6 Best Things to do in Frankfurt, Germany

Planning a trip to Frankfurt? You’ve come to the right place!

Germany’s financial capital is often seen as a quick stop for business travelers, but there’s actually a lot more to this city than glass skyscrapers and airport layovers. Frankfurt mixes modern skyline views with historic squares and easy access to some of the most beautiful places in Germany. We absolutely loved it.

There are so many great experiences waiting for you in Frankfurt. After researching and exploring the best options, we’re sharing the top things to do in Frankfurt so you can make the most of your visit. Let’s get into it!

Things to Do in Frankfurt

1. Explore Frankfurt through the eyes of a local

This Frankfurt walking tour is a fantastic way to get to know the city, especially if it’s your first time visiting! Frankfurt can feel a little overwhelming at first because it mixes modern skyscrapers with historic streets, and having a knowledgeable local guide really helps bring the whole place to life.

The tour focuses mainly on Frankfurt’s Old Town and historic center, which is where you’ll find many of the city’s most famous landmarks. As you walk through the area, your guide will point out important sights like Römer Square, Frankfurt Cathedral, and St. Paul’s Church, while also sharing stories about how the city evolved from a medieval trading hub into Germany’s financial capital.

One of the things we like most about this tour is that it goes beyond just listing facts about buildings. The guides add lots of local insight, history, and interesting anecdotes that make the experience feel much more personal. You’ll also wander down smaller streets and corners that are easy to miss if you’re exploring on your own.

It’s also a really relaxed experience. The pace is comfortable, there are plenty of opportunities to ask questions, and it gives you time to take photos while soaking up the atmosphere of the city. By the end of the tour, you’ll have a much clearer understanding of Frankfurt’s layout and history, which makes it much easier to explore independently afterward.

Overall, this walking tour is a great starting point for any Frankfurt trip. If you want a friendly introduction to the city, along with plenty of local stories and hidden details, it’s hard to beat this experience.

2. Escape to historic Heidelberg for castles and cobblestones

If you’re looking for an easy and memorable day trip from Frankfurt, this Heidelberg tour is a fantastic choice. It’s just over an hour away, but it has a totally different feel from the business-like streets of Frankfurt thanks to its cobbled streets and colorful buildings. Plus, one of the most famous castle ruins in the whole of Germany overlooks the entire town! 

The first stop is Heidelberg Castle, which sits high above the Old Town on a hillside. Walking through the castle grounds is impressive on its own, but the real highlight is the view from the terrace! As we looked down over the Neckar River and the red rooftops of the Old Town, we truly realized just how beautiful this part of Germany really is. 

Inside the castle, you’ll also see the famous Heidelberg Tun, an enormous historic wine barrel that once stored huge quantities of wine. It’s a quick and quirky stop, and then you’ll leave the castle and head down into Heidelberg’s fairytale-esque Old Town. As we explored, we came across so many tiny bakeries and cafes tucked between the historic buildings, and it was a true test of our willpower not to stop for cake every five minutes! 

If you want to experience one of Germany’s most romantic towns without worrying about transport or planning, this Heidelberg tour makes the whole trip incredibly easy. With hundreds of five-star reviews, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular—we had such a great time exploring, and it wasn’t a super-long day, either.

3. Chase fairytale Germany with Neuschwanstein and Rothenburg

If you’ve ever pictured Germany as a place of fairytale castles and medieval towns, you need to book this tour! It’s a long day from Frankfurt, but that’s why it’s so great to have all of the transport and logistics handled for you. Trying to do it all on your own would be too much! 

And the travel time is totally worth it, because you get to visit two of the most iconic places in the entire country. The star of the day is Neuschwanstein Castle, the dramatic white castle perched high in the Bavarian Alps. It has inspired multiple Disney castles, and it looks absolutely incredible in person. 

You’ll also visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber, which is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Germany. Walking through its narrow cobbled streets feels like traveling back in time. Everywhere you look, you’ll see half-timbered houses, flowers, and charming squares. We fell in love with this place straight away, and we’re sure that you will too!

Yes, it’s an early start and a full day of sightseeing, but if you want to see the kind of castles and towns that make Germany famous, this experience is very hard to beat. And having a knowledgeable guide with you makes it all even better because you learn so much along the way.

4. Visit Frankfurt’s famous markets

One of our favorite ways to experience Frankfurt like a local is by exploring its markets! The city has a great mix of indoor food halls and outdoor farmers markets, and even a flea market if you feel like browsing for vintage finds! Some run daily, but others only pop up on certain days of the week, so it’s worth checking the schedule before you go – we’ve included the opening times for our top picks below.

Kleinmarkthalle
Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday–Friday from 8 am to 6 pm (closed Sundays)

Kleinmarkthalle is Frankfurt’s most famous food hall and a must-visit if you enjoy local food markets! We were in absolute heaven as we browsed the rows of stalls selling everything from fresh produce and spices to baked goods and local cheeses. We only planned to have a quick look here, but we ended up staying for lunch because there were just too many tempting treats to resist! 

Bauernmarkt Konstablerwache
Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm (closed Sunday–Wednesday, Friday)

This is Frankfurt’s best-known outdoor farmers market, set right on Konstablerwache near the busy Zeil shopping street. It’s a lively place where locals come to pick up fresh produce, but we also had the best time grazing our way through all of the different stalls. We had some delicious fresh bread, local honey, and tons of cheese and sausage, of course – when in Germany, am I right? 

Lindley Street Flea Market
Tuesday–Thursday from 8 am to noon, 12.30 pm to 4 pm, Friday from 8 am to 1 pm (closed Saturday–Monday)

Located in the Osthafen district, the Lindleystraße flea market is a large open-air second-hand market where vendors sell a mix of antiques, vintage items, books, records, and household goods. We like this one because it’s just a fun place to browse and see what unusual treasures you can dig up, even if you’re not planning to buy anything!

Friedberger Platz Weekly Market
Friday from 10 am to 8 pm (closed Saturday–Thursday)

We love this neighborhood market in Frankfurt’s Nordend district because it has a friendly, local feel and focuses on everyday produce like fruit, vegetables, baked goods, and other fresh staples. It’s especially popular on Friday afternoons, when locals gather to shop and catch up with friends before the weekend, so we recommend visiting then if you can.

Related Read: See exactly how we put together our favorite activities here with our easy-to-follow Frankfurt itinerary!

5. Cruise and sip your way through the Rhine Valley

If you’re after a day trip from Frankfurt that feels a little more special, this Rhine Valley wine tour is such a lovely choice. Rather than joining a big group tour and being herded from stop to stop, this is a private experience that feels far more personal and relaxed! As big wine lovers, we just knew that we had to book it.

We were picked up straight from our accommodation in the late morning and then driven out to one of Germany’s most beautiful wine regions. Our guide, Carl, was absolutely awesome and clearly knew the region inside out. We had so much fun exploring with him and learning all about the community of winemakers in the Rhine Valley. 

One of the best parts of this tour is that it’s private, so the whole day feels much more tailored and personal. In our experience, this makes a really big difference on a wine tour. We much preferred exploring at our own pace with Carl over rushing through tastings and trying to keep up with a big coach group.

We visited 3 wineries throughout the day and got to enjoy a tasting at each one, plus cellar visits and lots of insight into Germany’s winemaking traditions. We also got tons of tapas and cheese along the way, which of course made the whole experience even better. Plus, our route took us past gorgeous little villages along the Rhine, so we got a healthy dose of beautiful scenery to boot. Seriously, wine tours don’t get much better than this—just scroll through the glowing five-star reviews here if you still need convincing!

6. Hunt down Frankfurt’s best viewpoints 

Frankfurt has one of the most distinctive skylines in Germany, so it’s definitely worth making time to see the city from above. We had so much fun seeking out the best viewpoints and discovered some that were right in the middle of the action, plus a few spots that felt more tucked away. This city has a great range of options!

First things first, Eiserner Steg footbridge is the most popular place to get a great skyline view. It’s a pedestrian bridge that stretches across the Main River, and it’s super easy to access, as it’s both free and super central! As you stand there, you get a look at Frankfurt’s high-rises on one side and the Museumsufer on the other. In fact, if you only have time for one quick viewpoint, we think this is the one to go for.

Then there’s the Main Tower observation deck, the city’s most iconic viewpoint, and the best choice if you want a full panoramic view. The platform sits around 200 meters (656 feet) above the ground, so on a clear day you can see right across Frankfurt and beyond! It is ticketed, but the views are so great that we think it’s worth doing at least once. Tickets are currently €9 per adult.

If you want a cheaper alternative, Frankfurt Cathedral tower is a great option, although there’s no lift, so it’s not suitable for those with mobility issues. You’ll need to climb 328 steps to reach the viewing platform, but the reward is a brilliant view over the New Old Town, Römer, and the skyline rising behind it. It’s a much lower viewpoint than Main Tower, but that actually makes the view feel so much closer and more detailed! Tickets are €3 per adult, and you just turn up and pay on site.

For something a little different, head to Lohrberg, which is Frankfurt’s so-called local mountain. It’s a green and peaceful viewpoint, and it’s home to the only remaining vineyard within Frankfurt itself, so it’s extra special! The skyline views from here were just stunning at sunset, and our jaws were on the floor as the whole city started to get that golden glow. In fact, this one is my personal favorite! 

Where to Stay in Frankfurt

Now that you know the best things to do in Frankfurt, let’s talk about where to stay. For first-time visitors, Altstadt and Innenstadt are easily the best areas to base yourself. Altstadt is Frankfurt’s historic Old Town, where cobbled streets lead to landmarks like Römerberg Square and Frankfurt Cathedral, while neighboring Innenstadt blends modern skyscrapers, shopping streets, and riverside cafés. Staying here means you’re right in the middle of the action without needing to spend time commuting around the city.

Here are three great options depending on your budget; just don’t wait too long to book if you see availability for your travel dates. Places here tend to fill up fast!

The Westin Grand Frankfurt – $$$

If you want a stylish stay right in the heart of the city, The Westin Grand Frankfurt is a fantastic choice. Located near the famous Zeil shopping street, you’ll be within walking distance of Römerberg, Frankfurt Cathedral, and plenty of restaurants and cafés. The recently renovated rooms feel sleek and modern, and the spacious suites work well for couples or families. One standout feature is the top-floor indoor pool, which is perfect for unwinding after a busy day exploring.

Prices typically range from €150 to €500 per night, depending on the season. Treat yourself and book your stay at The Westin Grand Frankfurt here!

Hotel Schopenhauer Hof – $$

For a comfortable stay with a great location, Hotel Schopenhauer Hof is a fantastic mid-range pick. It sits right along the River Main, just a short walk from Römerberg and the Eiserner Steg bridge, with museums, restaurants, and bars all nearby. Rooms are spacious and feature classic decor, and some even have balconies overlooking the river. We loved the peaceful atmosphere here, especially relaxing with a glass of wine while watching the sunset over Sachsenhausen.

Rooms usually range from €130 to €340 per night, depending on the season. Check availability at Hotel Schopenhauer Hof here!

Moxy Frankfurt City Center – $

Travelers looking to save a little without sacrificing location should check out Moxy Frankfurt City Center. This trendy hotel has a fun, industrial-chic design with neon accents and a lively lobby bar that stays open 24/7. While the rooms are compact, they’re comfortable and quiet, and you’re just steps from public transit as well as plenty of restaurants and nightlife.

With prices starting around €100 per night, it’s a great option for a quick city break. Browse options and book your stay on Booking.com!

Check out all the hotels available in Frankfurt here!

Related Read: For even more hotels and the pros and cons of different areas of the city, our where to stay in Frankfurt guide has you covered!

Thanks for reading!

Frankfurt is a fantastic place to experience a mix of historic charm, modern skyline views, lively markets, and beautiful day trips to places like Heidelberg and the Rhine Valley. Whether you’re exploring the city itself or using it as a base to see more of Germany, the experiences on this list are a great place to start planning your trip.

If you’re continuing your travels through Europe, be sure to check out our other Europe blogs here. We’ve packed them with tips, tours, and helpful advice to make planning your next adventure even easier. We’ve also included a few of our most popular guides below to help get you started!

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