Top 10 Things to Do in Frankfurt

Top 10 Things to Do in Frankfurt

Spending some time in Germany’s financial capital? Then be sure to check out our guide on what to do in Frankfurt!

Frankfurt am Main might not be on your radar for travel, but it’s full of things for you to discover. The city, also known as ‘Mainhattan’ because of its incredible display of skyscrapers, is Germany’s most international city and offers something for everyone. It’s also the most liveable city in Germany, so you know it’s certainly worth checking out. Whether you visit on a layover, or make a weekend trip out of it, Frankfurt is full of incredible museums, an amazing food scene, and Instagram worthy moments all over. So without further ago, here are the Top 10 Things to Do in Frankfurt!

Getting Around

While Frankfurt might appear to be a huge city, it’s actually quite small. Locals often say, ‘Frankfurt ist wie ein Dorf’, which literally means, ‘Frankfurt is like a village’. You can reach anything in the city within 20 minutes on public transit. However, cycling around is often faster.

Like most cities, Frankfurt is full of bicycle and e-scooter rental options and you can find them nearly everywhere in the city. Download an app, connect a payment method, scan the barcode, and go!

And if you just want to explore the city on foot, no problem! Frankfurt is mostly flat, so getting around is easy. However, if you decide to explore parts of Nordend – especially Bergerstraße, you can expect a bit of a hill!

Top 10 Things to Do

帕尔门加滕

‘Plants, Life, Culture’ is the motto for 帕尔门加滕 and a pretty accurate description for what you’ll find here. Plants have seen a surge in popularity over the past few years, and if you’re part of this trend, you’ll definitely want to check this place out. Home to hundreds of plants from around the world, Palmengarten often hosts music and cultural events which are popular among locals. It’s definitely an instagram hot spot, both inside and out!

Main Tower

Next on our list of top 10 things to do in Frankfurt isn’t for those who are scared of heights. However, if heights aren’t a problem for you, then we definitely recommend Main Tower, one of the highest spots in the city! While the tower is home to several banks and corporate firms, you can visit a 360° viewing platform on the top to get an incredible view of Frankfurt. It’s worth checking out practically any time of day, but Frankfurt is known for incredible sunsets, so we suggest a visit during the evening.

Museums

Did you know that Frankfurt is home to the most museums in Germany after Berlin? That’s pretty incredible when comparing city and population sizes. Visiting one of the many museums is one of the top things to do in Frankfurt! And if you happen to be here on the last Saturday of the month, most of the museums are free! You know how they say there’s an app for everything? In Frankfurt, they say there’s a museum for everything!*

*We don’t really say that.

Any Apfelwein restaurant

Frankfurt has a reputation for international restaurants, but you should definitely try out the local food and drink! Two of the most popular menu items include Apfelwein (served pure, sweet, or sour) and Grüne soße (literally, green sauce). Grüne soße is a mix of seven different herbs from the region, and typically served with fried potatoes and schnitzel. There’s even have a festival in May entirely dedicated to the sauce! Our recommendation is Apfelwein Solzer on Bergerstraße.

Frankfurt Cathedral/Dom

Although it’s not actually a cathedral by definition, this church holds significance as it used to be a site for elections and coronations in the Holy Roman Empire. The church can be traced back to the 7th century, and was expanded over time to the size it is today. Sadly, it suffered extensive damage during World War II, but was rebuilt to appear as it did before the war. The church is free to visit, but for a small price, you can climb up the steeple for stunning views of the city.

Freibad or Eissporthalle

If you want to get into some fitness, you have lots of options. Swimmings pools can be found throughout the city, and are a great place to spend those hot summer days. Freibads, or public pools, in Germany always have bathrooms, showers, canteens, and options to rent umbrellas and lounge chairs. You can also bring your own food and drinks in case you prefer healthier and cheaper food options.

For winter sports, you can visit Frankfurt Eissporthalle for some recreational skating. For 11,50€, you can rent skates and get as much time on the ice as you’d like.

Römer / Alt Stadt

A vTop 10 list for things to do in Frankfurt would not be complete without mentioning the historical Römer / Alt Stadt. Frankfurt’s City Hall has been located here since 1405, and the buildings are easily some of the most photogenic in the city, even if they aren’t the original. The half timbered houses were reconstructed after WWII and are now home to several apfelwein restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops. You can also find the Fountain of Justice, which is the oldest fountain in Frankfurt.

Bergerstraße

Every city has that one street notorious for attracting crowds to its vast amount of bars, restaurants, shops, and more. And in Frankfurt, it’s Bergerstraße. Remember when we said Frankfurt is flat? Well, it doesn’t really apply to Bergerstraße. Starting from Bethmann Park, the entire street is on an hill, but don’t let that deter you from visiting! No matter your preference in food, drink, or shop, Bergerstraße is worth checking out!

Kleinmarkthalle

If you’re a foodie and enjoy exploring what’s available in places on your travels, then you have to visit Kleinmarkthalle. Whether you’re looking for a bite on the go, or sourcing ingredients for a special meal, you’re bound to find something to hit the spot!

Flea Market (Flohmarkt)

One of the most unique and exciting things to do in Frankfurt is visit a flea market. Every Saturday from 9:00-14:00, vendors set up at Mainkai or Lindleystraße, selling off everything from bicycle accessories, vintage furniture & clothes, to used electronics, and more. Make sure you bring cash and your bartering skills when you visit! And a reusable shopping bag for all your newfound treasures might be useful. If you’re lucky enough to catch the market, no doubt you’ll understand why we had to include this on our list of top 10 things to do in Frankfurt.

Where to Stay

A trip can be defined by your accommodation as much as the experiences you have at your destination. 五元素旅馆 is our top recommendation for your stay in Frankfurt. Located only 5 minutes from the main station, and in the middle of the trendy Bahnhofsviertel, you’ll be more than satisfied with the services offered here. The hostel offers dorms, a female dorm, private rooms, and apartments, some of which offer fantastic views of the skyline. Reception is available 24/7 and you’ll be more than satisfied with the bar options! Additional to all this, you can enjoy free, daily activities, reliable and fast wifi, and lots more.

Top 10 Things to Do in Frankfurt

Sometimes the less visited cities are the ones holding the best secrets and spots, so we hope you enjoyed our Top 10 Things To Do in Frankfurt. If you weren’t already planning on spending some time in ‘Mainhattan’, we’re sure that’s changed now. Curious for more activities and information on this dynamic and booming German city? How about a day trip? Then click 这里 and start planning!

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