Frankfurt, the main gateway for many travelers visiting Germany, offers world-class museums, a charming historic center, excellent options for restaurants, cafes, and hotels.
And if you are planning to visit Frankfurt, check out the 20 top things to do in the city.
Top Things to do in Frankfurt
1. Visit the Römerberg Square
Römerberg – Photo Credit: Paul Fiedler
Römerberg is one of the symbols of Frankfurt, and the heart of the historic center.
The square houses the iconic city hall building, the Frankfurter Römer, the Alte Nikolaikirche church, as well as shops and restaurants.
It is certainly a mandatory stop in Frankfurt to take beautiful pictures.
For visitors who want to have lunch at one of the restaurants on the square, the Alten Limpurg and the Weinstube im Römer are the best options.
2. Walk across the Iron Bridge
Iron Bridge – Photo Credit: Sinan Erg
The Iron Footbridge (in German: Eiserner Steg) is another must-see sight in Frankfurt.
The bridge is located over the Main River, a short distance from the Römerberg, and offers beautiful views of the city and the river.
3. Visit the Frankfurt Archaeological Museum
Set in a restored monastery, 5 minutes from Iron Footbridge, the Frankfurt Archaeological Museum is one of the best museums in Frankfurt.
The Frankfurt Archaeological Museum researches, preserves, presents, and communicates the history of the city from the Neolithic to the beginning of the modern period.
The museum also houses temporary exhibitions and has a store.
4. Try the Apfelwein
Apfelwein means apple wine (a type of cider), produced and consumed mainly in the state of Hesse.
In Frankfurt, the Apfelwein Wagner is a traditional place to try the famous beverage. The restaurant is located within walking distance of the Frankfurt (Main) South Station.
5. Try the typical Frankfurter Grüne Sosse (Green Sauce)
Also at the Apfelwein Wagner restaurant, be sure to try Schnitzel with Frankfurt’s famous green sauce (Frankfurter Grüne Sosse).
6. Take a Boat Trip on the Main River
Main River – Photo Credit: Noah Boyer
Taking a boat trip on the Main River is a must to enjoy Frankfurt from another perspective.
7. Visit the Museum of Natural History Museum Senckenberg
The Museum of Natural History Museum Senckenberg is a museum located 3.4 km (2.1 miles) from the city center.
The museum houses a permanent exhibition with a large collection of natural history, dinosaur skeletons, and also temporary exhibitions.
8. Enjoy the 360-degree view of Frankfurt from the Main Tower
Main Tower
The Main Tower is an unmissable attraction in Frankfurt to enjoy a panoramic view of the city, with its skyscrapers, historic center, and river.
In addition to the observation deck, the Main Tower also has a restaurant and a souvenir shop.
9. Visit the Frankfurt Cathedral
Frankfurt Cathedral
Frankfurt Cathedral is a Gothic-style cathedral located in the historic city center.
The cathedral has a tower, the Domturm, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view from a height of 66 meters, and the cathedral also houses a museum.
10. Visit the Goethe House and Museum
For visitors who want to know more about the life of the famous German poet, writer, and statesman Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the Goethe House, now a museum, is a must-visit.
In Goethe’s parents’ house, you can rebuild a life in an 18th century Frankfurt city house and you can experience the atmosphere of the house in which Goethe spent his childhood and youth and where the first great works were created.
11. Have a Beer and Eat the German Sausages at Café Hauptwache
Located in the center of the Hauptwache square, Café Hauptwache is a traditional German restaurant in Frankfurt.
The restaurant serves a variety of typical dishes, including the famous German sausages (Frankfurt Pork Sausages & Bavarian Sausage), as well as green sauce and Chicken Schnitzel.
12. Stroll the Elegant Goethestrasse Street
Hauptwache – Photo Credit: Sanjay B
The most elegant street in Frankfurt, Goethestraße, known for hosting the main luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dior, Hermès, among many others, is located near the Hauptwache.
Also close to the square is the Zeil shopping area.
It is a pleasant walk to enjoy the shop windows and also do some shopping.
13. Visit the Städel Museum
The Städel Museum is an art museum located near the banks of the Main River.
The museum offers an overview of 700 years of European art history (painting, graphic art, sculpture, and photography).
It is a mandatory stop for art lovers.
14. Walk the Boardwalk and Relax at Nizza Park
Photo Credit: Sneha
Nizza Park is an 11-acre park located along the Main River.
It is a great place to walk, relax and enjoy the view.
Also in the park, you will find the elegant German restaurant MainNizza.
15. Visit the Museum für Moderne Kunst
Top Things to do in Frankfurt – Museum für Moderne Kunst
Located a short distance from the Römerberg, the Museum für Moderne Kunst is a museum of modern art.
The museum is one of the world’s most important museums of contemporary art and its collection has over 4,000 works of international art from the 1960s to the present.
16. See a Concert at the Alte Oper
Top Things to Do in Frankfurt – Alte Oper
The Alte Oper is an opera house with a history that dates back to the late 19th century.
The house offers around 450 events annually, in classical music and entertainment – the events are available on its official website.
There are also options for guided tours (tours are usually in German, but on some dates, tours are also available in English).
17. Visit the Frankfurt Zoo
Frankfurt Zoo
The Frankfurt Zoo is a green oasis in the middle of the lively Main metropolis and home to more than 4,400 animals from over 500 species.
The zoo is located 15 minutes away by public transport from the historic city center.
18. Visit the Palmengarten Botanical Garden
Palmengarten Botanical Garden
The Palmengarten is a beautiful 19th-century botanical garden, located in the Grüneburgpark.
The botanical garden displays and collections amount to more than 13,000 subtropical and tropical species, cultivated in theme gardens and arranged according to vegetation types in greenhouses and grounds.
19. Shop on Shopping Center MyZeil
The Shopping Center MyZeil – one of the largest malls in Germany – is located in the heart of Frankfurt am Main.
The mall is a mandatory stop for travelers who want to do some shopping, as it houses major brands, as well as a large selection of cosmetics, home products, toys, and groceries.
20. Take a Day Trip from Frankfurt
Photo Credit: Ram Lanka
Frankfurt, due to its central location, offers excellent possibilities for day trips and is also an excellent starting point for various itineraries in Germany.
Some of the best places to visit from Frankfurt include Heidelberg, Aschaffenburg, Rhine cities like Bingen, Mainz, Wiesbaden, Black Forest cities like Baden-Baden and Freiburg, and also for travelers who want to explore the Romantic Road from Würzburg.
Book a Train Ticket from Frankfurt
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 of the 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.
See also
The Best Beer Gardens (Biergarten) in Frankfurt
Frankfurt Germany: 3-day Itinerary and Map
10 Best Hotels near Romerberg Square Frankfurt
