €10 per day.

As soon as we arrived we dropped our bags at our room and headed out to not miss the sunset. It was perfectly timed when we crossed the bridge towards the old city as the sun was setting through the skyline of Frankfurt. For this reason Frankfurt is also called the Big Apple of Germany as it has one of the most impressive skylines in Europe. Nothing compared to any American city but hey this is all we have in Europe! LOL

We were lucky that on the days we visited Frankfurt there was actually the MainFest on the river side. In the main street along the river there were loads of eateries, beer gardens and attractions lined up and for food lover Ave it was heaven to see all the different types of Bratwurst and snacks. Of course we had to taste a couple and drink beers.  

When traveling to Germany an obvious thing to do is to eat sausages and drink pints!

Slowly waking up the next morning we decided to grab breakfast at the super market and brought a blanket to the river side. There is a lovely lawn with some trees for shadow along the boulevard of the Main river. It was hot this August in Frankfurt and we moved slowly into the shade where we found a great spot to picknick with some of the best views of the skyline. 

If you are looking for one of the best places to visit in Frankfurt then surely add this spot to your list.

We continued our Frankfurt city tour across the Eisener Steg bridge famous for its many love locks. No Ave and I are besties, not a couple! We met on a press trip on my birthday last year. It was at the World Travel Writers’ Conference in Maldives . So no love lock for us! LOL

On the other side of the river there is actually a cool floating restaurant called the Döner Boat. Of course Kebab is not a typical German dish, but did you know the Döner Kebab was originally invented in Berlin by a Turkish immigrant? Cool fact right? Anyway if you are looking for a fun place to eat good Döner Kebab in Frankfurt then the Döner Boat is a great place. There is also another proper floating restaurant next to the bridge with the love locks. Great place for a drink with views over the city skyline.

We continued our walking tour of Frankfurt by crossing the bridge back into the center again and we walked up to the massive Euro sign on a big square. Cool place for taking a photo of what is probably the biggest euro sign in the world. Put here because the Central European Bank is located in Frankfurt. It was already time to sit down and have a beer after. It was boiling hot, but we found a good place to have a Weissen Beer on the rooftop terrace of the Galeria Kaufhof.

We enjoyed the great city views before we kept on strolling through the city center. Eating ice cream, snacks and drinking beer on the terraces along the way. We marveled at the colorful houses on the old town square and the narrow streets around the cathedral, one of the coolest places to visit in Frankfurt.

To spend the rest of our afternoon we looked online for what to do in Frankfurt and found two popular rooftop bars. Online we saw that one of these places actually had a city beach. Something I actually expected at the river side like they have in most cities around Europe, but in Frankfurt they have a rooftop beach with amazing views over the city.

If you want to see more about our trip to Frankfurt you can check out Ave’s 100K+ YouTube Channel , I tell you she is funny!

I hope you liked all my Frankfurt travel tips! May there be things that I forgot to mention or that you think I should add to the list then please leave me a comment.

If this Frankfurt travel guide was helpful planning your city trip please pin this on Pinterest or share the link on Facebook. It is a small thing for you to do, but can make a big difference for me. Thank you very much in advance.

I hope you have an awesome trip to Frankfurt!

• frankfurt airport

Getty Images

Frankfurt am Main

Glinting with glass, steel and concrete skyscrapers, Frankfurt-on-the-Main (pronounced ‘mine’) is unlike any other German city. The focal point of a conurbation of 5.5 million inhabitants, ‘Mainhattan’ is a high-powered finance and business hub, home to one of the world’s largest stock exchanges and the gleaming headquarters of the European Central Bank, and famously hosts some of the world's most important trade fairs, attracting thousands of business travellers.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Städel Museum

Founded in 1815, this world-renowned art gallery has an outstanding collection of European art from masters including Dürer, Rembrandt, Rubens, Renoir,…

Frankfurt’s red-sandstone cathedral is dominated by a 95m-high Gothic tower, which can be climbed via 328 steps. Construction began in the 13th century;…

Senckenberg Museum

Life-size dinosaur mock-ups guard the front of Frankfurt’s natural history museum. Inside the early 1900s neo-baroque building, exhibits cover…

The Römerberg is Frankfurt’s old central square. Ornately gabled half-timbered buildings, reconstructed after WWII, give an idea of how beautiful the city…

Museum für Moderne Kunst

The outstanding Museum of Modern Art focuses on European and American art from the 1960s to the present, with frequent temporary exhibits. The permanent…

Museum Judengasse

Most of Frankfurt’s medieval Jewish ghetto – Europe's first, dating from 1460 – on narrow Judengasse (Jews’ Street) was destroyed by a French bombardment…

IG-Farbenhaus

The monumental seven-storey IG-Farbenhaus was erected in 1931 as the headquarters of IG-Farben (pronounced ‘ee geh far-behn’), the mammoth German…

Goethe-Haus

Completely rebuilt after WWII (only the cellar survived Allied bombing), the birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) is furnished in the…

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Frankfurt am Main

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks.

Get to the heart of Frankfurt am Main with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Frankfurt Airport Guide

Neighborhoods to Know

Public Transportation

Best Hotels

48 Hours in Frankfurt

Day Trips From Frankfurt

Top Things to Do

Free Things to Do

Things to Do with Kids

Frankfurt's Best Museums

The Best Restaurants in Frankfurt

Nightlife in Frankfurt

Where to Try Apfelwein in Frankfurt

Your Trip to Frankfurt: The Complete Guide

Frankfurt has a long history dating back to the early days of the Holy Roman Empire. During World War II the financial center of the country was thoroughly destroyed. Unlike Dresden and many other German cities , Frankfurt shrugged off its elegant historic architecture and emerged anew as "Mainhattan" (named for the Main River winding through the city and the skyscrapers reminiscent of Manhattan).

This sleek German hub is an international destination for business, its major international airport , and its exciting event and dining scene. The largest city in the state of Hesse and fifth-largest in Germany, Frankfurt is a world-class city with an impressive skyline of skyscrapers and a vibrant community of university students, internationals, convention-goers, and cultured locals

Use this guide to plan your trip to the hustle and bustle of Frankfurt , including when to visit, where to stay, eat, party, and more.

Planning Your Trip to Frankfurt

• Best Time to Visit: Events take place throughout the year in Frankfurt, so you might have a hard time choosing what time of year to visit. The weather is best in spring and fall. The very best time to visit Frankfurt may be in October, the month of the Frankfurt Book Fair .
• Language: German, but English is widely spoken.
• Currency: Euro.
• Getting Around : Frankfurt is a common entry point in Germany because of its major international airport. From there, visitors can easily travel to and through the city via its extensive public transportation network, which includes U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and buses. Taxis are also accessible, though Uber and other ride-shares have yet to find a firm foothold. Much of Frankfurt has been an "environmental zone" since 2008,   so if you're driving ensure that your vehicle has an emissions sticker.
• Travel Tip: The city can accommodate large groups for the many conventions that take place in Frankfurt, but visiting during a large conference can result in higher prices for hotels and restaurants requiring reservations. Consult Frankfurt's tourism calendar for dates of significant events.

Things to Do in Frankfurt

If you are in town for business or a short trip , there are still plenty of operas or museums or jazz concerts you can fit into your itinerary. On top of that, Frankfurt has top attractions like the Main Tower to entertain the whole family .

• Even though Frankfurt is famous for its futuristic skyline, it also has a reconstructed and romantic Altstadt (old city) worth visiting. Walk the cobblestone streets and admire the half-timbered houses of the Römerberg.
• Johann Wolfgang Goethe (1749-1832) is one of Germany's most famous writers and a son of Frankfurt. He is revered at the rebuilt Goethe House and Museum .
• Step away from civilization at the tranquil Palmengarten , a botanical garden founded in 1868. It includes 50 acres and more than 6,000 different botanical species from all around the world.

Explore more attractions with our full-length articles on the top attractions in Frankfurt and the best things to do in Frankfurt with kids .

What to Eat and Drink in Frankfurt

Frankfurt's dining scene can be refreshingly international with options from Japanese to SoCal. But those are merely a welcome distraction from Frankfurt's traditional cuisine. The city has several restaurants that are more than 100 years old and an endless supply of sausage . Try classics like the fragrant, poetically named handkäse mit musik (cheese with music), or order hard-boiled eggs and boiled potatoes with Frankfurter grüne sosse (Frankfurt green sauce).

Frankfurt also has hip and modern bars in places like the Bahnhofsviertel , a formerly seedy area surrounding the central train station. But if you want to get to the heart of the city, you have to visit an apfelweinlokal (traditional apple wine bar). Known as ebbelwoi in the local dialect, this tart, slightly sour fruit wine, is a must-try when in Frankfurt. The charming bembel the drink is served in also makes for a great souvenir if you find one at the city's many flea markets.

Explore our articles on Frankfurt's apfelwein , the top restaurants in Frankfurt , and Frankfurt's nightlife .

Where to Stay in Frankfurt

Frankfurt is composed of 46 distinct neighborhoods, each with its positives and negatives. Some areas nod to the city's historical past while others embrace its forward-thinking style. Innenstadt is the center of the city with both modern and reconstructed historic hotels. For easy travel in and out of the city, the Bahnhofsviertel area around the train station has the highest concentration of hotels, many at affordable prices.

No matter where you stay, the center of the city is compact and walkable. Excellent public transport links mean it is easy to get anywhere.

Explore the different areas of the city in our article on the best neighborhoods in Frankfurt .

Getting to Frankfurt

The Frankfurt-Flughafen am Main (FRA) is the main entry point for most visitors and with 70 million passengers in 2019, it's the busiest airport in Germany.   It is the hub for Lufthansa, as well as Condor, and a major transfer point for domestic and international travel. The airport has two passenger terminals, four runways, and extensive services for travelers.

From the airport, visitors can easily reach the city via public transportation or by private transport. The S8 and S9 (direction Offenbach or Hanau) reach Frankfurt's Hauptbahnhof (central railway station) in about 10 minutes for just 4.65 euros. Taxis are also readily available.

Within the city, the network of public transportation includes U-Bahn (metro), S-Bahn (local trains), and buses that run throughout the night.

Culture and Customs in Frankfurt

• Customer service in Germany is infamous for its low standards, but because of Frankfurt's international populace, service is often better here than in the rest of the country.
• When eating out in Germany, know that you should seat yourself and will need to ask for the bill at the end of the meal. Say " Die Rechnung, bitte " (the check, please) and tip by rounding up to the nearest euro, or no more than 10 percent.
• Frankfurt's Bahnhofsviertel used to be a dangerous area to hang around, but today it is downright trendy. There is still some drug use and prostitution , but the latter is legal.
• Since 2018, Frankfurt has a tourism fee for overnight stays of two euros per person per night.  

Money-Saving Tips for Frankfurt

• Make use of walking and public transport in Frankfurt as it is inexpensive and the best way to see the city. Regular tickets ( einzelfahrt ) costs 2.75 euros and allows for travel on all forms of transport in one direction for two hours. Zone 50 includes most of Frankfurt, excluding the airport. If you are going to be using transport all day, buy a Tageskarte (day ticket) for 5.35 euros.
• Many hotels are geared toward business travel, so prices stay low (think under 100 euros a night). However, the decor can be very basic.
• If you have flexibility on your travel dates, check the Messe (convention center) calendar for major trade fairs that will drive up prices. It is best to avoid those days.
• Looking for souvenirs? Frankfurt’s largest flea market is held every other Saturday. It's a bargain-hunters' dream.

Learn more about the cheapest ways to have fun in the city with our article on the best things to see and do for free in Frankfurt .

Frankfurt Tourist+Congress Board. "Practical Information."

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide. "Passengers at Frankfurt Airport."

Getting Around Frankfurt: Guide to Public Transportation

How to Visit Munich on a Budget

Your Trip to Berlin: The Complete Guide

48 Hours in Frankfurt: The Ultimate Itinerary

Germany Guide: Planning Your Trip

How to Travel from Frankfurt to Paris by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

The Top 11 Things to Do in Stuttgart, Germany

Venice, Italy Guide: Planning Your Trip

Regensburg: Planning Your Trip

Your Trip to Munich: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to Hong Kong: The Complete Guide

Cairo Guide: Planning Your Trip

Munich Airport Guide

Guide to Hamburg

Berlin's Mitte Neighborhood: The Complete Guide

Trips to Chicago: A Complete Guide

• Inspiration
• Destinations
• Places To Stay
• Style & Culture
• Food & Drink
• Wellness & Spas
• News & Advice
• Partnerships
• Traveller's Directory
• Travel Tips
• Competitions

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Travel Guide To Frankfurt

Germany's financial centre confounds its business-like reputation with some stylish hotels, restaurants and shops. Make sure you catch an exhibition at one of its world-class museums.

Where to stay in Frankfurt

Niddastrasse 86, Frankfurt (00 49 69 710 4570; www.the-pure.de ). White minimalism rules at this hotel, popular with media execs and touring bands. Colour relief comes from orange backlit mirrors. £££

VILLA KENNEDY

Kennedyyalle 70, Frankfurt (00 49 69 717 120; www.roccofortehotels.com ). Rocco Forte's Villa Kennedy incorporates a turreted 1904 mansion and skilfully blends old and new, with a brooding mahogany staircase and futuristic metal chandeliers. The restaurant serves Italian-German cuisine and the three-floor spa uses Eminence products. ££££

Where to eat out in Frankfurt

BRASSERIE AN DER ALTEN OPER

Opernplatz 8, Frankfurt (069 91 39 86 34). A prominent brasserie at the edge of Opernplatz, serving masterful French cuisine. The tables outside are hard to book. Fish is a speciality and the salads are exquisite.

Liebigstr 47, Frankfurt (069 72 07 18; www.gargantua.de ). Run by famous German food journalist and chef Klaus Trebes, splash out on a superlative meal at this famed restaurant. The set lunch is for those on less extravagant budgets.

THE IVORY CLUB

Taunusanlage 15, Guiolletstrasse, Frankfurt (00 49 69 770 67767; www.ivory-club.de ). A moody low-lit homage to a Raj-era gentlemen's club. Choose from colonial-influenced seafood (tandoori prawns with coriander mash) and superb steaks.

Goetheplatz 1-3, Frankfurt (00 49 69 92 887 888; www.vapiano.de ). Queue for cooked-while-you-watch pasta with lime and mint or gorgonzola and walnuts, before crowding around shared tables.

The best nightlife in Frankfurt

COCOON CLUB

Carl-Benz-Strasse 21, Frankfurt (00 49 69 900 200; [www.cocoonclub.net](http:// www.cocoonclub.net)). Brainchild of techno megastar Sven Vath, Cocoon Club is a vast restaurant/club hybrid, with two restaurants (low-lit Micro and Silk, where food is served to diners on recliners), a huge dancefloor and private 'pods' for hire.

What to see in Frankfurt

Opernplatz 8, Frankfurt (00 49 69 134 0400; www.alteoper.de ). Frankfurt's Old Opera House is a reconstructed version of the original, which was destroyed in World War II.

BETHMANN PARK

Friedberger Anlage, Frankfurt. This tiny park is one of Frankfurt's best-kept secrets, with beautifully-kept flower beds. The Chinese Garden of Heavenly Peace is dedicated to the memory of victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre.

DEUTSCHES ARCHITEKTURMUSEUM

Schaumainkai 43, Frankfurt (00 49 69 21 23 88 44; www.dam-online.de ). Renowned architect Oswald Mathias Ungers transformed this 19th century villa in 1984 with his 'house within a house' concept. The museum has a hands-on approach and features topical exhibitions with an architectural theme. Closed on Mondays.

FOTOGRAFIE FORUM INTERNATIONAL

Braubachstrasse 30-32, Frankfurt (00 49 69 29 17 26; www.fffrankfurt.org ). From fashion to photojournalism, this gallery-museum is the only exhibition space in Frankfurt entirely devoted to photography, exhibiting the best of the contemporary still image. It hosts the award-winning World Press Photo collection every two years.

FRANKFURT ZOO

Alfred-Brehm-Platz 16, Frankfurt (00 49 69 21 23 37 35; www.zoo-frankfurt.de ). Recognised as one of the most significant zoos in Europe, the howls of wolves can be heard throughout the surrounding neighbourhood of Ostend. Don't miss Sunday and Wednesday's piranha-feeding sessions.

GOETHE-HAUS & GOETHEMUSEUM

Grosser Hirschgraben 23-25, Frankfurt (00 49 69 13 88 00; www.www.goethehaus-frankfurt.de ). This 18th-century house was Goethe's birthplace, and he lived here until moving to Weimar in 1775. It was here that Goethe wrote The Sorrows of Young Werther , and began work on Faust. The rooms are decorated with a mixture of reproduction and original furniture, offering a glimpse of 18th-century domestic life. Don't miss Goethe's original writing desk and the library on the top floor. The Goethemuseum, housing a library of the writer's works, shares a lovely little garden with the house.

MUSEUM FÜR MODERNE KUNST

Domstr 10, Frankfurt (00 49 69 21 23 04 47; http://www.mmk-frankfurt.de ). The labyrinthine passages in this odd-shaped building contain exhibits viewed from odd angles, from tiny viewing balconies or unobtrusive side entrances. Some are hidden in narrow staircases; others fill a whole wall.

STÄDELSCHES KUNSTINSTITUT & GALERIE

Schaumainkai 63, Frankfurt (00 49 69 605 09 80; www.staedelmuseum.de ). This huge building is brimming with student groups and budding artists engaged in lectures and sketching lessons. There's an impressive collection of 2,700 paintings, 600 scultpures and 100,000 prints and drawings by artists including Van Eycks, Dürers, Rubens Van Gogh and Vermeers. Cultural events are a regular occurrence.

Where to shop in Frankfurt

BADEZIMMER BEAUTYSTORE

Rathenauplatz 1-3, Frankfurt (00 49 69 2199 0773; www.badezimmer-beautystore.de ). A tiny haven of potions and balms. It stocks Philip B and Kiehl products, plus the Berlin-based Julisis range.

How to get to Frankfurt

Frankfurt Airport is the second busiest airport in Europe after London's Heathrow. A taxi to the centre of Frankfurt takes around 30 minutes.

AIRLINES FROM THE UK

Lufthansa (0870 8377 747; www.Lufthansa.com ), British Airways (0870 850 9 850; www.britishairways.com ) and BMI (0870 6070 555; www.flybmi.com ) fly to Frankfurt.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• City Vacations

Germany’s Most Underrated City Is the Place to Go in 2018

They're calling it "Mainhattan."

For its central location, Frankfurt is known as the “Gateway to Europe" — and travelers often only pass through, using it as a transit point to other major destination cities. More recently, however, Frankfurt has been going by a different moniker, which refers to the city’s emerging position as an exciting new destination on the Old Continent.

Frankfurt has become “Mainhattan.”

Spread along both banks of the Main River (hence its formal name, Frankfurt am Main), the city has always held a special place in German history. Not only did it give the country its most famous writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, whose house is tucked away on a small downtown street, but it was also the site of important elections, and the coronations of kings and emperors of the Roman Empire. And the history is still a major tourism draw, even though many sites had to be rebuilt after the World War II.

But exploring Frankfurt through a historical lens only paints one part of the picture. To get a full view of what Frankfurt is now — and will become in the next few years — you need only toward its skyline. Locals liken it to Manhattan (thus, the “Mainhattan” portmanteau).

There's a fascinating mix of architecture, with modern glass high-rises looming over traditional red-brick churches. You’ll also notice an abundance of tower cranes stretching their necks ever higher, signifying the city’s continued metamorphosis.

Some say this growth was triggered by Brexit.

When Brits voted to break from the European Union, Frankfurt — home to the European Central Bank headquarters since 1998 — was immediately flagged as a potential relocation choice for many large financial institutions and companies that intend to leave London.

Despite having only 700,000 residents (compared to London's 8.6 million), it’s still becoming an international city in its own right. Already, more than half of its inhabitants have non-German backgrounds and more than 100 different languages are spoken on a daily basis. So for all the varied ways a rapid influx of wealth can transform a city , it’s also contributing to the development of a diverse art, music, and food scene that’s only getting more alluring for travelers.

Frankfurt’s neighborhoods each have distinct character and charm. Sachsenhausen, with its cobblestone streets and museums, is for those who like to experience a city’s historic and cultural heritage. Ostend and Nordend, with their many cafes and boutiques, are perfect for a daytime walk, while Westend — the old bourgeois district — is where the beautiful botanical garden, Palmergarten, is located.

On your next trip to Europe, don't just pass through Frankfurt's airport. Instead, take time to discover Germany’s fifth largest city.

What to Do in Frankfurt

Frankfurt has a number of exciting seasonal events worth noting on your calendar, such as Oktoberfest (in September), the annual Christmas market (in December), and the Frankfurt Book Fair (in October), among others . There is something interesting happening in Frankfurt at any given time of the year.

Of course, there are permanent attractions to keep you entertained, too. Art aficionados should head to Sachsenhausen, the neighborhood south of the river, where the city’s so-called Museum Mile is located. It’s home to the German Film Museum, the Communication Museum, and Staedel Museum, among many others. If you’re planning on visiting more than one, purchase the MuseumSufer ticket , which includes access to 34 museums for two consecutive days.

Staedel Museum

This 200-year-old institution houses one of the world’s most impressive and important collections, documenting 700 years of art history alongside visiting exhibitions . Visitors may recognize popular works of art such as Edgar Degas’ “Orchestra Musicians,” Claude Monet’s “The Luncheon,” and Rembrandt’s “The Blinding of Samson.” Other artists you’ll find in the museum ’s permanent collection include Vincent Van Gogh, Edvard Munch, and Picasso.

DialogMuseum

This museum redefines the common perception of a museum which, by definition, is a place where you go to see artifacts: see being the key word. The concept behind DialogMuseum , on the other hand, is unusual but impactful. Guests join a one-hour guided tour that moves through four rooms where, in absolute darkness, you will get to experience daily life without any visual components, the way blind or visually impaired people do. (All guides, as a matter of fact, will be visually impaired.) You will be surprised at the range of emotions you can feel in just 60 minutes — utter hopelessness being a major one — but it’s an incredible experience. Make sure to reserve your tour spot in advance.

Fotografie Forum Frankfurt

This independent center not only offers exhibitions of world-class photographers, artists, and photojournalists, but it also organizes regular workshops, classes, and lectures promoting the visual medium. The space is located in downtown Frankfurt on Braubachstrasse, in the city’s art gallery district, where you could easily spend an entire afternoon browsing.

Frankfurt suffered such extensive damage during World War II that much of its Altstadt (old town) had to be rebuilt. The restoration project, which started in the 1950s, was just completed in 2017. Fifteen historic houses were reconstructed and 20 new ones were built in the traditional style. Visitors can now enjoy the timber-framed buildings so popular in Germany, as well as the lively square in the heart of Römerberg. Some of the most notable buildings there are the Old St. Nicholas Church and the Haus Römer, which together with the Goldener Schwan (Golden Swan) building belonged to the Römer merchant family in the 15th century.

Where to Eat in Frankfurt

Whether it’s typical German food you’re craving or something more international, Frankfurt’s dining scene has it all. Just remember to always make a reservation, as the hottest tables tend to get booked up well in advance. Most restaurants, even small ones, have at least a few menus in English. But if they don’t, the friendly staff will surely translate for you.

German cuisine may be best known for its sausages, but that doesn’t mean vegans and vegetarians are doomed. This casual two-story restaurant , located in the city center, offers delicious meat-free options that even carnivores will love. The quinoa and wild rice plate with grilled vegetables and creamy spirulina dressing, for example, is perfect for refueling at lunch. Just be mindful that the place is cash-only, so make sure to have some Euros on you.

Freitagsküche

Founded by Frankfurt-native and contemporary artist Michael Riedel, and his friend Thomas Friemel, this cozy restaurant is a city staple. If you come here during the week, you might rub elbows with bankers from nearby financial institutions who fill up the small dining room for lunch, but on Friday nights, this restaurant transforms into a hangout for the art crowd. Order the guest chef’s menu, which is always prepared with fresh farmers’ market finds from that day.

Gang & Gäbe

The menu at Gang & Gäbe is inspired by the city’s international composition, so expect to find a combination of regional classics (Frankfurt’s famous green sauce, beef and potatoes, and kaese spaetzle, the German version of mac and cheese) and modern mash-ups, like baked duck breast with plum sauce and sautéed Swiss chard. There’s also an extensive cocktail menu with six different types of mojito. But if you’d rather drink as the locals do, opt for the Hugo, a St. Germain and prosecco-based cocktail that originated in Tyrol.

Matilda’s Kitchen

Located in the upscale Westend neighborhood, this small café is a favorite neighborhood brunch spot for locals. It has two cozy dining spaces with four to five tables each and — unlike most restaurants in the city where brunch is an all-you-can-eat buffet — you can order à la carte. It’s also just a few blocks away from the Palmengarten botanical garden.

Where to Shop in Frankfurt

While the pedestrian-only Zeil Strasse is where you will find a variety of big department stores like Peek&Cloppenburg, Galeria Kaufhof, and Karstadt, and brands like Zara, Mango, and C&A (which is similar to H&M price-wise but with a more conservative design aesthetic), travelers searching for more upscale options should head to the nearby Goethestrasse. Here are the Chanel, Gucci, and Salvatore Ferragamo boutiques. The entire area between Kurt-Schumacher Strasse and Taunusanlange Park and the Opera is also a shopper’s paradise with smaller, independent boutiques featuring European labels.

Right across the street from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, there is a slew of salons, restaurants, and stores, one being Hayashi . The owner, Kerstin Görling, has an eye for elegant, timeless pieces as well as some pretty bold statement items. The brands you’ll find there include Isabel Marant, Marni, MSGM, and Joseph.

This high fashion s tore has been around for 13 years, and though the womenswear and menswear spaces are separate, they have one thing in common: an edgy, avant-garde aesthetic. Expect a lot of leather, candles, and fragrances from lesser-known Japanese and German designers.

Where to Stay in Frankfurt

It might not be a surprise that Europe’s economic hub has no shortage of luxury accommodation options, especially downtown where the international banks are located. But there are a number of more affordable boutique hotels in the surrounding neighborhoods, too, like Ostend, which lies on the bank of the Main river and offers great views of the city.

Moxy Frankfurt East

Moxy is Marriott’s new design-driven chain of affordable, hip hotels aimed at younger travelers (read: millennials). The latest property is located in Ostend, just a few blocks away from the new headquarters of the European Central Bank and about a half-hour walk from the city center. Guest rooms have a modern, industrial vibe and the bar doubles as the hotel’s check-in point. It's also a great place to hang out, have breakfast, and (of course) enjoy cocktails. The walls are lined with funky art that references Frankfurt’s local culture, like a mural featuring Goethe lounging on a bench.

Roomers Frankfurt

One of the most impressive features of this luxury boutique hotel is the design. From a gleaming glass façade to the dimly lit bar and dramatic chandeliers, everything in Roomers is visually delightful. If you stay here, make sure to save some time to soak in the glass bead-filled relaxation tubs at the spa, and to enjoy the beautiful view of the city from the Sky Lounge.

Frankfurt Airport

• 1 Understand
• 2.1.1 Terminal 1
• 2.2 Departures
• 2.3.1 Terminal transfers
• 3.1.1 Regional trains
• 3.1.2 Long-distance trains
• 3.3 By rental car
• 4 Get around
• 5.1.1 Terminal 1
• 5.1.2 Terminal 2
• 5.2 Other amenities
• 5.3 Longer stays
• 6.1.1 A Gates
• 6.1.2 A Gates
• 6.1.3 Z Gates
• 6.1.4 B Gates
• 6.2 Terminal 2
• 6.3 Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Squaire
• 10.1 Other nearby hotels
• 10.2 Niederrad

Frankfurt Airport (German: Flughafen Frankfurt am Main ; FRA  IATA ) is the largest airport in Germany and a global aviation hub on the outskirts of Frankfurt am Main in the state of Hesse .

Understand [ edit ]

Frankfurt Airport is among the busiest in Europe, fourth in passenger traffic after London Heathrow Airport , Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport ; it is also the twelfth busiest airport in the world. This is due to various factors: Frankfurt is Germany's financial capital, and is centrally between western Germany's major metropolitan regions (the Ruhr and Munich).

Frankfurt is the main hub of German flag carrier Lufthansa [dead link] . Lufthansa and the airport have had a symbiotic relationship for decades and both have grown enormously as a result. Lufthansa holds some shares in the airport, with most of it still publicly owned (Lufthansa was fully privatized in the 1990s but retains informal political connections). Most of Lufthansa's long-haul flights originate or terminate in Frankfurt. Many other airlines also serve the airport, including almost all other Star Alliance carriers. Easyjet and Wizz Air are the no frills airlines with a minor presence at the airport; Ryanair no longer operates here. Lufthansa still flies all domestic routes to and from Frankfurt despite having transferred other domestic routes to its subsidiary Eurowings. Lufthansa also uses some ICE trains from Stuttgart and Cologne as "feeder flights" to the airport as part of its air rail alliance with Deutsche Bahn.

Flights [ edit ]

Terminals [ edit ]

The airport has two terminals, with a third scheduled to open in 2026. Frankfurt Airport is still in the same place where it was built in the 1930s, and the main Terminal 1 opened in 1972. This means capacity increases have been achieved by constantly improving and expanding existing infrastructure, so Frankfurt Airport is in many ways quite compromised and not as efficient or pleasant as newer German airports, such as Munich Airport .

All Airlines A-Z Terminals Halle on Airport Frankfurt Airport

Terminal 1 [ edit ]

Terminal 1 is separated into Concourses A (inside Schengen passport control), Z (the level on top of A, Non-Schengen passport control), B and C (which seems to be for certain destinations with higher security requirements such as Israel, with the exception of Schengen gate C1). Be aware that if you are changing planes to an international flight on a Z gate, you will be required to go through a checkpoint where you present your passport before you get to the concourse.

Terminal 1 is a multi-level maze with poor signage. Level 1 is arrivals, Level 2 check-in and departure, Level 3 is an access bridge to hotels and the long-distance rail station, Level 0 has access to parking, below which is the regional rail station. Lufthansa tries to reduce confusion for Business Class passengers (and Gold & Silver Star Alliance card holders): they have a designated check-in area in Terminal 1 A. First class passengers of Lufthansa and Swiss, as well as Lufthansa HON Circle card holders, are allowed to check-in in the first class terminal [dead link] on the right side of Terminal 1, which has its own driveway. All Star Alliance economy class travellers and other Star Alliance partners are checked in in Terminal 1B & 1C.

Departures [ edit ]

• Terminal 1: Schengen flights use gates A and B1-B19. Non-Schengen flights depart from gates Z (access from Level 3 after passport control, utilizes the same A gates), B20-B63 (access from B concourse passing the Schengen gates) and C.
• Terminal 2: Departures is on zone D and E at levels 2 and 3. If you are travelling on a non-Schengen flight, you must clear passport control at Level 3 and the securities are right before the gates.

If you have difficulty walking, request assistance getting to the departure gate, it can be up to a kilometer away. Once you pass the passport control for non-Schengen flights, you will not be able to return to the Schengen area.

• You can check on departures in real time at: Departures Frankfurt Airport

Arrivals [ edit ]

Not all planes park at a gate and you will often have to take a bus to get you from the plane to the terminal. If you are in a hurry, rushing off the plane does not always make things quicker, being last on the bus standing next to the door is key. Sometimes for flights with tight connection times you have to take a different bus from the tarmac.

If you are a frequent user of Terminal 1B you can make passport control quicker by applying for retina recognition. Next to passport manual check control, where there are often long queues, there is a machine which can scan your passport and then your eyes. To register there is an office in the corner of Terminal 1 landside, section A level 2. Terminal 1Z has automatic face recognition machines which will work with new European passports.

On arriving at Terminal 1Z and 1B do not be surprised to have to ascend and descend many stairs, or with Terminal 1A expect a long walk. When coming into 1B you enter the main concourse before baggage claim. Look for the escalators heading down in the middle of hall B.

• You can check on arrivals in real time at: Arrivals Frankfurt Airport

Terminal transfers [ edit ]

All concourses at both terminals are connected (both landside and airside) by a free Sky Train (monorail). There is also a free shuttle bus. Luggage carts are not allowed on the Sky Train.

The transfer between Terminal 1 and 2 on foot takes around 15 minutes.

Ground transportation [ edit ]

Situated in the center of Germany, the airport has good connections to the whole country and is a stepping stone to other parts of Europe and the world.

By train [ edit ]

Frankfurt airport has two dedicated railway stations, one for regional trains (S-Bahn, RE) and one for long-distance high-speed trains (ICE/IC). Regional trains from Frankfurt and other local towns come into the Regionalbahnhof on the lowest level of Terminal 1 and have two sets of escalators to check-in. Long distance trains arrive at the international station which is connected to Terminal 1 by a walkway (5 to 10 minutes).

Regional trains [ edit ]

To get to the city with the S-Bahn (fast commuter train), take lines   S8   or   S9   in the direction of Offenbach Ost and Hanau . If you want to go downtown, get off at Frankfurt Taunusanlage, Frankfurt Hauptwache or Frankfurt Konstablerwache, which are in the heart of the city. If you want to change to long-distance trains get off at Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (Frankfurt Central Station) or Frankfurt Südbahnhof (Frankfurt South Station) . The ride from the airport to the central station takes around 20 minutes. Be sure to purchase a ticket at the vending machines in the train station before boarding the train. The adult ticket costs €5.80 and €3.40 for children (April 2023). Day tickets are usually profitable up from the second travel within the respective zones. Check the RMV webpage and Frankfurt#By public transport for journey and ticket details.

To get to the airport with the S-Bahn, take the S8 or S9 in the direction of Wiesbaden or Mainz . Don't take the   S1   — while it has the same general direction and leaves the central station at the same platform, it will go along the wrong side of the river Main. The line S1 does not stop at the airport.

Regional-Express trains (RE) to Mainz, Frankfurt Hbf, Frankfurt-Süd and Hanau stop at the same place as the S-Bahn.

Long-distance trains [ edit ]

After disembarking from the train and following the signs of the airport, turn right for the Level 3 and the check-in halls of Terminal 1 or turn left for the shuttle to Terminal 2 and the arrival level of Terminal 1.

By car [ edit ]

The airport is in the south-west quadrant of Frankfurter Kreuz the Autobahn intersection of the A3 and A5; the busiest motorway intersection in Europe.

Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are reached by separated exits of the (B)43. Drop off is possible in-front of both terminals just outside of check-in halls; simply follow the signs for the required terminal (Departure: Abflug , Arrivals: Ankunft ), but there is a 15-minute limit on waiting which is controlled and it is often very difficult to find a space.

For parking in Terminal 1: P1 is closest to check-in (5 minutes walk) being only one floor above or below entry to the main complex. P2/3 and P5 are also close but add an extra 5 minutes waiting for the elevator. Parking for Terminal 2 is conveniently under the check-in hall. Special parking spaces are available for barrier-free travel (P4 and P8), women (P1-5 and P8) and motorcycles (free parking near arrival hall C). Vehicles taller than 2.10 m will not fit into the regular parking facilities – use the bus parking at P36 instead. Be aware that individual parking spaces tend to be quite narrow (between 2.30 and 2.50 m). If you need extra width, consider using the slightly more expensive P1 and P4.

Although the long distance rail station and Hilton hotel can be clearly seen from the Autobahn, getting to them is not self-explanatory. To park there follow signs to The Squaire and take a short monorail trip. If you're just dropping someone off, go westbound on the B 43, just after the Terminal 2 exit get in the far left lane.

There is also holiday parking south of the airport on Airportring and a number of private long-stay parking facilities in surrounding towns and suburbs of Frankfurt such as in Frankfurt-Niederrad.

Occasionally the Autobahn is clogged with traffic. A few tips for getting round the jams:

• From the north if hold-ups on the A5 or from the north-west if the A3 is blocked, take the A66 to the (B)40 direction Kelsterbach. This road will get you to the access roads, K823 Airportring, from where you can get to the terminals.
• From west if the A67/A3 is block and from the south if the A5 is blocked take the (B)486 to Mörfelden. Take Virolles-Ring, the first(last) road on the west of the village. This will get you to Airportring, but as it has to go round the runway and has a number of speed cameras on the route only use if the autobahn is a total standstill.
• From the East when the A3 is busy there is little alternative; the only possibility is to head into Frankfurt and get onto the (B)43 from there.

By rental car [ edit ]

Most major car rental companies have offices in Terminal 1 level 0 section A and in Terminal 2 just after arrivals baggage exit.

If you are new to driving in Germany , this is a baptism of fire. The airport is at the crossroads of the A3 and A5 providing you with good access to all of Germany and Central Europe .

Car return is to the airport parking: for Terminal 1 P30; for Terminal 2 P8. There is an Esso fuel station hidden on the traffic island off the B43 exit to Terminal 2 and a Shell on Airportring west of Terminal 1, neither of which you will find using the normal approaches to the airport. Unfortunately there are no other fuel stations near the airport so best to refuel at the service stations on the autobahns or head into a nearby town such as Frankfurt, Rüsselsheim, Kelsterbach or Langen if you have time.

By bus [ edit ]

Take bus line 61 to Frankfurt Südbahnhof (Frankfurt South Station).

50.052682 8.57749 3 Frankfurt Airport intercity bus station (Terminal 1)

Some European long distance buses and Intercity buses in Germany (e.g. Flixbus) stop at the airport although more serve a stop closer to Frankfurt's main station. The pick-up and drop off point is car park P36 which is outside just north east of Terminal 1 (arrivals level). It is within walking distance of Terminal 1, there are also airport shuttle buses to and from the area to the terminals. At the airport bus station there is only a small toilet area and an outside seating area.

There are some airport shuttles, particularly to/from Hahn .

Get around [ edit ]

This is a large airport to walk around on both sides of border control. If you are looking for shops and restaurants landside of border control, consider that that the closest options may be on one of the levels above or below you in both terminals.

There is a people mover and a bus between Terminals 1 and 2. When changing terminals by bus make sure to use the yellow terminal shuttle buses, as they are free of charge. There are public buses that connect both terminals on their way to Frankfurt or other surrounding cities, however to ride them you need a valid ticket. Getting caught on one of these buses without a ticket will result in a €60 fine. If you are unsure about the buses, the "SkyLine" people mover is always free of charge.

If you are departing with a non-Schengen flight, in Terminal 1 you will have to first go through security and will find yourself at the Schengen terminal, after which you will have to pass passport control which leads to the non-Schengen part of the airport.

Wait [ edit ]

Lounges [ edit ].

These lounges are also accessible to all passengers for a fee:

• LUXX Lounge ( Terminal 1, between concourses B and C - gallery level, next to the Travel Market ). 07:00-19:00 daily . This is the only lounge in Terminal 1 that accepts Priority Pass members. €30 per 3 hours .  
• Primeclass Lounge ( Terminal 2, Level 2 behind arrival Passport Control ). 06:00-21:30 daily . Also for premium travelers of most airlines operating at Terminal 2 and Priority Pass members. €30 for 3 hours, €60 for 6 hours .  
• Priority Lounge ( Terminal 2 Level 3 opposite Security Gates E6-E9 ). Daily 07:30-15:30 . Also for passengers of Air Astana, American Airlines, China Airlines, Delta, and Saudia, and Priority Pass members. €49 per 3 hours . ( updated Jul 2021 )
• SKY Lounge ( Terminal 2, Level 3, opposite departure gate D8 ). 06:45-22:00 daily . Also for premium travelers of most airlines operating at Terminal 2, mainly Skyteam alliance members. €30 for 3 hours, €60 for 6 hours .  

Airline lounges include the following:

Lufthansa operates multiple lounges in each concourse for its premium class passengers and Star Alliance Gold members, in addition to premium travelers and frequent flyers of fellow Star Alliance carriers. Economy class passengers of Lufthansa can also utilize the lounge for a fee, with the exception of the First Class Lounge.

• Lufthansa First Class Lounge ( level 2 opposite Duty Free Store near gate A13, above gate B22 ). Daily 06:00-21:30 . ( updated Jul 2021 )
• Lufthansa Business Lounge ( above gate B24 to B28, near gate B44 to B48, near gate C14 and C15, near gate C16, opposite Duty Free Store near gate A13, near Gate A24, opposite Duty Free Store near gate Z50 ). ( updated Jul 2021 )
• Lufthansa Senator Lounge ( next to gate C14 and C15, near gate A50, near gate B43 ). ( updated Jul 2021 )
• Welcome Lounge ( area B east, after baggage claim ). Passenger of select flights arriving in Frankfurt can come to this arrival lounge to freshen up. ( updated Jul 2021 )

There is one other lounge catering to other airlines:

• Air Canada Lounge ( Terminal 1, B transit area, level 3 ). ( updated Jul 2021 )

Terminal 2 [ edit ]

• Air France/KLM (SkyTeam) ( Terminal 2, Level 2, between gates D26 and D27 ). This lounge is also accessible to Priority Pass members and passengers flying on Finnair or Iberia.  
• Cathay Pacific ( Terminal 2, Level 3, across from security for gates E6 to E9 ).  
• Emirates ( Terminal 2, Level 3, across from security for gates E6 to E9 ).  
• Premium Travelers' Lounge ( Terminal 2, Level 2, between gates D25 and D26 ).  
• Japan Airlines First Class and Sakura Lounges ( Terminal 2, Hall D, Level 3 before security ).  
• Priority Lounge ( Terminal 2, Hall E, Level 3, between gates E5-E9 after security ).  
• Sky Lounge ( Terminal 2, Level 3, before security ).  

Lufthansa has at least one lounge in each terminal area for Star Alliance gold members and a few that are available to silver frequent traveller members. Some have luggage lockers and shower facilities.

Other amenities [ edit ]

• Visitor terrace , Terminal 2 . 10:00-18:00 . The airport has a long visitor terrace on top of Terminal 2. It also offers 45-minute airside bus tours (adults €9, hourly from 11:00 (holidays) or 13:00-16:00; the ticket booth is at the bridge between Terminal 1 and "Frankfurt Airport Center"; follow signs and information for Flughafen Erlebnisfahrten ("Airport Experience Tour").  
• Play area , Terminal 2 level 4, landside . For kids there is a play area to climb around.  

Terminal 2 has surprisingly little shopping, eating and other entertainment amenities after the security check if you are departing from the European ("Schengen") gates; just a cafe, a quite small tax free shop, a newspaper kiosk and some automats where you can buy coffee or snacks. In other words, it is a fairly boring place to spend hours waiting for your plane. If you are departing on a flight that leaves Europe, there are several options to choose from.

Longer stays [ edit ]

If your layover is very long, you may be interested in the nearby bird reserve, the Schwanheimer Düne (Dunes of Schwanheim) .

Eat and drink [ edit ]

There are many possibilities both sides of border control in Terminal 1. Airside of Terminal 1 section B has a reasonable choice ( after passport control, up one set of escalators ); there are numerous sandwich places on the airside of A, and though the selection on the airside of C and Z is more limited, there are still good choices. Landside of Terminal 1 there are a number of choices on level 2 and level 0. For example:

A Gates [ edit ]

• Terminal 1, Concourse A, Level 2 . Daily 05:00-21:30 .  
• Terminal 1, Concourse Z, Level 3 . Daily 06:30-21:30 .  
• Hausmann , Terminal 1 Concourse A Central Plaza . Grill bar featuring rotisserie chicken, meat dishes, and shakes. From €12 . ( updated Dec 2021 )
• Mondo Bianco , Terminal 1 Concourse A adjacent to Gate A58 . Kiosk style diner featuring salads, pizza, bagels, a few pastries, smoothies and extensive selection of wine and prosecco. From €10 . ( updated Dec 2021 )
• Perfect Day , Terminal 1 Concourse A adjacent to Gate A15 . Coffee lounge in modern design From €4 . ( updated Dec 2021 )
• natoo , Concourse A Central Plaza . Vegan-friendly healthy bowls and yoghurt. From €6 . ( updated Jan 2022 )

Z Gates [ edit ]

• Anton & Anni , near Gate Z58 . Indoor Bavarian beer garden with typical Bavarian delights & assorted beer selections. From €10 . ( updated Dec 2021 )

B Gates [ edit ]

• Goethe Bar , Central Plaza Non-Schengen zone . ( updated Dec 2021 )
• Ludwig's , Terminal 2 Level 4 ( access via landside ), ☏ +49 69 690 30167 . Daily 07:00-19:00 . Classic German specialties & draft beer plus a special breakfast menu. From €7 . ( updated Jan 2022 )
• MoschMosch , Terminal 2 Level 3 ( before security for gates E1 to E4 ). Daily 08:00-21:30 . Fine Asian eatery with focus on Japanese delights. Good selection of noodle soups. From €13 . ( updated Jan 2022 )
• Sense of Taste , Terminal 2 Level 3 ( before security for gates D1 to D4 ). Daily 07:30-19:00 . Grilled dishes, pasta, salads, and classic German sausage menus. Top off the meal with beer, wine, and cocktail. From €10 . ( updated Jan 2022 )
• Vito , Terminal 2 Level 4 ( access via landside ). Daily 07:00-16:00 . A simple menu of pastas and pizzas accompanied with coffee and wine. From €9 . ( updated Jan 2022 )

Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbahnhof - Squaire [ edit ]

On the floor above the station platforms there are a number of coffee bars and bakeries. Another floor higher you can find a Paulaner German restaurant, Little Italy, an Alex and Jing Jing Asia Restaurant.

Buy [ edit ]

ATMs are scattered around the airport, with several in the check-in and arrivals concourse.

There are a number of fashion shops, newsagents and a pharmacy in Terminal 1 landside, level 2 concentrated in area B and towards A. There is a new shopping area including the Tegut supermarket on level 0. As this is the only place open a Sunday in the area it is also useful for emergency purchases. There are the typical duty free and luxury shops airside of Terminal 1 in areas B and Z.

• Quicker's , Throughout the airport . Convenience store selling travel needs, soft drinks and to-go sandwiches. ( updated Jan 2022 )
• 50.049597 8.570476 1 Falke , Terminal 1, Shopping Boulevard, B ( Terminal 1 airside ), ☏ +49 69 697 06871 . Daily 06:00-21:00 . The shop sells exclusive socks and high-quality underwear.  
• 50.049886 8.569605 2 Lufthansa WorldShop , Terminal 1 Landside ( Terminal 1 landside ). Spend your Miles&More miles on travel gear, gadgets with Lufthansa branding and other stuff. You can also pay in euros or by using a combination of euros and miles.  
• Picard Factory Outlet . Genuine Picard bags with discounted prices as opposed to the other Picards at the airside. ( updated Jan 2022 )
• Porsche Design , Terminal 1 Concourses A & B . Daily 06:00-21:00 . Sleek luxury watches, briefcases, in a design not different from the namesake car brand. ( updated Jan 2022 )
• 50.052592 8.568176 3 REWE ( in The Squaire, near the long-distance train station ), ☏ +49 69 69525848 . Daily 06:00-23:00 . A full-fledged supermarket. If you are in need of a last-minute grocery shopping especially on Sundays or public holidays where other supermarkets are closed, this would be the place to get it. Same prices as at other locations. ( updated Nov 2017 )

Connect [ edit ]

Wireless Internet access is available from Telekom. You get 24 hours of free internet (renewable every 24 hours) by filling a simple form with your name and e-mail address. This information is not checked, so any combination of numbers and letters will suffice. Broadband access can be obtained from other providers (for a fee).

Cope [ edit ]

Terminal 1 has public showers for €6 (includes towel, foot mat, shower gel, and hair dryer). One location is in the B Departures area, in the Shopping Boulevard, across from "TUMI". The other is in the secure area of B Concourse (good for transit passengers), Level 2, near gate B 30 and the duty free shopping.

There is luggage storage [dead link] in both terminals for €7 per bag per day.

• Prayer room , Terminal 1, B Concorse, Level 2 ( Departures landside, Gallery ).  
• Prayer room , Terminal 2, D Concorse, Level 3 ( Departures, airside ).  

Sleep [ edit ]

There are three hotels within the airport complex and a fourth that is on the grounds but requires a bus transfer. There are four more nearby, a bit of a hike the other side of the Autobahn (it's best to take a taxi if you have luggage), while the neighborhoods of Frankfurt-Niederrad, Frankfurt-Süd, Kelsterbach , Neu-Isenburg , Mörfelden , Langen , Raunheim and Rüsselsheim are all close to the airport, and many hotels in these areas offer airport shuttles.

• 50.051865 8.571214 1 Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center , Hugo-Eckener-Ring 15 , ☏ +49 69 69770 . There is another Sheraton in Frankfurt-Niederrad, so make sure you book the one you want.  
• 50.053436 8.572727 2 Hilton Airport Hotel , The Squaire ( Long Distance train station Frankfurt Airport ), ☏ +49 69-26012000 , [email protected] . Check-in: 14:00 , check-out: 12:00. Rooms also offered for stays between 08:00 and 18:00; reservations recommended . Next to the airport, it offers the usual perks. Small rooms but walking distance to check-in and nice restaurant. from €99 .  
• 50.033038 8.591846 4 InterCityHotel Frankfurt-Airport , Am Luftbrückendenkmal 1 , ☏ +49 69 697099 . Accessible from the airport via a bus transfer. From €60 (booked in advance) .  

Other nearby hotels [ edit ]

Gateway Gardens is an expanding development on the edge of the airport, one station away using the S-Bahn bound for Frankfurt.

• 50.05573 8.596025 5 Best Western Frankfurt Airport , De-Saint-Exupéry-Straße 6 , ☏ +49 69 299 1500 . Apartment style air-conditioned rooms with kitchen, safe, and ironing board. From €80 per night . ( updated Dec 2021 )
• 50.0559 8.5902 6 Holiday Inn Frankfurt Airport , Bessie-Coleman-Straße 16 , ☏ +49 69 87407950 . Air conditioned rooms featuring pillow menu & blackout curtains. Kids stay and eat free. From €90 per night . ( updated Jan 2020 )
• 50.05609 8.5915 7 Meininger Hotel Airport , Bessie-Coleman-Straße 11 , ☏ +49 69 95797965 . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 11:00 . A budget option within the complex with pay-as-you-want facility. Many types of room, including dormitory and family room. €90 in hotel, from €50 (booked in advance), quad rooms from €60 (booked in advance) . ( updated Apr 2016 )
• 50.058451 8.58961 8 Steigenberger Airport Hotel , Unterschweinstiege 16 , ☏ +49 69 69752426 . Secluded within the complex with a view of a quiet hill behind the airport. Modern rooms with efficient design From €100 per night . ( updated Apr 2016 )
• 50.055317 8.593665 9 Park Inn by Radisson Frankfurt Airport , Amelia-Mary-Earhart-Str.10 , ☏ +49 69 9002760 , [email protected] . ( updated Apr 2016 )

Can be reached via hotel buses or a short S-Bahn trip. Although they are not far from the airport, walking is not recommended because the complex and busy road system in the area lacks sidewalks.

Niederrad [ edit ]

Many hotels billed as "Frankfurt Airport" are in the district of Frankfurt-Niederrad between the airport and city proper.

Frankfurt-Niederrad S-bahn is just three stations away from the airport station (and on some regional trains is the only stop before the city centre). The hotels are within walking distance of the train station, but most at a distance you would not want to drag a suitcase.

Nearby [ edit ]

Mainz and its surrounding area is a more pleasant area to stay than the airport's environs but it is on the other side of the Rhine , and the limited bridge crossings could lead to your being stuck in a traffic jam on your way back to the airport - potentially problematic for morning flights. However there are direct and reliable train connections to the airport, making Mainz nearly as convenient as Frankfurt.

If your final destination is not Frankfurt but another city in Germany it is often better to take the train than get a connecting flight. In bad weather the first thing that happens is that inland flights are stopped. Also check with your airline (or with Deutsche Bahn) whether they offer rail&fly, which means that your plane ticket includes a train ride both to and from your airport in Germany connecting to any train station in Germany as well as Basel (CH) and Salzburg (AT). This is often the cheapest and most comfortable option and sometimes even faster overall.

If you have a connecting flight that is cancelled due to strike or bad weather check with your airline or with Deutsche Bahn whether they have a good for train agreement in place. Domestic connections should not be a problem at all, but they can sometimes offer you inner-European connections as well. If you have reason to believe that you will be held up for two or more days even long distance train rides become an option if they are available with your ticket. Some airlines offer this service for flights to and from Germany but others don't, so check in advance. More information at rail air alliances .

• Has custom banner
• Airport listing
• Articles with dead external links
• Has mapframe
• Has map markers
• See listing with no coordinates
• Do listing with no coordinates
• Eat listing with no coordinates
• Buy listing with no coordinates
• Has routebox
• All destination articles
• Usable airports
• Usable articles
• Airport articles
• Has Geo parameter
• Pages with maps

Navigation menu

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best things in life are free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to do
• Attractions
• Restaurants
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

18 essential travel tips for every first-time Frankfurt visitor

Everything first-timers need to enjoy Frankfurt, from transport hacks to can’t-miss attractions to tipping faux pas

Germany’s most international city? Being an economic powerhouse’s economic powerhouse will lend itself to such a set-up, and Frankfurt doesn’t let the side down. Walkable, well planned, with brilliant public transport networks and the rest, Frankfurt is a city that is easy to get around and even easier to enjoy. Of course, visitors aren’t prioritising urban planning, and the restaurants , attractions and nightlife here are all worth celebrating. If you’ve landed here for the first time and feel a little lost, fear not, take these essential travel tips for first time visitors to Frankfurt to heart and settle in nice and easy. 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Frankfurt

An email you’ll actually love

Travel tips for first-time Frankfurt visitors

1.  Watch the calendar

When planning your visit, keep an eye on Frankfurt’s events calendar. The city is home to an enormous exhibition centre, the Messe Frankfurt, which houses trade shows frequently throughout the year. Hotels can get booked up quickly around particular dates, and prices will shoot up, too.

2.  Seat yourself

In most casual restaurants , you don’t need to wait to be seated. Simply find yourself a table and settle in; if there’s a sign saying the table is reserved later in the evening, just make sure you’re finished by the specified time.

3.  Grab a MuseumsuferTicket

If you’re planning to fill your time with museum visits, it’s well worth buying a MuseumsuferTicket, which grants entry to 38 of Frankfurt’s museums for two days. Some of the city’s biggest museums are included, as well as some lesser-known gems. Family tickets are available.

4.  …Or a Frankfurt Card

Another option is to pick up a Frankfurt Card (available for individuals or groups, for one or two days), which offers up to 50 percent off entry into to various museums, tours and attractions, and also includes travel on public transport, including to and from the airport.

5.  Round up to tip

The Germans tip modestly, and it’s standard practice to just round up the bill for a meal by a couple of euros. Don’t leave change on the table, but include your tip when you pay: if your lunch comes to €15.50, you could hand over a €20 note and say, ‘17, please’.

6.  Be red light aware

Frankfurt’s Bahnhofsviertel (the area around the main train station) has gentrified at high speed over recent years and is now home to some of the city’s trendiest bars and restaurants. However, it remains Frankfurt’s red-light district, home to dealers and addicts; if you want to avoid its grittiest bits, stick to Münchener Straße and Kaiserstraße.

7.  Watch for bike lanes

Keep your eyes on street markings to stay out of the designated bike lanes that sometimes take up a portion of wider pavements. If you’d like to make use of them by cycling the city, try the Frankfurt Call A Bike service run by Deutsche Bahn.

8.  Free museum days for kids

Good news for those travelling with little ones: there’s free admission to many of Frankfurt’s museums for under-18s on the last Saturday of every month (barring August and December). Known as ‘SaTOURday’, this family-friendly deal also includes free workshops and guided tours.

9.  No-shop Sundays

Aside from the odd pre-planned ‘shopping Sunday’, most shops are closed on Sundays in Germany. As a visitor wanting to make the most out of a visit, this can be pretty frustrating, so remember to bear ‘no-shop Sundays’ in mind when planning your souvenir hunting.

10.  Take a late-night taxi

In Frankfurt, public transport doesn’t run all night, and if you don’t want to download a ride-sharing app, you’ll need a taxi to get home in the small hours. These are an easily-spotted beige colour, and you can either phone for one, flag one down or queue at a rank.

11.  Peruse the fleas

Fans of bargain-hunting will love the flea markets that take place on alternate Saturday mornings on the riverbank at Sachsenhausen between Eisernem Steg and Holbeinsteg, and at the Osthafen along Lindleystraße. Root through trash and treasure including clothes and furniture, books and records, paintings and crockery.

12.  Avoid the Apfelwein hangover

Keen to try the local cider but wary of the infamous Apfelwein hangover? Try this Frankfurt speciality mixed with lemonade ( suß ) or soda water ( sauer ) for a fizzy version that won’t go to your head quite so fast (or hurt quite so much the next morning).

13.  Don’t discount the craft beer

In Frankfurt’s traditional taverns, most locals will be happily imbibing Apfelwein (apple wine), but Frankfurt’s craft beer scene is growing slowly but surely.

14.  Server swaps

At casual restaurants, pubs and cafés, it’s not uncommon for waiters to finish their shifts while you’re still in the middle of your drinks or meal. If you’re asked to settle the bill early, don’t be offended; you’re not being (un)subtly asked to leave, and a new server will take over.

15.  Smiles aren’t standard

If you’re used to very friendly service in busy restaurants, you might find things a little brusque in Germany. But ‘impolite’ servers aren’t being rude to you because you’re a tourist, they’re (mostly) just being efficient and professional, even if it means service doesn’t always come with a smile.

16.  Avoid Old Sachsenhausen

Alt-Sachsenhausen is home to a couple of great  Apfelwein taverns, but for the most part, the area has a bad rep as a horribly touristy party zone. Locals prefer to avoid it, instead making a beeline to Sachsenhausen, where the atmosphere is considerably less drunken and chaotic.

17.  Be wine-wary

When sampling Glühwein (mulled wine) at the Christmas markets, avoid the cheap-tasting sugary stuff by heading to the winery ( Winzer ) stands – there’s a cluster in front of the Schirn Kunsthalle. These offer Glühwein made with their own high-quality wines and whole spices, and they taste all the better for it.

18.  Fall back on English

You won’t have any trouble getting by in English in Frankfurt. A guten Tag (good day/hello), bitte (please) or dankeschön (thanks a lot) will be appreciated, but Germans will most likely slip into English when they realise you’re not a local (which can be frustrating if you’re keen to practise your German!).

And if it’s tip-top mixology you’re after?

The 10 best Frankfurt bars

• Bars and pubs

Breaking news: Frankfurt has shed its boring reputation. A steady influx of big business has transformed this city’s population and reinvigorated its art and nightlife scenes (hats off to Brexit). For tip-top drinks all night long, these are 10 best Frankfurter bars.

[image] [title]

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising
• Time Out Market

Time Out products

• Android app
• Time Out Worldwide

Travel Guide To Frankfurt: A Must-Visit German Destination

by Melissa Giroux | Last updated Mar 31, 2024 | Europe , Germany , Travel Tips

Frankfurt is an imperial German city on the River Main, hence its full name: Frankfurt am Main. It’s an important economic and commercial center and it also has an impressive skyline that reminds many tourists of New York City or Chicago. 

Frankfurt is also an important cultural hub and it’s famous because of its exceptional museums covering art, science, and history. 

Frankfurt is lovely to explore on foot – it’s a city that should be included in any German travel bucket list. 

Frankfurt is a charming and buzzing city that strikes the right balance between traditional half-timbered houses and impressive modern skyscrapers. 

It makes a great destination for anyone visiting Germany and it should be included in any road trip across this country. 

It’s not difficult at all to rent a car in Germany and driving there is not a problem either as long as you familiarize yourself with the road signs and stick to the speed limits. 

German roads are safe but you can also invest in an insurance policy for your rental to enjoy an even safer driving experience.

Frankfurt Attractions

Are you interested in visiting this city? Go on reading to discover its most beautiful attractions!

Römerberg: Frankfurt’s Old Town Center

Located in Frankfurt’s Altstadt or Old Town, the Römemberg is an irregularly shaped square with the Justice Fountain placed at its center. 

It’s the most picturesque public square in the city, the busiest pedestrian zone, and home to several tourist attractions including the famous Christmas Market that is organized every year. 

The Römer, a medieval building, is one of the most remarkable and unique structures on the square. It has been the City Hall since the early 1400s. 

The pinkish facade facing the square has three roof peaks, each with a stepped gable. It’s possible to visit the City Hall and admire the impressive Imperial Hall.

Take your time to look around and admire the many picturesque buildings around the square, many of them have half-timbered facades! Another remarkable building is the small, gothic  St. Nicholas Church. 

The historic Wertheim House, the only one that survived the 1944 air raids that destroyed much of old Frankfurt, can also still be seen.

The Römerberg is a must-see for anyone spending some time in Frankfurt. It’s a trip back in time with some of the most beautiful Instagrammable backdrops for your pictures. 

Besides, with plenty of cafés and restaurants around, it’s a great place to sit down and relax, enjoy the charming atmosphere and a delicious bite!

Remember that the Altstadt was severely damaged during the air raids of the IIWW and most of it had to be rebuilt. 

The restoration project took years and included the reconstruction of fifteen historic houses and the rebuilding of 20 new ones in the traditional half-timbered style.

Visit Frankfurt Cathedral

Built of red sandstone in Gothic style between the XIII and XV centuries, with its 95-meter-tall tower, the Frankfurt Cathedral still stands out in this city of skyscrapers. 

Its full name is St Bartholomew’s Cathedral and it’s one of only a handful of churches in the country to be designated as an Imperial Cathedral. It was here from 1562 to 1792 when the coronation of Emperors took place in the Election Chapel.

Beneath the tower, visitors can appreciate the magnificent Crucifixion by Hans Backoffen and the Maria-Schlaf-Altar in the Marienkapelle. Various carved side altars will call your attention. 

The Cathedral’s most important relic is the skullcap of St Bartholomew, which is kept in the Late Romanesque Bartholomew’s Choir.

Frankfurt Cathedral stands out as one of the most stunning structures in the city and it’s another must-see attraction. 

Just outside the building, there’s the Archaeological Garden where you can see the foundations of a Roman settlement and a Carolingian royal palace. 

If you’d like to see panoramic views of the city and you’re visiting the city between April and October, challenge yourself to climb the almost 325 steps of the giant spiral staircase of the Cathedral’s tower and enjoy!

Visit Goethe House & Museum: Germany’s Greatest Writer

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the country’s greatest writer, was born in Frankfurt and it’s now possible to see the house where he lived between 1749 and 1765.  

Visitors can get a glimpse of what his life was like at the time. You can see the sumptuously decorated dining room on the main floor, his writing room on the top floor where he created his early writings, or even played with his puppets when he was a little boy.

It was built in bourgeois style and it’s decorated with period furniture and paintings. It’s one of Frankfurt’s most remarkable historical attractions.

Despite the original half-timbered house being damaged during the IIWW, it was rebuilt in 1949.

During special exhibitions, the visitors can see valuable and sensitive documents and prints from the collection, the manuscript archive, and the library. The house spans four floors and there’s plenty to explore.

The Goethe Museum can be found next door. It’s a 14-room gallery that showcases artworks from the writer’s time, including masterpieces of the Late Baroque and Romantic periods. 

Both Goethe House and Museum are must-see attractions in Frankfurt, especially if you are a literature lover and you’ve read any of Goethe’s works recently before your visit.

Explore Museumsufer: Frankfurt’s Museum District

Museumsufer is Frankfurt’s Museum District and it’s located on the south and north banks of the River Main. It’s a first-rate collection of about 16 separate museums, many of which are of international standing. 

Amongst them, we can mention the Städel Art Museum or the excellent Museum of World Cultures, one of Europe’s most important ethnological museums. 

Exploring the Museumsurfer provides visitors with a fantastic opportunity to discover the city’s interesting and rich cultural background. 

Be sure to get yourself a Frankfurt card! It gives you a discount on museums and other attractions and for public transportation as well.  

On Sundays, you can also wander through a morning flea market that is also established in the area.

Admire Artwork At The Städel Museum

The Städel Museum is another must-see attraction in Frankfurt because of its excellent collection of paintings from the XIV to the XX centuries. 

The stunning collection includes paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Goya, Monet, Picasso, Beckman or Degas, Cezanne, Pollock, Ernst or Bacon, and many others. 

The Städel is one of the oldest museums in Germany and the most important art museum in the city. 

There are over 2700 paintings and 100 thousand drawings and prints, making it one of the most exclusive museums in the country. 

It also includes an impressive library that is home to more than 400 periodicals and 100 thousand books so it’s a place to go if you love paintings and books!

It’s one of the best museums in Europe . Opened in 1815, its unrivaled collection spans 700 years and boasts paintings, sculptures, and books and it even survived the Nazi looting. 

There are two cafés within the museum as well as an outstanding shop stocking art books, prints, and gifts.

Visit The Senckenberg Natural History Museum

If you’re visiting Frankfurt with children, you can’t miss spending some time at the Senckenberg Natural History Museum. 

Located in the Senckenberg Gardens, it’s one of the most modern museums of natural history in Europe and the second-largest of its kind in Germany . 

There are several exhibitions dedicated to our planet’s biodiversity and the evolution of organisms. It is also home to Europe’s biggest exhibition of large dinosaurs. 

There’s also an impressive collection of 90,000 stuffed birds along with an extensive exhibit on the development of mankind. 

If you have ever wanted to see a huge dinosaur or a mammoth or a tiny pterosaur, it’s the place to go!

Climb Up The Main Tower

No visit to Frankfurt would be complete without climbing up the Main Tower . 

Located in Frankfurt’s business hub, the Main Tower is an attraction in itself since it is the first fully glazed tower in Europe. 

It houses a splendid restaurant 187 meters up that offers a wonderful dining experience while you admire breathtaking views of the city down below. There are also various art exhibitions offered there! 

Named after the river Main, it’s the fourth tallest building in Frankfurt and the only tower this tall with public access in it. 

The view from the viewing platform is mesmerizing as it gives a panoramic view of the entire city with the beautiful river flowing through it. 

If the weather allows, the Taunus mountain range northwards and the Odenwald Mountains southwards can be seen. An elevator will take you up to the 650-feet high stage.

Chill At The Hauptwache

Located in the middle of the city and one of Frankfurt’s busiest pedestrian areas, the Hauptwache 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. The square is on the city’s main shopping areas. 

The Hauptwache is one of the most famous plazas of Frankfurt and it’s a historic area in the middle of the city. 

It was once Frankfurt’s main guard, housing the city’s militia, barracks, and soon after, prison and police station, but today it is a dining establishment. The square itself is one of Frankfurt’s main shopping ranges.

Walk The Eiserner Steg

The Eiserner Steg is the only pedestrian bridge across the River Main. It’s a 150-meter long iron bridge that connects the city center with the suburbs of Sachsenhausen. 

Despite other bridges being spanning over the Main, the Eiserner steg is particularly famous. This is because couples traditionally lock padlocks on the bridge and this is why it is nicknamed “The Bridge of Love Locks”. 

It’s quite a romantic place and it also offers one of the best opportunities to admire the Frankfurt skyline, Romerberg square, Saint Paul’s Church, and Frankfurt’s Cathedral.

Final Thoughts

Frankfurt is a city that you can not miss on your visit to Germany. Come be culturally immersed in both of Frankfurt’s modern and traditional aspects. Experience intriguing art, science, and history, while also taking in the impressive views!

Only have 2 days to visit Frankfurt? Read our 2-day itinerary in Frankfurt now!

MY TOP RECOMMENDATIONS

BOOK HOTEL ON BOOKING.COM

BOOK HOSTEL ON HOSTELWORLD

GET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

LEARN HOW TO START A TRAVEL BLOG

LEARN HOW TO VOLUNTEER ABROAD

Welcome to Frankfurt am Main

Christmas Market

UEFA EURO 2024 in Frankfurt

Frankfurt loves and lives sport - and football in particular!

Hence, in the of summer 2024, Frankfurt will be in good company. Fans from all over the world will come together for UEFA EURO 2024 to cheer and celebrate - the sport, the football and the community. The most important facts about UEFA EURO 2024 and the Fan Zone in Frankfurt at a glance: 5 matches in Frankfurt and much more.

Top 7 To Do's

for your unforgettable visit to Frankfurt

Find inspiration

Visit the sights

Book a guided city tour

Explore FrankfurtRhineMain

Old Opera House Frankfurt

Palmengarten - Botanical Garden Frankfurt

#visitfrankfurt

Share your trip with us

Do you need further assistance?

Frankfurt Convention Bureau

Services for Meetings Industry

Frankfurt Services

Still have questions? Contact us at any time

Texts, images and information

Travel Trade

Services for Travel Trade

It appears that you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer as your web browser to access our site.

For practical and security reasons, we recommend that you use a current web browser such as Firefox , Chrome , Safari , Opera , or Edge . Internet Explorer does not always display the complete content of our website and does not offer all the necessary functions.

• Destinations

Frankfurt Travel Guide

The city of contrasts. From bratwurst and beer to Asian fusion, half-timbered homes to a stunning skyline—Frankfurt is being rebuilt in style and claiming its spot on the tourist map. Only 500 kilometers away from almost every other major city in Europe and with one of the continent’s busiest airports, Frankfurt is a great base to explore the region. —Inga Ros Antoniusdottir

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

Frankfurt am Main

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

• roughguides.com
• frankfurt-am-main
• Travel guide
• Itineraries
• Local Experts
• Travel Advice
• Accommodation

Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert

Book securely with money-back guarantee

Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support

Thrusting, dynamic FRANKFURT is the beating heart of Germany’s financial sector and home to the European Central Bank. It has an impressive skyline bristling with eye-catching skyscrapers, earning it the nickname Mainhattan, and business travellers flock here for the trade shows, which include the world’s largest book fair. It’s an important transport hub too, with Germany’s busiest Autobahn intersection and its largest international airport, linked directly to the high-speed ICE rail network.

Eating and drinking, Frankfurt style

Frankfurt and german history, frankfurt festivals, frankfurt’s jewish community: integration and persecution, the museumsufer.

First impressions of limousines, office towers and briefcases can suggest Germany’s fifth largest city is all work and no play, and among business travellers it sometimes commands more respect than affection. Yet if Frankfurt’s charms are occasionally elusive, they’re real enough, from alfresco Apfelwein -imbibing in Sachsenhausen to museum-hopping on the Museumsufer or Ibiza-style DJ bars atop city-centre car parks. Spend time discovering them and you’ll find this sophisticated, cosmopolitan city repays your investment with interest.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Germany, created by local experts

9 days  / from 2242 USD

A self drive exploration of UNESCO Sites in Southern Germany

Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites across different German states. This self drive trip allows you to design your own days with recommendations stated for each day.

7 days  / from 2878 USD

Explore Berlin and Potsdam in depth

The German capital Berlin has plenty to offer: from historical sites to world-class museums and a vibrant nightlife. Enjoy this private tour to explore a wide range of activities in Berlin and Potsdam, including several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

8 days  / from 1487 USD

Explore Northern Germany on Your Own

From Bremen to Stralsund - Northern Germany offers plenty of gems to explore. With well-developed public transportation links, this itinerary is suited for everyone wanting to explore on their own - getting lost on the cobble-stoned streets of many UNESCO World Heritage Highlights.

Frankfurt has its own, highly distinctive traditional food and drink culture. The Apfelwein taverns of Sachsenhausen are the ideal places to try Handkäs mit Musik – cheese marinated in oil and vinegar, which is absolutely delicious if done well – or Frankfurter Grüne Sosse – a refreshing, creamy sauce made with yoghurt or sour cream, eggs, and a bewildering variety of fresh green herbs, usually served with boiled meat. As for the Apfelwein itself – also known as Ebbelwoi , it’s the tart Frankfurt version of cider, often served in jugs and drunk Gespritzt with the addition of mineral water.

For all its high-octane modernity, Frankfurt has long played an often distinguished role in German history. In the Middle Ages it was a free imperial city, and even today its fierce civic pride echoes that doughty medieval independence. In 1562 it succeeded Aachen as the city in which Holy Roman Emperors were crowned, a role it retained until 1792, and in 1848 it was the setting for the first democratically elected German national assembly. A century later, it narrowly lost out to Bonn in the competition to become capital of the new Federal Republic of Germany. Frankfurt also has a proud Jewish history: the Rothschild banking dynasty originated here, and though the Jewish tradition was all but wiped out under the Nazis it has, of late, made a spirited comeback.

Frankfurt’s major festivals include the traditional Mainfest funfair and the Museumsuferfest cultural festival, both of which take place on the banks of the River Main in August; early September brings wine tasting to Fressgass in the form of the Rheingauer Weinmarkt . The city’s Christmas market is one of Germany’s most famous, with historic Römerberg as its setting.

In the early nineteenth century Frankfurt’s professional classes played a key role in the birth of the Jewish Reform movement , which introduced preaching and prayers in German and organ accompaniment for choirs, as well as rescinding the strict separation of men and women. On the eve of the Nazi takeover, the city’s Jewish community numbered 30,000, among them the young Anne Frank . In the years 1938 to 1942 more than seven hundred despairing Frankfurt Jews took their own lives; deportations of the rest to the ghettoes of Łódź, Minsk and Riga began late in 1941. The postwar community, founded in 1948, has grown in recent years and now has more than seven thousand members.

Along Schaumainkai stretches the so-called Museumsufer , an impressive line-up of museums and art galleries.

Museum für Angewandte Kunst

Museumsufer’s first attraction is the Museum für Angewandte Kunst (Museum of Applied Art), an airy white building by American architect Richard Meier. The collection highlights the magnificence of the craft skills of Renaissance Nuremberg and Augsburg; there are also superb Islamic ceramics and a crowd-pleasing section of modern classics, from the WG24 Bauhaus lamp to an Eileen Gray table and more recent pieces by Ron Arad, Philippe Starck and Verner Panton. The sections dealing with contemporary design have good labelling in English.

Museum der Weltkulturen

The Museum der Weltkulturen is the city’s ethnological museum, and presents temporary exhibitions of art from the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It was closed for renovation at the time of writing, but scheduled to reopen during 2012.

Deutsches Filmmuseum

Reopened in the autumn of 2011 after extensive reconstruction, the Deutsches Filmmuseum has a new permanent exhibition on two floors. The focus of the exhibits on the first floor is the development of the moving picture, starting with the eighteenth and nineteenth century predecessors of modern film, including early peep-show devices such as the Mutoscope and Magic Lantern before progressing to the pioneering work of the Lumière brothers. On the second floor, filmmaking techniques are explained. Temporary exhibitions explore the cultural side of cinema history. There’s also a small art-house cinema, whose programme includes screenings of silent movie classics.

Deutsches Architekturmuseum

The Deutsches Architekturmuseum next door to the Filmmuseum features a house-within-a-house used in the staging of temporary exhibitions. The permanent exhibition traces the development of building from the paleolithic hut to the skyscraper, and there’s good labelling in English.

Museum für Kommunikation

The Museum für Kommunikation presents the history of post and telecommunications with real flair, from the horse-drawn mail coaches which switched from wheels to sleighs in winter to the vintage postal vans and buses, a wartime Enigma-code machine and an amusing display of brick-like, early mobile phones.

Städel Museum

The undoubted star of the Museumsufer is the Städel Museum , which has a world-class collection of fine art from seven centuries. Recently refurbished and extended with a new gallery for post-1945 art added beneath the museum’s garden, the Städel has doubled its exhibition space, reopening in three phases during the winter of 2011/12. The original nineteenth-century museum building now exhibits the old masters and works of classic modernism. The Städel lost seven hundred works as a result of the Nazi campaign against “degenerate” modern art, and one of the most interesting features of the collection is the way in which works lost during the Third Reich have subsequently been re-acquired. Thus, you can see Franz Marc’s Dog Lying in the Snow , painted in 1910–11 and acquired in 1919, which was confiscated in 1937 and repurchased in 1961, or Max Beckmann’s Still Life with Saxophones , repurchased in 1955.

Other modernist gems include Picasso’s Portrait of Fernande Olivier , considered a definitive work of Cubism. Works of European art from the Middle Ages to the Baroque include Tischbein’s Goethe in the Roman Campagna , painted in 1787, which is the best-known likeness of the writer, while there is a heavyweight selection of early German painting, including Lucas Cranach the Elder’s Venus and works by Stephan Lochner and Albrecht Dürer. Non-German masters include Tiepolo’s Saints of the Crotta Family and Rembrandt’s Blinding of Samson . The Städel also hosts big-name temporary exhibitions.

Housed in a grandiose nineteenth-century villa at Schaumainkai 71, the sculpture collection of the Liebieghaus encompasses the art of classical antiquity along with splendid examples of the medieval German “beautiful” style and works of the Renaissance, Mannerist and Baroque periods. Among the highlights are Hans Multscher’s alabaster Holy Trinity of 1430 from Ulm and Matthias Steinl’s gorgeously theatrical Maria Immaculata from Vienna, created in 1688. The museum regularly stages excellent themed exhibitions, while the villa’s upper floors give an insight into the heavy historicist decor favoured by the city’s nineteenth-century elite. Close by, the westernmost of the Museumsufer’s museums, the Museum Giersch presents exhibitions of art from the Rhine–Main region.

Discover more places in Germany

• Travel Guide Morocco
• Travel Guide Namibia
• Travel Guide South Africa
• Travel Guide China
• Travel Guide India
• Travel Guide Indonesia
• Travel Guide Japan
• Travel Guide Laos
• Travel Guide Malaysia
• Travel Guide Myanmar (Burma)
• Travel Guide Nepal
• Travel Guide Philippines
• Travel Guide Singapore
• Travel Guide South Korea
• Travel Guide Sri Lanka
• Travel Guide Taiwan
• Travel Guide Thailand
• Travel Guide Australia
• Travel Guide Fiji
• Travel Guide New Zealand
• Travel Guide Belize
• Costa Rica Travel Guide
• Travel Guide Cuba
• Travel Guide Guatemala
• Travel Guide Honduras
• Travel Guide Jamaica
• Travel Guide Nicaragua
• Travel Guide Panama
• Travel Guide Puerto Rico
• Travel Guide Trinidad and Tobago
• Travel Guide Albania
• Travel Guide Austria
• Travel Guide Belgium
• Travel Guide Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Travel Guide Bulgaria
• Travel Guide Cyprus
• Travel Guide Czechia (Czech Republic)
• Travel Guide Denmark
• Travel Guide England
• Travel Guide Estonia
• Travel Guide Finland
• Travel Guide France
• Travel Guide Germany
• Travel Guide Greece
• Travel Guide Hungary
• Iceland Travel Guide

The Rough Guides to Germany and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Find even more inspiration here

Planning your own trip? Prepare for your trip

Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates

written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 27.04.2021

Ready to travel and discover Germany?

Get support from our local experts for stress-free planning & worry-free travels.

• Travel advice
• Where to stay

1 Day in Frankfurt Guide (Frankfurt am Main)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my  disclaimer policy.

Only got 1 day in Frankfurt? Here’s how to plan the ultimate 1 day itinerary.

Although Frankfurt is mostly known for being the country’s main airport hub and a financial center for business trips, rather than a tourist destination, the lively city of Frankfurt is the gateway to Germany and an ideal place for easy travel connections and convenient day trips.

Frankfurt is the very first city I visited when I moved to Germany (well, I saw the airport and the train station!) but I didn’t return to actually explore the city for several years. I’d always thought of it as kinda blah but I wish I’d visited sooner because it’s a wonderful city!

Whether or not Frankfurt am Main is at the top of your list of German cities to explore, it’s worth considering a visit to one of Germany’s major cities.

Join our FREE Germany Trip Planning Facebook Group!

So if you ever find yourself in Frankfurt on a long layover or if you have an extra day or two before or after a flight, get ready to explore, because the city might just take you by surprise.

Keep reading to learn about the best places to visit in Frankfurt, Germany and how to plan the ultimate 1 day itinerary.

• 1 When to Visit Frankfurt
• 2 Frankfurt or Frankfurt Am Main?
• 3 How to Get to Frankfurt
• 4 Visiting Frankfurt Upon Arriving in Germany
• 5 The Best Way to Get Around Frankfurt
• 6 Frankfurt Card – Yes or No?
• 7 Frankfurt Guided Tours
• 8 What to Do In Frankfurt in 1 Day
• 9 If You Have 2 Days in Frankfurt

When to Visit Frankfurt

Summer is the most popular time to visit Germany in general and Frankfurt is no exception. Warm temperatures and long sunny days are perfect for vacation but they do attract tons of tourists, which translates to higher prices for airfare and accommodations. Air conditioning isn’t common anywhere in Germany but you’ll probably be spending most of your time outdoors by the river or in beer gardens in the summer months.

The changing of the leaves during the fall months bring cooler temperatures and golden views of the city. Prices begin to drop and crowds also begin to thin out. The weather in the fall is still pleasant enough for you to enjoy walking around the city.

The winter season is a great option if you want to celebrate the holidays by exploring the Christmas markets. But be prepared to brave freezing temperatures and rainy or even snowy days. An upside is that prices are usually at their lowest, especially after the holidays. And even though many people visit the Christmas markets, it doesn’t feel as “touristy” as it can in the summer.

The bad weather slowly starts to disappear once springtime arrives. Locals are happy to step out with just a light jacket and spend time outdoors as the gardens start blooming. One of the best times to visit would be in early spring, just before the summer peak.

Frankfurt or Frankfurt Am Main?

You’ve probably seen the city referred to both ways. While most people simply call it Frankfurt, the city’s official name is Frankfurt am Main, meaning Frankfurt on Main. “Main” is the name of the river that flows through Frankfurt, so Frankfurt am Main means Frankfurt on the Main river.

The reason “am Main” is added to Frankfurt is because there’s another Frankfurt in Germany – Frankfurt an der Oder. Yep, that means Frankfurt on the Oder river. That Frankfurt is in eastern Germany, a couple hours away from Berlin on the Polish border.

Frankfurt am Main is much larger than Frankfurt an der Oder, so if you simply say Frankfurt, most everyone will know which one you mean.

How to Get to Frankfurt

Home to Germany’s main airport and one of the busiest central train stations in Germany, Frankfurt is va well-connected and easy destination to reach.

Wherever you may be traveling from, it’s easy to find a good connecting flight to Frankfurt International Airport.

Getting from Frankfurt Airport to the main train station is a quick 15-minute ride via S-bahn. Getting to the city center is also just as easy and quick via public transportation. You can get off at the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) and walk or ride to a specific stop downtown.

Another great way to travel to Frankfurt is by train, especially if you’re coming from within Germany or other European cities in neighboring countries.

Grab our FREE Germany Trip Planning Checklist Now!

Visiting Frankfurt Upon Arriving in Germany

If you’re flying into Frankfurt overnight from the US and want to catch a train to your final destination, but are worried about missing your train – and losing the money you paid for your ticket – due to a potential flight delay, plan a 1 day visit to Frankfurt!

Take public transportation from the airport to Frankfurt’s main train station (Hauptbahnhof), store your luggage, and then explore the city until shortly before your train departs.

Walking around the city will stave off jet lag, you won’t lose money by missing your train and forfeiting your ticket, and you’ll explore a lovely new city.

The Best Way to Get Around Frankfurt

Although Frankfurt spreads out in all directions, the inner city is pretty compact. On your visit, you’ll likely spend the majority of your time in the downtown or old town (Altstadt) area. You can easily reach historic Frankfurt and get to all sights in this area by walking from the train station.

For places that are a bit farther away, you can make use of the city’s public transportation which includes the U-bahn, S-bahn, trams, and buses.

If you’re only in the city for a day, going through the trouble of learning the transportation network might not be worth your time. In this case we suggest taking the Hop On Hop Off Bus tour since the bus routes bring you to all the best tourist attractions. For more information, head to the section on our recommended guided tours.

Frankfurt Card – Yes or No?

The Frankfurt Card offers you free unlimited travel on all public transport within the city of Frankfurt and Frankfurt International Airport (Zone 50 and Zone 5090). Not only that, it comes with up to 50% discount on select city tours, museums, restaurants, and other attractions.

The card is available for either one day (€ 11.50) or two days (€ 17.00). You can also choose between individual tickets or group tickets (3 to 5 persons). It’s a great deal but the question is – is it worth it for a 1-day trip?

If you’re mostly sightseeing in the downtown area, you might not get a lot of use out of it since you’ll be doing a lot of walking. But since it also includes transportation to and from the airport plus discounts on tourist spots, it’s worth looking into and deciding based on your itinerary.

All in all, we recommend buying your Frankfurt Card if you’re in the city for at least a day and a half to really make the most out of it. It’s especially worth it if you’re traveling as a group, since you can split the amount and avoid the extra cost of having to buy single tickets for every ride.

Frankfurt Guided Tours

Something that is definitely worth it for 1 day trips are guided tours. If you don’t have much time in a city the last thing you want to do is waste time arranging all the logistics and trying to find your way around.

The Hop On Hop Off Bus tour saves you the trouble of finding the best routes to get from one destination to another. Choose as many of the stops along the route to explore, all for the price of one ticket. Book your HOHO bus ticket here to discover Frankfurt at your own pace!

If you want to see the city from a different perspective, then book this tour that takes you on a cruise through the River Main . You’ll get great views of Frankfurt’s skyline while also passing through historical landmarks and neighborhoods. You can also choose between a 1-hour or 2-hour tour depending on how much time you have.

Want a more unique and personalized experience? Take this private tour with a local here! Upon booking, your guide get in touch and ask questions so they can customize the tour to your preferences. Get insider tips on the best places to eat, discover hidden gems, and experience the city like a true local.

What to Do In Frankfurt in 1 Day

Here are several things you can do and see in Frankfurt. You probably can’t fit all of them into just 1 day but you can definitely see several.

Old Town (Altstadt )

There’s no better place to start your Frankfurt itinerary than Old Town. It’s home to some of the city’s most important landmarks like Römerberg, the central main square. In the middle of the square amidst all the restored medieval houses, you’ll also find the Fountain of Justice around which the Christmas Market is set up each year.

Frankfurt’s City Hall ( Rathaus )

One of the most important medieval buildings in the historic old town is Römer, the city’s town hall since the 15 th century. The three-story building complex with its three-gabled roof and consisting of nine houses makes up for one of Frankfurt’s most iconic façades.

Frankfurt Cathedral (Frankfurter Dom )

A short walk away from the town hall, you’ll find the Frankfurt Cathedral, an impressive religious building with historical significance. This is also where coronation of emperors was hosted during the Holy Roman Empire. Visitors can also climb up the Gothic-style church’s tower and enjoy great views of Old Town.

Goethe House (Goethes Wohnhaus )

Take 5-minute walk from St. Paul’s Church to arrive at the birthplace of famous German author and poet Johann Wolfgang Goethe. Goethe lived here until the age of 16 and the preserved interior gives you glimpse into his youth. Next to the house, you’ll also find the Goethe Museum dedicated to his literary work.

St. Paul’s Church (Paulskirche )

Located opposite the town hall, St. Paul’s Church is an important symbol of German democracy. It was the seat of first German assembly in 1848 and in turn provided the basis for the German constitution. Now it’s a venue used for cultural events and award presentations. 

River Cruise on the River Main

Next, make your way down south to the Main river running through the heart of Frankfurt. If you want to take a break from sightseeing through busy streets, one of the best things you can do is stroll along the river banks and take in the city’s skyline.

To get an even better view of the skyline, you can take a river cruise departing from Eiserner Steg. You can book your ticket in advance here !

Iron Bridge (Eiserner Steg)

Eiserner Steg is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and popular places to take photos against Frankfurt’s skyline. Aside from the views, you’ll also spot tons of love locks left on the bridge. Crossing the iron bridge from the city center brings you to Sachsenhausen, a fun district known for its vibrant nightlife and trendy restaurants.

Museum Embankment (Museumsufer )

The Museum Embankment is a group of museums lining both sides of the River Main. Some of the world-class museums located here include the Museum of World Cultures, Städel Museum, the German Film Museum, the Museum of Applied Art, and the Icon Museum.

If going to museums are a big priority for your travels, then they’re all worth visiting. But if you don’t have enough time for all, choose only one or two favorites to visit!

Städel Museum

The Städel Museum is known as Germany’s oldest museum foundation. This historical museum houses an impressive collection of over 700 years of European art from the 14 th century to Renaissance, Baroque, to early modern art. Highlights include masterpieces by Rembrandt, Monet, Picasso, and Vermeer.

Museum of Applied Art (Museum Angewandte Kunst )

On the other hand, the Frankfurt Museum of Applied Art is dedicated to contemporary art focusing on design, fashion, and performance. The alternating exhibitions aim to push the boundaries of aesthetics and the meaning of applied art. The museum’s architecture itself is a unique and experimental space that can be enjoyed with all the senses.

Main Train Station (Frankfurter Hauptbahnhof )

Frankfurt’s central train station is a major transportation hub for both short and long distance traveling, welcoming over 350,000 passengers per day. The station offers direct connections to major cities like Brussels, Paris, and Amsterdam. If you’re planning any other trips from the city, Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof will certainly offer you the best travel connections.

European Central Bank

The European Central Bank is the central bank of the 19 EU countries that use the Euro. As one of the most significant financial institutions in the world, they are tasked with maintaining price stability. Though a fairly new building, the European Central Bank is sure to become an important urban landmark and feature of the city’s modern skyline.

Old Opera House (Alte Oper )

For other tourist spots further out from Old Town, check out Alte Oper. The historic opera house was damaged in World War II but was rebuilt in the 1970s. Now, it’s a concert hall where visitors can watch world-class musical productions and concerts of various genres such as classical music, jazz, and blues.

If you don’t have a lot of time left to catch a show, you can visit their website to find out when they offer guided tours in English.

Frankfurt Christmas Market (Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt )

If you’re traveling to Frankfurt during the holidays then you’re in for a treat! The main market, Frankfurt Christmas Market is widely known as one of the oldest in Germany. Römerberg, at the heart of Old Town, transforms into a festive wonderland, complete with a vintage carousel, sparkling lights, and a giant tree.

The great thing about this market is that it stretches from in both directions. You can head south towards the river if you want a break from all the crowds. Heading north towards Paulsplatz you’ll find rows of stalls selling traditional handicrafts and souvenirs.

Go farther up to Hauptwach and discover even more food stalls. So grab your glass of Apfelwein (apple wine) , try Bethmännchen (Frankfurt traditional Christmas cookies) and enjoy the holidays! 

If You Have 2 Days in Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s central location and travel connections make it a great base for taking day trips , especially if you’re staying for more than a day. You can easily reach these places by train or let a guided tour take care of all the logistics.

A new city you can explore from Frankfurt is the romantic city of Heidelberg. Situated along River Neckar, this beautiful city is home to the impressive Heidelberg Castle ruins and Heidelberg University, Germany’s oldest university. Fall in love with Heidelberg and book your tour here !

While in Heidelberg you can also drive through the Romantic Road in Bavaria to make your way to Rothenberg ob der Tauber, the best-preserved medieval town in Germany. This historic town feels like a step back in time, especially as you wander through the Castle Gardens and Old Town. To maximize your time, consider booking this tour that goes to Heidelberg and then directly to Rothenberg.

If you want more medieval Germany, take a day trip to Burg Eltz . This perfectly preserved castle overlooking the Moselle river has stayed under the same family since the 12 th century. Inside you admire knight halls and weaponry that take you back to the medieval ages.

The Rhine Valley is a great place to visit if you want a day trip packed with activities. Start by walking along the picturesque villages or wine tasting in vineyards in the hillsides. You can’t leave without taking a boat along the Rhine River to admire the landscape.

Then to end your trip, enjoy a cozy dinner by the riverbanks. Because of how vast the Rhine Valley is, we recommend booking a guided day trip here to see as much of it as possible.

Cate has been traveling to Germany for 30+ years. She has lived in Germany, taught college German, and has a PhD in German Applied Linguistics. She loves helping travelers plan their dream trips to Germany!

Similar Posts

Tips For Planning Your Neuschwanstein Day Trip From Munich

Best Things to Do and See in Heidelberg, Germany

Best Things to Do and See in Germany’s Black Forest

50 Famous Landmarks to Visit in Germany

Best Day Trips from Hamburg in 2024

Best Castles and Palaces in (or Near) Berlin, Germany

Here’s how we can help you plan your perfect trip in 2024.

GERMANY TRAVEL PLANNER:  Just getting started? Have questions about Germany’s confusing train tickets or how to find the best guided tours? Not sure which parts of Germany should be in your itinerary (and what to leave out)? Our  Germany Travel Planner  answers those questions and more via how-to videos, our interactive Germany Planning Map, City Cheatsheets, and MUCH more. Click here to unlock the best of Germany the easy way!

GERMANY TRAVEL CONSULT:  Feeling overwhelmed? Itinerary just not coming together? Wonder if a few tweaks would take your trip to the next level? Book a Mini or Full consult with Cate! She’ll help you create or tweak your itinerary, recommend train tickets/passes, hotels, things to do, guided tours, show you how to buy train tickets, orient you to specific cities, help you plan out day trips, and answer your Germany travel questions.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  We recommend using  Booking.com  since they have widest range of accommodations available from hostels, boutique hotels, luxury chains, aparthotels, at the best prices. Check out our  accommodation guides  for specific recommended hotels.

WHAT TO PACK: If you’re bringing your phone, be sure to bring this plug adapter , this power bank , and this wrist strap . They’ve been lifesavers for us! You can see our other packing essentials here and here .

TICKETS & TOURS:  For guided tours, day trips, private tours, and skip-the-line tickets,  Get Your Guide  is our go-to!

TRAINS & BUSES:  To research train schedules and buy tickets or a Germany Rail Pass, we recommend the official  Deutsche Bahn (German Rail System)  website (and download their DB Navigator app). For buses, look at  FlixBus  , which offers tickets for routes within Germany and to other European countries. FlixBus is often cheaper than trains but can take longer.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The Ultimate Frankfurt Travel Guide

December 14, 2019 | sarah funky.

SPONSORED BY JUMEIRAH FRANKFURT

Frankfurt is known as the “Gateway to Europe” — and travelers often only pass through, using it as a transit point to other major destination cities. However, Frankfurt has emerged as an up-and-coming travel destination because of its stunning sightseeing, great restaurants, and luxury hotels. Frankfurt has been called the Manhattan of Germany and locals have even nicknamed it “Mainhattan” because of the skyscrapers that line the Main River! In this guide, I’m going to show you the best things to do in this modern German metropolis!

WATCH THE FRANKFURT TRAVEL GUIDE!

INTERACTIVE MAP TO BRING WITH YOU WHILE YOU EXPLORE!

I have put together a color coded map of sightseeing, entertainment, restaurants, cafes, and bars suggested to me by locals and my followers on Instagram who have been to Frankfurt, in addition to places that I loved while I was there. This map covers the best of the best. I recommend you  click here to view the Google map on your phone while you explore the city. It will make it easier to see everything you can while you’re in town!

• Tip: Press the box with the arrow in it in the upper left corner to see the different categories by color.

WHERE TO STAY:

Where you stay can define your trip, which is why I recommend staying at the luxurious Jumeirah Frankfurt hotel. It won the award for Germany’s leading hotel four times already! It is located in the heart of the city, walking distance to the Opera House, the New Old Town, the banking quarter, and famous shopping streets. As the highest hotel in the city, it offers great views of the city’s skyline and has a modern yet timeless design. One of the most unique things that Jumeirah offers is a rooftop apiary (beehive), where they have 40,000 honeybees making fresh honey that is used in the restaurant, bar and spa! It is one of the only hotels in the world offering this special service.

They also have great dining options. Jumeirah Frankfurt’s dining options consist of the modern grill restaurant Max on One Grillroom, El Rayyan Lebanese Restaurant (belly dancing Saturdays at 7pm), and the elegant Ember Bar & Lounge. Every morning I had breakfast at Max on One Grillroom.

Art lovers will also adore Jumeirah Frankfurt because there is local art hung throughout the space that takes you on a poetic visual journey thanks to local German artist Hartwig Ebersbach. In each room as well as in the hotel’s public areas, you can find one of the Leipzig artist’s large-size original paintings, the largest collection worldwide. Central themes in the artworks are dreams, tales and legends. Between the artwork and the stunning view the Jumeirah Frankfurt is a visual feast!

HISTORY AND SIGHTSEEING

Understanding Frankfurt’s history will allow you to connect with it in a deeper way, which is I recommend taking a history tour. There are many options for tour companies but I recommend a private tour because it is a more personal experience and the guide can tailor the tour to your unique interests.

One area you must visit (tour guide or not) is Römerberg. Frankfurt suffered such extensive damage during World War II that much of its Altstadt (old town) had to be rebuilt. The restoration project, which started in the 1950s, was just completed in 2017. Fifteen historic houses were reconstructed and 20 new ones were built in the traditional style. Visitors can now enjoy the timber-framed buildings popular in Germany, as well as the lively square in the heart of Römerberg. Some of the most notable buildings there are the Old St. Nicholas Church and the Haus Römer, which together with the Goldener Schwan (Golden Swan) building belonged to the Römer merchant family in the 15th century.

TRY THE LOCAL FOOD & DRINK:

Germany’s food is one of the main things that define it so you should try the local food and drink while you’re here! I recommend using my map linked above while you explore so you always have my top suggestions on food and drink. Did you know Frankfurt is known for its apple wine? You can try it at most restaurants but one of my favorites is Affentorschänke a modern German restaurant located in the traditional area Sachsenhausen.

Another great option for a dinner with a stunning view, is Franziska . It is situated atop the Henninger Turm, features floor to ceiling glazed panoramic windows, allowing guests to enjoy a 360-degree view of the surrounding countryside and the impressive skyline. It is the perfect place for a breathtaking view and holiday dinner. Franziska also has a completely open show kitchen with an integrated kitchen counter. The imposing panoramic restaurant thus combines two of the most popular gastronomic trends in the world right now: firstly, chef’s table-counter and, secondly, rooftop dining. The menu is progressive German vintage cuisine, inspired by the recipes of the great-aunt of Christian Mook. Franziska offers exciting German cuisine with a modern twist – a cuisine that’s not limited by conventions, ingredients or techniques.

KLEINMARKTHALLE

Kleinmarkthalle is an amazing food market with tons of German food. There are hundreds of different stands in this market selling every type of German food you could imagine, plus international food. If you’ve been to Chelsea Market in New York it reminded me of this!

VISIT DURING THEIR ANNUAL EVENTS

Frankfurt has a number of exciting seasonal events worth noting on your calendar, such as Museumsuferfest in August and the annual Christmas market in December. There is something interesting happening in Frankfurt at any given time of the year. I’m here for their Christmas Market. To see a full experience of what that was like, watch my Christmas in Frankfurt video below . In that video, I’ll show you how to spend your best Christmas ever in Frankfurt!

VISIT A MUSEUM

Frankfurt is a museum lovers haven – it has over 60 different museums in the city alone. Art lovers should not miss the 200 year old Stadel Museum . It has one of the most important art collections in Germany with 2,700 paintings, 100,000 drawings and prints, and 600 sculptures. Its most famous attraction at the moment (only temporary exhibition until February) is the Van Gogh Exhibit.

The exhibition focuses on the creation of the “legend of Van Gogh” around 1900 as well as his significance to modern art in Germany. It unites more than 120 paintings and works on paper. At the heart of the exhibition are 50 key works by Vincent van Gogh from all phases of his artistic work. It is the most comprehensive presentation in Germany to include works by the painter for nearly 20 years.

• Tip 1: Most museums are free to those under 18 the last Saturday of every month.
• Tip 2: If you’re planning to fill your time with museum visits, then it’s worth getting a MuseumuferTicket , which grants entry to 16 of Frankfurt’s museums. Some of the city’s biggest museums are included, as well as the less well known. Family tickets and reductions are available.

GO SHOPPING

Since Frankfurt is the financial hub of Europe it has a great shopping scene! The pedestrian-only Zeil Strasse, which is conveniently attached to the Jumeirah Frankfurt, is where you will find a variety of big department stores like Peek & Cloppenburg, Galeria Kaufhof, and Karstadt, and brands like Zara, Mango, and C&A. If you’re looking for more upscale options head to the nearby Goethestrasse. Here you’ll find Chanel, Gucci, and Salvatore Ferragamo boutiques. The entire area between Kurt-Schumacher Strasse and Taunusanlange Park and the Opera is also a shopper’s paradise with smaller, independent boutiques featuring European labels. For specific store suggestions see my Frankfurt map .

• Tip: Please note that most shops are closed on Sundays so you’ll need to plan around this.

VISIT BAHNHOFSVIERTEL

Once an area locals stayed away from, Frankfurt’s red light district is now a cool place to go out at night. It is lined with restaurants, cafes, and bars. One of my favorite bars is Kinly Bar , which has become known for its excellent cocktail art and recently been awarded the best bar in Germany. It offers mix art at the highest level, and in an unpretentious atmosphere. An inconspicuous dark door is the gateway to happiness. Shortly after pressing the bell button, the door opens, and you go down a staircase – and into another time. The two rooms of the Kinly Bar are decorated with all sorts of pictures and furniture from the 1920s and radiate an instant, comfortable underground salon atmosphere. The Kinly is now almost synonymous with a novel concept of bar and mixology.

TALISE SPA AT JUMEIRAH FRANKFURT:

No vacation is complete without a relaxing spa experience! The exclusive Talise Spa at Jumeirah Frankfurt features two separate saunas, dedicated relaxation areas, five treatment rooms and an extensive range of tailor-made experiences in a luxurious atmosphere. Since they are one of the only hotels in the world with an apiary producing fresh honey, they offer several unique spa experiences using the honey from the honey bees!

Frankfurt is a city that every traveler needs to add to their bucket list. It is so much more than a layover city, there are tons of amazing things to do here! If you enjoyed this guide, please share with friends and have a great time in Frankfurt!

Comments are closed.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Keep exploring

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies
• 3rd Party Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

Germany Travel Guide

Frankfurt Germany: 3-day Itinerary and Map

Frankfurt is an important commercial and economic center of Europe due to its central location in the state of Hessen , Germany .

This ancient imperial city is dominated by buildings and carries nicknames like “ Mainhattan ” and “ Chicago on the Main “.

How to spend 3 days in Frankfurt Germany

In this 3-day itinerary in Frankfurt , discover the main attractions of the city.

Day 1 in Frankfurt

On your first day in Frankfurt explore the old town. Start by visiting the beautiful Römerberg , one of the symbols of the city. Several buildings and attractions are located on the square or in the surroundings such as St. Nicholas , Paulskirche , MMK , Frankfurt Cathedral .

Head to Iron Footbridge ( Eiserner Steg ) and enjoy the view of the Main river . Take a stroll along Goethestrasse , the city’s most elegant street with many luxury shops, and head to Goethe House . Hauptwache , another famous square, is located close to the Goethe House .

End the day by visiting the Main Tower for panoramic views of Frankfurt.

Things to see

• Paulskirche
• MMK Museum of Modern Art
• Frankfurt Cathedral
• Iron Footbridge
• Goethe House

Day 1 Itinerary Map

Day 2 – Day Trip from Frankfurt

On the second day, make a day trip to one of the nearby cities such as Würzburg or Heidelberg .

Day 2 Itinerary Map

Day 3 in Frankfurt

On the third day in Frankfurt start by visiting the Frankfurt Zoo , after a visit to the zoo pass by the Eschenheimer Turm , a tower from the 1400s that now houses a café and meeting rooms.

Another important building in the city is the Alte Oper, located on Opernplatz .

Head to the Senckenberg Natural History Museum , one of the most modern natural history museums in Europe .

• Frankfurt Zoo
• Eschenheimer Turm
• Senckenberg Natural History Museum

Day 3 Itinerary Map

Sights in Frankfurt

1. römerberg.

The Römerberg is located in the heart of the old town. The square has an irregular shape and in its center is located the Fountain of Justice ( Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen ).

Römerberg, 67354

2. Frankfurt Cathedral

The Frankfurt Cathedral is located in the center of Frankfurt . It is dedicated to  Saint Bartholomew . It was built in the 13th and 15th centuries in Gothic style.

Domplatz 1, 60311

3. Paulskirche

The Paulskirche is located on the Paulsplatz . It was built between 1790 – 1833 and restored in 1948.

The Church is important political symbolism in Germany and became in 1849 the seat of the Parliament of Frankfurt , the first publicly and freely elected German legislative body.

Paulsplatz 11, 60311 

4. Alte Nikolaikirche

The Alte Nikolaikirche is one of the symbols of the city. It is located in the old town. The church has 51 bells, 4 are used to resonate and 47 are used for chimes.

Römerberg 11, 60311 

5. Goethe House

The Goethe House where the greatest German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born and where he lived from his birth in 1749 until 1765, shows how his family and employees lived.

There are many rooms to be explored from the sumptuous decor of the dining room on the main floor to the top floor office where he wrote many first of his works.

Großer Hirschgraben 23-25, 60311

6. Naturmuseum Senckenberg

The Naturmuseum Senckenberg is one of the most modern natural history museums in Europe .

The museum houses Europe ‘s largest collection of large dinosaurs.

Senckenberganlage 25, 60325

7. Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art is considered to be one of the most important galleries in Europe of contemporary art. It was opened in 1991.

Domstraße 10, 60311

8. Alte Oper

The Alte Oper was built in 1880. It is located in the heart of the Opernplatz .

It remains one of the most important concert halls in the city.

Opernplatz 1, 60313 

9. Frankfurt Zoo

The Frankfurt Zoo is home to more than 4,500 animals representing at least 450 different species.

It is the second oldest zoo in Germany .

Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, 60316

10. Palmengarten

The Palmengarten is Germany ‘s largest Botanical Garden .

The gardens offer leisure facilities such as children’s playgrounds and picnic areas.

Siesmayerstraße 61, 60323

11. Hauptwache

The Hauptwache area is undoubtedly one of the busiest pedestrian areas in the city.

It is famous for its mix of historic old buildings and recent modern structures.

An der Hauptwache

12. Eschenheimer Turm

The Eschenheimer Turm was built in the early 1400s. It is 47 meters high and still impresses with its dimensions.

Today the tower houses a café and meeting rooms.

Eschenheimer Tor 1, 60318 

13. Commerzbank Arena

The Waldstadion has been updated several times. At the beginning of the new millennium, it was completely refurbished and received a new concept as the Commerzbank Arena .

Mörfelder Landstraße 362, 60528

14. Main Tower

The Main Tower is 200 meters high. The construction of the Main Tower was completed in 1999, a tall building with a facade made entirely of glass was first built in Europe .

This building is particularly popular with people from Frankfurt and tourists. It has an observation platform accessible to the public with a restaurant.

Neue Mainzer Str. 52-58, 60311

Where to stay in Frankfurt

1. fleming´s frankfurt.

The Fleming´s Frankfurt is located 15 minutes by tram from the Frankfurt Messe .

Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, minibar, safe.

Lange Str. 5-9, 60311

2. Hilton Frankfurt City Centre

The Hilton Frankfurt City Centre is located approximately 15 minutes walk from the Römerberg .

Rooms feature contemporary decor with a large window overlooking the city or park.

The hotel has a swimming pool and sauna.

Hochstraße 4, 60313

3. Marriott Frankfurt

The Marriott Frankfurt is located near the Messe .

Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, minibar, safe, work desk.

Hamburger Allee 2, 60486

Malls and Department Stores in Frankfurt

The My Zeil is located near the Hauptwache .

Brands: Adidas, Bench, Guess, Pandora, Gant, Swarovski.

Zeil 106 1. UG- 7. OGU-Bahn Station Hauptwache, 60313

2. Karstadt Frankfurt

Karstadt is a German department store chain with many stores in Germany .

The company features brands like Cacharel, Clarins, Coach, Desigual, Estée Lauder.

Zeil 90, 60313

3. Skyline Frankfurt

The Skyline Frankfurt is located 850 meters from the Messe .

Brands: Marc O´Polo, Mango Kids, Mango, Pandora, Zara, Zara Home, Swarovski.

Europa-Allee 6, 60327

4. Galeria Kaufhof Frankfurt

Galeria Kaufhof is a German department store chain with many stores in Germany .

The company features brands like Esprit, S. Oliver, Tom Taylor, Gerry Weber, Tommy Hilfiger, Bugatti, Olymp.

Zeil 116-126, 60313

5. Hessen Center

The Hessen Center is located 7 km from the old town.

Brands: Bonita, Douglas, Tom Tailor, Vero Moda.

Borsigallee 26, 60388

6. Wertheim Village

The Wertheim Village is an outlet located in Wertheim 88.5 km (55 miles) from Frankfurt .

Brands: Fossil, Coach, Calvin Klein, Diesel, Gant, Escada, Lacoste, Versace, Tommy Hilfiger.

Almosenberg, 97877 Wertheim

Plan your Trip

Frankfurt  has easy train access from various cities in Germany . Famous cities nearby: Mannheim , Heidelberg ,  Stuttgart , Koblenz , Wiesbaden .

Mannheim – 84.2 km (52.3 miles)

Heidelberg – 88.7 km (55.1 miles)

Stuttgart – 206 km (128 miles)

Koblenz – 127 km (78.9 miles)

Wiesbaden – 39 km (24.2 miles)

Cologne – 189 km (118 miles)

Würzburg – 119 km (73.9 miles)

Baden-Baden – 175 km (108 miles)

Book a Train Trip

Frankfurt Germany Map

Book your trip, book your accommodation.

Book your hotel with Booking.com as they consistently provide the cheapest and lowest rates.

Book Your Flight

Find cheap flights to Germany by using  Momondo . Momondo is a flight search engine that searches a lot of different airlines, including many budget carriers.

Book a Train Ticket

Check the train routes and schedules with Omio . Omio is an authorized Deutsche Bahn ticket seller, which compares and combines transport options for complete flexibility.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, and cancellations. It’s a protection in case anything goes wrong. You can book your travel insurance with Travelexinsurance.com .

20 Top Things to do in Frankfurt

10 Best Hotels near Romerberg Square Frankfurt

The Best Museums in Frankfurt

The Best Beer Gardens (Biergarten) in Frankfurt

Top 10 Hotels Near the Frankfurt Messe

10 Suggested Itineraries for Germany + Top Destinations

Outlets & Department Stores in Germany: Shopping Guide

40 Popular Train Routes in Germany

German States Map

German States and Regions

• South Africa
• Afghanistan
• North Korea
• Adventure + Outdoors
• Amusement Parks
• Backpacking Trips
• Boating + Cruises
• Budget Travel
• Bus + Train Travel
• Coasts + Islands
• Country Trips
• Fall Vacations
• Family Vacations
• Green Travel
• Heritage + History
• Honeymoons + Romance
• Inspiration + Guide
• Landmarks + Attractions
• LGBT Travel
• Markets + Bazaars
• National Parks + Reserves
• Nature + Wildlife
• Parks + Gardens
• Pets + Animals
• Photography
• Airlines + Airports
• Budgeting + Currency
• Business Travel
• Celebrity Travel
• Customs + Immigration
• Deals + Rewards
• Family Travel
• Hotels + Resorts
• Luggage + Packing Tips
• Offbeat News
• Photography Tips
• Responsible Travel
• Solo Travel
• Tech + Gear
• Travel Etiquette
• Travel Warnings
• Bars + Clubs
• Celebrity Chefs
• Restaurants + Cafés
• Wine + Vineyards
• Beach Hotels
• Boutique Hotels
• Hotel Openings
• Hotel Reviews
• Luxury Hotels
• Mountain + Ski Resorts
• Spa Resorts
• Vacation Rentals
• Asia Cruises
• European Cruises
• Festivals + Events
• Museums + Galleries
• Style + Design
• Travel’s Best
• Hotel with Agoda.com
• Hotel with Booking.com

Leh Ladakh bike trip itinerary — How to spend 6 days…

Leh Ladakh bike trip blog — Ladakh bike trip guide &…

Guide to Shenzhen nightlife — Top 5 things & what to…

Ladakh trip cost per person from Delhi — How much does…

India trip tips — 9+ things to know before going to…

All about tips in Nepal — How much to tip in…

Cambodia travel tips — 15+ what to know & things to…

When is the best time to visit Kyoto? — The best,…

Must eat in Hong Kong — 7+ must eat & must…

Must eat in Georgetown — 10+ famous, must-eat & best street…

Must eat in Melaka — 10+ famous Malacca street food &…

Hong Kong Soya sauce Chicken Rice and Noodles — The first…

Top hotels in Siem Reap — 8+ best places to stay…

Top hotels in shanghai — 15+ best hotels in Shanghai

Top hotels in Malacca — 10+ good & best hotels in…

Top places to stay in Bali — Top 10 best areas…

10 must-know things for your best first time European river cruise

Top 3 best luxury cruises in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Cherry blossom festival Korea 2024 — Top 5 cherry blossom festivals…

Ghibli museum blog — The fullest Ghibli museum guide for first-timers

Kyoto festival — Top 10 best events & most famous festivals…

National Palace Museum Taipei blog — What to see in National…

Japanese waterfall — Top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan in…

19+ most beautiful towns in Europe every tourist need to visit…

Georgia travel photos — 20+ captivating photos show Georgia is heaven…

Explore Damnoen Floating Market — The oldest floating market of Thailand

Visiting Fenghuang Ancient Town — One of the most charming ancient…

Mekong Delta travel blog — Beyond rivers of Southwestern Vietnam

14 reasons why you should travel when you are young

Shigaraki Tanuki – An animal symbol of good luck in Japan

Living in the charms of cave houses in Andalucia, Southern Spain

20+ jaw-dropping tiny homes around the world

Frankfurt travel blog — the fullest frankfurt travel guide for first-timers.

Romantic, beautiful and tinged with antiquity are what people usually think of Germany, including its quaint but equally modern cities. However, in the current travel world, in addition to familiar names on the German tourist map such as Berlin, Bavaria, Potsdam, Munich, Hamburg… trippers are more choosing to travel to Frankfurt. So, is Frankfurt worth visiting, what to do in Frankfurt and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Frankfurt for the first-time? Let’s check out our Frankfurt travel blog (Frankfurt blog) with the fullest Frankfurt travel guide (Frankfurt city guide, Frankfurt guide, Frankfurt tourist guide, Frankfurt visitor guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit, what to eat and top things to do in Frankfurt to find out the answer!

• Zugspitze blog — The fullest Zugspitze travel guide for a spectacular Zugspitze trekking trip
• Dresden travel blog — The fullest Dresden travel guide for first-timers
• Bonn travel blog — The fullest Bonn travel guide & what to do in Bonn Germany
• Munich travel blog — The fullest Munich travel guide for first-timers
• What to buy in Germany? — 19+ best gifts, souvenirs & best things to buy in Germany

When traveling in Germany, you cannot forget to visit Frankfurt – The 5th Germany’s largest city and the economic center of Europe. Coming here, you will be overwhelmed by the bustling scene on streets, the vibrant rhythm of daily life and modern architecture with skyscrapers. You will have an opportunity to admire countless massive constructions, luxury headquarters of the world’s leading banks, insurance companies and high-rise buildings that can’t help but make people overwhelmed and captivated.

It can be said that Frankfurt is a combination of the vibrant characteristics of cities in North America, both with deep and slow beauty coming from dozens of museums and splendid classical architectures. In addition, the scenery of the skyline is also an important highlight of Frankfurt. If you are a lover of art, nature or simply want to explore a wonderful German city, never miss Frankfurt! With the places to visit as well as the useful travel tips we suggest below, you will surely have a great trip.

Frankfurt travel blog: Overview of Frankfurt

Frankfurt (full name Frankfurt am Main) is a city in the state of Hessen, western Germany. Frankfurt stretches 30km along the romantic Main River. With this location, the city has transformed itself into one of Germany’s busiest trading hubs.

This city is considered not only the financial capital of Germany but also of Europe with modern skyscrapers located close to the river Main. The headquarters of the European Central Bank and other major banks such as Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank and Dresdner Bank are all concentrated in Frankfurt. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange is also one of the largest stock exchanges in the world. Frankfurt is also an important fairground city around the world. In addition, Frankfurt is also an important intersection of Germany and Europe.

As the 5th largest city in Germany after Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt is known as the leading financial center in Europe and recently this city also entered the top 15 most ideal cities in the world. Frankfurt is located on two banks of the romantic Main River, to the southeast of the hilly region of Taunus and in the southwestern region of Germany. Moreover, this is also the venue for many important trade fairs, such as the Frankfurt Auto Show (International Motor Show Germany) or the Frankfurt Book Fair. It is also the birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Specifically, Frankfurt has long been an important interchange in all three forms: River, rail, road and air. Accordingly, Frankfurt connects the route from Switzerland and southern Germany to the center. The city’s status became increasingly important when the Main Canal was built in 1880. Currently, Frankfurt Airport is the largest airport in Germany and one of the busiest in Europe.

International trade fairs have been held in Frankfurt since 1240 and the city is now Germany’s leading commercial, financial and high-tech center. Every year, there are many book, automobile and computer fairs held, bringing together the top names in the manufacturing industry (including automobiles, machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, printing materials and foodstuffs…). This city also has very famous traditional sausages.

Frankfurt travel blog: When to come?

Frankfurt is a city with temperate oceanic climate with four seasons of the year. The summers are extremely hot, but the winters are extremely cold. In particular, the rainfall in Frankfurt is always evenly distributed among the months of the year, but in winter, it usually rains more.

Summer is usually sunny with an average temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius. However, in midsummer the temperature can peak up to 35 degrees Celsius, with scorching heat. However, in the summer, there are also sudden rains that make the temperature drop a lot. And winter is extremely cold, often the temperature will fall in the range of -10 degrees Celsius, but rarely snow, but rain often occurs.

The best time to explore Frankfurt is in late spring and early autumn because at this time the weather is very pleasant, cool, fresh air, not too hot nor too cold.

And if you are a lover of fairs, you can choose to visit Frankfurt from August to October. At this time, Frankfurt will be the venue for 2 huge fairs which are:

• August: The time of the fair Frankfurt Motor Show (Automobil-Ausstellung)
• October: The time for the Frankfurt Book Fair Buchmesse (Frankfurter Buchmesse)

Note: If you choose to come Frankfurt from August to October, this is the peak season that most tourists choose to go. Therefore, the number of visitors is very crowded. Therefore, to avoid the situation of running out of tickets, or running out of rooms, you should book flight tickets and hotels early.

Frankfurt travel guide: How to get to Frankfurt?

Frankfurt Airport is the largest airport in Germany and one of the largest airports across Europe, the distance from the airport to city center is 13 kilometers and serves as the main hub for Lufthansa which is the flag carrier of Germany. There are many international airlines operating flight routes here such as Vietnam Airlines, Aeroflot Russian, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, China Southern Airlines… To find the best routes as well as good airfares based on your departure point, you can go to Google Flights , Skyscanner , Kayak to hunt.

There are three options for getting from Frankfurt Airport to the city center: Train, bus or taxi. If you choose the train, it will take you about 40 minutes to travel and the cost is around 4.65 EUR. Travel by airport bus is faster 30 minutes with a ticket of about 4.35 EUR.

However, to avoid wasting time looking for a car, getting lost or being “challenging price”, try Klook Airport Transfer service !

Frankfurt guide: Getting around Frankfurt

Frankfurt is one of the most modern and principled cities in Germany as well as in the world, when using any public transport in this city you will be amazed by the accuracy and civility as well as the smart and convenient transportation system here. This is also one of the tourist attractions of Frankfurt.

The public transport system in Frankfurt all use a common ticket, to use these vehicles, you can buy a ticket at ticket vending machines at any stop or station. In addition to the one-time-use tickets (single tickets), you can also choose to buy a day ticket, a journey ticket, etc. to save more if you travel a lot.

To getting around Frankfurt, you can choose to visit the city by metro, train, tram and bus.

Metro (U-Bahn): Trains run every 2 to 5 minutes in the city center. Frequency will slow down from 10 to 20 minutes/trip after 8pm.

Train (S-Bahn): Runs every 3 minutes during rush hour and slows down, every 15 to 30 minutes at night or in the suburbs. Trains start at 4am or 6am for some special routes and end at 8pm.

Bus: Bus stops are marked with a circular sign with the letter “H.”, tickets are available at U-Bahn, S-Bahn or purchased directly from the driver. Night buses run from 1am to 4 am.

Bike: And a very relaxing experience that most visitors find interesting is to go by bicycle to explore the city. You can rent a bicycle in Frankfurt for about 12 Euros. There are also many bicycle or e-bike rental shops in the city such as Electric Bike Frankfurt, Frankfurtbiketour.com, Fahrradverleih Bellorange, ListNRide, Nextbike… from 10am to 6.30pm, rental price stating at €12. Frankfurt has a dedicated bicycle lanes, so you can ride your bike here without any worries.

Taxi: Taxis are quite expensive and are plentiful in the city center. Start at €2 and add at least €1.53 per kilometer.

Frankfurt travel blog: Where to go and what to do in Frankfurt?

Romerberg and old town.

The place is considered the heart of the city that you should visit is the Romerberg square. This square is located right in the city center. And if visitors come here, they will be captivated by its quaint and bustling beauty. This is also a regular place for trade fairs and many major city events. It has medieval architecture with the Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen fountain (Fountain of Justice), which once sprayed free wine for visitors to enjoy when Holy Roman Emperor Matthias ascended the throne.

The Römerberg is a picturesque public square in the heart of Frankfurt’s Old Town (Altstadt). Not only tourists, many people of the city also like to come here to take a walk, enjoy the bustling atmosphere or participate in interesting activities such as the Christmas market…

The square is famous for the cluster of 11 buildings that make up the medieval Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), which has been immaculately preserved since 1954. Coming to Römerberg, we should also visit the elegant Royal Great Hall (Kaisersaal), the venue for splendid banquets. Other notable structures in Römerberg include the 14th-century Gothic church of Saint Leonhard, Church of St. Nicholas, the History museum (Historisches Museum Frankfurt) was founded in 1878 and the six buildings in the traditional Ostzeile style…

Senckenberg Museum (Frankfurt travel blog)

Address: Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Hours: 9AM–5PM

One of the famous tourist attractions in Frankfurt that you should visit is the Senckenberg museum. This is a museum displaying many unique and valuable collections, including dinosaur skeletons dating back millions of years.

Städel Museum

Address: Schaumainkai 63, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Hours: 10AM–6PM/Monday: Closed

The Städel Museum (Städelsches Kunstinstitut und Städtische Galerie) owns expensive painting collections, dating back to the 14th century. It is also the most important museum in the complex of Frankfurt’s museums. Here, you should take the time to admire the works of Rembrandt, Vermeer, Goya and later artists such as Monet, Degas, Beckman and Picasso.

To better understand the works, you can take a tour with an English-speaking guide or, visit workshops, talkshows, and the on-site library.

Römer (Old Town Hall)

Address: Römerberg 23, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

The town hall was chosen as the meeting place of the city council, located in the heart of Frankfurt’s old town. The facade of this town hall consists of 3 gables and is designed in a very unique terrace shape.

On the second floor of the town hall, visitors can also visit the Emperor’s Hall, or Kaisersaal. You will learn more historical stories here, and a small fee will be collected when you visit the site. If your trip coincides with December, it will be great to experience the Christmas market before the holidays. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy local dishes and buy many souvenirs for their loved ones.

Römer – The town hall with classical German architecture, experiencing a long history of 6 centuries. This is where the coronation banquets of many Roman emperors in history took place. Römer is located in the heart of Frankfurt’s old town, so you can combine it with other tourist attractions easily.

Location: Neue Mainzer Straße 52-58; Frankfurt; Hesse, Germany

This is the tallest building in Frankfurt, one of the top attractions when traveling here. If you come here at night, you will enjoy the vibrant city scene, the whole city is immersed in shimmering bright lights. In addition, you can enjoy many delicious dishes and sip a glass of fine wine at Main Tower restaurant & bar.

This 56-storey skyscraper located in the Innenstadt district of Frankfurt. The name of this building is named after the main river nearby. As can be seen, this is the only high-rise building in Frankfurt with a public observatory. Take the elevator to the top of the building nearly 200m, you will have a panoramic view of the beautiful shimmering city in front of you. And what’s more, you can enjoy delicious cocktails and meals at  its bar and restaurant.

Palmengarten

Address: Palmengarten der Stadt, Siesmayerstraße 63, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Hours: 9AM–7PM

It is one of three botanical gardens in the Westend-Süd district. This botanical garden has an area of ​​​​about 22 hectares where many other plant species grow. And if you are a lover of nature and plants, this garden is a great choice for you.

Located in Bockenheimer Landstrasse, The Palm Garden is the largest botanical garden in Germany with 22 acres in size, opened in 1871. Splendid in design, the natural appeal comes from the garden’s vegetation attracted many leading artists of the time, including Buffalo Bill.

The highlight of The Palm Garden is the lush vegetation distributed in ideal living conditions (perfectly simulated), the greenhouses growing tropical and subtropical plants. In addition, this Frankfurt tourist attraction also impresses with boating activities, children’s playground… and especially Europaturm – a 337m high telecommunications tower nearby.

Not only seeing and enjoying the green space, visitors can also go for a boat tour, enjoy the wines or specialties of the Frankfurt, play a few golf games or even enjoy the musical performances right in the garden.

Eiserner Steg

Address: Eiserner Steg, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Coming to Frankfurt, remember to visit the Eiserner Steg bridge. In addition to serving the travel needs of the people here, Eiserner Steg is also an ideal place for couples and put love locks on the bridge with the desire for a lasting love.

St. Paul’s Church

Address: Paulsplatz 11, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Hours: 10AM–5PM

St. Paul is a historical and political church of Frankfurt. The church played an important role in the revolution of 1848 as it became the home of liberals to elect the first German Parliament. Every 3 years, the church of St. Paul will host a ceremony to award the Goethe Prize – Germany’s most prestigious literary award. Here, you can learn more about German history, admire works of art and admire the vast main hall.

The large church hall has an oval shape and next to it is a clock tower that is individually designed and made of precious and beautiful dark red sandstone. Stepping inside, visitors will feel the whole atmosphere of meetings and discussions about politics from the past in the hall. And to this day, this venue hosts the event and presents the Goethe literary prize every three years.

Frankfurt Cathedral

Address: Domplatz 1, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Hours: 9AM–12PM, 1:15–8PM/Friday, Sunday: 1:15–8PM

Frankfurt Cathedral or Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew is one of the “gems” of Germany and a symbol of the city of Frankfurt with its unique Gothic beauty.

Apple Cider

This is the place to provide cider, the typical drink of Frankfurt. In Frankfurt, when strolling through the cobbled streets of Sachsenhausen, don’t forget to visit this old and wonderful Apple Cider.

Eschenheimer Tower

Address: Eschenheimer Turm, 60318 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Hours: 12PM–1AM/Friday, Saturday: 12PM–3AM

The Eschenheimer Tower, which began construction in the 1400s, remains a relic from the old city walls of Frankfurt. At 47 meters high, the tower is huge in size and dominates the Eschenheimer Gate area. Currently, the tower houses a meeting room used by local historic societies.

Kleinmarkthalle Market

Address: Hasengasse 5-7, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Hours: 8AM–6PM/Sunday: Closed

The next destination is also a shopping place that you can choose when coming to Frankfurt, Kleinmarkthalle, which is known as the two-story market. Like many other cities, the main hall of Kleinmarkthalle was destroyed by bombs in 1944. The main hall you see today was restored and completed in 1954. This is the extremely loved site by locals. Drop by here, where you can buy fresh meats, cheeses, dried fruits, fresh flowers, and sweet treats like chocolates and pies. After walking around the market, you can stop by the Markt-Stubb cafe to enjoy delicious food and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Grüneburgpark

Address: August-Siebert-Straße 22, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

This place is Frankfurt’s largest park and attracts many tourists to visit. Perhaps because the natural space is spacious, airy, and the atmosphere is fresh, people come here to walk and relax. Although Frankfurt has many parks, Grüneburgpark is still the most popular park. Located near two university yards, many young people often come here, as well as civil servants come to relax after working.

Address: Opernpl. 1, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

The Alte Oper theater was the city’s grand theater in the past, and is now used as a concert hall. Visiting the theater, visitors will be able to see an extremely monumental building and unique work by sculptural details, intricate Renaissance architecture and kept intact according to the original design from 1880.

In addition to visiting the theater space and its interior alike, visitors can also register to book tickets and attend concerts of classic musical and comedy works in the world. The capacity in the hall of the Alte Oper theater is up to 2,500 seats. Enjoy and immerse yourself in this impressive art space.

This is where the legendary first operas such as Carmina Burana, Carl Orff performed. This is not only a historical building, this is also a beautiful architectural work of the era. You should come here once to admire the bare traces of time and create beautiful shapes to every corner of the theater.

Goethe’s House

Address: Frauenplan 1, 99423 Weimar, Germany Hours: 9:30AM–6PM/Monday: Closed

This is an old house located in Zeil, passed through many owners, since 1733. Now it has been restored in memory of the poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Inside the house, you will admire an ancient architecture from the early 18th century. It is also a small museum displaying relics, famous and precious works of the poet Goethe.

Goetheturm (Wooden Tower)

The unique wooden tower, built in 1967, is a symbol worth visiting and admiring when coming to Frankfurt. The tower after World War I was restored and replaced by a new tower. Every weekend or fun festival, tourists or people around come here to be extremely bustling and vibrant.

In addition to the above places, there are still many other great places in Frankfurt that a travel lover cannot ignore such as:

• German Architecture Museum (Address: INTERIM ! Das Originalmuseum ist geschlossen: (am Schaumainkai, Henschelstraße 18, 60314 Frankfurt am Main, Germany/Hours: 12–7PM; Monday: Closed) – The museum displays many designs of high-rise buildings and architecture in general. There is also a small coffee shop. Admission fee for adults €6.00, children €3.00.
• German Film Museum (Address: Schaumainkai 41, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany/Hours: 10AM–6PM; Monday: Closed). The German Film Museum exhibits the art and history of filmmaking. Closed on Monday. Admission fee for adults €4.00, children €1.50.
• Messe Frankfurt is one of the largest exhibition centers in the world, hosting many exhibitions big, small and great.
• Holzhausen Castle in Adolph von Holzhause Park.
• Bethmann Park.
• Forest Playground “Carl-von-Weinberg”
• Forest Louisa Playground.
• Fountain of Myth: Called a “fairytale fountain” with the image of a water goddess, the Fountain of Myth in Innenstadt is a perfect place to rest and feel the old charm of the bustling cosmopolitan city of Frankfurt.

Frankfurt travel guide: What and where to eat?

When traveling to Frankfurt, you definitely cannot ignore the excellent cuisine here. And the KaisserStrasse area is the ideal dining place for you. This is a place where you can find a lot of delicious food and savory drinks. Especially the Turkish and Middle Eastern food.

Especially, every day at 3pm, you can join the outdoor buffet here. A variety of street foods such as: Grilled meat, grilled fish, traditional German sausages, smoked meat, cakes, fruits, specialty dishes… You just need to take the plate, choose the food and pay to have a full meal without having to move much. Remember to order more German beer and fermented famous apple juice Ebbelwei to enjoy.

So when coming to this city, what food should we enjoy? Don’t miss the following list!

Grüne Soße: Green sauce with boiled eggs and boiled potatoes. This special condiment is made from seven different herbs: Borage, cherries, watercress, parsley, salad burnet, sorrel and chives. If you are more sophisticated, you can eat it with chicken or beef breast. This soup has a unique aroma, a rare cool taste.

Frankfurter Würstchen: This is a famous German sausage dish. It is a long sausage made from pork. You can serve it with white bread, mustard and vegetables.

Handkäs mit Musik: Handkäse mit Musik is the name of a traditional cheese in Frankfurt. Handkäse mit Musik is handcrafted by hand and then shaped into squares, round… topped with cheese topped with onion, salt and pepper sauce. Handkäse mit Musik is often used in appetizers, the cheese is light yellow in color, with a slightly pungent taste. Because it is made from yogurt, the dish is high in protein and low in fat, making it a nutritious dish for dieters.

Sauerkraut: Sauerkraut is a familiar dish in the daily meal of the people of Frankfurt. The main ingredients of this dish include roasted pork and sautéed sour cabbage. When eating Sauerkraut, you will see a long combination of sweet and fatty flavors mixed with the mild sourness of marinated cabbage, stimulating the palate.

Bockwurst: Talking about German cuisine, it is impossible not to mention sausages. Of the more than 200 different types of German sausages, Frankfurt’s Bockwurst is the most appreciated. This sausage is made from ground veal and pork, seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika… then smoked with oak wood, extremely fragrant. In addition to be grilled, Bockwurst also combines with bread, pasta… to diversify flavors for visitors to choose from.

Frankfurter Kranz: Aka Frankfurt Crown Cake is a dessert loved by the people of Frankfurt. The cake is soft and fluffy, shaped like a ring, consisting of 3 main horizontal layers: sponge cake, butter cream and strawberry jam. The surface of the cake is covered with krokant seeds, crispy caramel… for decoration, it looks very pretty. It’s quite similar to the birthday cake you get to eat but has a very creamy and delicious butter and cream.

Apfelwein: If Germans are famous for beer, in Frankfurt, people love Apfelwein cider. The sweet and sour taste of apple cider captivates anyone who tastes it. The most famous and delicious cider is served in the Sachsenhausen region.

Frankfurter Rippchen is an all-time favorite dish. The dish consists of pork with mashed potatoes and mustard. Best dish when eaten hot, quite suitable for making a nutritious breakfast.

Rindswurst is another sausage based on beef recipe known since 1894. It is a long tradition of Frankfurt. Not too fussy, you can eat this dish with rye bread and mustard and you can feel its great deliciousness.

Frankfurt travel blog: Shopping

Zeil is the main shopping street in Frankfurt, it is also one of the most bustling shopping streets across Europe. There are many shops such as Galeria Kaufhof or Karstadt, shopping complexes such as Zeilgalerie and many other shops, mostly fashion. In addition, visitors can also buy at Goethestrasse, or buy souvenirs at Bockenheim, or Schillerstrasse.

However, you should also note, the shopping stalls here are usually open from morning to 8PM, only a few large malls close at 10pm and most do not open for sale on Sundays. You should consider choosing the right time to buy goods for yourself as well as souvenirs for friends.

Frankfurt blog:Where to stay?

Surely when it comes to Frankfurt, it is impossible not to mention convenient places to stay here. Let’s take a look at a few places.

If you want to stay in an area close to the center without being too hustle and bustle, Zentrum-Altstadt is an ideal place. It has many ancient buildings and is close to beautiful attractions such as Romerberg square or churches with classical architecture such as St. Bartholomew Cathedral, Paulskirche.

If you want to stay close to the entertainment center, then Bahnhofsviertel is a suitable choice. This place focuses on entertainment facilities, red light district. In addition, Bahnhofsviertel is also quite famous for its large, peaceful green grounds.

An area that is quite suitable if you want to explore the ancient history of Frankfurt is Sachsenhausen . It is known for Museumsufer, a series of riverside museums covering topics as diverse as Jewish art, film, architecture and history. In the Old Quarter there are many lively cider pubs, bars and clubs. You can see many people riding bicycles or rollerblading along the romantic Main River.

Gutleutviertel is a bit more modern than Sachsenhausen. This place also has a lot of restaurants, located along the romantic Main River. You can visit the beautiful glass Westhafen tower here. Besides the ancient gardens, the rows of apartment buildings follow each other closely, making visitors feel the blend of classic and modern very clearly.

Bornheim neighborhood is suitable for those who want to find a peaceful space. This area is located outside the city center, east of Frankfurt. It has interesting cobblestone streets, tree-lined boulevards and maze-like alleys that are quite interesting.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Steigenberger Airport Hotel Frankfurt ( Agoda , Booking )
• Scandic Frankfurt Museumsufer ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hilton Frankfurt City Centre ( Agoda , Booking )
• Adina Apartment Hotel Frankfurt Neue Oper ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt Airport ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hotel Hamburger Hof ( Agoda , Booking )
• 25hours Hotel The Goldman ( Agoda , Booking )
• Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center ( Agoda , Booking )
• Roomers ( Agoda , Booking )

Check out more top and best hotels in Frankfurt on Agoda.com or Booking.com

Before you go

However, if you are just a “newcomer” coming to this city for the first time, make a note of a few Frankfurt travel tips below to arrange a suitable itinerary, as well as integrate faster with the its atmosphere!

• Apart from specially planned days, most shops are closed on Sundays in Germany.
• In Germany you don’t need to tip the wait staff much, just pay a small amount to round out the bill. On the other hand, do not leave coins on the table, you can tip the staff when calling to pay.
• The area around the station, including many bars and restaurants, is quite mixed, although security here is much better than in previous years. So, be careful to avoid renting rooms or visiting these places!
• Frankfurt has dedicated bike lanes with a fairly large area, pay attention to them if you are driving on your own beyond tourism.

Considered a global city, Frankfurt is in the top 10 most livable and workable cities. It is also an important center for cultural activities and tourism. The city is a harmonious combination of art, historical sites, magnificent buildings, bustling shopping centers to outdoor entertainment areas. Frankfurt deserves to be the dream tourist city of anyone if coming to Germany.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Frankfurt you can refer to

• Frankfurt Card
• DISCONTINUED Frankfurt Historical Walking Tour
• Frankfurt Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Skyline Tour (Open-Top)
• Rhine Valley Day Tour from Frankfurt
• Frankfurt: River Main Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary
• Frankfurt: Hop-on Hop-off Day Skyline or Express City Tour
• From Frankfurt: Rhine Valley Day Trip
• Frankfurt: Old Town Wonders Exploration Game
• Heidelberg 6-Hour Tour from Frankfurt
• Frankfurt: TimeRide VR Time Travel Experience Ticket
• Frankfurt: Shared or Private Walking Tour
• Frankfurt: 3-Hour Bike Tour
• Frankfurt: Scary Sightseeing Tour with The Hangman
• Frankfurt: Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen
• Frankfurt: Green Areas Segway Tour with Guide
• Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour: Cathedral, Financial District & More

Read more Germany guide here .

Related articles

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Leh ladakh bike trip itinerary — how to spend 6 days in ladakh by motorbike, leh ladakh bike trip blog — ladakh bike trip guide & tips for first-timers, guide to shenzhen nightlife — top 5 things & what to do in shenzhen at night, ladakh trip cost per person from delhi — how much does ladakh trip by bike cost.

India travel tips — 25+ what & things to know before traveling to India

Coron itinerary 5 days — What to do & how to spend 5 days in Coron?

Arashiyama travel blog — The fullest Arashiyama travel guide with top things to do in Arashiyama

Explore Fenqihu old street — What to do in Fenqihu in a day trip?

Where to go in Kunming? — 15+ top Kunming attractions & best places to visit in Kunming

Editor picks.

Leh Ladakh bike trip itinerary — How to spend 6 days...

Leh Ladakh bike trip blog — Ladakh bike trip guide &...

Guide to Shenzhen nightlife — Top 5 things & what to...

Popular posts.

What to buy in USA? — 17+ must buy in USA...

Must buy souvenir in Taiwan — Top 17+ most famous, cheap...

Must buy in Korea — Top 23 cheap, famous & best...

Popular category.

• Inspiration + Guide 1461
• Trip Inspiration 468
• Thailand 209
• Food + Drink 208
• Coasts + Islands 193
• South Korea 168
• Vietnam 166
• Travel Photos 144
• Work for Us
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

Frankfurt am Main travel guide

Frankfurt am main tourism | frankfurt am main guide, you're going to love frankfurt am main.

Known for its futuristic skyline and historic center, Frankfurt, or Frankfurt-am-Main, to give it its full name, is a city where old and new coexist in harmony. It's also Germany's center of finance and transport and an artistic and cultural melting pot that's filled with memorable attractions.

Museums and galleries or shopping and nightclubs; the city appeals to all tastes. Dine in the finest restaurants or picnic in one of its beautiful parks. It's all about freedom of choice in Frankfurt.

Frankfurt also enjoys a great location on the banks of the River Main and it's the capital of the scenic Hesse state. This friendly, modern city is the ideal choice for that long summer vacation, Christmas shopping trip, or spring getaway that you've been promising yourself.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Frankfurt am Main

1. the renowned liquid gold.

For over 250 years, apple wine has been the drink of choice for Frankfurters. Try "Apfelwein" or "Ebbelwoi" in one of the traditional German Kneipen (bars) in Alt-Sachsenhausen, or take the multicolored Ebbelwei Express tram. The one-hour tour takes in some of the city's most iconic sights as you relax with a glass of apple wine or juice to a soundtrack of traditional music.

2. It's Goethe's Birthplace

Famous statesman and writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born here. Visit the site of his family home; the elegant four-floor, half-timbered house in the Innenstadt neighborhood is a city landmark, and it has been reconstructed as a museum.

3. That Famous Skyline

Frankfurt has some of Germany's tallest buildings, and its skyline has earned it the nickname "Mainhattan". The best views are from the eastern bridges on the River Main or from the viewing platform of the Main Tower, the only skyscraper that's open to the public.

4. Römerberg

The old center of Frankfurt is known for the Römer complex of renovated historical buildings and Kulturschirn open-fronted shops. Highlights include the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), and the 14th-century St. Leonhard's Church. Visit during the festive season to shop at over 200 stalls in the Christmas Market.

5. An Eclectic Range of Attractions

See the massive dinosaur skeletons alongside extinct plant and animal species at the Senckenberg Natural History Museum. Or, visit Frankfurt Zoo for unique features like the Exotarium, where you can see snakes, fish, spiders, coral, and alligator or the Grzimek House, which is dedicated to the flora and fauna of Madagascar.

What to do in Frankfurt am Main

1. altstadt: centuries of history.

Dating back over 1000 years, Frankfurt's atmospheric Old City has been restored to its original glory. Begin at Römerberg Square with the Fountain of Justice outside of the grand City Hall. The architecture is quintessentially German, and beyond the timber houses, age-old monuments beckon. Visit Old St. Nicholas Church and St. Paul's Church, and check out the view from the spire of Frankfurt Cathedral. The Museum of Modern Art and Goethe's birthplace are also must-see attractions.

2. Main Tower: A New Point of View

In stark contrast to Frankfurt's historical center, this contemporary skyscraper towers over the Innenstadt. Completed at the turn of the Millennium, all 800 feet of the blue glass exterior glimmers in the sun. Take the elevator to the observation deck at the top for panoramic views of Germany's sprawling financial center. Try to pinpoint landmarks and get the lay of the land down below from a bird's eye view. You can even enjoy the new perspective from a gourmet restaurant.

3. Senckenberg Naturmuseum: History of the Earth

One of Germany's largest and most renowned collections of natural history is on display in this popular museum. The evolution of species is explained and elaborated through the staggering skeletons and fossils - proof that dinosaurs and otherworldly creatures did, in fact, roam our planet. From the Triceratops to the T-Rex, your favorite Prehistoric creatures from childhood are found here. This is also the only place to find the remains of the beloved American Mammoth in Europe!

4. Museumsufer: Concentration of Culture

The River Main flows through the heart of Frankfurt with sites spread across each bank, but the best waterside real estate has been given to the city's greatest museums. Walk the Museum Embankment for inspiration from unique institutions that beckon with every step. The Museum of World Cultures, the German Architecture Museum, the Archaeological Museum, and the Städel Museum of Fine Arts are all highlights. And after a day of walking around galleries, hit the parks along the river for a relaxing break.

5. Zeil: Shopping Galore

The city's broad, pedestrianized shopping promenade is abuzz all day with locals and tourists alike. Shopping has never been so easy and stress-free as it is along this stretch that is speckled with all your favorite shops, alongside new ones you've never seen before - so get inspired! Even if only for window shopping, the MyZeil Shopping Center is worth stopping into, for its spectacular contemporary architecture at the very least. And if you're feeling active, you can follow the Zeil all the way to the Zoo.

Activities & attractions in Frankfurt am Main

Where to Eat in Frankfurt am Main

Try Frankfurt's famous bratwurst sausage at the Kleinmarkthalle food market, where even locals queue to buy lunch each day. For a truly international experience, visit IIMORI Patisserie on Braubachstrasse, where French dishes and pastries are served in an authentic German setting - "just like Grandma's living room" - by the Japanese owners. No trip to Frankfurt is complete without exploring the Fressgass, which can be translated as "munching alley". Its correct name is Grosse Bockenheimer Strasse, and it's filled with restaurants, food stores, and delis. You'll pay EUR29 for dinner for two in a pub or from EUR62 in a refined restaurant.

Most popular restaurants in Frankfurt am Main

When to visit frankfurt am main.

Frankfurt enjoys four distinct seasons, and each is an invitation to discover the city in a different light. Visit in summer for riverside attractions on the Main, or choose Christmas if you want to revel in the romantic atmosphere of the city's Christmas markets and illuminated landmarks. While summer is the peak time for tourists, spring and fall are popular; most of the city's attractions remain open all year round and you'll benefit from warm weather and fewer crowds.

How to Get to Frankfurt am Main

International flights land at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) which is six miles from the city center. Take line 8 or 9 of the S-Bahn trains from the airport station to the downtown Hauptbahnhof station. Trains depart at 15-minute intervals and a ticket costs EUR4.25. Taxis can be found outside the terminal buildings and the fare is EUR35. If you're renting a car, follow the signs for Stadtmitte (downtown) on the A5 autobahn.

The city's Hauptbahnhof, or rail station, is one of Europe's busiest and it's noted for its elegant architecture. High-speed IC and ICE trains travel from all over Europe each day. It's easy to reach the city center using the S-Bahn train system, and trains depart from platforms 101 to 104.

It's a pleasure to drive to and in Frankfurt, as roads are well lit and maintained. The A5 connects drivers easily to the rest of the German autobahn system.

Operators such as Eurolines and Flixbus run regular bus services to Frankfurt from many European cities. You'll arrive at the terminus on the south side of the Hauptbahnhof and from there you can take a taxi, bus, or U-Bahn train to your final destination in the city.

Airports near Frankfurt am Main

Airlines serving frankfurt am main, where to stay in frankfurt am main.

Try affordable hotels like the Ramada Frankfurt, Holiday Inn Express Frankfurt City, or Leonardo Royal Hotel for family vacations and trips with friends. For that special romantic getaway, take a look at the city's many luxury hotels, such as Villa Kennedy, Jumeirah Frankfurt, or Steigenberger Hotel Metropolitan.

Popular Neighborhoods in Frankfurt

Altstadt – this is the old center and where you'll find the Römer square and Paulskirche (St. Paul's Church), a symbol of German democracy and freedom and the birthplace of the German constitution.

Sachsenhausen – this neighborhood is noted for the world-class museums along its riverbank. It's home to some of the city's best restaurants and Apfelwein bars, and is known for its party atmosphere in summer.

Innenstadt – this inner city district stretches from Konstablerwache to Alte Oper. It includes the Zeil shopping street and the Friedberger Tor, one of the city's two medieval watchtowers.

Where to stay in popular areas of Frankfurt am Main

Most booked hotels in frankfurt am main, how to get around frankfurt am main, public transportation.

Frankfurt has an excellent public transportation system known as the RMV, which is comprised of buses, the U-Bahn subway system, the S-Bahn suburban railway, and Strassenbahn streetcars. Fares are issued by zone and tickets are valid on all parts of the system for an hour after purchase. A single fare in the inner zone costs EUR2.60 during peak morning and evening rush hour times and EUR2.30 the rest of the time. Day tickets cost EUR7.00 or EUR9.10 for the central zone plus airport.

Taxis are a readily available, if expensive, way to get around Frankfurt. A typical five-mile journey costs EUR16.

Leading car rental brands like Europcar and Sixt have outlets at the airport and in the city, and you can rent a car from as little as EUR28 per day. You should note that parking spaces can be difficult to find in tourist hotspots like Sachsenhausen, particularly on weekends. To avoid being towed and fined, park in a garage or Parkhaus for EUR1 per hour or EUR8 per day.

Best car rental deals in Frankfurt am Main

2 Adults, 2 Bags

Compact SUV

4 Adults, 2 Bags

The Cost of Living in Frankfurt am Main

Shopping streets.

Goethestrasse, named after the famous writer, is one of the city's most exclusive shopping streets, and you'll find designer boutiques alongside art galleries and stylish cafes. Frankfurt also boasts Germany's longest pedestrian shopping street, the Zeil; the area includes department stores like Karstadt and Galeria Kaufhof and malls such as Zeilgalerie and MyZeil, which is noted for its spectacular glass roof tunnel feature and for having the biggest rock climbing installation in Europe.

Groceries and Other

There are lots of good supermarkets to choose from in Frankfurt. Local favorites like REWE and Scheck-in-Center carry a wide range of German and international products and you'll pay EUR1.01 for a quart of milk and EUR3.45 for 12 eggs.

• European cities
• German cities
• Edit source
• View history

Sunset on the Main River with the skyline of Frankfurt, Germany in the background.

Frankfurt am Main is the largest city in Hesse and the 5th largest city in Germany . Its population is 670,095 as of March 31, 2008. Frankfurt/Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region is the second largest metropolitan area in Germany with a population of 5.3 million.

• 1 Hotels and lodging
• 2 Attractions
• 4.1 Getting to Frankfurt
• 4.2 Exploring Frankfurt
• 5 Practical information and resources
• 6.1 Text with links to user-reviews on other pages
• 7 Nightlife
• 8 Photo gallery
• 9 Everything else
• 10 External resources

Hotels and lodging [ ]

Frankfurt is a pretty much a transit and fair town, thus hotel accommodation is widely available during non-peak season. The best hotel in my humble opinion would be (one of?) the newest, namely Villa Kennedy , part of the Rocco Forte Hotel Collection.

If one has an appointment at the US-consulate, the Hotel Friedberger Warte is a good idea.

Hotel Booking Options

• OctopusTravel.com Hotels in Frankfurt and all over the World
• Messe Frankfurt Hotel Desk Messe Frankfurt Hotel Service

Attractions [ ]

Shopping [ ], maps and transportation [ ], getting to frankfurt [ ], exploring frankfurt [ ], practical information and resources [ ].

Getting around in Frankfurt is great and much easier via train. RMV is the train service provider. Look for the External resources for a full explanation on how to get around Frankfurt easily via Train

Restaurants [ ]

Text with links to user-reviews on other pages [ ].

Cheap eats guide to Frankfurt created by locals.

Nightlife [ ]

Photo gallery [ ], everything else [ ], external resources [ ].

• Frankfurt Review
• Frankfurt Travellers
• Public Transportation in Frankfurt
• 1 Woodland Park Zoo
• 2 Train hopping in the United States
• 3 Downtown Aquarium, Denver