Your guide to Frankfurt
Frankfurt highlights
Woodland adventures
One of Germany’s largest wooded urban areas, Frankfurt is a city hugged by forest. This means that a breath of fresh air is never far away. It also means your city break to Frankfurt will have access to an endless network of well-maintained walking, running and cycling paths. Check out Palmengarten’s exhibitions and tours, or simply enjoy its vast gardens and historical display houses.
Walking tours
With so many parks, gardens and squares close to one another, sightseeing on foot is easy in Frankfurt. There are walking tours covering an array of themes, including history, architecture and beer tasting. The Missing Treasure Outdoor Escape Game is an unconventional way to explore, as you have to solve riddles and challenges to seek out landmarks.
Apple wine
‘Apfelwein’ (apple wine) is a traditional Frankfurt beverage made from pressed apples. Often served in quaint taverns in traditional earthenware jugs, it’s a must-try if you’re seeking an authentic taste of Frankfurt. Join an apple wine guided tour, or settle yourself in one of Sachsenhausen’s apple wine taverns. The Frankfurt Apple Wine Festival happens every summer, where mixologists craft unusual apple wine cocktails.
Frankfurt: Know before you go
| Language | German |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST) |
| High season | July - October |
| Low season | January - February |
Find the best time to go to Frankfurt
Weather in Frankfurt
March – May: Spring brings cherry blossoms to the botanical gardens, though winter’s chill doesn’t fully let up until May. Snow can linger into April, broken up by periods of warm sunshine.
June – August: Summer in Frankfurt draws everyone outside to al fresco cafes and parks. Soak up the sunshine and warm weather. But keep an umbrella handy for the occasional thunderstorm.
September – November: Summer’s warmth can hang around into September. Once October hits, days get colder and rainier.
December – February: Frankfurt winters are cold and snowy, with daytime temperatures just above freezing. But Christmas markets and outdoor activities bring plenty of festive cheer.
Events in Frankfurt
Fastnacht (February to March): Nearby Mainz boasts the country’s oldest and most beloved ‘Fastnacht’ (Germany’s version of Carnival). Eat ‘Berliner’ (jam doughnuts) and watch the parade, featuring elaborate floats, costumes and political satire.
Museum Embankment Festival (August): The banks of the River Main are transformed into open-air stages, galleries and art markets during this cultural showcase. The three-day event ends with a spectacular fireworks display.
Dippemess (spring and autumn): Folk festival meets modern fairground at this popular, twice-yearly carnival marking the changing seasons. Feast on treats like apple wine and roasted almonds, or try your luck with carnival games. Stalls selling traditional pottery are still an important part of the celebrations.
The best neighbourhoods in Frankfurt
Innenstadt
Located in the heart of the city, Innenstadt has gleaming skyscrapers, high-end fashion boutiques and all manner of eating and drinking options. It’s not all glass and metal facades though, with cultural attractions to explore such as the Goethe House Museum in a traditional 17th-century home. You can travel easily to anywhere else in the city from here, making it one of the best areas to stay in Frankfurt.
Good for: Restaurants, museums, convenient location
Sachsenhausen
This charming neighbourhood south of the River Main is a laid-back alternative away from the corporate centre. Sachsenhausen is also where to stay in Frankfurt to be near the Old Town and its smattering of authentic German restaurants and pubs. To scratch your culture itch, the Museumsufer is a row of riverside museums covering art, film and history.
Good for: History, restaurants, nightlife
Bahnhofsviertel
The area around the city’s main train station is quickly emerging as a go-to neighbourhood for nightlife and globally themed restaurants. You’ll find excellent examples of Eritrean, Indian and Persian cuisine here. With theatres, historical buildings and the rest of the city on its doorstep, Bahnhofsviertel is a convenient place to base yourself in Frankfurt.
Good for: Nightlife, central location, restaurants
Things to do in Frankfurt
Family friendly things to do
There are many things to do with family in Frankfurt. Palmengarten is a botanical garden ideal for young explorers, while Taunus Wunderland is suited for indoor play. Join the locals with a snack of bratwurst and chips while strolling alongside the River Main. And don’t miss Waldspielpark Goetheturm — a playground in a forest with a fun observation tower to climb.
Shopping
The shopping in Frankfurt is a treat. Explore the exclusive stores on Goethestrasse, budget-friendly shops on Zeil and a collection of malls with designer options. The Skyline Plaza is a local favourite, with a rooftop terrace perfect for a pitstop. Kleinmarkthalle is a must-visit market for foodies.
Take in the culture
Don’t let all the banks here fool you, this city is a cultural hub. Museums in Frankfurt focus on history and art, and many host original exhibitions. The Museum of Modern Art is one of the most popular contemporary art museums in Europe. And the Museum for Communication always has something fun on the calendar — spot the flock of sheep crafted from old telephone cables in the foyer.
Nightlife
A city that works hard and plays even harder means there’s no shortage of nightlife in Frankfurt. You’ll not only find trendy rooftop bars and chic nightclubs, but also a spirited drinking scene in the city’s Old Town. Sachsenhausen is known for its historic pubs and ‘apfelwein’ (apple wine) bars housed in crooked old buildings. Say ‘prost’ (cheers)!
Places to eat
Bringing together hearty German cuisine and international influences, restaurants in Frankfurt have distinctive appeal. Seek out family-run restaurants for proper German schnitzel with potato and apple sauce or foodie adventures with the many innovative chefs who call the city home. If you plot your meals to Michelin stars, Seven Swans and Lafleur are the go-to spots. And for unusual flavours cleverly paired together, check out Ponte.
Free things to do
If you're on a budget, there are plenty of free things to do in Frankfurt. Visit the famous Romerberg (market square) in the city centre, where you can view the historical city hall. Or explore the many verdant parks such as the vast Niddapark. Take a walk over the iconic Eiserner Steg (Iron Footbridge), and stroll through Frankfurt's street art scene in the Bahnhofsviertel neighbourhood.
Get ready for Frankfurt
Budget
Explore the city’s parks and museums on your budget trip to Frankfurt. Many museums offer free admission on select days. And the Frankfurt Card combines discounts on tours and attractions with free public transport. Check out the Hauptbahnhof area for affordable restaurants, where you can find a cheap meal for around 18 euros (€).
Day trips from Frankfurt
Across the Rhine, Mainz is the wine capital of Germany. Tour the ‘Altstadt’ (Old Town) and Gutenberg Museum, then end your day with a wine tasting. An hour south, Heidelberg is one of Germany’s most picturesque cities. Visit romantic Heidelberg Castle and take in sweeping views from the ‘Philosophenweg’ (Philosopher’s Walk).
Getting around Frankfurt
Getting around Frankfurt is easy. The city is well serviced by buses, trams and a subway system. A single ticket is valid for two hours. Or buy a day pass if you’re planning on a lot of sightseeing. Frankfurt is also a city of cyclists. Hire a bike and join the locals on one of the many dedicated cycle lanes around the city.
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