Travel Insights

The old Imperial city of Germany, Frankfurt, isn’t just a thriving economic and commercial center of the country. While you will see some of the tallest skyscrapers in one part of the city, the other part has a large museum complex that will help you dip your toes into the culture of the country and Europe as a whole. The city also has many interesting neighborhoods as well as a bunch of hip bars and pubs that come alive with live music and engaging conversation.

Ready to create a rock solid itinerary? Let’s dive in.

1. The Römerberg

A great way to learn about a new city is to take a walking tour of its city center, and the Romerberg, Frankfurt’s old town center is a fascinating place to start. It’s a beautiful public square with the Justice Fountain at the center and is surrounded by many historical buildings.
Some of the notable buildings in the area include St. Nicholas Church with its carillon, the Old Town Hall, the Historical Museum and the Wertheim House, the only timber framed building that survived the World War II air raids. Many of the buildings were also reconstructed in the 1950s based on their original medieval plans.

The square also has a number of charming shops and cafes where you can pop in for a quick bite or to get souvenirs for friends and family.

2. Museumsufer

Museumsufer is a cluster of museums that preserves the unique history and evolution of Germany and Europe. The museums are located on both the south bank and the north bank of the river Main. The idea of a dedicated museum cluster was first proposed in 1977, after which several existing museums were expanded and new ones were set up, including historic villas. The new and renovated museums are housed in fabulous venues that were the brainchild of some of the most eminent architects of the time.

Prominent museums in the cluster include the Stadel, Senckenberg Museum, Museum Angewandte Kunst (or the Museum of Applied Arts), among others.

3. Stadel Museum

The Stadel art gallery is known the world over for its large collection of paintings from the Middle Ages to the modern masters. The gallery houses prominent pieces by Rembrandt, Picasso, Renoir, and Cezanne as well as contemporary artists.

Works by Francis Bacon and Gerhard Richter have also found their place in a splendid subterranean display.

4. Senkenberg Museum

This natural history museum in Frankfurt s particularly popular with kids and folks who love paleontology. The museum has the largest collection of dinosaur fossils as well as life size models that stand guard near the baroque façade of the museum. From following the tracks of the Titanosaurus that has been impressed on the floor to marveling at the perfectly preserved scaly-skinned fossil of another of these pre-historic beasts, you’re sure to have a wonderful time here.

The museum also has many other fascinating geological and natural history remains for those with special interest in this area.

5. Museum Angewandte Kunst (Museum of Applied Arts)

This museum houses over 60,000 handmade objects and furniture of European origin from the 10th to the 21st century. Other prominent exhibits include a large collection of East Asian and Islamic artifacts.

The rotating exhibits of the museum are dedicated to sharing findings about the interface between tradition, function, and aesthetic of the cultural objects housed in the museum.

6. Museum der Weltkulturen (Museum of World Culture)

The Museum of World Culture is right next door and has a fascinating display of over 65,000 ethnological artifacts from Oceania, Afria, South East Asia, as well as the Americas. If you’re interested in ongoing studies and links between cultures, this is a great place to spend a couple of hours.

7. Goethe House and Museum

Goethe was one of the most prominent writers of Germany and his philosophy shaped the culture and thoughts of his time.

Goethe was born in a beautiful house in Frankfurt on August 28, 1749 where he lived till 1765 with his family. He took off for his studies in 1765 and later came back here to write some of his most important works.

You’ll love walking through the halls of this grand house while reliving the everyday life of Goethe and his family. The opulent décor punctuated with interesting memorabilia, such as Goethe’s puppet theatre which he loved as a child, makes it a worthwhile stop.

Goethe Museum is also next door, and houses beautiful artworks from the baroque and romantic periods.

8. Main Tower

Main Tower, located in the Innenstadt district of Frankfurt, had served as head quarters of several international financial institutions. Now it has an observation deck that with stunning views of the city. The deck also has a fine dining restaurant if you want to sip some apple wine and have a meal with an incomparable view.

9. Frankfurt Cathedral (or officially, the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew)

The first thing you’ll notice about Frankfurt Cathedral is the 95 m Gothic tower that dominates the skyline of the city. Built between the 13th and the 15th centuries, the rugged red-stone façade is as beautiful as it is imposing and saw the coronation of many emperors between 1562 and 1792.
You’ll also notice the magnificent 16th century sculpture Crucifixion by German master Hans Backoffen at the foot of the tower. When you step inside, look for the “skull altar,” which is named after the main relic of the cathedral – St. Bartholomew’s skull cap.

10. St. Paul’s Church

You can say that St. Paul’s Church is pretty much the seat of German democracy. When it was constructed as a Lutheran church in 1789, it had a circular design so that everyone could hear the sermon. Later in 1848, the round structure made it the perfect place for parliamentary gatherings.
Although the parliament gatherings lasted only for a year before religious services commenced, this church has an important role in shaping the German constitution and democratic ideals.

11. Palmengarten

Palmengarten is a beautiful English-style park where you can take a break from all the sightseeing and relax with a picnic. You’ll see lots of people hanging out if the weather is great, and its often a venue of many events and festivals, most notably the Frankfurt Book Fair.

12. Old Sachsenhausen

Get a dose of 12th century Frank at Old Sachsenhausen. The houses are beautiful and cobbled roads are lined with charming cider houses. It’s a great place to visit if you just want to stroll and entrench yourself in the enchanting feel of a bygone great.

13. Eiserner Steg

The Eiserner Steg is one of the only pedestrian bridges over the River Main and is characterized by the thousands of colorful padlocks left behind by loving couples who decided to leave a piece of themselves in a foreign land. You can simply walk across the bridge at sunset to take in the stunning views or stop for a quick photoshoot for your insta feed.

14. Kleinmarkthalle

Kleinmarkthalle is a foodie’s paradise. It’s an indoor space with over 100+ stalls selling a wide variety of local produce, from fresh fruits and veggies to meat, cheese, and baked goods. It’s a great place to sample some of Frankfurt’s authentic offerings, including the local favorite “green sauce.”

Safe travels!