- Suburban trains reach the centre from Frankfurt airport in about 15 minutes
- The Museumsufer on the south bank has a run of museums including the Städel
- Sachsenhausen is the place for apple wine taverns
- The Rhine Valley and Heidelberg are both easy day trips
- Airports
- Frankfurt (FRA)
- Best time to go
- April-June, September and December
- Type
- City
Frankfurt is better known for its skyscrapers and airport than as a holiday destination, but it surprises many visitors. Between the banking towers lies a carefully reconstructed old town, a riverside line of museums and the apple wine taverns of Sachsenhausen. It is also the birthplace of Goethe, and a city with a cosmopolitan, international feel.
Because so many flights land at Frankfurt, it works well as a short break or a starting point for the Rhine Valley, Heidelberg and the wider region. Read our Hesse guide and the Germany guide for more ideas.
Things to do
- Römerberg – the historic square with the step-gabled Römer town hall, at its best during the Christmas market.
- The new old town (Neue Altstadt) – a quarter of reconstructed timber-framed houses between the cathedral and the Römer, completed in 2018.
- Frankfurt Cathedral – the red sandstone church where Holy Roman Emperors were crowned; climb the tower for a view.
- Museumsufer – a row of museums along the south bank of the Main, led by the Städel, one of Germany's best art galleries.
- Main Tower – one of the few skyscrapers with a public viewing platform.
- Goethe House – the writer's family home, rebuilt and furnished in period style.
- Sachsenhausen – cobbled lanes and taverns serving apple wine (Ebbelwoi) with local dishes such as green sauce.
- Kleinmarkthalle – an indoor food hall that is good for a quick lunch.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Altstadt and Innenstadt | Walk to the Römer, cathedral and shops |
| Sachsenhausen | Taverns, the Museumsufer and a more local feel |
| Westend | Leafy and upmarket, near the Palmengarten |
| Near the Hauptbahnhof | Handy for trains, but parts of the station district feel rough at night |
Getting there
Frankfurt has frequent flights from London and many regional UK airports. From the airport, S-Bahn trains reach the main station and city centre in about 15 minutes. By rail, you can take the Eurostar to Brussels and change for an ICE to Frankfurt, usually around six hours in total.
Best time to visit
Spring and early autumn are mild and good for walking along the Main. The Christmas market on the Römerberg runs from late November to just before Christmas. Hotels get expensive during big trade fairs, especially the Book Fair in October, so check the fair calendar before you book.
Check whether a trade fair is on before you book. Hotel prices can double during major events.
Top attractions in Frankfurt
LandmarkBrandenburg Gate
Berlin's neoclassical city gate, crowned by the Quadriga, once trapped behind the Wall and now the symbol of a reunited…
LandmarkEast Side Gallery
The longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall, painted in 1990 by artists from around the world and now an open-air…
LandmarkNeuschwanstein Castle
King Ludwig II's fairy-tale castle on a crag in the Bavarian Alps, the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Frankfurt on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Frankfurt worth visiting for a weekend?
Yes, if you enjoy museums, food and city life. Two days is enough for the old town, a museum and Sachsenhausen.
How do I get from Frankfurt airport to the city centre?
Take the S-Bahn (lines S8 or S9) from the regional station under Terminal 1. It takes about 15 minutes to the main station.
What day trips can I take from Frankfurt?
Heidelberg, Mainz, Wiesbaden and the Rhine Valley around Rüdesheim are all within roughly an hour or so by train.
What should I eat in Frankfurt?
Try green sauce (Grüne Soße) with eggs and potatoes, Frankfurter sausages and a glass of apple wine in Sachsenhausen.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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