Best Things To Do in Frankfurt am Main

Frankfurt am Main, also known as Frankfurt, is one of those cities that you should visit at least once in your life. It combines modern buildings with medieval streets and is one of the best hidden German jewels. A variety of plans await you there that you cannot miss, such as a stroll through the oldest part of the city or a look at Mainhattan, the financial district.

This city also seduces the palate with its gastronomy. You should especially try a Frankfurter Rippchen accompanied by Apfelwein wine in a cozy pub in the Alt-Sachsenhausen district. In fact, there are so many things to do that you should set aside at least three days to get to know its fascinating history and culture. In this guide I'll tell you what you can't miss.

When I think of Frankfurt am Main, the first thing that comes to mind are its medieval streets. Most of them are in the old Altstadt area and here you can cross out the main attractions such as the Römerberg Square and the Frankfurt Cathedral, which is famous for its Renaissance murals.

Many were restored or rebuilt after the wars to maintain the essence of the city. In fact, you can see Gothic architecture and historical landmarks such as the Fountain of Justice dating from 1543, which witnessed events such as the coronation of the emperor. Something very peculiar is that as the tour progresses you will begin to see a mixture of old and modern buildings, an indication that you are moving through the Neue Altstadt or the New Altstadt.

It is a popular area to taste the Apfelwein which is a typical apple wine from Frankfurt, I warn you that it is often confused with cider, but has a different taste and ingredients.

A good alternative to enjoy this tour is to book a guided tour of Frankfurt am Main This way, you can learn more about the history and curiosities of the city, as well as the only building that survived World War II, a 15th century monastery, and the Jewish Holocaust Memorial Wall.

Details of interest

• Price: some monuments require entrance fees, but you can walk around the area on your own. The guided tour starts from 28 € per person.
• How to get there: the city has an extensive public transport network that will facilitate your visit, such as the Frankfurt streetcar.

Frankfurt is a huge city and you should make the most of your time. The open-top sightseeing bus offers around 13 stops covering the main local attractions. You can hop on and off wherever you want and enjoy a scenic tour on board. You can also stay on the lower deck during the whole tour (which lasts 90 minutes) and take advantage of the air-conditioned air, or sit on the upper deck and feel the breeze, the local aromas and absorb every detail.

In addition, the informative commentary will be helpful in understanding the history of the city. As you enter the historic center you will be greeted by the hustle and bustle and see such wonders as the Frankfurt Opera House, St. Paul's Church, the Palm Garden and the Sachsenhausen district up close. Generally, a 24-hour ticket is offered and for the size of the city it seems to me that you will have enough time to get to know it thoroughly.

Consider that buses usually have a frequency of about 30 minutes. Also, although you can buy your ticket at the last minute, it is more convenient to book the Frankfurt sightseeing bus in advance.

Details of interest

• Price: from 21 € per person.

When night falls, Frankfurt is transformed into lively streets where cocktails are the protagonists. In Alt-Sachsenhausen are concentrated most of the Apfelweinwirtschaften bars, whose specialty is the apfelwein or German apple wine. You cannot leave without tasting it because it has a low alcohol content and it is very cheap.

It is served in a Schoppen, which are large and special jugs to share this liquor. Besides, there is a whole ritual around it because the Germans use to raise their glass and shout Prost! (Cheers!). Then you should drink it slowly to feel the fermented combination and, if you like acidic and refreshing flavors, you will enjoy this wine. Otherwise, you can lower its intensity by adding a little sparkling water.

In general, the festive and multicultural atmosphere of this district is characterized by live music and contagious energy that makes you feel part of the city. You'll also love the diversity of nightlife, ranging from cozy, quaint bars to nightclubs with live DJs.

Some tourists' secret is to book a pub crawl through Frankfurt to take advantage of free shots and glasses of craft beer at various trendy bars. They usually pass through the Alt-Sachsenhausen district and are a comprehensive option for exploring the nightlife. If you're up for it, you can meet tourists from all over the world and spend the night dancing.

Interesting details

• Price: you can book a guided pub crawl in Frankfurt from 25 € per person.

The Goethe House is another must-see stop in Frankfurt, at least if you want to explore the life of the German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Upon entering you will find the walls decorated with old portraits and countless objects that transport you back to his years of life.

You don't have to be a fan of his stories to enjoy the atmosphere, as the exhibition is designed for the entire public to get to know the author and understand the artistic development of the time. In fact, it is a gateway to Frankfurt in the 18th century that shows you how noble families lived and the impact of Romanticism.

From the outside it is also impressive and I would take advantage of the museum's location to visit other highlights such as Frankfurt Cathedral, the Städel Museum, the MesseTurm Tower, the kinetic sculpture Hammering Man and the historic Römerberg Square which are also common stops when booking a bike tour of Frankfurt.

Interesting details

• Price: from 7 € per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 18:00 (Thursdays open until 21:00), Sundays from 10:00 to 17:30.
• How to get there: easy to reach by metro.

When it comes to gastronomy, a Frankfurter Rippchen is a must. This dish is a specialty of the city that delights you with slow-cooked pork chops presented on a bed of sauerkraut.

A good Frankfurter Rippchen is served hot and its meat is so tender that it melts in your mouth. In addition, it has a particular blend of flavors that oscillates between fresh and sour notes. It is also often served with mashed potatoes and mustard. Not to be confused with the Kasseler, another German version of the cutlet that is smoked.

On the streets of Frankfurt the aroma of food draws you in, so don't be surprised if you end up sitting in its restaurants, even when you feel you can't eat any more. Of course, you can try other dishes of German gastronomy and take the opportunity to continue drinking apple wine.

Interesting details

• Price: a plate of Frankfurter Rippchen can range between 15 and 25 €, depending on the garnishes and the chosen place. If you prefer to join a gastronomic route you can get options from 68 €.

If you find the old Altstadt area interesting, you will probably like the TimeRide exhibition. It's like a time machine that sends you into different contexts of Frankfurt's history. For 45 minutes you will enjoy a multi-sensory virtual reality experience and see vintage carriages, traditional costumes and the recreation of historical events such as the first National Assembly.

In this adventure time seems to fade away, suddenly you are on the streets of 19th century Frankfurt and then you can see citizens celebrating the Fall of the Berlin Wall.

But it's not just about the good times, you also have to be prepared to see difficult moments of World War II, such as attacks and bombings. I'll tell you that booking online is usually cheaper and buying tickets for TimeRide Frankfurt gives you access to the exhibition as well as the rest of the museum.

Details of interest

• Price: from 20 € per person.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
• How to get there: you can take metro lines U4 or U5 to Dom station or Römer station.

If you would like to see Frankfurt from above, then you can take advantage of a visit to the Main Tower. It is a 200-meter high observation deck that allows you to see the city and part of the Main River. The combination of medieval streets and skyscrapers reflects how the past and present coexist in a surprising way.

From here you can sense the vibrant energy of the financial district. It is known as Mainhattan, as it is a play on words that alludes to the Main River and the imposing New York. Far from cobblestone houses, this area is all about skyscrapers towering over people.

In addition, you can find some of the main tourist attractions that show why Frankfurt is the financial capital of Germany. Not to be missed:

• The main headquarters of the European Central Bank.
• The Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
• The twin towers of Deutsche Bank.
• The Commerzbank Tower, the highest in Germany.

Details of interest

• Price: climbing the Main Tower has an approximate price of 9 € per person, with discounts for children, families and groups. Consider that when the weather affects visibility, a reduced entrance fee of 4 € is offered.
• Hours: The Main Tower is open from Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 to 21:00 and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 23:00. Please note that the opening hours may change according to the season.

From the Main River the skyscrapers shine and you can better appreciate Frankfurt's famous Museum Bank, which consists of 26 museums. It is an ideal experience to sip a craft beer and relax as an informative audio guide tells you about the history of the city.

Depending on the experience you select, on board there is a mix of culture, gastronomy and history and you might even be surprised by a music show. Don't miss the Main Tower from another perspective and get a glimpse of the financial district, but away from the hustle and bustle.

There are countless legends surrounding this river, but it was mostly used as a military point and it is believed that Charlemagne sailed its waters during one of his battles.

Details of interest

• Price: there are boat experiences from 15 € per person.

If you are looking for quieter but still emblematic places, you can take advantage of a visit to the Jewish cemetery of Frankfurt, a solemn space steeped in history. Most of the gravestones have inscriptions in German and Hebrew, and it is surprising that they remain intact despite the bombings of World War II.

Of course, it has a deep connection to the Nazi era, as many Frankfurt Jews were persecuted, deported and killed in concentration camps. In addition, you can visit the Judengasse Museum which documents the entire Jewish history and is located inside the cemetery.

If you want to enjoy Frankfurt outdoors from a quieter perspective, I invite you to relax in Palmengarten Frankfurt or the Palm Garden. It is ideal for meandering along paths decorated with plants from all over the world, delighting in the scents and colors of the Rose Garden and the Palmenhaus greenhouse or contemplating the scenery in front of the Great Pond.

Interesting details

• Price: entrance to the cemetery is free, but the museum is around 6 € per person. For the Palm Garden you can get passes from 7 €.
• Hours: the cemetery is open 24 hours, but I suggest you visit it during the day to appreciate all the details and visit the museum which is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 (although it may vary depending on the season). For its part, the garden can be visited every day from 10:00, although the closing time varies.
• How to get there: these places are connected by public transport, but are located in different parts of the city. The cemetery and museum are located at Rat-Beil-Straße and the garden at Siesmayerstraße 61.

Frankfurt am Main's surroundings are spectacular and you have a wide range of options: charming villages, ancient castles and fortresses, spas and small border towns - I'll tell you everything you need to know!

Excursion to Heidelberg

Booking an excursion to Heidelberg takes you within an hour of Frankfurt to lose yourself in its imposing castle and see the vineyard-covered mountains. Depending on the itinerary you're inclined to take, you may see the Great Barrel that was used to store thousands of liters of wine. Overall, it is a small medieval town with surprising secrets such as the German Pharmacy Museum, where there are pharmaceutical products from other centuries.

Excursion to the Black Forest, Baden Baden and Strasbourg.

If I were you, I wouldn't miss the opportunity to book an excursion to the Black Forest, Baden Baden and Strasbourg. Away from the local hustle and bustle an adventure awaits you where you can make the most of it:

• The vibrant atmosphere of the Black Forest. This mountain town is famous for its country houses, smoked ham production, canoeing and craft beers.
• The thermal baths and the spa and casino complex in Baden-Baden, a spa resort near the Black Forest.
• The train ride through the historic center of Strasbourg, a French city with Germany in its veins, as they share a border.

Excursion to Rothenburg

It is crazy to be so close and not book an excursion to Rothenburg. It is a city with a romantic air, perfect to disconnect. You can walk among its walls, narrow streets and take time to see armor from the Middle Ages.