After the dramatic landscapes of Iceland, the second part of our European adventure started when we landed in Frankfurt.
I know a lot of people use the city as a transit or layover point. I had the option to fly there and move on to my next destination right away.
Nevertheless, a little voice inside kept telling me to spend some time in the city. And, that is what we did.
That ended up being a fantastic decision. Frankfurt captured me with its sunny weather, cheerful atmosphere, whimsical river views and the fact that a lot of people walk with sausage in hand.
Plus, having a German last name (I am a sixth-generation descendant of a German) helped me to fit in with the locals.
This post provides options for those who want to spend a phenomenal day in Frankfurt. Here are my 7 recommendations!
Table of Contents
One Day in Frankfurt – Innenstadt (Inner City)
The Inner City is the central district of the City of Frankfurt. The city’s most famous sights, skyscrapers, and most expensive stores are located within the limits of this district.
It is not easy to determine the boundaries of this district (everybody seems to have a different opinion on this topic) but when visiting the city, this is probably where most time is going to be spent.
Altstadt
Start your exploration of the city by checking out the historic old town. Or, I should say, what it is left of the old town. Turns out this part was devastated during World War II. Investments have been made to reconstruct or save pieces of the past.
You cannot leave Frankfurt without taking a look at the colorful, half-timbered houses of the Romer.
In the same square, you are going to find the City Hall and the Alte Nikolaikirche (Old Nicholas Church).
Dig deeper by walking the stretch streets surrounding the Romer. You do not know what treasures you are going to find.
It is time to proceed towards the Frankfurt Cathedral or the Dom. This pink church with a spiral larger than life will leave you in awe (seriously, how pretty is this church).
North of the Romer, you are going to find Paulsplatz and Paulskirche (Paul’s Plaza and Church). Once again, I was charmed by the pink exteriors, original lamposts and buildings covered in mosaics.
Other Sights in the District
Other sights in the district include the Hauptwache, the Katharinenkirche, the Opera and the Eschenheimer Tower.
Get your senses prepared because the contrast between old and new is stark in Frankfurt. Some of the oldest buildings are located next to modern structures built with glass and metallic materials. Your brain gets all confused while trying to process all the differences.
RELATED: Vienna’s Old Town
Markets
We talked about the sights but we need to discuss at length Frankfurt’s food situation. The city’s eating and dining scene is bursting with eateries for all palates and budgets.
What is more, food can be found in abundance in the many markets lining the city streets. As a matter of fact, we bumped into a market when we were trying to find our hotel. We dropped our belongings and basically ran to the nearest sausage stall. Our jaws dropped when we saw the many varieties of sausages available.
For those of you who are not passionate about sausages (common people!), I saw stalls selling rotisserie chicken, crepes, steak and frites, Chinese bowls, cheese and charcuterie plates, salads and much more. Looks like a lot of these markets cater to the people who work in the surrounding offices and skyscrapers. Can we have one of those markets close to where I work?
While walking around, we bumped into another market and a few minutes later another one was in sight. This time we saw Argentinean and grilled salmon stands. Plus, we saw plenty of signs announcing upcoming food-related events.
Keep in mind the Kleinmarkthalle is an indoor market with more than 60 vendors selling groceries, fruits, vegetables, flowers and prepared foods. This is a great option for those who prefer to eat indoors.
And, since we are on the food topic, the part of Kaisserstrabe located close to the Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station) is overflowing with restaurants selling delicious food. We indulged in Sichuan style noodles and monster Australian style burgers. Just be careful since the area is a bit shady at night.
RELATED: 10 Things to do in Old Town Prague
Main River Banks
If you look at a map, you are going to notice Main River banks in the Inner District have a green color. That means most of the banks of the river have been designated parks or recreational areas. That is a big advantage to those who are visiting the city since the list of things to do grows because of this fact.
Along the river, you can visit museums (history, art, film, architecture, communications, there are plenty of museums), have a picnic, bike, jog, visit a beer garden or eat in a lovely restaurant with great views. This area made me aware of the high living standards of the city. I felt like staying for a longer period of time in order to absorb the joyful atmosphere.
RELATED: Best of Budapest
Cruising the Main River
A cruise along the Main River was the highlight of my day in the city.
Visitors have the option to do a 50 minutes cruise in one of two directions. We decided to do the two directions at once and our cruising time ended up being close to two hours.
We had the most beautiful day when we did this. Departs are near Einserner Steg (one of the most famous bridges in the city).
While moving towards the Gerbermuhle direction (upstream) we were able to see the many bridges spanning the river. All of them are very different. My favorite one ended up being the Ignatz Bubis Bridge built in an Art Deco style.
We passed modern buildings such as the Main Plaza and the European Central Bank.
Before turning back, we made it to the port area. We were able to observe gates, cranes, and shipping containers. This is a crucial spot related to the movement of good from inland Europe to the North Sea and vice versa. A lot of the wealth of the city is associated with shipping activities. It was very interesting to see where such important operations take place.
On our way back, we were able to see why Frankfurt is called “Mainhattan.” The city’s skyline was fully visible from the ship.
Then, it was time to cruise in the Griesheim direction (downstream). I think this direction was even more picturesque than the first one. We were able to observe museums, cafes, stately houses and even the rowing school.
We saw the Westhafen Tower and more industrial areas.
Once again, we were delighted by the city’s skyline.
If You Have More Time in Frankfurt
The above options should be enough to keep you entertained for a day. However, if you have more time or are returning to the city, here are some additional options.
Walking Tour
Free and low-cost tours (less than 15 Euros) are available daily. I am a big fan of these tours because you learn a lot, meet great people and get tons of recommendations. Alternative tours (hidden and unusual places) are available too.
Palmengarten
This garden has rave reviews on platforms such as TripAdvisor and Yelp.
Guests experience flora from a variety of climate zones within a park area of over 20 hectares (50 acres). The greenhouses on site are home to tropical and sub-tropical plants. Rose, rock and rhododendron garden can be enjoyed as well.
The Frankfurt Botanical Garden (a different entity) is located across this garden. Take into consideration this attraction is a bit away from the actual center. When planning a visit, take into consideration transit time (and options).
Main Tower Observation Deck
The Main Tower is a 656 ft (200 m) skyscraper with two viewing platforms. It is the 4th tallest building in Frankfurt and in Germany.
The observation decks offer amazing views of the city and of the river. Once at the top, you can stop by the restaurant or lounge. I am including this option in here because the entrance fee is less than 8 Euros which in my book is pretty reasonable.
RELATED: Day Trip to Neuschwanstein
I want to finish this article by saying that Frankfurt is the largest financial center of Europe. As such, it is a city full of cultural, shopping and gastronomic experiences. This article targets people who are expecting to stay in the city for a short period of time and in no way tries to diminish the position of the city.
Frankfurt left a great impression on me and I would like to be back in the future. I can’t wait to discover more of its many offerings.
More Things to Do in Frankfurt for a Day
- Find other ideas for your day in Frankfurt at its official tourism website
Have you been to Frankfurt? What are your recommendations?
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I seriously love German architecture and food! There is not much like it. I remember the last time I went, all I ate were sausages haha, and they are delicious!!
Ok, seems like we enjoy the same thing! You had no idea the joy I felt when I started to find all those sausage stalls in Frankfurt. We enjoyed the food there a lot.
Wow what a beautiful city. Love the architecture of the old buildings. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I was surprised to find so much beautiful architecture. Seems like nobody mentions this side of Frankfurt.
Very nice photos!
Thank you for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/08/snuggles.html
Thank you!
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I am glad you did!
Beautiful city … one day does not seem like enough and would not be for us.
That is true! I felt like staying longer. And the surrounding area is beyond words.
What amazing shots. I love the architecture! I really must visit.
The architecture is varied and captivating. I am sure I miss a lot of lovely buildings but at least I got to see a good representation.
That final long shot of the city is incredible (as are the others). The indoor market seems tempting and I wonder if a way to guess when the district ends is when the prices decline. All that rotisserie food, must smell like heaven. The houses are so striking.
Not sure if the prices decrease as the day progresses. There is a lot of competition with restaurants and cafes in every corner. Anyway, I felt the city was perfect to stroll and eat.
Fantastic architecture ! These are great photos!
Thanks a lot!
Love the German architecture, its great. Amazing photos…truly amazing.
It is true! German architecture rocks! Thanks for stopping by.
I always thought that Frankfurt was very modern, so I’m surprise to see so many nice old houses:) #wanderfulwednesday
I think a lot of us have that impression. Like I mentioned, a lot was lost during the war. I am happy to see we still have some references to the past.
I haven’t been to Frankfurt, but am planning a trip back to Germany in 2019. The architecture looks amazing!
That sounds great! Hope you can add tons of exciting cities to your trip.
We’ve had Frankfurt as our layover spot on both of our Europe trips, but never thought to spend a day there. One of the things that I love the most about Europe in general is the mix of old and modern, and it looks like Frankfurt really has that with half timbered old town and the huge skyscrapers! I’ll definitely have to add Frankfurt to my list for the next time I’m in Germany!
Ashley, I love that aspect of Europe too. I have noticed it in a lot of cities. Sometimes, they improve an “old” building by adding a modern feature. But, they do it so well that the new addition does not take away from the old feel.
Wonderful shots – it looks like a very attractive city.
Right, it is a very attractive city. I believe is more attractive than what most think.
I really enjoyed this post and it would be so helpful for when I make my way over to Frankfurt! I especially would like to visit the Altstadt for its half-timbered houses. They look so beautiful.
Bryna, I was very excited about the Old Town and it didn’t disappoint. In general, the city delivered more than I expected.
I am a lover of everything old and historical. If I decide to globetrott someday and visit Frankfurt, I would sure not miss Aldstadt. I can’t wait to see myself wandering around classical modern city with a lot of good foods to offer, too.
I think you got the essence of the post. As a modern city, Frankfurt has a lot of advantages. However, I am glad a bit of Old Europe is conserved within the city.
seeing the photos of the Inner City brings me back to some of my favorite town squares in Germany like Amberg and Bamberg. so cool to see the different architectural styles of Frankfurt from historic to modern. i’m also such a sucker for walking bridges 🙂
Thanks for your comment. I have heard about Bamberg but not Amberg. I need to check out that town. Yes, bridges rock!
What a lovely report on my hometown Frankfurt! You definitely mentioned the top sights and attractions especially the Kleinmarkthalle is my personal favorite. Here my FAQs + answers about Frankfurt
https://teilzeitreisender.de/10-tipps-frankfurt/ (in german only)
Oh MIlena, thanks a lot for your kind words. I am glad I was able to portray your hometown in a beautiful way. I will check your post.
The old/historic part of cities is always my favourite thing to see and #1 on my list. 😀 I’ve only been to Cologne (Koeln) in Germany, and I want to see so many more German cities, including Frankfurt.
Cologne was close but I decided to leave it for next time. There is a lot to see in the area and I didn’t feell like cramming as much as possible.
I was also enamoured by Frankfurt on my first trip last year. It was a short stay too so the river, old town and culinary delights were all I could fit in one day, but I’ll definitely return. I want to do the river cruise next time and have weather like you had! 🙂
I am glad you took time to enjoy the city. I know Germany has a lot to offer and some people choose to skip Frankfurt. Hope you can return soon!
I agree the Dom is a very pretty church – I’ve only seen it in your photo – and those grilled salmon look amazing. I’ve never seen that done either. I have been to Frankfurt but I was 20 at the time and can’t remember a thing!
I was eager to try the salmon but it was a bit dissapointing. It was bland and small for the price (they are served on a piece of bread). It had a good sauce but they didn’t put enough, so, it was on the dry side.
Ha! I don’t live that far from Frankfurt (just a 4hr drive or something) but never visited. I always figured Frankfurt not to be so beautiful, but hey I was wrong!
#TravelPhotoThursday
That has happened to me with a lot of cities. That is why I have started to go places and form my own opinion. Frankfurt really took me by surprise.
I am yet to visit Germany and funnily enough my husband and I were recently discussing it. I found this post really interesting – thanks so much. I love the old houses and churches but Mainhattan looks impressive too! We have just returned from Vienna where the food and churches look similar… #Farawayfiles
Yes, Vienna is a bit similar. However, I feel like Germany is unique in its own way. Well, I know Germany is big but the areas I have visited feel different from Austria.
I’ve always thought of Frankfurt as a large, modern city. I didn’t know it had such delightful, little areas! Good to know – hopefully I will make it there someday!
To be honest, I didn’t have a clear idea on what to expect. You have certain ideas of how a city looks but I guess my idea of Frankfurt was vague. I am glad we used it to “rest.”
What a beautiful sunny day to stroll the quaint streets and of course the food!
The weather was excellent and the food was delicious. We had a wonderful time in the city.
So glad you decided to stop by, otherwise you would have missed out. It’s a such beautiful city. Love the timber houses. Thanks so much for sharing!
-Soma
Soma, no problem! I loved visiting the city. As a consequence, I felt more than happy to to share what I saw.
Oh my! The picture of the sausages being grilled made my mouth water! I miss German food so much. The river cruise would definitely be on our “to do” list!
That is one of my favorite pictures. I can believe it turned out so good. It was difficult to capture the sausages with tons of people moving around.
I have been to the Frankfurt airport several times but never made it outside. It does look like a lovely city to explore and looks like you had the perfect weather to do it. I agree that pink church is really impressive. I hope to spend some time in Frankfurt so pinning for later. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Visiting the airport seems to be a trend! I know the city is a big transportation hub. It was good to get to learn about other aspects of the city.
Oh dear. We caught a connecting flight in Frankfurt this summer – clearly the wrong choise to just power through and not stop to look around! Frankfurt has some great buildings. Still, there’s always next time.
I agree with you! There is always a next time. Hope you can stop and explore Frankfurt one day.
Your pictures are magical. I can’t wait to experience the beauty, architecture, and delicious food of Germany one day. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks a lot! Best wishes on getting to visit Germany one day.
What an awesome place to visit – the coloured timber is so very charming and quaint, what beautiful architecture Frankfurt has! The Westhafen Tower is very unique and quite impressive. As for those grilled salmon stands – that’s where I’d be hovering!
The Weshafen Tower has to be one of the coolest buildings in the city . The nice part is that you enter and exit a city through a bridge close to the tower. When you see it, you know you are close to your destination.
It looks like a charming city – with some great eats! #Weeklypostcard
Oh, believe me, the food was delicious. So bad, I didn’t have more time to taste more (hope to be back and do that one day).
Oh that observation deck is cool! We went up to the Galleria Kaufhof shopping center which also offers a nice view over the city and the business center! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
Thanks for the recommendation! The more viewpoints the better!
Thank you for sharing your tips what to do in this city! I am craving to visit Frankfurt ever since my boyfriend went there for a business trip and told me about its beauty 🙂
Well, at least your boyfriend had the opportunity to visit. Now you have to ask him to take you next time.
Wow, I never knew Frankfurt was so beautiful! I guess I just assumed it would be mostly modern buildings like other global financial centres such as HK or NY. It looks like a lovely place to live – plenty of greenery and charming historic buildings. Can’t believe the cathedral is pink! They must spend a lot of time cleaning the exterior, don’t you think? It looks really well-maintained.
I didn’t think about it but, yes, the buildings on the old part of town were super clean. So, I assume a lot of time is spent making sure things look tidy. I want to visit again since there were cranes and construction everywhere. I want to see the city without that.
I’ve only briefly passed through Frankfurt on a river cruise. It was at night and the lights of Mainhattan were lit up. I’d love to return in the daytime and see the sights you’ve mentioned here.
#farawayfiles
Trish, that sounds like a good idea. Cruises tend to stop in nearby cities. I know there may be more attractive cities around but I think this one deserves some time.
I love the colorful, half-timbered houses of the Romer! It reminds me a bit of the architecture in Bruges and in Amsterdam. I’d never really thought about spending time in Frankfurt before, but I think you’ve convinced me to add it to my list 🙂
I have been to Amsterdam but not to Bruges. The visit to Amsterdam was long time ago. So, I do not remember the city that well. Glad you see similarities.
I spent 3 weeks in Frankfurt this past June/July, as my daughter now lives there with her German husband and newborn son. I love that you captured the juxtaposition of old and new, and the FOOD! My daughter lives in the Bornheim area and we spent nearly every day walking around the market area and enjoying the many cafes open to the street. I went to the farmer’s markets twice a week in order to get my fix of bratwurst on a hard roll. And you can’t forget to try currywurst and eis coffee (coffee with ice cream!). I do love the European way of life, and can’t wait to go back!
Lucky you! I can see myself spending three weeks in the area. I imagine how many things I can see! No, I have not forgotten about the currywurst and the eis coffee. My husband and I where thinking about the eis coffee last weekend.
You’re so lucky to have such a nice weather when you were in Frankfurt! And I love your pictures of the old town! Glad that they actually took the initiative to restore what’s left! I would love to see more captions of your photos because I need to know what’s inside that burger thing!! =D
Aaron, so glad you liked the post. I stopped captioning my photos long time ago since it takes quite some time to do it. Plus, in my opinion, the regular WordPress captioning doesn’t look that good. The “burger” is a salmon sandwich. There is a photos where the salmon is grilling. Then, they take that and place it on a piece of bread. It is served with a sauce.
Frankfurt seems like a fabulous place to visit and explore. Unfortunately Australia is a long way from there, so thanks for taking us along! Happy travels and thank you for stopping by my blog last week.
Yes, I know. Some places are too far from where we reside. Frankfurt is closer to me than Australia.
I’ve only visited Frankfurt once but to be honest, it’s my least favourite German city. I just don’t get the hang of it and it seemed so dirty. Then again, we didn’t visited the river banks so it definitely looks like I was missing out on something!
Everything was not peaches and creams when I visited Frankfurt. The area around the main train station was shady and a bit scary. Plus, my husband saw a lot of prostitution at night. None of that sounds that safe. Overall, I felt the city is worth some time. But, we visited the “touristy” areas. I have no idea how other neighborhoods are.
Reading your post I realized that I stopped in Frankfurt so many times on my way to different other countries in Europe, yet never went out of the airport this visit this beautiful city. It looks like I’m missing a lot, so next time I’ll have a connection in Frankfurt I’ll make sure to stop there for at least a day or two. It looks really beautiful and I think that cruise along the Main River is a great idea. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Anda, looks like you are not the only one that have made that. The thing is that there is so much to do in the area. I understand why people want to stay (or move) to other cities in the area or to a town along the Rhine.
We love the architecture, the beautiful parks, the Main cruise…but we kept going back to the sausage market. We liked your comment about having one near where you work. We decided rather quickly, though, that would not be a good idea for us. Too much temptation! Love your Mainhattan picture, too – it really proves the point! What a great skyline. Bet it looks lovely at night, as well. It looks like you had a great day in Frankfurt – thanks for sharing it on #TheWeeklyPostcard and #WeekendWanderlust!
Rob, thanks for your nice words. I think the city is moving more towards the Mainhattan thing. There is a lot of construction going on and I am sure more tall buildings are coming. So bad we do not have a wide variety of sausage offerings at every corner. We have found places where great German food is served but we have to drive a bit.
It is great that you listened to your inner voice and decided to explore Frankfurt. The place has so much to offer, so much to see and experience. I was really enthralled by the pictures of the old town. It looks so quaint and charming.
Thanks a lot Sandy! Sometimes you have to follow what your heart says. I cannot complain of what I was able to see.
Great photos Ruth- I am surprised at all the half timbered buildings and the almost villagey feel you’ve shown here. Germany remains a little bit undiscovered for me outside Berlin. Inspired to take a look at Frankfurt thanks to you! #FarawayFiles
RIght, a bit surprising in such a modern place. Germany is a gem. I am sure you will love it one you start to explore more.
I will also admit that I never considered Frankfurt to be a destination that I would desire to visit, thinking it would lack the charm of a smaller German town. I appreciate how they have mixed the older charm and the modern industry. Thank you for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
We all love the small town German feel. I am not going to say Frankfurt cover that box. However, it offers a lot for those who enjoy food, shopping and entertainment. I think the city is more about the modern way of life (sparkled with a bit of old town feel).
Frankfurt looks like a wonderful place to visit. I would like to see the Historic Town and walk the cobblestone streets, visit the markets for some tasty food plus a great idea is to take a river cruise. Pinned this for use when I visit Frankfurt. Thanks for sharing! #feetdotravel
Stephanie, hope you make it there soon.
this looks cool, you are enjoying your life 🙂
Thanks a lot! I try to make very moment count!
Who wouldn’t want to go to a city where a lot of people walk with sausage in hand. Frankfurt looks like it could be a great weekend destination. I love cities which are around water, it always gives such a relaxed feel. Thanks for all your helpful suggestions of things to do #FarawayFiles
I think you have described it in a perfect way. Weekend destination is the way to go! I can see a wonderful weekend full of good food, long stroll and some excursion outside the city.
Love the look of Frankfurt – German cities are fantastic for city breaks and there is always so much to see and do. Definitely somewhere I really want to visit as I love German food and culture! The architecture and food look amazing!
Agree! There is so much to choose from in Germany. Hope I would have more time in the country in the future.
So nice and super. This is interesting . Unfortunately Australia is a long way from there, so thanks for taking us along! Happy travels
Thanks for stopping by! I know Australia is far but never loose the hope of visiting Europe (if you want to do it).
Never been to Frankfurt and probably never will. But in your post it looks better then I thought it would. 🙂
That is great!
That is amazing photos. I love the architecture!
Thank you!
Thank you for such an informative, comprehensive and detailed view of frankfurt. Your photos are simply wonderful too.
Oh Phil, thanks for your kind words. I appreciate them. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Hi! Your photos are very beautiful. I like these half-timbered houses in Germany. Thanks for sharing.
So happy you enjoy this type of architecture!
Looks like you had a great time and the weather is surprisingly clear. Great tips too! Altstadt is very picturesque.
The weather was excellent. I was very worried because the weather forecast was not so positive. The good thing is that we had great weather in Frankfurt and Heidelberg. We didn’t have that luck along the Rhine.
Great and interesting post! When we lived close to Arnhem we were pretty close to Frankfurt. It’s good to see it through your eyes, which for someone who lives in that ares, takes for granted! All the countries in Western Europe are full of historic and interesting things, if one is willing to walk a lot:)
That is true Jesh. For example, I may take for granted the area where I live but then get out and notice the huge amount of people who is visiting. I really try to appreciate Los Angeles and other nearby towns.
OK, you have grabbed my attention! This is such a surprise, what beautiful architecture and I love the idea of a river cruise! We know how much the Germans love sausages from when we are Oktoberfest in Munich, de-licious!! Pinned for future reference! #feetdotravel
We went to Munich too on this trip. Loved it. Frankfurt is not as bad as everybody says. A lot of people go to Munich but, in my opinion, it is not a pretty city. It has a lot to offer but pretty is not.
The more I hear and see of Frankfurt the more I realise it is nothing like what I thought it would be. Your photos as always Ruth are fantastic and all the old houses have really caught my attention, as has the waterfront. I definitely need to give it a visit, thanks for inspiring that 🙂
What a great way to spend a layover! We haven’t made it to Frankfurt yet but we were so close. My brother lives 80 miles away. Love everything it has to offer.
Frankfurt seems like a great place to visit and there are plenty of things to do there. Is one day just enough to see all of Frankfurt’s highlights, Ruth?
I’d love to wander Frankfurt on sunny days like this. Markets are always a big draw for me and it’s wonderful that the Old Town has been rebuilt after WW2.
I have only flown into Frankfurt. But we just returned from Germany and spent a week in Koln and your pics look very similar to mine. I love the old town areas of these towns and the Markets. All that food looks amazing but what a great find when you found the salmon place. Love Smoked Salmon.
The Cathedral looks beautiful whoa to that pink color!