20 Things To Do In Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a city of two halves seamlessly intertwined, with glistening sky scrapers, big banks and businesses on one side and traditional buildings, cosy cafes and plenty of history on the other. This mixture makes Frankfurt a great destination to spend a weekend exploring a European city. One of the best ways to explore Frankfurt is on foot on either a guided or self-guided city tour to get an overview of the city’s sights before choosing which you would like to visit in more depth. If you fancy exploring the city on a bicycle, there are many bicycle rental services across the city including Call a Bike, which is ran by Deutsch Bahn, the National railway service for Germany.

Frankfurt is an excellent destination for shopping with the Zeil, a pedestrianised shopping area, being the best place for a shopping spree at designer stores and independent boutiques. There is also a variety of excellent restaurants, bars and cafes here for those looking to make a day of their shopping trip. Restaurant culture in Frankfurt is casual, with guests encouraged to find their own tables and relax. While dining or enjoying the atmosphere in a bar order a Apfelwein, a city special drink made with lemonade or soda water and cider.

Frankfurt is a popular destination for its nightlife, with many clubs with live DJs and themed nights throughout the week. If you plan on visiting many of the city’s museums a Frankfurt Museumsufer is the perfect way to see as many museums as possibles. There are plenty of things to do in Frankfurt to make your stay enjoyable. Here are 20 things to do in Frankfurt you should not miss.

Frankfurt, Germany

20 Things To Do In Frankfurt

1- Use Museumsufer

Museumsufer offers the best way to see many of Frankfurt’s museums during your city break.

The ticket offers visitors access to 39 museums across the city across a 12 month period, including special and temporary exhibitions offered by many of the museums.

Included in your pass is access to Night of the Museums, which takes place in the city each spring.

Night of the Museums sees many of the city’s museums open later, often until 2am offering visitors a unique experience to see the museums after dark and with fewer people.

There are a variety of museums on offer with the pass including the Archäologisches Museum Frankfurt which charts the history of the city from the Palaeolithic Period to modern day, the Caricatura Museum Frankfurt, a museum dedicated to caricatures and illustrations, and Historisches Museum.

2- See The View From The Main Tower

Named after the Main River it overlooks, Main Tower is a 56-storey skyscraper in Frankfurt that is 200m (656.17ft) tall making it the fourth tallest in the city.

Schaefer und Partner, an architecture firm from Hamburg, won a competition to design Main Tower.

While the tower itself is filled with offices and gyms, the viewing platform is what draws visitors to this glass giant.

After enjoying the views out over the city, dine at the 53rd floor’s restaurant or enjoy a relaxing drink in the lounge.

The restaurant sits at 187m (614ft) and has window seats throughout so diners can eat with a view.

Main Tower also houses an art collection, the Helaba Collection, which focuses on contemporary artists working in a range of mediums including mosaic and video.

Main Tower is at Neue Mainzer Straße 52-58; Frankfurt, Hesse. Skip the lines and book your Main Tower tickets with a bonus Old Town tour.

3- Meander Through The City Forest

Escape the city and head into nature by exploring City Forest, which was once part of the larger Imperial Forest founded in 1871 as an accessible green space for residents and visitors.

City Forest spans 5000 hectares making Frankfurt one of the most wooded urbanised areas in Germany.

The forest offers visitors a chance to reconnect with nature on one of its many pathways designed for walkers, runners and cyclists, and there are plenty of open green spaces to simply lay back and relax on.

City Forest is at 60528 Frankfurt.

4- Listen To Music At Kultur-und Kongresszentrum Jahrhunderthalle

Kultur-und Kongresszentrum Jahrhunderthalle is a conference centre in the heart of Frankfurt that offers a variety of cultural performances and activities.

Professor Doctor Friedrich Wilhelm Kraemer, an architect, designed the building which opened in 1963.

The centre has since its opening been one of the largest destinations for cultural initiatives, with a central goal of allowing everyone access to a wide variety of cultural areas and performances.

Thought its history the centre has seen performances of ballets, rock groups and choirs.

Its domed hall has seen the likes of Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin perform.

The ground floor of the centre has been transformed into a nightclub that aside from club nights also hosts comedy performances and children’s theatre.

Kultur-und Kongresszentrum Jahrhunderthalle is at Pfaffenwiese 301, 65929 Frankfurt am Main.

5- Spend Saturday Morning At The Flea Market

Some of the best souvenirs come not from tourist traps, but local markets and flea markets, and Frankfurt’s flea market is a great thing to do when in the city.

The flea market is held every second Saturday of the month from 9 am till 2 pm for locals and tourists to search through treasures to find a bargain.

The flea market sees a variety of sellers and stalls set out their wares, with everything from antique paraffin lamps and glass shades to dusty old books and historical memorabilia available to buy.

The flea market is held on the banks of the Main River and offers beautiful views across the skyline.

The flea market is at Sachsenhausen-Nord and is held along the banks of the Main River.

6- Explore Römerberg

Römerberg is a beautiful and historical square in the heart of Frankfurt and is one that certainly cannot be missed during your city break.

The square is lined with medieval buildings with elaborate timber detailing, historical statues and church spires.

Römer, the 15th century city hall that gave the square its name, sits on the edge of the square.

Like many cities in Germany, Frankfurt suffered heavy bombardment during World War II, however local architects restored the city’s historical square to ensure that this part of its history would not be lost.

Take the time to wander around the square, admiring the old buildings and beautiful traditional architecture, before people watching with a cup of coffee from one of the squares many cafes.

Römerberg is at Römerberg 26, 60311 Frankfurt am Main.

Recommended tours:

• Frankfurt: The New Old Town and City Highlights Guided Walk
• Frankfurt: Scary Sightseeing Tour with The Hangman

7- Immerse Yourself In Upper Berger Straße Cafe Culture

Spend an afternoon like a true local and immerse yourself in Frankfurt’s cafe culture, paying particular attention to Upper Berger Straße.

This particular area of the city is filled with quaint cafes set in beautiful and historical surroundings.

Many of the buildings feature traditional half-timber frames dating from the 1600s.

Each week the street hosts farmers market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, where various meats, cheeses, drinks and more are sold.

After enjoying the sights and smells of the street and of course finding a cafe to sip coffee in while watching the locals, head back on an evening for some of the best German dishes at its many restaurants.

Upper Berger Straße is at Upper Berger Straße, Frankfurt.

Recommended tours:

• Frankfurt: TimeRide VR Time Travel Experience Ticket
• Frankfurt: Hop-on Hop-off Day Skyline or Express City Tour
• Frankfurt: Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen

8- Shop For Dinner At Erzeugermarkt Konstablerwache

Erzeugermarkt Konstablerwache is one of the best farmers markets in the city, and one that is well-worth exploring, particularly if you are searching for picnic ingredients before a trip to City Forest, or are looking for ideas for dinner in your apartment.

A community of farmers and Frankfurt locals opened the market in the late 1980s to ensure everyone had the opportunity to purchase fresh and local food.

At the market expect to find more than 50 local farmers and producers descend on Frankfurt offering a variety of items.

Expect to see vast arrays of cheeses, meats, fruits and vegetables, baked items, wines, beers and more at the marketplace.

Erzeugermarkt Konstablerwache is at Konstablerwache, 60313 Frankfurt am Main.

9- Experience Kleinmarkthalle

Kleinmarkthalle is another excellent market place in Frankfurt, however this market is held indoors.

The market spans 1500 square meters (16,145 square feet) of stalls selling fresh produce, and those selling ready-to-eat delicacies.

There are approximately 156 market stalls packed into the hall.

Look out for the traditional Frankfurt Green Sauce on sale, as well as culinary delights from the rest of Germany and beyond.

Green Sauce is a traditional accompaniment for hard-boiled eggs or boiled potatoes and is made from 7 herbs including cress, sorrel and chives, served chilled.

The market is open daily except on Sundays.

Kleinmarkthalle is at Hasengasse 5-7, 60311 Frankfurt am Main.

10- Enjoy A Performance At Alte Oper

Alte Oper has been entertaining the people of Frankfurt since it opened in 1880.

Gottfried Temper, an architect, designed the opera house to be built in the Renaissance-style with Greek influences throughout.

The opening performance was Mozart’s Don Giovanni, with Kaiser Wilhelm I in attendance.

The opera house was destroyed in World War II however it was rebuilt thank so the ‘Save the Alte Oper’ campaign of the late 1940s with enough money raised to ensure its repair and restoration by 1952.

After a turbulent period where planning permissions were denied, the opera house was finally reopened in August 1981 with a performance of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 8.

Alte Oper is at Opernpl. 1, 60313 Frankfurt am Main.

11- Relax At Palm Gardens

One of the best things to do in Frankfurt is spend time exploring the beauty of Palm Gardens.

Palm Gardens is one of three botanical gardens in the city and spans 22 hectares, with more than 13,000 plant species in its outdoor and indoor areas.

Heinrich Siesmayer took advantage of the annexation of Wiesbaden by Prussia in 1866 and bought up many of the plant treasures offered during this period.

Siesmayer brought the collection back to Frankfurt and planted the Palm Gardens to ensure the citizens could enjoy these exotic plants in their home city.

The garden was opened to the public in 1871 and has continued to expand its plant offering ever since.

The crowning feature of Palm Garden is the Palm House, which was built 2 years before the gardens opened.

Inside the Palm House are many exotic plants that would not be able to cope in the sometimes harsh weather conditions experienced in Frankfurt.

Here you will find palm trees, tree ferns, araucarias and other exotic flowering plants, all surrounding a delicate waterfall and pond filled with fish.

Throughout the year Palm Gardens hosts guided tours, lectures and musical performances.

Palm Gardens is at Palmengarten der Stadt, Siesmayerstraße 63, 60323 Frankfurt am Main.

12- Admire Frankfurt Cathedral

Frankfurt Cathedral is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.

Otherwise known as Kaiserdom St Bartholomäus, the cathedral features many different styles of architecture including Gothic exteriors, and interior features dating from the middle ages including pointed arches.

Those feeling brave can climb the 328 steps to the top of the cathedral tower for beautiful views at 66m (216ft) above the ground.

Inside the cathedral are many religious treasures and works of art including Mary’s Sleep Altar by an unknown 15th century artist, and a painting by Antonius van Dyck depicting the Lamentation of Christ.

Frankfurt Cathedral is at Domplatz 1, 60311 Frankfurt am Main.

Recommended tour: Frankfurt: Guided Bike Tour

13- Visit Goethe House

Immerse yourself in history and in literature at the birthplace and childhood home of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Goethe was a poet and writer who began writing at a young age, producing some of his most impressive and renowned works including ‘The Sorrows of Young Werther’.

Explore the home where Goethe was born and where he spent his childhood until he moved to Weimar to continue his literary education.

The home is filled with rooms featuring original furnishings and personal items from Goethe and his family.

Goethe House is at Großer Hirschgraben 23-25, 60311 Frankfurt am Main.

14- See Frankfurter Römer

Frankfurter Römer is one of the most famous buildings in Frankfurt and one that cannot be missed from your itinerary.

The building, on Römerberg square, gave the square its name and is instantly recognisable thanks to its pastel plasterwork, half-timbered frame and stepped roof.

Römer is Frankfurt’s city hall and has more than 600 years of history within the city.

Built in 1415 to replace a smaller town hall, Römer has acted as a city hall, meeting place, ballroom and royal destination since.

Römer is at Römerberg 23, 60311 Frankfurt am Main.

15- Cross Iron Footbridge

One of the most recognisable landmarks in Frankfurt is Iron Footbridge, or Eiserner Steg.

The footbridge crosses the Main River connecting Frankfurt’s central district with Sachsenhausen.

The bridge was originally built in 1869, with major changes in its structure dating from 1911.

The bridge is pedestrianised and offers beautiful views along the river and of the buildings that line it.

Many who cross the footbridge add a padlock to its iron frame to symbolise their love for another person.

Iron Footbridge is at 21 Mainkai, Frankfurt.

16- Learn About Natural History at Senckenberg Nature Museum

Take advantage of a Museumsufer pass, or simply purchase an entry ticket and uncover the mysteries of the natural world at Senckenberg Nature Museum.

The museum is a great Frankfurt destination for families as it offers a weekly schedule of family-friendly activities including workshops and nightly flashlight tours.

In the grounds of the museum are life-size models of dinosaurs, and inside are many taxidermy specimens including lions, monkeys and birds.

The museum is home to the largest collection of dinosaurs in Germany with an extensive exhibit on their lives, diets and biology.

Senckenberg Nature Museum is at Senckenberganlage 25 60325 Frankfurt.

17- Enjoy A Day At Zoo Frankfurt

Another excellent and family friendly thing to do in Frankfurt is spending a day at Zoo Frankfurt.

Zoo Frankfurt’s motto is ‘Experience animals- preserve nature’ and throughout its enclosures and exhibits, it does just that.

The animals are in authentic and natural habitats with plenty of information provided to visitors so they can learn about a range of species and conservation.

One of the latest additions to Zoo Frankfurt is the Exotarium, a miniature ecosystem of mangrove forests which will be home to a variety of rare and endangered species of animals.

There are public feeding displays held at the zoo throughout the day for animals including the seals, piranhas, giraffes and lemur.

Zoo Frankfurt is at Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, 60316 Frankfurt am Main.

18- Watch A Match At Deutsche Bank Park

Deutsche Bank Park is the home of Eintracht Frankfurt, the city’s football team.

The stadium was originally a military shooting ground, however since its transformation into a football stadium, it has seen up to 51,500 fans enter to see Eintracht Frankfurt play, as well as those coming to see other sporting events such as swimming and volleyball.

In 2024 Deutsche Bank Park will see many teams from across Europe descend on the ground for UEFA Euro 2024, which is held in several stadiums across Germany.

Deutsche Bank Park is at Mörfelder Landstraße 362, 60528 Frankfurt am Main.

19- Cruise Along Main River

Sit back and relax as a boat takes you gently down Main River.

A cruise along Main River is a great way to see some of Frankfurt’s most notable landmarks.

Many of the city’s river cruises last between 50 and 100 minutes as ships take you up and down river.

Notable sights visible from Main River on river cruises include the Frankfurt Skyline, the pretty and half-timbered buildings lining the river and Frankfurt Osthafen.

Some river cruses offer guests dinner, while others offer coffee and cakes as you take in the views.

There are many river cruises offered along the banks of the River Main, with tickets available to book in advance or on the day.

20- Enjoy Heiße Schokolade at Cafe Hauptwache

Reflect on your day and warm up with a cup of Heiße Schokolade at Cafe Hauptwache, one of the best cafes in the city.

Cafe Hauptwache has been serving the people of Frankfurt since 1902.

Heiße Schokolade is a warming chocolate drink topped with plenty of cream.

Cafe Hauptwache is set inside a pretty 1730s building originally used as a guardhouse.

Unlike other historical buildings in Frankfurt, Cafe Hauptwache escaped the damage caused by World War II bombings and firestorms and remains as it was in the early 1900s.

Sit outside under a cosy blanket to watch passersby and admire the views, or go inside and dine at one of the most historical restaurants in the city.

Cafe Hautwache is at An der Hauptwache 15, 60313 Frankfurt am Main.