All the Things to Do in Frankfurt Worth Slowing Down For

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Read my Affiliate Disclosure.

Top Things to Do in Frankfurt for First-Time Visitors

My absolute favourite area of Frankfurt is all rolled up in below four things below that, in my opinion, are the city’s main attractions, and happen to be free things to enjoy in the city.

If it’s your first time in the city, this is where to begin. It’s a must for any one-day itinerary, and even better if you start early before the crowds.

Start in Römerberg: The Beating Heart of Old Frankfurt

Römerberg was my first stop, and it felt like stepping inside a storybook. Half-timbered houses, each one leaning with character, surround the square where Frankfurt’s history began. I stood there for a while, taking it all in—watching people come and go, including eavesdropping on a wedding at the town hall.

Römerberg captures the essence of Frankfurt in one frame—old meeting new.

Wander Frankfurt’s Altstadt

Just beyond Römerberg lies Frankfurt’s Altstadt, the old town rebuilt with care after the war. I wandered its cobblestone lanes without a map, letting curiosity lead. Each turn revealed another tucked-away square or half-timbered façade.

The Römer, Frankfurt’s iconic town hall, anchors the area. Walk its full perimeter, including stepping into hidden courtyards and its Ratskeller—a vaulted cellar restaurant that feels like a secret beneath the city.

The Altstadt may be compact, but it holds one of the best parts of the city—walk slowly, and you’ll feel it.

Visit the Frankfurt Cathedral (Dom St. Bartholomäus)

Just a few steps away from Römerberg is the Frankfurt Cathedral. Built in the 14th century, it’s where emperors were once crowned—a reminder of the city’s deep historical roots.

Stroll Along the River Main (Mainufer)

The River Main offers the best views of the entire city. I found myself returning again and again. The path along the Mainufer is made for wandering—with runners, cyclists, and locals unwinding after work and on weekends.

My favourite stretch runs from Eiserner Steg to Holbeinsteg. You’ll pass bridges covered in love locks, museum façades reflecting in the water, and park benches that invite you to linger.

Cool Things to Do in Frankfurt for Culture Lovers

If you love art, history, or simply beautiful spaces, here is some inspiration for what to see and do. One of the few disappointments in Frankfurt is that none of its cultural sites are free, so choose wisely and focus on what truly sparks your interest.

Dive Into Museum Embankment (Museumsufer)

Frankfurt’s Museumsufer—the Museum Embankment—is irresistible. Along both sides of the River Main, a collection of world-class museums forms one of Europe’s finest cultural walks.

My must-visit is the Städel Museum, home to Rembrandt, Monet, and modern German masters. But there’s so much more: the Liebieghaus Sculpture Museum, the German Film Museum, the Museum of Communication, the Architecture Museum, and the Jewish Museum, each one offering a different window into the city’s identity.

For slow travellers, my best advice is to pace yourself. Choose two or three museums a day and let them linger. Between visits, I recommend you stop at Café im Liebieghaus, a leafy garden café. A Museumsufer Ticket is worth buying—it gives you access to most museums over two consecutive days, perfect for an unhurried cultural wander.

Explore the Street Art in Bahnhofsviertel

Frankfurt’s Bahnhofsviertel has a reputation—gritty, loud, and endlessly fascinating. But walk its side streets, and you’ll discover a living outdoor gallery. Murals climb brick walls, underpasses bloom with colour, and each piece tells a story of the city’s raw creativity. The best spots are around Niddastraße and Münchener Straße.

Attend a Performance at the Alte Oper

The Alte Oper is one of Frankfurt’s most elegant buildings—a concert hall that feels like stepping back into a grander era.

Before your trip, check what’s playing—opera, jazz, chamber music, or even contemporary dance. A local secret? Dress rehearsals are sometimes open to the public and cost far less than a full performance.

Visit the Goethe House

Frankfurt is the birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and his childhood home remains one of the city’s most important landmarks.

The Goethe House, restored to its 18th-century state, is modest yet full of quiet detail—his writing desk, family portraits, the worn staircases he once climbed. It’s here that Goethe began The Sorrows of Young Werther, shaping German literature forever.

Step Into the Deutsches Romantik-Museum

Next to the Goethe House, the Deutsches Romantik-Museum brings the German Romantic era to life. Its exhibits are immersive—letters, manuscripts, art, and soundscapes that explore emotion, nature, and imagination.

Things to Do in Frankfurt at Night

After dinner at a cozy local spot like Lohninger, an Austrian restaurant, there are a couple of suggestions on how to enjoy your evening.

Experience the Riverside Lights

At night, Frankfurt’s energy shifts. The River Main becomes the city’s gathering place. You will see couples stroll along the river arm-in-arm, watching the skyline lights ripple across the water.

For something livelier, join the locals at the Main Terrace Biergarten—yes, it’s winterized. It’s where laughter carries through the night, music drifts from the speakers, and friends linger long after the glasses are empty.

Sunset Watching from the Tallest Tower

If you want to see Frankfurt from above, find a rooftop just as the sun begins to dip. I watched the city glow from the Main Tower, and it’s every bit as beautiful as you imagine—360 degrees of skyline, river, and horizon melting into one.

💡 Bonus: Go Shopping on the Zeil
Known as Frankfurt’s premier shopping boulevard, the Zeil is where international brands meet local boutiques. Whether you’re browsing department stores or people-watching from a café terrace, it’s a lively slice of city life you won’t want to miss.

Best Places to Go for Food Lovers

If you happen to stumble upon a pop-up market—often near Konstablerwache—pause for a while. Frankfurt knows how to celebrate food. Time your visit around one of its seasonal festivals, like in the spring and autumn, the Dippemess Fair fills the air with the scent of roasted nuts and local specialties. August brings the Apple Wine Festival, a tribute to Frankfurt’s favourite drink.

And from late November through December, the Christmas Market transforms the city into a feast of lights, mulled wine, and longtime favourites.

Sip a Local Apple Wine (Apfelwein) in Sachsenhausen

You can’t truly understand Frankfurt until you’ve tasted its Apfelwein, the city’s beloved apple wine. Across the river in Sachsenhausen, the cobblestone streets are lined with traditional taverns where the drink flows from ceramic jugs called Bembel.

My favourite spots are Apfelweinwirtschaft Atschel and Apfelwein Wagner—both lively, local, and full of character. I ordered mine the traditional way, slightly tart and served in a ribbed glass. The locals mix it with sparkling water, a lighter version and far less sweet.

Visit Kleinmarkthalle

If markets are your happy place, Kleinmarkthalle will be a must-visit. I returned to this one often, just wandering its aisles—breathing in the scent of fresh bread, cured meats, ripe fruit and cheese. It’s where the city shops, eats, and socializes.

When you’re ready for a pause, head upstairs to the Weingut Rollanderhof Weinterrasse & Galerie. It’s a wine bar tucked above the market, with a glass in hand and a view of the streets below—pure Frankfurt.

Experience Frankfurt’s Coffee Culture — Tradition Meets the New

Frankfurt has two sides to its coffee story. The first is the beloved ritual of Kaffee und Kuchen—an afternoon pause shared across generations. For that, I recommend Kaffeehaus Goldene Waage, a baroque beauty near the Dom. Order a hot beverage and a slice of apple cake, and you’ll understand why this tradition continues.

Then there’s the city’s newer wave of coffee culture. Along Fahrgasse Straße, small independent cafés have redefined the ritual. They’re relaxed, minimalist, and quietly creative—places where locals linger with laptops, books, or friends. My favourite is Mehlwassersalz, known for baking the best bread in Frankfurt. The scent alone pulls you in.

Final Thoughts

If you have a few extra days, consider taking a day trip. Frankfurt’s location makes it easy to reach places like Heidelberg, Mainz, or the Rhine Valley, where castles and vineyards line the river. Each destination offers a glimpse into a different aspect of life in Germany.

And if you’re planning your time in the city, use this list as a starting point to shape your own itinerary. Mix your days with activities that appeal to you the most, leave space for long lunches, and always keep an hour or two unscheduled—Frankfurt has a way of surprising you when you do.

For inspiration, explore my 2 Days in Frankfurt Itinerary and 3 Days in Frankfurt Itinerary—both designed for travellers who prefer to move slowly, savour deeply, and experience the city beyond the surface.