Looking for fun things to do in Frankfurt? Check out this list of the very best things to do in Frankfurt, Germany.
Frankfurt am Main is usually just called Frankfurt and is the fifth-largest city in Germany. It is the financial capital of Germany and the city’s many skyscrapers have given the city the nickname “Mainhattan“. Frankfurt is a major traffic hub in Germany, but most tourists forget to spend time exploring the city. It’s a real shame because Frankfurt offers many exciting sights and things to do.
If you’re planning a trip to Germany, don’t forget to slip a trip past Frankfurt. Here’s a list of the very best things to do in Frankfurt am Main.
Table of Contents
The best things to do in Frankfurt:
1. Römerberg
Römerberg is a large open square in the Old Town of Frankfurt and is surrounded by charming half-timbered houses. This is where you’ll find Römer, the former town hall of Frankfurt for more than 600 years.
Most of the buildings on the site were destroyed during World War II, so many of the buildings are only reconstructions of the original buildings. Reconstruction or not, Römerberg is one of the best and most popular things to do in Frankfurt. If you’re visiting Frankfurt in December, don’t forget to visit the historic Christmas market at Römerberg.
2. Kleinmarkthalle
Kleinmarkthalle is an indoor marketplace with a myriad of stalls selling all sorts of fresh produce. Here you can buy tasty German specialties, but you can also buy specialties from many other corners of the world.
Don’t forget to visit the dining area where there’s a great selection of eateries selling everything from tapas to sandwiches and Bratwurst. The popular Frankfurt market is open every day during the daytime, except on Sundays.
3. Alte Oper
This old opera house in Frankfurt was originally built in 1880 but was unfortunately destroyed during World War II. Today you can only see a reconstruction of the original opera house which was completed and reopened in 1981. It’s an incredibly beautiful building that’s worth a visit if you’re nearby anyway.
The Alte Oper is one of the main concert halls in Frankfurt hosting more than 300 concerts and shows annually. If you’re interested in attending a show, there’s certainly plenty to choose from. Tickets for Alte Oper shows are always in vogue, so remember to book your tickets in advance.
4. Frankfurt Cathedral
This old Gothic church in Frankfurt has previously been home to coronation ceremonies of Roman emperors in Germany. The church is one of the most popular things to do in Frankfurt and a major landmark for the city.
Inside the church, you’ll find several impressive religious objects and statues, but the absolute best thing about the cathedral is the 95-meter-high church tower. Climb the more than 300 steps to the top of the tower, from where there are absolutely stunning views of the surrounding area.
5. Zeil
The best and most popular place for shopping in Frankfurt is definitely on the pedestrian street Zeil. This is the largest shopping street in Frankfurt and has been nicknamed “The Fifth Avenue of Germany“. Here you’ll find almost everything you need for a perfect shopping trip in Germany with everything from fashion stores and small boutiques to department stores.
At Zeil you’ll also find the modern shopping center MyZeil. The shopping center is packed with shops and restaurants from all over the world. Don’t forget to take a ride on the impressive 42-meter escalator, the longest unsupported indoor escalator in Europe. Before going shopping, however, be aware that most stores in Germany are closed on Sundays.
6. Eschenheimer Turm
The Eschenheimer Turm is an ancient medieval tower dating back to the beginning of the 15th century. Large parts of Frankfurt’s medieval wall were demolished many years ago, but fortunately, Eschenheimer was preserved at the last minute. The tower is worth passing by as it’s one of the oldest landmarks in Frankfurt.
The 47-meter-high medieval tower originally served as a city gate in the city wall, defending the city against enemies. Today, the old medieval tower stands in stark contrast to the surrounding area with modern skyscrapers. Inside the tower, you can find a restaurant, café, and bar.
7. Main Tower
Frankfurt is home to most of the skyscrapers in Germany, yet only the Main Tower has a public observation deck. It is the fourth tallest skyscraper in Frankfurt, and thus also the fourth tallest in all of Germany.
Take the insanely fast elevator that takes you up to the observation deck at 200 meters altitude in just 5 seconds. As you step out onto the observation deck, you’ll be greeted by stunning views of most of Frankfurt. You can also visit the Main Tower Restaurant & Lounge and enjoy a meal with stunning panoramic views.
8. Sachsenhausen
Sachsenhausen is a district in Frankfurt, best known for its charming old town with cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. The area is packed with lively pubs, bars, and beer gardens selling Apfelwein, also called Ebbelwoi by the locals.
Apfelwein is a local specialty in Frankfurt, produced in the surrounding regions. The alcoholic beverage is so popular that you can hardly have been in Frankfurt without tasting it! Of course, you can also find many other of Frankfurt’s specialties in Sachsenhausen, but now don’t forget to taste Apfelwein.
9. Städel Museum
One of the best cultural things to do in Frankfurt and the rest of Germany is a visit to the Städel Museum. This large art museum was founded in 1815 and offers an impressive collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures.
The thousands of works in the museum consist of European works of art created by artists over the last seven centuries. Some of the works are made by world-renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Picasso, Renoir, and Monet.
10. Mainkai
Mainkai is a beautiful promenade that runs along the river Main in the center of Frankfurt. If you’re visiting the city in good weather, a walk, jog, or bike ride along the river is one of the best things to do in Frankfurt. On the Mainkai, you can enjoy the lovely park areas while being captivated by the beautiful views of the Frankfurt skyline.
11. Frankfurt Stock Exchange
In Bankenviertel, you’ll find the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. This is one of the largest and most important stock exchanges in the world. If you’re interested in the big financial market, you can get on a guided tour in there. However, you must be aware that you must book a ticket in advance to get free admission.
In front of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange stands two iconic bronze statues of a bear and a bull. Together, they symbolize the many ups and downs that take place in the world’s stock markets. A visit to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange is a great thing to do in Frankfurt if you’re interested in financing.
12. Goethe House
If you’re a fan of the author and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the Goethe House is one of the best sights in Frankfurt. If you’ve no idea who he is (like me), this may not exactly be the most exciting attraction in Frankfurt for you.
It turns out that Goethe is obviously one of the greatest and most acclaimed writers in all of Germany. He was born in Frankfurt and lived in the Goethe House for the first 16 years of his life. Today you can visit the house and get a completely unique insight into the framework of his childhood.
13. Palmengarten
One of the best sights in Frankfurt is the Palmengarten, a large botanical garden of 22 hectares. Here you can enjoy the sight of thousands of plant species from all corners of the world.
The plants are divided into thematic areas according to the regions they come from and are located both outdoors and inside different greenhouses. If you get tired of looking at plants, there are also several eateries, picnic areas, rowing boats, and playgrounds for the children.
14. Berger Straße
With its 3 kilometers, Berger Straße is the longest road in Frankfurt. It is a popular area to walk in the city for the locals of Frankfurt. If you need to get away from the tourist crowds, this is the place to go.
On Berger Straße you’ll find a large selection of restaurants and cafés selling everything from traditional German dishes to international dishes. There are also several bars, making it a popular place to go out in Frankfurt. If you’re tired of the big international chain stores, you can also find many small fun shops on Berger Straße.
15. Senckenberg Museum
The Senckenberg Museum is without a doubt one of the best sights in Frankfurt for families. Here you can explore the second-largest nature museum in Germany and the largest exhibition of dinosaurs in Europe. The collection is very impressive with fossils and creations of dinosaurs in lifelike size. It’s definitely a big hit for children in Frankfurt!
Besides the popular dinosaurs, the Senckenberg Museum also has many other exciting exhibitions, including the planet’s biodiversity and human evolution throughout history. You can also learn a lot more about the depths of the ocean and experience many stuffed living and extinct animal species.
16. Klassikstadt
If you’re a true car enthusiast, don’t miss Klassikstadt. It’s one of the best things to do in Frankfurt for any car lover. Klassikstadt is housed in an old 16,000 square meter production building and showcases an impressive car collection displayed on several floors.
Inside Klassikstadt you’ll find both car shows, car dealers, and workshops with lots of old vintage cars and fast sports cars. Several of the cars are privately owned, so the exhibitions rarely remain the same for extended periods.
Best of all, the Klassikstadt is completely free to visit – if you can resist the temptation of the many cars of course.
17. Eiserner Steg
Eiserner Steg is a footbridge built in 1869 that crosses the river Main. It connects the Sachsenhausen district with the center of Frankfurt and is one of the most iconic attractions in Frankfurt.
As you cross the Eiserner Steg, you’ll be greeted by stunning views, no matter which direction you’re looking towards. Enjoy the views of the Frankfurt skyline or bring a love padlock to hang on iron construction on the bridge.
That was all on this list of the very best things to do in Frankfurt. What are your favorite things to do in Frankfurt? What are you looking forward to on your trip to Germany? Feel free to leave a comment.
Planning a trip to Germany? You might also like these articles:
- 12 Most Beautiful Fairytale Castles in Germany
- Top 10 Best Amusement Parks in Germany
- Travel Guide to Berlin
- 20 Best Things to Do in Berlin
- 17 Best Things to Do in Hamburg, Germany
- Travel Guide to Hamburg
… Or read all articles from Germany.
Like this article? Pin it for later!
Leave a reply