How to Spend TWO DAYS in Frankfurt, Germany: 2-Day Itinerary

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

Germany’s financial capital is often treated as a quick stopover, but there’s actually plenty to see and do here if you give it a couple of days. Frankfurt mixes gleaming skyscrapers with a charming Old Town and easy access to some of the prettiest places in the region, so what more could you want from a city break? 

We really enjoyed how easy it was to explore, especially since so many of the main sights are clustered close together. And now, to help you make the most of your time, we’ve put together the perfect 2-day Frankfurt itinerary, complete with food stops and practical tips. Let’s get into it!

Itinerary Overview 

When exploring Frankfurt, our top tip would be to break it down into chunks, and that’s exactly how we’ve built this 2-day itinerary! It’s easy to combine the historic core around Römerberg and the New Old Town, as both areas are compact and linked by riverfront paths. This means that you can see all of the top sights in just one day, and then use the second day for a bigger adventure outside of the city. This could be a day trip to Heidelberg or a luxurious wine tour of the Rhine Valley – cheers.

As for getting around, we’ll mostly be walking on Day 1. And if you need to go beyond the center at all, Frankfurt’s extensive public transport network makes getting around stress-free. You can use the U-Bahn and trams for quick trips around the city, and then the S-Bahn is there for longer trips to the airport and the main train station. There are also plenty of taxis and rideshare apps around for when you need them, but to be honest, that probably won’t be necessary!

Day 1: Explore Frankfurt on a guided walking tour, enjoy a traditional lunch by the river, then spend the afternoon museum-hopping along the Museumsufer before finishing with skyline views and a stroll through the Old Town.

Day 2: Head out of the city on either a Heidelberg day trip or a luxurious Rhine Valley wine tour, then end your trip with dinner and live music in Sachsenhausen.

Day 1

Breakfast – Mainkai Café Bistro

We’ll keep breakfast quick and easy this morning since your walking tour starts at 10 am. Mainkai Café Bistro is a great choice today because it’s just a 5-minute walk from the tour meeting point, so there’s no need to rush around first thing! We’d go for something light here, like a pastry and a coffee, just enough to set you up for the morning without feeling too full before a few hours on your feet – plus, we’ve got a hearty lunch later. It’s also right by the river, so it’s a lovely spot to start your first day in Frankfurt.

Morning – Explore Frankfurt through the eyes of a local 

This Frankfurt walking tour is a fantastic way to get to know the city, so what better way to spend your first morning here? It starts at 10 am and lasts for 2-3 hours, so you’ll finish up just in time for lunch – perfect! 

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 key sights such as 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.

The pace is relaxed and comfortable, there are plenty of opportunities to ask questions, and it gives you time to take photos while soaking up the city’s atmosphere. By the end of the tour, you’ll have a much clearer understanding of Frankfurt’s layout and history, which will definitely come in handy throughout the rest of this itinerary! 

Lunch – Frankfurter Wirtshaus 

Once the tour wraps up, head straight to Frankfurter Wirtshaus for lunch. It’s only about a 3-minute walk from the final point of the morning tour, so it’s both a logical next stop and the perfect place to enjoy some traditional German food. It’s right by the River Main, near the Eiserner Steg footbridge, and it’s known for its lively atmosphere and classic Hessian comfort food.

We’d definitely use this lunch to lean into the local food scene. Dishes like schnitzel and other regional favorites are what this place does best, so fill your boots because we’ve got a pretty relaxed afternoon coming up. By the time you’ve finished eating, it’ll likely be somewhere between 2 and 3 pm, and we’ll walk off the meal with a riverside stroll. 

Afternoon – Wander the Museumsufer, then catch skyline views from Eiserner Steg

After a big lunch, let’s take a walk along Frankfurt’s Museumsufer. This stretch along the Main is pleasantly lively, but it doesn’t get too hectic, and you’ll regularly catch glimpses of the skyline between the trees and bridges. It’s one of the best places in the city to see the contrast between the city’s history and culture, and its modern skyscraper scene. 

There are some fantastic museums around here, but we recommend picking just one so that you don’t need to rush around. If you’re in the mood for classic art, the Städel Museum is the obvious choice and well worth an hour or so of your time. If you’d rather do something lighter and a bit more quirky, the Museum für Kommunikation is a fun option that doesn’t feel too heavy. And if film and pop culture are more your thing, go to the German Film Museum and spend an hour or two there.

After your museum stop, make your way back to Eiserner Steg. This pedestrian bridge is one of Frankfurt’s most iconic photo spots, and the later afternoon is our favorite time to visit, as the light makes for amazing photos! The skyline views here are fantastic, so take your time and snap away before heading to dinner.

Dinner – Römer Pils Brunnen

Tonight, it’s time for more classic Frankfurt food! Römer Pils Brunnen is an old-school spot that has been around for decades, and it sits right in the Old Town area. In fact, it’s just an 11-minute walk from the Eiserner Steg bridge. 

We loved the classic German pub atmosphere here, and they do a mean schnitzel. You can also take this opportunity to try classic Frankfurter dishes like Handkäs’ mit Musik, a classic Hessian dish made of sour milk cheese rounds and served with rye bread and butter. And of course, there’s plenty of local beer to wash it all down with – prost! 

Evening – Stroll through Römerberg and the New Old Town

After a hearty dinner in Europe, an evening stroll is practically mandatory, so take this time to check out Frankfurt’s prettiest walk. We just love wandering through Römerberg and the surrounding Altstadt because these areas feel extra atmospheric once the daytime crowds thin out and the evening lights add even more charm. 

Take it slow, and loop past Römerberg, St. Paul’s Church, and the lanes of the New Old Town. Then, make your way toward the Frankfurt Cathedral area for a couple of evening photos. The contrast between the reconstructed old streets and the modern skyline in the distance is such a cool part of Frankfurt’s personality. And if you’ve got any energy left at the end, you can always wander back down towards the river for one last skyline view before bed! 

Day 2

Option 1: Morning/Early afternoon

If you want to see a completely different side of Germany today, then this Heidelberg tour is just the ticket! Frankfurt is a modern financial hub, but Heidelberg is a charming and historic town filled with cobbled streets and colorful, old-timey houses. Plus, it’s just over an hour away from the city, so it’s an easy day trip. 

This tour starts at 9 am and lasts for around 5.5 hours, so you should be back in Frankfurt by around 2:30 pm, with some free time to chill out before dinner tonight. It’s perfect if you want a more relaxed second day in Frankfurt. 

The first stop of the day 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! 

Then, once you’re back in Frankfurt, you’ve got the afternoon to spend as you please, whether that’s napping back at your hotel or ticking off any sights you’ve missed. It’s a relaxed and well-organized day trip, and with so many raving reviews, it’s easy to see why travelers love it.

Option 2: Cruise and sip your way through the Rhine Valley

Wine lovers, listen up, because this one’s for you! This Rhine Valley wine tour promises a really special day out. It’s a luxurious, private experience that showcases the region’s best scenery and wineries, so what more could a budding sommelier ask for?

This tour is a bit longer, lasting between 7 and 8 hours. Still, it’s very chill-out, and we didn’t feel rushed once! It usually starts at around 10 am (although the tour provider will confirm with you after booking), so you should get back to the city around 5 or 6 pm. 

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 our awesome guide, Carl, over hurrying through tastings and trying to keep up with a big coach group.

We visited three 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!

Dinner – Trattoria i Siciliani

We had a lot of traditional German food yesterday, so we thought we’d switch things up tonight with a cozy Sicilian dinner! Located in Sachsenhausen, Trattoria i Siciliani is a great pick because it keeps you close to the center, but you get to enjoy a different vibe from the Old Town. 

We love this place because it has a welcoming feel and it serves up classic Italian dishes with fresh ingredients. If you really want to treat yourself, go for the truffle gnocchi (or any of their delicious pastas) and wash it down with a nice glass of Riesling or one of their seasonal spritzes. But just a heads up, we’d definitely book ahead for this one if you can.

Evening – Toast to your trip with live music

After dinner, stay in Sachsenhausen for music and drinks! This doesn’t need to be a super late night; it’s definitely checking out one of the area’s lively bars before you hit the hay tonight. 

If your second day is a Friday or Saturday, we recommend heading to Dreikönigskeller. It’s an atmospheric bar set in a cellar, and it often hosts live music. It’s super popular with Frankfurt’s locals, and it’s located close to  Eiserner Steg, so it’s easy to get to.

Alternatively, you could just wander down Paradiesgasse. Our favorite spot here is Harmonie Bar, which is super upbeat and social. People come here to sing and dance, and they serve a fun range of colorful cocktails. But to be honest, the great thing about the Alt-Sachsenhausen area is the fact that you can just walk around and stop wherever catches your eye! 

Related Read: Planning to explore more of the country? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Germany for even more amazing cities, castles, and unforgettable experiences.

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!

Want more options? Check out all the hotels available in Frankfurt here!

Related Read: Need even more options? See our Where to Stay in Frankfurt guide for our recommended neighborhoods and hotels!

Thanks for reading!

And just like that, your time in Frankfurt comes to an end. From historic Old Town streets to skyline views along the Main and day trips to Heidelberg or the Rhine Valley, this city offers far more than most travelers expect. We hope this itinerary helped you experience the very best of Frankfurt without feeling rushed while still leaving room to discover a few surprises along the way.

Before you pack those bags, be sure to check out our other Europe travel guides here. We’ve explored hidden gems across the continent and put together detailed itineraries to help you plan your next adventure. Or get started now with a few of our favorite travel blogs below. Cheers!

Where to Stay in Hamburg, Germany: 5 Best Areas & Hotels

How to Spend THREE days in Ibiza, Spain: 3-Day Itinerary

Where to Stay in The Algarve: 8 Best Areas & Hotels

21 Best things to do in Switzerland