Travel Guide to Frankfurt: What to See, Where to Stay and What to Eat

Frankfurt is often treated as somewhere to change planes, catch a train or attend a business meeting. That is a shame, because Germany’s financial capital has far more personality than its collection of office towers might suggest.

This is a city of contrasts. Shiny skyscrapers rise above reconstructed medieval buildings, traditional cider taverns sit a short distance from fashionable cocktail bars, and peaceful riverside paths run through one of Europe’s most important business centres.

Frankfurt is also pleasantly manageable. The main attractions are relatively close together, while trains, trams and underground services make longer journeys easy. You can see a surprising amount in a weekend without feeling as though you have spent the entire trip rushing between landmarks.

The city’s international population has created a diverse food scene, but Frankfurt still holds tightly to its regional traditions. Apple wine, green sauce and hearty Hessian dishes remain an important part of local life.

Whether you are staying for one night between flights or planning a proper city break, give Frankfurt time beyond the railway station and airport. You may find it much friendlier, greener and more interesting than you expected.

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The Frankfurt Sights You Shouldn’t Miss

Begin at Römerberg, the historic heart of Frankfurt. The square is surrounded by colourful, timber-framed buildings that create a dramatic contrast with the city’s modern skyline.

The Römer, with its distinctive stepped façade, has served as Frankfurt’s city hall for centuries. Opposite it stands the Old St Nicholas Church, while nearby lanes lead towards the River Main and Frankfurt Cathedral.

Much of the Old Town was destroyed during the Second World War, but several streets and buildings have since been carefully reconstructed. The result may not be entirely ancient, but it gives visitors an idea of what central Frankfurt once looked like.

Frankfurt Cathedral, officially the Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew, played an important role in the election and coronation of Holy Roman emperors. If you do not mind climbing a long spiral staircase, the cathedral tower offers an excellent view over the Old Town and financial district.

From the cathedral, walk towards the Eiserner Steg, or Iron Footbridge. This pedestrian bridge crosses the River Main and provides one of the city’s best skyline views. It is especially attractive during the evening when the towers begin to light up.

The Museumsufer, or Museum Embankment, stretches along the southern side of the river. It contains museums devoted to art, film, architecture, communication and world cultures. The Städel Museum is the best-known, with an impressive collection covering hundreds of years of European art.

For a completely different experience, visit the Main Tower. Its outdoor observation platform provides a sweeping view of Frankfurt’s skyscrapers, surrounding neighbourhoods and distant countryside.

Goethe House is another popular stop. The reconstructed family home introduces visitors to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, one of Germany’s most celebrated writers.

Where to Stay in Frankfurt

If this is your first visit, the Old Town and Innenstadt are the most convenient areas. You will be close to Römerberg, the main shopping streets, museums and the River Main.

The city centre has a wide range of hotels, although weekday prices can be influenced by business travellers and major trade fairs. At certain times, staying from Friday to Sunday may actually be better value.

The area around Frankfurt Central Station is extremely convenient for transport and usually offers plenty of reasonably priced accommodation. It is also one of the city’s most international neighbourhoods, with excellent restaurants from around the world.

However, the station district can feel gritty, particularly around some side streets. Many travellers stay there without difficulty, but first-time visitors may feel more comfortable choosing a hotel closer to the river, the eastern side of the station or another neighbourhood entirely.

Sachsenhausen, south of the Main, is a good choice if you want traditional cider taverns and a more residential atmosphere. The Museumsufer and city centre remain within walking distance.

Bornheim feels relaxed and local, with neighbourhood restaurants, cafés and shops lining Berger Straße. It is well connected by public transport and suits visitors who prefer staying outside the main tourist area.

Westend is quieter and more elegant, with leafy streets and handsome historic buildings. It is convenient for the Palmengarten, financial district and Frankfurt Trade Fair.

Always check the city’s event calendar before booking. Large trade fairs can send hotel prices soaring, even in areas outside the centre.

Nightlife in Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s nightlife is more varied than its businesslike image suggests. You can spend the evening in a traditional apple-wine tavern, listen to live jazz, visit a rooftop bar or dance in an electronic-music club.

Sachsenhausen is the classic place to begin. The neighbourhood’s traditional taverns serve Apfelwein, Frankfurt’s tart local cider, in a sociable and informal setting.

The prettiest establishments are often found along cobbled streets in Alt-Sachsenhausen. Some bars in the busiest section cater mainly to large groups and tourists, so walk a little farther if you want a quieter, more traditional experience.

The station district, known as Bahnhofsviertel, has become one of Frankfurt’s most interesting dining and nightlife areas. Stylish bars, international restaurants and creative venues sit beside older businesses and some visibly rough streets. Keep your belongings secure and remain aware of your surroundings late at night.

For sophisticated cocktails and skyline views, try the city centre or one of the bars inside Frankfurt’s taller hotels. Bornheim and Nordend offer a gentler neighbourhood evening, with wine bars, pubs and relaxed restaurants.

Frankfurt also has an important electronic-music history and continues to host respected clubs and DJs. Live-music fans will find jazz, rock and international performances throughout the city.

For more info, read the Nightlife in Frankfurt guide.

Getting Outdoors in Frankfurt

Frankfurt is much greener than most visitors expect. Parks, riverbanks and woodland make it easy to take a break from museums and office towers.

The River Main is the obvious place to start. Walking or cycling along the embankment provides excellent skyline views and connects several of the city’s main attractions. In warm weather, the grassy banks fill with people relaxing, picnicking and meeting friends.

The Palmengarten is one of Frankfurt’s loveliest green spaces. This large botanical garden contains themed gardens, glasshouses and plants from different climates. It is a pleasant option in almost any weather.

Next door, Grüneburgpark has broad lawns, mature trees and plenty of room for a quiet walk. Bethmannpark is smaller but particularly attractive, with flowerbeds and a peaceful Chinese garden.

Frankfurt is surrounded by a green belt of parks, meadows and woodland. The city forest to the south has marked paths for walking and cycling, allowing you to escape the urban centre without travelling very far.

For a classic skyline view, cross the Eiserner Steg and walk east along the Sachsenhausen riverbank. Sunset is a particularly good time to bring your camera.

Boat cruises operate along the Main and provide an easy way to see the city from the water. If you would like a longer excursion, travel into the nearby Taunus hills for woodland walks, spa towns and hilltop viewpoints.

For more info, read the Outdoor activities in Frankfurt guide.

Food and Drink in Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s most famous local speciality is Grüne Soße, or green sauce. It is made with seven fresh herbs and usually served cold with boiled eggs and potatoes. You will find different versions across the city, and locals can have surprisingly strong opinions about which one is best.

Frankfurter sausages are another obvious choice. These lightly smoked pork sausages are traditionally served with bread and mustard. Their name is legally connected with the Frankfurt region, although similar sausages are eaten throughout Germany.

For something heartier, try Frankfurter Rippchen—cured pork served with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. Handkäse mit Musik is more adventurous: a strong sour-milk cheese served with onions, vinegar and oil. The “music” is a joking reference to what may happen after eating it.

The city’s signature drink is Apfelwein. It is drier and sharper than the sweet cider many visitors expect. It is traditionally served from a blue-and-grey stoneware jug called a Bembel and poured into ribbed glasses.

If the flavour seems too sour at first, order it mixed with sparkling water. This gentler version is known as a Sauergespritzter.

Kleinmarkthalle is an excellent place for lunch or snacks. Its stalls sell meat, cheese, bread, fruit, flowers and international ingredients. Look out for the popular sausage counter, although queues can be long at busy times.

The Bahnhofsviertel is one of the best areas for international food. You can find Turkish, Japanese, Ethiopian, Persian, Indian and many other cuisines within a relatively small district.

For coffee and brunch, explore Nordend, Bornheim or the streets around the city centre. Frankfurt also has excellent bakeries, modern wine bars and a growing craft-beer scene.

For more info, read the Food and drink in Frankfurt guide.

Final Thoughts

Frankfurt may not charm you in the same immediate way as Florence or Edinburgh, but it becomes more interesting the longer you look.

Start among the timber-framed buildings of Römerberg, climb a tower for a skyline view and spend an afternoon exploring the museums beside the river. Later, cross into Sachsenhausen for green sauce, apple wine and a relaxed evening in a traditional tavern.

The skyscrapers are certainly part of Frankfurt, but they are not the whole story. Behind the business district is a diverse, walkable and surprisingly welcoming city that deserves to be more than a brief stop on the way somewhere else.

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