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Frankfurt city guide

Plan a Frankfurt escape with local tips for the skyline, old town, museums, gardens, and apple wine taverns.

Frankfurt guide: skyline, old town, museums, and food

Frankfurt rewards travelers who like contrasts. A modern skyline rises a few streets from a rebuilt medieval core, with the River Main running between them and 39 museums gathered on and beyond its banks.

From planning your stay with Radisson Hotels to exploring Römerberg, the New Old Town, St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, the Main Tower, the Museum Embankment, the Goethe House, and Sachsenhausen, this guide gathers useful ideas.

Ride up the city's highest public viewing platform, cross the Eiserne Steg footbridge, sit down to apple wine poured from a Bembel, and leave time for the Palmengarten. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families, art lovers, food lovers, and anyone with a layover long enough to leave the airport.

Blog images - 2025 - R merplatz Frankfurt Germany

Why visit Frankfurt on your next Germany city escape

Frankfurt combines imperial history, a modern skyline, and easy public transport.

  • Römerberg and the New Old Town bring half-timbered houses, the Römer town hall, and rebuilt medieval lanes.
  • St. Bartholomew's Cathedral and St. Paul's Church carry imperial coronations and the first all-German parliament.
  • The Museum Embankment gathers 39 museums across the city, with the Städel Museum at its center.
  • Apple wine, the Bembel jug, and Sachsenhausen taverns give the city a food culture that is genuinely local.
  • U-Bahn, tram, S-Bahn, buses, and a walkable center make Frankfurt simple without a car.

When to visit Frankfurt⁠

Season

Spring (March–May)

Summer (June–August)

Autumn (September–November)

Winter (December–February)

Best for

Riverbank walks, blossom, gardens, Dippemess

Open-air festivals, river evenings, gardens

Seasonal color, old town strolls, Book Fair

Christmas markets, museums, concerts, taverns

Travel Tip

Pack layers for changing weather, and look for the cherry blossom beside the Alte Oper.

Plan riverside evenings, and book early around the Museum Embankment Festival.

Book hotels early around the Frankfurt Book Fair, and bring a rain layer for walks.

Wear warm shoes for market evenings, and check attraction hours before a full day.
Take a detour through Frankfurt

Getting around Frankfurt

Frankfurt is compact, and the center is comfortable on foot. Public transport is run by VGF within the Rhine-Main Transport Association (RMV), covering nine U-Bahn lines and ten tram lines alongside S-Bahn, regional rail, and buses on one shared fare system.

Frankfurt Airport is Germany's largest passenger airport. Its regional station sits under Terminal 1, with S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 and regional trains RB58, RE59, RE2, and RE3, reaching the center in a few minutes. Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof handles around 460,000 travelers a day, with connections to Paris, Vienna, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Bike rental includes Call a Bike and nextbike by TIER.

Explore Frankfurt by travel style, mood, pace, and city curiosity

Choose from history-led, food-focused, art-rich, family-friendly, evening, or local exploration for a Frankfurt day that suits you. These ideas help you shape a trip with enough direction to use your time well, while leaving room for river walks, squares, museums, cafés, gardens, taverns, and unexpected discoveries.

Blog images - 2025 - St Paul s Church in Frankfurt

History lovers

Move from Römerberg to the New Old Town, St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, and St. Paul's Church.

Discover history
Blog images - 2025 - Frankfurt Food A Culinary Journey Through German Delights Food amp Drink Frankfurt Food

Food and market fans

Try apple wine, Handkäs', Green Sauce, Frankfurter sausages, Bethmännchen, and market stops.

Taste Frankfurt
Exterior view

Family explorers

Mix Frankfurt Zoo, the Palmengarten, river walks, the Museum Embankment, and easy tram rides.

Plan family fun
Blog images - 2025 - Frankfurt Area Attractions Discover the Charm of the City Culture Street with railroad tracks in Fr

Culture wanderers

Explore the Städel Museum, the Museum Embankment, the Goethe House, and the Alte Oper.

Explore culture
Blog images - 2025 VOL 3 - Day Trip to Frankfurt

Capture the cityscape

Experience the city’s striking architecture through viewpoints, landmarks, and unforgettable skyline scenes.

Explore the views
Frankfurt vibes at Römerberg

Local rhythm seekers

Wander Sachsenhausen, the Kleinmarkthalle, Bahnhofsviertel, Lohrberg views, and the riverbanks.

Explore local life

Frankfurt itineraries and easy city day plans

Use these day plans to explore Frankfurt without turning the city into a checklist. Each route groups nearby places so you spend less time crossing town and more time enjoying the old town, the river, museums, cafés, gardens, and skyline views.

Add extra time for a river walk, a gallery stop, a market browse, or a slow hour in an apple wine tavern whenever something catches your attention. Frankfurt is compact and practical, but its best moments often happen between the major sights, so keep the structure flexible and book timed attractions ahead where needed.

Exterior view

One day in Frankfurt

  • Morning: start at Römerberg, walk through the New Old Town, and visit St. Bartholomew's Cathedral.
  • Lunch: stop at the Kleinmarkthalle or a café near the old town squares.
  • Afternoon: ride up the Main Tower for skyline views, then cross the Eiserne Steg footbridge.
  • Evening: settle into a Sachsenhausen tavern for apple wine poured from a Bembel.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Frankfurt - Attractions

Two days in Frankfurt

Day 1

  • Morning: explore Römerberg, the Römer, and the New Old Town.
  • Lunch: try the Kleinmarkthalle for Green Sauce.
  • Afternoon: visit the cathedral and St. Paul's Church.
  • Evening: cross the Eiserne Steg footbridge for apple wine in Sachsenhausen.

Day 2

  • Morning: walk the Museum Embankment and visit the Städel.
  • Lunch: pause at a café on the southern riverbank.
  • Afternoon: visit the Goethe House, then ride up the Main Tower.
  • Evening: book the Alte Oper or dine in the Bahnhofsviertel.

Discover the lively banking district

Three days in Frankfurt

For days one and two, follow the 2-day itinerary at a relaxed pace.

Day 3

  • Morning: spend the morning at Frankfurt Zoo or the Palmengarten.
  • Lunch: choose a riverside café or return toward the old town.
  • Afternoon: take a cruise on the River Main, or ride the Apple Wine Express.
  • Evening: head up Lohrberg for skyline views, then a final tavern dinner.

Top 10 things to do, see, taste, and explore across Frankfurt

Idea Why go? Time needed Best for
Römer and Römerberg See the town hall, half-timbered houses, and old town life. 1–2 hours First-timers, photo fans
New Old Town Walk rebuilt lanes, Hühnermarkt, and the Coronation Route. 1–2 hours History fans, walkers
St. Bartholomew's Cathedral Climb the tower and see where 10 emperors were crowned. 1–2 hours History and view seekers
Main Tower Ride to the city's highest public platform for skyline views. 1 hour View seekers, photographers
Goethe House See where Goethe was born and wrote his first famous works. 1–2 hours Literature and history fans
Museum Embankment Browse 39 museums across the city, led by the Städel Museum. Half a day Art lovers, rainy days
Eiserne Steg footbridge Cross for love locks, river views, and the skyline shot. 30 minutes Photo fans, easy walkers
St. Paul's Church Stand where the first all-German parliament met in 1848. 30–60 mins History and politics fans
Frankfurt Zoo Meet 500 species, including Europe's largest nocturnal house. 2–4 hours Families, children
Alte Oper See restored reliefs, frescoes, and mosaics in a rebuilt hall. 2–3 hours Music and architecture fans
Discover Frankfurt
Discover Frankfurt
Main Tower Frankfurt
Frankfurt vibes at Römerberg
Discover the lively banking district
Main Tower Frankfurt

Local etiquette, practical tips, and Frankfurt know-how

Frankfurt is direct, international, and proud of its Hessian roots. A simple "Gude" is the local greeting you may hear alongside standard German, and a hello to staff in shops and cafés is always welcome.

Apple wine sits at the center of local life, poured from a Bembel, a blue-gray stoneware jug, into a Gerippte, a glass cut with a diamond pattern. Take it pure, with mineral water, or with lemonade. Sachsenhausen taverns use long shared tables, so sitting beside strangers is normal.

Tipping is appreciated rather than required, and rounding up or about 5–10% is common. Cards are widely accepted, though smaller places may still expect cash.

Explore our hotels in Frankfurt

Park Inn By Radisson Frankfurt Airport - Hotel exterior

Park Inn by Radisson Frankfurt Airport

Amelia-Mary-Earhart-Str.10
info.frankfurt@parkinn.com
+49 (69) 900276 0
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Hotel Details
Radisson Blu Hotel, Frankfurt - Exterior

Radisson Blu Hotel, Frankfurt

Franklinstrasse 65
info.frankfurt@radissonblu.com
+49 69 770 1550
From Loading... /night
Hotel Details
Blog images - 2025 - Imperial Cathedral of St Bartholomew in FrankfurtBlog images - 2025 - St Paul s Church Frankfurt

For imperial history, old town squares, and walks

Frankfurt packs a lot of history into a small, walkable center. Start at Römerberg, where half-timbered houses face the Römer, the town hall of roughly 600 years standing, still the seat of the mayor.

Continue into the New Old Town, a reconstruction completed in 2018 with 15 rebuilds and 20 new buildings, taking in the Hühnermarkt, the Goldene Waage, the Archaeological Gardens, and the Coronation Route. St. Bartholomew's Cathedral crowned ten emperors between 1562 and 1792, and St. Paul's Church hosted the first all-German parliament in 1848.

Rather than rushing between landmarks, pause for lanes, courtyards, and the cathedral tower.

Blog images - 2025 - Frankfurt Food A Culinary Journey Through German Delights Food amp Drink Bratwurst with SauerkrautBlog images - 2025 - Frankfurt Area Attractions Discover the Charm of the City Culture Romerberg square Frankfurt

For apple wine, markets, and Frankfurt flavors

Come ready for hearty Hessian food and a drinking culture all its own. Apple wine is pressed from orchards on the city's outskirts and poured from a Bembel into a ribbed Gerippte glass, taken pure, with mineral water, or with lemonade.

Try Handkäs' with music, Green Sauce, Frankfurter sausages, Frankfurt Loin Ribs, Bethmännchen, and Frankfurt Crown Cake. Sachsenhausen is the traditional tavern district, where long shared tables make conversation easy, while the Kleinmarkthalle is a favorite local stop for produce, snacks, and a glass of wine.

Mix simple counters, bakeries, taverns, and international kitchens across the Bahnhofsviertel.

Blog images - Palmengarten botanical gardens - An #Innsider guide to FrankfurtBlog images - 2025 VOL 2 - The Eiserner Steg Iron Bridge Frankfurt Hessen Germany

For families, gardens, and easy days out

Frankfurt suits families because distances are short and transport is simple. Frankfurt Zoo, established in 1858, keeps 500 species and more than 4,500 animals, with the Grzimek House holding Europe's largest home for nocturnal animals, plus the Cat Jungle and the Exotarium.

The Palmengarten spreads across 22 hectares of botanical garden, one of the largest in Germany. Break up sightseeing with the riverbanks, a walk across the Eiserne Steg footbridge, or a short cruise on the River Main.

Discover Frankfurt Blog images - 2025 - Museum Frankfurt

For art, museums, and gallery days

Frankfurt's museum scene is a cluster that is unique in Europe. The Museum Embankment brings together 39 museums and exhibition venues on both banks of the River Main and beyond.

The Städel Museum sits at its center, with more than 100,000 works spanning seven centuries. Old Masters include Vermeer and Botticelli, moderns include Munch, Monet, and Lotte Laserstein, and the contemporary rooms hold Warhol and Richter, alongside a strong photography collection.

Choose one major museum at a time and use the riverbank between stops. The MuseumsuferCard covers the wider cluster if you plan several visits.

Activation Content B2C - VOL.014 - Activation_Content_B2C-Destination_Design_Leisure-Radisson_Blu-SoMe_Web_Module_CRM_PMAX_Banner-Carousel_Image-Multiple-EN_DE-UKI and DACH-GeneralBlog images - Alte Oper - An #Innsider guide to Frankfurt

For music, evenings, and riverside moments

Evenings in Frankfurt move between the grand and the comfortably local. The Alte Oper was one of the world's best-known opera houses before the Second World War left it in ruins, and its reconstruction restored the original reliefs, medallions, frescoes, tiles, and mosaics.

For something more relaxed, cross into Sachsenhausen, where apple wine taverns fill with conversation, or eat your way through the Bahnhofsviertel, which the city itself points to for culinary and cultural range.

A cruise on the River Main shows the skyline from a different angle after dark, and the riverbanks stay pleasant for a walk on a warm evening.

Discover Frankfurt Main Tower Frankfurt

Skyline views, architecture, and photography

Frankfurt's skyline is a signature sight, and there are several ways to see it. The Main Tower opened in 1999, rises 200 meters, and carries the city's highest public viewing platform, with views reaching the Taunus hills on a clear day.

At ground level, the Eiserne Steg footbridge frames the towers across the water, and the southern riverbank offers a slower angle. Willy-Brandt-Platz adds the oversized blue euro sculpture, while Lohrberg looks back at the city from its vineyard slope.

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Frankfurt travel tips, common questions, and practical planning answers

Frankfurt travel tips, common questions, and practical planning answers

  • Do I need cash, or can I use cards in Frankfurt?

    Cards are widely accepted across the city. Keep some euros for smaller cafés, market stalls, and taverns, where cash is still sometimes expected.

  • Do I need a visa to visit Frankfurt?

    Entry rules depend on your nationality, passport, and length of stay, so check official guidance before booking if you are unsure.

  • What should I wear in Frankfurt?

    Wear comfortable walking shoes for old town lanes and riverside paths. Bring layers in spring and fall, lighter clothing in summer, and a warm coat in winter.

  • Is English widely spoken in Frankfurt?

    Frankfurt is an international city, and official city tours run in more than 20 languages. German is the local language, and a few words of greeting are always appreciated.

  • How many days do I need in Frankfurt?

    Two to three days covers Römerberg, the New Old Town, the Main Tower, the Museum Embankment, the Goethe House, and an evening in Sachsenhausen.

  • What is the best way to get around Frankfurt?

    Walk in the center, then use U-Bahn, tram, S-Bahn, and buses for longer trips. S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 connect Frankfurt Airport to the city in a few minutes.

  • Do I need to tip in Frankfurt?

    Tipping is appreciated rather than required. Rounding up the bill or leaving about 5–10% is common, and the tip is usually handed to the server.

  • Can I drink tap water in Frankfurt?

    Tap water in Germany is generally safe to drink and closely regulated. Many travelers carry a refillable bottle for museum days and long walks along the river.

  • What food should I try first in Frankfurt?

    Start with apple wine, Handkäs' with music, Green Sauce, Frankfurter sausages, Bethmännchen, and Frankfurt Crown Cake.

  • What is the best time of year to visit Frankfurt?

    Spring and summer suit riverside walks and open-air festivals, autumn brings the Frankfurt Book Fair, and winter fills the city squares with Christmas markets.