A few months ago while I was planning a trip to Germany with my friend the discussion of Frankfurt came up. We researched what to do in Frankfurt to see if we should go there. After some thought, we decided Frankfurt wasn’t worth visiting and bypassed the Hessian city for Berlin.
A few weeks later I was asked to go to Munich and Frankfurt for work. I was still curious about Frankfurt, so I decided to spend the weekend there even though everyone told me it was “just a financial city.” But it turns out Frankfurt is adorable. It’s an interesting contrast between medieval and modern, but I enjoyed it. So are you wondering what to do in Frankfurt? Well, let me tell you.
What to Do in Frankfurt
Frankfurt gets overshadowed by its larger-than-life sisters, Munich and Berlin, who steal the tourism show. But Frankfurt is not without interesting museums or historical places and it definitely has great food worth eating.
I wouldn’t spend a ton of time in Frankfurt, but a few days will do just fine. Or use it as a home base for day trips to small German towns (more on that below) and stay a full week. Here’s what to do in Frankfurt for a few days.
1. Have a Beer at Römerberg Square.
Römerberg Square is Frankfurt’s iconic trademark and most famous landmark. Nestled in the heart of Frankfurt’s Old Town (Altstadt) since the 15th Century, Römerberg Square was once home to imperial coronations for the Holy Roman Empire and later the site of trade shows and markets. Today, like most historical squares, it’s the epicenter for tourists. But for good reason.
Most of Romerberg Square’s historical timbered houses were destroyed when Frankfurt was bombed in World War II. But the buildings were reconstructed to look identical to their pre-war selves, some down to the tiniest detail.
The square is definitely worth a visit, as it’s beautiful. Stop for a beer or two at any of the pubs surrounding the square. Sit outside to catch the Old Nicholas Church bells; 35 bells chime daily at 9:05 am, 12:05 pm and 5:05 pm. Then venture down the Markt alley. There you’ll find the Archaeological Garden, where architectural artifacts that survived the bombing are on display. Keep going another block until you hit the Dom Romer project, more reconstructed historical buildings that were finished in just Spring 2018!
2. Sightsee some historical buildings.
After you’ve had your fill of German beer at the Römerberg and wandered through the Archaeological Garden, swing by the Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom Sankt Bartholomäus). The current church was built in 1550, but excavations revealed religious buildings have been on the site since the 7th Century! The church was severely damaged in World War II when bombs completely burned out the interior. But it was reconstructed in the 1950s and restored again in the 1990s. It’s the largest religious building in the city and where the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were elected and crowned once upon a time.
On the other side of Römerberg is St. Paul’s Church, or Paulskirche, an oval-shaped church built in 1789. It was once the seat of the 1848 Frankfurt Parliament, the first publicly elected German legislative body. Later it was home to Germany’s first National Assembly, where John F. Kennedy delivered a speech in 1963. Today it’s a special event venue with a historical timeline of Frankfurt’s past in the lobby.
3. Cruise Down the Main River.
Frankfurt am Main gets its name from the river, the Main, that runs through the city. The Main (pronounced “mine”) is the longest river entirely in Germany and feeds into the famous Rhine river. Take a relaxing river cruise down the Main to see Frankfurt from afar. The sightseeing cruises provide history of the city (in German and English) and a beautiful view of the skyline. This 100-minute sightseeing cruise even allows you to stop at museums along the ride.
If you’d rather do less sightseeing and more drinking, opt for beers at Bootshaus Dryer. The floating beer garden is anchored to the Main and serves a variety of German beers.
4. Drink Apfelwein and Hit a Museum in Sachsenhausen.
The Sachsenhausen neighborhood, on the opposite side of the river from the Old Town and downtown, is known for Apfelwein and museums. The area has been a bustling town since the 1390s and was once Frankfurt’s fish, fruit, vegetable, and wine supplier. When the wine production suddenly struggled due to environmental issues in the mid-1500s, vineyards transformed into fruit orchards and wine was made from apples. Known as Apfelwein, the tart drink is surprisingly refreshing, especially on a hot day. (Read more about Apfelwein here.)
Sachsenhausen fared much better than Frankfurt’s Old Town during the World War II bombings, so more of the historical timbered houses and narrow streets survived. Head to the neighborhood to wander through the streets and stop at one of the Apfelwein pubs for a traditional Frankfurt meal and a glass of apple wine. Frankfurt has several culinary specialties, but opt for something with grune sosse — green sauce made with 7 herbs — for a true Frankfurt classic.
Once you’re nice and full of grune sosse and a Bembel of Apfelwein, head to the Museumsufer, the row of museums in Sachsenhausen. Some of the most important museums in Germany and Europe are here, ranging from art and film to ethnology and history. Check out the Historical Museum for artifacts from the area’s Roman times through modern times.
5. Take a Day Trip from Frankfurt.
There’s a reason Frankfurt am Main is a travel hub. With one of the busiest airports in Europe and a massive train station, Frankfurt is accessible to anywhere you want to go. Take advantage of the trains and head to a day trip somewhere outside the city. (Grab your train tickets in advance here.)
Marburg is a small town on the Lahn river known for its beautiful scenery. Only an hour north of Frankfurt on the train, the main attraction is the university founded in 1527, cafes lining cobblestone streets, and the 11th century Marburg Landgrave Palace. The entire city was used as a hospital during World War II and was barely damaged, so if you’re craving historical sites, head there!
Or venture to Mainz, a Roman military post in the 1st Century BC where the movable type printing press was invented in the 15th Century. It’s known for its delicious wines grown right in the region and is only an hour train away from Frankfurt. It was heavily bombed in the war, so some historical sites and Roman ruins are intact but most of the city is modern. This guided tour to Mainz and Wiesbade from Frankfurt (including transportation) is a great option.
Or check out Rothenburg, the best preserved medieval old town in Germany. (This Rothenburg guided tour includes round trip transportation and lunch.) If you’re really ambitious, Strasbourg, France, is only two hours away. (This tour goes to Strasbourg and the Black Forest from Frankfurt.)
•••
If you’ve been, let me know your recommendations on what to do in Frankfurt in the comments!
Related :: What to eat in Frankfurt, What to eat in Munich, and what to know about Oktoberfest.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and I may receive a commission from them. Thank you for supporting the companies that support Whiskied Wanderlust.
This was super helpful. I’ll be heading to Frankfurt and Munich in February. I was going to cancel Frankfurt, but I’ve now changed my mind and will give it a try.