A Guide to Frankfurt: What to Do and Where to Stay

Frankfurt may be Germany’s financial capital – home to one of the world’s largest stock exchanges, huge trade fair grounds and the European Central Bank – but it’s hardly buttoned-up. Despite its focus on business and commerce the city brims with first-rate cultural, dining and shopping options for visitors to enjoy, and it feels pleasantly down-to-earth and walkable for all its cosmopolitan vibes. Visit any time, but don’t leave without trying the ‘national’ drink ebbelwoi – apple cider, best quaffed in an old-timey tavern.

The best neighbourhoods to visit in Frankfurt

Altstadt

Römerberg is Frankfurt's most beautiful square

No visit to Frankfurt would be complete without a spin around the Altstadt, the historic city core where you’ll hit the sightseeing jackpot. Its focal point is the Römerberg, a medieval square surrounded by colourful half-timbered townhouses and Frankfurt’s imposing city hall. Most of this area just north of the Main River was flattened during World War II, but many buildings were faithfully reconstructed and are now photo-worthy. The backdrop is especially magical during the Christmas market, when mulled wine and toasted almonds perfume the air.

One interesting place to visit is St Paul’s Church behind the town hall, where Germany’s first constitution was drafted in 1848, but it’s the nearby 13th-century Kaiserdom (Frankfurt Cathedral) that’s the jewel among the city’s churches. For centuries, emperors were crowned in this imposing building of red sandstone, dominated by a frilly Gothic tower with a panoramic viewing platform.

To learn about Frankfurt’s fascinating past, drop by the engaging Historisches Museum. Art aficionados should check out the latest exhibition at the Schirn Kunsthalle or the exquisite modern collection of the Museum für Moderne Kunst.

If all that sightseeing has left you feeling hungry, stop at the Kleinmarkthalle for a tasty alternative to the touristy restaurants around the Römerberg. This market hall is crammed with stalls selling everything from local trout to homemade cheesecake. For the best wurst (sausage) in town, join the inevitable queue at cult butcher shop Schreibers – the Frankfurter is the dish to try.

Innenstadt

Frankfurt's Main Tower features a rooftop observation platform

The Altstadt is cradled by the modern Innenstadt, where bankers mix with shoppers browsing the stores along the Zeil, one of Germany’s highest-grossing shopping streets. Vehicles are banned from this kilometre-long strip bookended by two big squares, the Hauptwache and the Konstablerwache, making it a pleasure to stroll, browse and buy at leisure.

If your tastes (and budget) run more to luxury labels and high-end concept stores, head to Goethestrasse, linking the Old Opera and Goetheplatz. The elegant lane is also close to Große Bockenheimer Strasse, better known as “Fressgass” – roughly, “Pig-out Alley”. Strolling this culinary area is one of the unique things to do in Frankfurt. An infectious energy can be found away in its cafés, restaurants and gourmet shops, so simply grab an alfresco table and watch the world go by.

One of the most interesting things to do in the financial district south of here is to take the lift up the Main Tower, the only Frankfurt high-rise with a public observation deck. From 200 metres in the air, you can easily pinpoint major landmarks, trace the flow of the Main River and marvel at the green belt that encircles the central city.

A handy Innenstadt launchpad is the jazzy and upbeat Moxy Frankfurt City Center, with smartly designed rooms and a lobby perfect for socialising. The nearby all-suite Residence Inn Frankfurt City Center is ideal for families and those on extended stays.

Sachsenhausen

The Eiserner Steg is an iron footbridge that spans the river Main in Frankfurt

Culture lovers, shoppers and drinkers all get their fill in Sachsenhausen, a charming historic quarter south of the river. The elegantly curved Eiserner Steg (Iron Bridge) takes you from the Altstadt straight to the tree-lined Museumsufer (Museum Embankment), where ten world-class museums focus on art, movies, world cultures, architecture and design. Most famous is the Städel Museum, a showcase of 700 years’ worth of European art. The riverside promenade and its cafés deliver stellar views of the Frankfurt skyline.

From Museumsufer, it’s a quick stroll to the quirky boutiques, third-wave coffee shops, artisanal bakeries and trendy restaurants flanking Schweizer Strasse, Sachsenhausen’s main commercial drag. For an alternative thing to do, point your compass to nearby Brückenstrasse, where young local fashion designers and lifestyle boutiques have set up shop. Don’t miss organic ice cream from Bizziice.

To experience Frankfurt’s liveliest nightlife, hit the cobbled lanes of Alt-Sachsenhausen, whose traditional taverns are great places to eat. All serve ebbelwoi along with such regional specialities as boiled beef with Frankfurter Grüne Sosse, a green sauce made from herbs.

Urban explorers might want to wander a few steps further east to the Deutschherrnufer, where an erstwhile abattoir and cattle yard has been upcycled into an edgy postmodern riverside quarter of office and residential buildings.

Bahnhofsviertel

Frankfurt’s infamous red-light district near the train station has been cleaning up its act, evolving into one of the city’s most interesting places. A multicultural mosaic, the quarter has sprouted new galleries, clubs, speakeasies and next-gen restaurants that happily coexist with food stalls serving specialities from around the globe. The financial district, excellent shopping and the charming Altstadt are all easily reached from here.

The Bahnhofsviertel’s seedier sides are now mostly confined to Taunusstrasse, which contrasts greatly with parallel Kaiserstrasse, a grand boulevard lined by stately 18th-century residential buildings. Thespians should check out what’s on at the acclaimed English Theatre Frankfurt, the largest of its kind on the continent. One of the best things to do in order to escape the urban bustle is a stroll or jog among the palm, lemon, and fig trees of the Med-flavoured riverside Nizzagärten (Gardens of Nice).

One of the best places to stay around here is Roomers, Frankfurt, a Member of Design Hotels™, a unique boutique hotel that smoothly captures the Bahnhofsviertel spirit. Its sultry cocktail bar enjoys a large following among locals. Another handy base is Le Méridien Frankfurt around the corner. It grafts a historical to a modern wing and dishes up inspired drinks and barbecue specialities in its casual-glam Legacy Bar & Grill.

Westend

Palmengarten has themed gardens and giant greenhouses

Bankers and business moguls built fancy villas in the late 19th century along the tree-lined streets of Westend. North of the main train station, this district maintains a quiet, genteel air to this day. Some of the finest buildings line Ulmenstrasse and Siesmayerstrasse.

Westend is also home to Frankfurt’s sprawling trade fair grounds, whose Messeturm (Trade Fair Tower), designed by American architect Helmut Jahn, sticks out like the tall kid in your school photo. One of the best places to stay in this area is the Frankfurt Marriott Hotel which, at 159 metres high, is Germany’s tallest hotel and offers stunning skyline views and a classy American sports bar. Also convenient to the trade fair grounds is cosmopolitan Gekko House, Frankfurt, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, whose casual Chicago Williams restaurant serves up cold beer and mouthwatering barbecue.

Kids in tow? Take them to the renowned Senckenberg Natural History Museum. Its mammoths and mummies, komodo dragons and dwarf horses, and even a T-Rex and his Jurassic buddies should easily keep them entertained for hours. For another fun thing to do, go further north to the Palmengarten with its themed gardens and giant greenhouses. This botanical wonderland stretches over into two more parks and the impressive main campus of Frankfurt’s public university.

Bornheim

One of Frankfurt’s most charismatic neighbourhoods, Bornheim is known for its small-town community vibe, old-world architecture and diverse range of cafés and bars. The concentration of traditional taverns had already garnered this formerly working-class district the nickname “Merry Village” well over a century ago.

Bornheim’s backbone is three-kilometre-long Berger Strasse, which kicks off at Bethmannpark and its enchanting Chinese garden just northeast of the Innenstadt. Handily served by the U-Bahn (underground rail), Berger Strasse makes a fabulous retail run for everything from fair fashion and books to vintage wear and collectibles. Twice weekly, locals fill their larders at the bustling farmers market that sets up next to the Uhrtürmchen, a diminutive clocktower.

For traditional flair, head to the upper end of Berger Strasse to relax over local food and ebbelwoi in such traditional taverns as Apfelwein Solzer. One of the dishes to try is handkäs mit musik (literally: hand-cheese with music), a marinated soft cheese with raw onions. Bornheim’s pretty half-timbered town hall, a short walk north, adds a sightseeing element.

Go deeper

Frankfurt’s public transport system consists of U-Bahn (underground rail), Strassenbahn (tram), buses and S-Bahn (commuter rail) lines. S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 travel from Frankfurt International Airport to the city centre four times hourly in 11 minutes. If taking more than three trips around town within a day, buying a Tageskarte (day pass) works out cheaper than single tickets. The transport authority’s website has fare details and trip planning assistance.

The MuseumsuferTicket, a fantastic deal for museum lovers, grants admission to 37 museums over two consecutive days. Another ticket to savings is the Frankfurt Card, which offers unlimited public transport and up to 50% discount on tours, museums and other attractions for one or two days.

Published: July 25, 2022

Last Updated: July 24, 2022