Often relegated to ‘the gateway to Europe’, Frankfurt has more to do than just Frankfurt International Airport. Frankfurt is Germany’s financial capital and thanks to its skyscrapers and the River Main, Frankfurt’s playful reputation as a ‘Main-hattan’ makes it unique within Germany.
Although it only has 700,000 residents, Frankfurt is a remarkably diverse city: more than half of its residents are non-German and more than 100 different languages are spoken. With this in mind, it is no wonder that Frankfurt has many things to offer, from the arts, the outdoors, and shopping, to historic and high-rise buildings. Here are the 12 best attractions in Frankfurt that you can’t miss.
Stroll through the historic Römerberg
Direction
Römerberg 26, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, AlemaniaGet directions
Telephone
+49 69 21238800
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The Römerberg (“Roman Mountain”) is the historic heart of Frankfurt. It is the only part of the modern city that was recreated to look like all of Frankfurt.
It is home to its Rathaus (Town Hall) dating from 1405 and flanked by half-timbered houses. This historic square used to be the location for the first Frankfurt fairs in the 13th century. Today it still houses its historic Christmas market.
Climb the main tower
Direction
Main Tower, 60311 Frankfurt am Main , GermanyGet directions
There is no better way to see Frankfurt than from the top of the Main Tower, the only skyscraper in the city open to the public. The building is named after the German river Main, which runs through the city center of Frankfurt.
Take the elevator to the 650-foot-high platform for panoramic views of the Frankfurt skyline. Here you can enjoy a cocktail and a meal at the Main Tower Restaurant & Lounge, located on the top floor of the tower. The restaurant offers international cuisine and 26 foot panoramic windows.
Go through the Goethe house
Direction
Big Hirschengraben 23-25, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, AlemaniaGet directions
Telephone
+49 69 138800
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Frankfurt is the birthplace of Germany’s most important writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, born in 1749.
Although Goethe’s house was destroyed in World War II, it was completely restored with the original furniture, paintings and books belonging to the family. Take inspiration from the desk, where Goethe wrote “Young Werther’s Sorrows”.
The house is located at 23 Grosser Hirschgraben, near Römerberg.
See the largest dinosaur skeleton in Europe
Direction
Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, AlemaniaGet directions
Telephone
+49 69 75420
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The world-renowned Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt is one of the largest natural history museums in Germany. Popular with children and adults alike, it displays thousands of exhibits ranging from fossils to Egyptian mummies and the museum’s most famous attraction – Europe’s largest dinosaur skeleton.
Drinking cider in Sachsenhausen
Frankfurt’s signature drink is apfelwein or ebbelwoi as the Frankfurters say. It is a crisp, alcoholic apple cider that is produced locally in the regions near Frankfurt.
You can find some of the oldest and best apple cider taverns on the cobbled streets of Frankfurt’s historic Sachsenhausen district, south of the old town. Or combine a city tour with your favorite drink on the Ebbelwei Express , an iconic tram that rides through the city to traditional schlager music.
Visit Paulskirche
Direction
Paul Platz 11, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, AlemaniaGet directions
St. Paul’s Church was built between 1789 and 1833 and is the cradle of German democracy: the church was used for political meetings and became the seat of the first freely elected German parliament in 1848.
Today, Paulskirche is no longer a church and serves as an exhibition space for events such as the annual presentation of the German Book Trade Peace Prize during the Frankfurt Book Fair. It is located in Römerberg.
Spend an afternoon admiring fine arts
Direction
Schaumainkai 41, 60596 Frankfurt, AlemaniaGet directions
Telephone
+49 69 961220220
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Stroll along the River Main through the Frankfurt Museums, a corridor to some of the best museums in the country. Among them are the magnificent German Film Museum and the world-famous Städel Museum, which focuses on the art of the old masters.
On Saturdays the area comes alive with other kinds of old things in the form of the biggest flea market in Frankfurt.
Enjoy the flora in Palmengarten
Direction
Siesmayerstraße 61, 60323 Frankfurt, AlemaniaGet directions
Telephone
+49 69 21239111
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Founded in 1868 by a group of Frankfurt citizens, the Botanical Garden takes you on a horticultural journey from the African savannah and exotic plants of the rainforest to the flourishing flower gardens in Europe. Spread over 50 open acres and several greenhouses, you can see over 6,000 different botanical species from around the world.
Shop on the «Fifth Avenue of Germany»
Direction
Zeil 106, 60313 Frankfurt, AlemaniaGet directions
The main place to shop in Frankfurt is the bustling pedestrian zone called Zeil . Also known as “Germany’s Fifth Avenue,” this shopping street offers everything from chic boutiques to international department chains and a modern 10-story shopping center, the “Zeil Gallery.”
Admire modern architecture and art
Direction
Domstraße 10 , 60311 Frankfurt am Main , AlemaniaGet directions
Telephone
+49 69 21230447
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The Museum of Modern Art (MMK) is not only famous for its extensive art collection, which includes artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Joseph Beuys, Andy Warhol, and Gerhardt Richter, but also for its bold architecture. Designed by the Viennese architect Hans Hollering, the museum is triangular in shape and is called the Frankfurter Küche or ‘the piece of cake’ by the locals.
Experience a museum you can’t ‘see’
Direction
Hanauer Landstrasse 145, 60314 Frankfurt am Main, AlemaniaGet directions
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You go to a museum to “see” artifacts, right? Not so at the exclusive Frankfurt DialogMuseum.
This one-of-a-kind museum takes visitors on an hour-long tour through four totally dark rooms. Guests will experience everyday life without visual cues, just like the blind or visually impaired. All tour guides are also visually impaired.
Skip the meat at Vevay
Direction
Neue Mainzer Str. 20, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, AlemaniaGet directions
Telephone
+49 69 26918760
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Eating vegetarian or vegan food in Frankfurt seems blasphemous. After all, you are in the land of the Frankfurter!
But Frankfurt is home to Vevay, a delicious meatless restaurant that serves meals so hearty you won’t even miss out on the meat. Try the colorful and hearty superfood salad, loaded with quinoa, fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and sprouts, all topped with a soy-mint dressing. PS Bring cash!
