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The Ultimate Guide Of Things To Do In Frankfurt
The Ultimate Guide Of Things To Do In Frankfurt
12 April 2023
If you’re planning a trip to Frankfurt, use our ultimate guide to find activities, the top things to do in Frankfurt, places to eat and drink, regular events, the best time to visit the city, and much more! A holiday of a lifetime awaits you in one of Germany’s most diverse and influential cities. Make it happen with our guide, where you’ll find:
- Fun facts and things to know about Frankfurt
- Travel tips when visiting Frankfurt
- The best time to visit Frankfurt
- Top things to do in Frankfurt for city lovers
- Top things to do in Frankfurt for romantics
- Cool things to do in Frankfurt with the family
- Explore Frankfurt for the nature enthusiast
- Top cultural activities in Frankfurt
- Top events in Frankfurt
- How to get to Frankfurt
- Getting around Frankfurt
- Where to stay in Frankfurt
Read on for all the information you need to start planning an unforgettable trip. The guide can be taken with you wherever you go!
Fun facts and things to know about Frankfurt
Let’s start our exploration of this fascinating city with a few fun facts and things to know about Frankfurt.
The quality of life for people in Frankfurt is among the best in the world
According to numerous studies, Frankfurt’s population has a happiness score of 7.3 out of 10. Employees work an average of 25 hours per week, and residents enjoy excellent healthcare and public safety.
The world’s largest book fair takes place in Frankfurt
The annual event attracts more than 7,300 exhibitors and almost 300,000 attendees.
Germany’s largest city forest is in Frankfurt
The 5,000-hectare Stadtwald Frankfurt was once part of Kaiser Karl IV’s imperial forest, until the city purchased it in 1372. The forest remains popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists.
The city’s properly known as Frankfurt am Main
The ‘am Main’ suffix refers to the river, and it distinguishes the city from the much smaller city of Frankfurt an der Oder in Brandenburg.
17 of Germany’s 18 skyscrapers are in Frankfurt
Skyscrapers aren’t a common sight in Germany, where church steeples and towers tend to be the tallest urban structures. Frankfurt is the exception, as it’s the country’s financial centre.
Travel tips when visiting Frankfurt
As exciting as it is to travel to another city for the first time, the experience can be daunting. Use these travel tips when visiting Frankfurt to settle in easily and make the most of it.
Keep an eye on the events calendar: Frankfurt hosts expos, trade fairs, conferences, and other events throughout the year. Check the calendar when planning your trip, as accommodation becomes scares and prices increase during the biggest events.
Get a Museumsurfer ticket: If you’re planning on visiting a few museums while you’re in Frankfurt, get a Museumsurfer ticket. Valid for two days, the ticket offers free entry to 38 of the city’s museums.
Save money with a Frankfurt Card: Get a Frankfurt Card to enjoy free travel on public transport and 50% discounts on entry tickets for various attractions, museums, and tours. Cards are available for individuals and groups, and they are valid for one or two days.
No shopping on Sundays: Most of Frankfurt’s shops are closed on Sundays, however, some convenience stores still remain open in the main train station/ Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof as well as at the shopping arcade of the international airport.
Watch for bike lanes: A portion of many of Frankfurt’s wider pavements are taken up by bike lanes. Keep a lookout for signs and markings that indicate bike lanes so you can keep out of the cyclists’ way.
Round up when tipping: It’s common practice to round up a bill by a couple of Euros. For example, if your supper comes to €16.50, you could give the server a €20 note and say, “18, please.” The server will take a €1.50 tip and bring you €2 change.
Remember free museum days for children: Many of Frankfurt’s museums offer free entry to children under the age of 18 on the last Saturday of every month except August and December. Those family-friendly days often include activities such as free guided tours and workshops.
Best time to visit Frankfurt
Purely in terms of the weather, the best time to visit Frankfurt is from April through to September, when the days are sunny and mild. It can be busy during key dates when events are taking place at Messe Frankfurt.
Every season offers something magical – and there are always things to do in Frankfurt. Spring offers the first blossoms, while autumn ushers in stunning colours, and both seasons are less busy than summer. Winter sees the city turn into a fairyland of twinkling lights and Christmas markets.
Top things to do in Frankfurt for city lovers
More than being Germany’s financial centre, Frankfurt is also a hub for education, culture, media and creative industries, and research and technology, so urbanites should feel right at home. Take a look at some of the best things to do in Frankfurt for city lovers.
See the view from the Main Tower: The city’s highest vantage point, the Main Tower’s viewing platform offers unparalleled views of Frankfurt. Take the experience up a notch by popping into the modern art gallery and then enjoying a snack and a coffee in the restaurant on the 53rd floor.
Enjoy sundowners at a rooftop bar: Frankfurt boasts several great rooftop bars, Long Island Summer Lounge among them. Find one that appeals to you and watch the sunset over a cocktail.
Explore Römerberg: Old and new Europe meet in interesting ways in Frankfurt. If you’re looking for serious old-world vibes, head to Römerberg. This picturesque busy square is lined with shops and cafes, and it’s also where you’ll find the beautiful old Römer (town hall) and the 15th-century Old St Nicholas Lutheran Church.
Cruise on the Main: See the city skyline, historic homes, and other sights from a boat on the river Main. You can choose from one- or two-hour sightseeing cruises.
See the city on a hop-on hop-off bus tour: A hop-on hop-off bus tour is a great way to see Frankfurt. The route has 14 stops, so you can disembark at the sights that interest you, and then hop on the next tour bus that comes along to continue your sightseeing journey through the city.
Top things to in Frankfurt for romantics
Heading to Frankfurt with the love of your life? Check out some of the best romantic things to do in Frankfurt.
Wander through Palmengarten: One of the city’s three botanical gardens, Palmengarten offers 22 hectares of indigenous, exotic, tropical, and sub-tropical plants. Explore the open-air collections and the greenhouses together, and then enjoy pastries and warm or cold drinks at one of Palmengarten’s two coffee shops.
Explore the historic streets of Sachsenhausen: A mediaeval district of Frankfurt, Sachsenhausen has quaint streets, squares, and embankments that are worth exploring together. See old buildings, visit cafes, bars, and restaurants, discover fascinating museum collections, and, if you’re there on a Saturday morning, browse one of the city’s best flea markets.
See the Alte Oper: Visiting the Alte Oper (Old Opera House) is one of the top romantic things to do in Frankfurt. Learn about this gorgeous edifice on a guided tour, or, better yet, attend a performance with your special someone.
Take a day trip to wine country near Frankfurt: Two gorgeous wine-producing regions are an hour’s train journey from Frankfurt. Spend a day exploring the vineyards of Rheingau and Rheinhessen, taste the fruits of the winemakers’ labours, and enjoy a delicious meal or picnic in the countryside.
Visit a fairy tale castle: Germany is a land of fairy tales, so why not spend a day exploring a castle dedicated to the Brothers Grimm? Take a day trip to Schloss Steinau (Steinau Castle), where you can wander through courtyards, climb towers, see a historic kitchen, visit old chambers, and peruse a Grimm Brothers and other exhibitions.
Cool things to do in Frankfurt with the family
Frankfurt is a fantastic destination for a holiday with the kids. Here are a few fun things to do in Frankfurt with the family.
Be playful in Günthersburgpark: Once one of the Rothschild family’s private estates, Günthersburgpark is now a park that’s hugely popular with families. You’ll find an adventure playground, a water slide, fountains, and a climbing wall, as well as expansive lawns and shady trees. Dogs are prohibited, so you don’t need to worry about other visitors’ furry friends getting too close to your little ones.
Climb the Goetheturm: Located on the northern edge of the Frankfurt city forest, the Goetheturm is a 43.3-meter-high observation deck made entirely of wood. Once you’ve reached the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the forest and the city.
Laugh at the Struwwelpeter Museum: Struwwelpeter (also known as Shock-haired Peter) is one of the strangest children’s books ever written and illustrated. If your children are fans of Peter, Cruel Frederick, Little Suck-a-Thumb or Johnny Head-in-the-Air, they’ll love the Struwwelpeter Museum. There’s an interactive play path and story islands, a creative table, a theatre room for dressing up and acting out some of the stories, games, photo opportunities, and other activities.
Get hands-on at Experiminta: The Experiminta ScienceCenter is a place where you won’t find “Do Not Touch” signs. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Your children are encouraged to try out the more than 130 experimental stations, where they can learn more about computer science, mathematics, physics, and technology. If you’re there for one of the science shows, you could see dazzling sights such as icy soap bubbles or fire tornados.
Enjoy wintery fun at any time of year: Head to Eisporthalle Frankfurt, a massive ice rink, for wintery fun, no matter what time of year you and your family visit the city. You’ll find more than 9,000 square metres of ice, two indoor rinks, and an outdoor skating area. Eisporthalle hosts regular events, so check the calendar before going, as it could be crowded, or the rinks might be unavailable for a few hours.
Explore Frankfurt for the nature enthusiast
We’ve already mentioned that Frankfurt has Germany’s largest city forest, so you probably think that the city’s a good destination for nature lovers and pet-owners. You’re certainly not wrong there! Take a look at some of the best things to see and do in Frankfurt for nature enthusiasts. If you want to bring your fury friend with you during your trip, Capri by Fraser, Frankfurt offers pet-friendly residences.
Contemplate beauty in Bethmannpark: Once the renowned Bethmann family’s garden, Bethmannpark offers three hectares of beauty, peace, and tranquillity. For most visitors, the highlight is the Chinese Garden, which was designed according to the principles of Feng Shui. In it, you’ll find plants, trees, graceful waterside pagodas, and quaint wooden bridges.
Combine art and nature in Rothschildpark : Located in Frankfurt’s business district, Rothschildpark has manicured lawns, a small lake, 19th-century buildings, and a fascinating collection of sculptures. Spend some time strolling through the park and discovering its surprises.
Explore the Botanical Garden: Some amazing sights await you in the Frankfurt Botanical Garden. The garden was founded in 1869, and since then, its collection has swelled to include more than 5,000 outdoor plants grouped in thematic areas. In addition to exploring those, you can wander through a jungle-like greenhouse filled with tropical plants.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of Lohrpark: Located on the city’s highest geographical point, Lohrpark is where you’ll find Frankfurt’s last vineyard. In addition to the pretty vineyard, you’ll find massive old oak trees, paths lined with roses, playgrounds, and sweeping views of the city.
Wander through Alter Flugplatz: A former U.S. military airbase, Alter Flugplatz has been fully revitalised as an urban park. What’s left of the old concrete runway is popular with rollerbladers, skaters, and kiters, and one of the hangars houses a firefighting museum. The old tower building’s now a café. Explore further, and you’ll see how nature has reclaimed part of a runway, how another section of runway was removed and replaced with plants and trees, and how ponds, playgrounds, and other elements were added to the site.
Top Cultural activities in Frankfurt
You’ll find an array of cultural activities in this vibrant city. Here are some of the best cultural things to do in Frankfurt.
Visit the Goethe House: Pay your respects to Germany’s most famous author, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe by visiting the place of his birth. The Goethe House is a fine example of 17th-century bourgeois style, and it’s decorated with period furniture and artwork. See how the writer would have lived as a young man and gain greater insights into his work in the Goethe Museum.
See St Paul’s Church: Once a Lutheran church, St Paul’s is now an exhibition and events venue. The exterior looks weatherworn, but the interior is strikingly modern. The church was where the National Assembly worked to develop the first constitution for a united Germany in 1849. St Paul’s was destroyed during the Allied bombing of the city during the Second World War. It was the first building to be rebuilt after the war, due to its importance as the cradle of Germany and as a symbol of freedom.
Make your way through the Museum of Modern Art: Known to locals as the ‘Slice of Cake,’ the Museum of Modern Art houses a seriously impressive collection of artworks by German and international artists. See works by modern masters such as Joseph Beuys, Roy Lichtenstein, Gerhardt Richter, and Andy Warhol.
Let Frankfurt Cathedral astound you: Construction of Frankfurt Cathedral (the Imperial Cathedral of St Bartholomew) began in the 1400s and continued until it was completed in the 1500s. Three centuries later, the Gothic church was gutted by a fire and rebuilt in the current style. The church was severely damaged by bombing during the Second World War and was reconstructed in the 1950s. Frankfurt Cathedral is a space that must be seen to be believed.
Tour the Hochst Porcelain Manufactory: Germany’s second-oldest fine porcelain factory, the Hochst Porcelain Manufactory offers a fascinating glimpse into a beautiful ceramic. The factory brings together art history and modern ceramic work. View the gorgeous exhibition and go on a guided tour of the factory.
Top events in Frankfurt
Germany’s events capital, Frankfurt has a fair or festival for everyone. Check out some of the fun things to do in Frankfurt if you’re hoping to add an annual event to your travel itinerary.
Opera Square Festival: Held annually in June/July, the 10-day Opera Square Festival is a must for foodies. The square in front of the Old Opera House is decked out with stalls and tents, where you can enjoy delicious food and drink from the region, wider Germany, and around the world, live music, and an incredible atmosphere.
Apple Wine Festival: Ebbelwoi (apple wine) is a cider that has played an important role in Frankfurt culture for centuries. Celebrate this traditional beverage at the Apple Wine Festival, held every year in August. In addition to sampling locally brewed apple wine, you can munch on German cuisine, purchase bottles of apple wine, souvenirs, ebbelwoi-making equipment for home brewing, traditional ceramic pitchers known as Bembels, and much more.
Museum Embankment Festival: Held every August, the Museum Embankment Festival is one of Europe’s most important arts and culture events. Visual arts, theatre, music, dance, and food are what this festival is all about.
Autumn/Spring Dippemess: Held twice a year in autumn and spring at the Ratsweg fair ground, the Dippemess is a traditional folk fair that dates back to the 12th century. What began as a trade fair for domestic produce evolved into an event featuring market stalls, rides and amusements, tasty food, and live music. The Dippemess is one of the most popular events in the Hesse region. The Autumn Dippemess takes place in September, and the Spring Dippemess takes place in March/April.
Christmas Market: If you’re in Frankfurt from the end of November or in December, make sure you don’t miss the Christmas Market. One of the most prestigious Christmas markets in Europe, the event has been held in the city since 1393! The heart of the event is in Römerberg, the beautiful old town square, where you’ll find stalls selling seasonal treats such as gingerbread, roasted nuts, grilled sausages, and mulled wine, as well as decorations and handmade gifts. You’ll also see a 30-metre-high Christmas tree and a vintage carousel. The event also includes markets in Paulsplatz, Hauptwache, and Mainkai.
How to get to Frankfurt
You’ll be able to get to the city centre with ease if you’re flying to Frankfurt Airport. Choose one of several options:
Train: Travelling by train is the easiest way to get from the airport to the city centre. Take S-Bahn trains S8 or S9 (direction of Offenbach or Hanau) from the Regional Station directly below Terminal 1 to the city’s Hauptbahnhof (main station). The journey takes about 10 minutes, and one-way tickets available from RMV machines cost €4.50.
Bus: You can take a bus to the city centre from directly outside Terminal 1 on the arrivals level or from outside Terminal 2 on level 2.
Taxi: If you prefer travelling to the Frankfurt city centre by taxi, you will find them outside the terminals. The fare is approximately €40, and the journey takes about 20 minutes.
Car: There are several rental car offices at the airport. Take the A60 autobahn and connect to A66, which leads to Frankfurt.
Getting around Frankfurt
Frankfurt’s fantastic public transport links, roads in excellent condition, and abundance of cycle lanes offer many different ways to get around the city. Don’t feel that you need to hire a car, as public transport here usually is the cheaper, faster, and easier option.
U-Bahn: The U-Bahn underground railway runs partly above ground, and in some parts of the city, it works in conjunction with the tram system. The trains in the city centre run every two to five minutes before 8pm, after which they run every 10 to 20 minutes until 1am, when the U-Bahn closes until 4am. There are nine U-Bahn/tram lines and almost 90 stations.
S-Bahn: The S-Bahn city train runs from the city centre to the outer suburbs and nearby cities. Trains run approximately every three minutes during peak hours, and every 15 to 30 minutes at night or if they’re travelling to the outer suburbs and surrounding cities. While full service is from 6am until 8pm, some lines open at 4am, and other lines are open until the last trains leave Frankfurt at 1.20am. The S8 and S9 trains run 24/7. There are nine lines and 112 stations.
Bus: Travelling by bus is particularly helpful if you’re looking for stops that are closer together than those of the U-Bahn or S-Bahn, if you’re travelling between S-Bahn stations in the north of the city, or if you’re travelling at night after the U-Bahn and S-Bahn close.
Regular tickets for adults cost €2.75, and there is a reduced fare for children ages 6-14. Children under age 6 do not need tickets. You can use a ticket on all forms of public transport. Tickets are valid for two hours starting from the moment you purchase them, and you can only use them for travelling in one direction.
Where to stay in Frankfurt
Capri by Fraser Frankfurt boasts everything you will need for the perfect city break. Our serviced apartments close to the popular Messe area offer comfortable and modern facilities making your stay as pleasant as possible.
Planning a trip to Frankfurt? Check out our travel guides!
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