5 Things to do in Frankfurt

I went to Frankfurt, Germany, on a whim during my trip around the world because I had found a cheap flight from Reykjavik in Iceland. I knew I wanted to get to Germany to meet my friends in Munich for Oktoberfest. So it worked out perfectly for me to explore Frankfurt before taking off on my journey. I was also LUCKY because I have a friend from college who just so happened to live there with her German boyfriend. And I got to stay with them for a few days! Thanks, Hailey and Jannik!

Now, I’ll be honest, I LOVED Frankfurt while I was there, but after visiting some other places in Germany, it slowly slid down my list as one of my favorite European cities (sorry, Frankfurt)! However, this city is still pretty awesome and has a ton to offer! Plus, I learned a TON about the history of Germany and got a sense of how the city has changed over the years. If you don’t end up flying into Frankfurt, you can also visit by train. In fact, Frankfurt Main Train Station is one of the largest in Europe.

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Psst…making a trip to Munich also? Check out what to do with a day in Munich.

Read Next: The Perfect Germany Romantic Road Itinerary: Tips, Map, & Guide

5 Things you Must do in Frankfurt Germany
5 Things to do in Frankfurt Germany

5 Things You Must Do in Frankfurt Germany

Frankfurt is known as the financial hub of Europe and has one of the biggest airports in Europe (hence my cheap flight). I didn’t know this before going, but there are a ton of modern skyscrapers and newer buildings in Frankfurt (check out the Observation deck at the Main Tower to see the cityscape), which is different from the traditional German architecture and timbered buildings I had imagined. This is mainly because, in World War II, Frankfurt was literally bombed flat, and most older buildings are no longer there.

Upon arriving in Frankfurt, I did the Free Alternative Walking Tour, which was awesome. It was one of my first walking tours of my RTW (around the world) trip and made me fall in love with walking tours in general. So, if you are going to Frankfurt or have a long layover there, I recommend taking the walking tour! If you don’t have time, though, here are the 5 stops you’ve got to make while you’re in the city!

Want to do a walking food tour to spice things up? Try this one! Or you can try this more private and highly-rated walking tour from GetYourGuide!

Frankfurt travel tips

Here are the 5 stops you must make in Frankfurt Germany.

1. Römerberg or the Main Square

You can’t miss this central square, the city center of Frankfurt, when you go. You’ll notice the German-inspired architecture and historic buildings that have since been rebuilt since the bombing of WWII. The facades almost seemed fake, but it’s just because they were a replication of past facades. On the ground, in the middle of the square, you’ll see a plaque commemorating all of the books burned during World War II. It’s somewhat wild standing somewhere with so much recent and horrible history and seeing how it’s all been rebuilt for the new generations.

This square is where coronations, Christmas markets, and many different fairs occur. While I was there, they were all set up for a mini-Oktoberfest celebration and had different stands selling all types of different beers, mulled wines, and pretzels!

To get more history of this area, try this walking tour!

Römerberg Germany

2. Frankfurt’s Bahnhofsviertel or Red Light District

This part of town used to be a place that you wouldn’t want to be caught dead in back in the day. Filled with crime, junkies, and prostitution for years, it was a scary place to hang out. Nowadays, it’s a neighborhood full of rapid gentrification with new cocktail bars, uber-hip restaurants, clubs, and luxury apartments coming in and changing its old reputation.

Walking through this neighborhood was fascinating to me because of the grunge mixed with the modern hipster vibes. Prostitution is legal in Frankfurt and in all of Germany, in fact. So, in the Red Light District, you’ll find many sex shops, strip clubs, and brothels. I actually saw many men in suits taking a break from what looked like their jobs to go into brothels. Talk about a trip!

This area also used to be the main spot for drug addicts (and still is), but Frankfurt has implemented drug use facilities where addicts can get free drugs and clean needles in an effort to get them help and keep them off the street. This was super forward-thinking to me, and I couldn’t actually believe it when I heard about it. Then we saw a facility with people lined up outside waiting to get a fix. Now, that was wild! I highly recommend visiting this area (although it’s not for the faint of heart), but it honestly will give you a grungy (non-touristy) version of Frankfurt that will open your eyes!

Bahnhofsviertel

red light district Germany

3. Take a Stroll Along the River Promenade and Visit the Eiserner Steg

The Main River runs right through Frankfurt and slightly divides the city between old and new. If you walk along the shaded promenade next to the water, you’ll be exposed to some beautiful views of the entire city.

One of the best spots to view the city is from the Eiserner Steg or the Love Lock bridge (a bridge covered in locks). It’s an iron walking bridge that spans the Main River and has a beautiful view during the day and a magical view of all of Frankfurt at night.

There are also many great restaurants and bars lining the water, and on a nice day, it’s the perfect place for some food and German beer!

Stroll around River Promenade

Lock Bridge Germany

4. Visit the Kleinmarkthalle and Hauptwache

Many European cities have awesome food markets, and Frankfurt is no exception. Check out the large Kleinmarkthalle to find fresh flowers, fruit, coffee, fresh fish, and just about anything you could ever want. You can grab a snack or actually stop here to grab lunch. While you’re here, stop at
Metzgerei Schreiber for possibly the best sausages in all of Frankfurt!

Only a 5-minute walk from the Kleinmarkthalle is the center square of Frankfurt called Hauptwache. It is the most bustling and lively square in Frankfurt, with easy access to the central financial district and a close walk to Zeil (one of the central shopping districts of the city).

Visit Kleinmarkthalle and Hauptwache

Things to do in Frankfurt - Visit Kleinmarkthalle and Hauptwache

5. Have a Traditional Frankfurt Meal in the Altstadt or Sachsenhausen districts

One of my favorite traditional restaurants in Frankfurt was Atschel. It’s an old tavern that’s quintessentially German. I loved the decor and was the only foreigner I could see! I ate out on the patio and loved every second. While in Frankfurt, be sure to try:
-Schnitzel or Frankfurters
-Green Sauce (Grüner Soße) – Get this on top of your schnitzel for a true Frankfurtian meal. It’s made with herbs and yogurt and is oh-so good!
-Applewine – This is almost like a cider, but not as sweet, and comes in clay jugs.
 
Looking for some fun nightlife in Frankfurt? Try this Night Pub Crawl!
Traditional Frankfurt Meal Frankfurt Sachsenhausen districts
Things to do in Frankfurt - eat wiener schnitzel

Other fun activities in Frankfurt worth exploring:

WHERE TO STAY IN FRANKFURT:

I was lucky and got to stay with my friends in the Sachsenhausen district of Frankfurt. I highly recommend renting an Airbnb in this area because it’s sooooo cute! $40 code for Airbnb here. Another great option is to stay at a hostel with good ratings from my fave hostel site, Hostelworld!

Have any of you been to Frankfurt?? If not, would you visit?  There are so many more fun things to see and do than just these 5 and hopefully, you can experience them all one day!

5 Things to do in Frankfurt - where to stay 5 Things to Do in Frankfurt Germany

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5 Things to do in Frankfurt Germany
5 Things you Must do in Frankfurt Germany

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