Top 9 Things to Do in Frankfurt, Germany

On my first day in Frankfurt, I went on a walking tour. The guide asked everyone how long they planned to stay in town and most people answered 1 or 2 days. When it was my turn to answer I got embarrassed, because unlike everyone else, I had planned to spend a whopping 4 days in Frankfurt.

In hindsight, this was a completely appropriate length of time! There’s plenty to do in the city and over 20 museums to keep you occupied. There’s even a piece of the Berlin Wall!  Keep in mind: most German museums are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Even if you tire of Germany’s financial hub, there’s multiple towns nearby that you can explore on a day trip. Read on for my recommendations.

Frankfurt has the second most skyscrapers of any European city. (London has the most). Frankfurters have nicknamed their home ‘Mainhattan’ (like Manhattan) because of the abundance of skyscrapers along the Main River. The best place to see the skyline is from Frankfurt’s Main Tower. The Main Tower is 200 meters tall (656 feet) and offers panoramic views of the city.

Why does Frankfurt have so many skyscrapers?

Frankfurt suffered devastating bombings during WWII. After the war, the city needed to rebuild, and since Frankfurt is home to the German stock exchange, it was decided that skyscrapers would be best to keep the hundreds of financial offices within close proximity.

Romerberg

The Romerberg (Ostzeile) is considered the most beautiful square in Frankfurt. You may recognize its charming half-timbered buildings. To me, they look like gingerbread houses. If you visit in December, this is where you’ll find Frankfurt’s festive Christmas Market.

Frankfurt is the birthplace of Goethe, a philosopher who is most famous for writing the play Faust. Goethe’s childhood home has been converted into a museum where visitors can learn more about his life and literary works. The Goethe House is one of most famous attractions in Frankfurt.

I studied philosophy and read Faust in college, so I geeked out when I visited Goethe’s childhood home. However, I can see how this attraction may not be interesting to everyone.

This market sells everything you can imagine! Shoppers can purchase ingredients to cook a meal in their hostel or enjoy authentic German cuisine prepared by local vendors in the food hall. I ordered a German sausage, and it was served with a bread roll and a generous dollop of mustard. Lecker! (Yum!)

The Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof used to be the largest hotel in Germany, and it’s absolutely stunning. There’s free WiFi in the lobby which came in handy for me when I needed to look up directions or pop inside to take a break from the bitter cold.

If you’re able to brave the cold, there are many scenic paths along the Main where you can go walking, biking, and jogging. All paths offer great views of the skyscrapers, the river, and the historic Iron Bridge. In lieu of walking, you can take a boat and cruise along the Main to see the sights.

Schnitzel with a view

Perhaps the best kept secret in Frankfurt is the rooftop at the Galeria Mall. The Galeria Mall (Galeria Kaufhof) is the best place to see Frankfurt’s skyline for FREE. When you arrive at the mall, skip the shopping and take the escalators right to the roof. The mall’s rooftop terrace overlooks Frankfurt’s skyscrapers. There’s a restaurant and bar on the roof, too. It was busy, but not crowded, and I was able to find a table right away. I enjoyed a delicious wiener schnitzel and Pilsner while taking in the view. It was a lovely experience and the highlight of my time in Frankfurt.

Piece of the Berlin Wall painted by Thierry Noir

Berlin isn’t the only German city where you can see the Berlin Wall. Visitors to Frankfurt can find a piece of the Berlin Wall painted by Thierry Noir in front of the Leica Gallery. (Note: this piece is on loan and may be returned).

Lastly, go on a day trip! Frankfurt is a great jumping off point for day trips to nearby towns and cities. While I was in Frankfurt, I visited Heidelberg and Cologne. My hostel was conveniently located across the street from the Hauptbahnhof (Central Train Station), which made these day trips a breeze. You can read about my time in Heidelberg here and Cologne here. I definitely recommend visiting both!