WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN FRANKFURT, GERMANY ON YOUR FIRST VISIT  

Curious about what to see and do in Frankfurt, Germany? So was I before my recent 2 day solo trip there. It was a last minute decision and I did very little pre-planning before I left. All I knew was that I wanted to squeeze in as much sightseeing as I could into my short stay. I enjoyed 2 full days of exploring, eating and drinking my way through Frankfurt and I managed to do it all for under $200! Want to know how I did it? Below is a list of what to see and do in Frankfurt, Germany on your first visit plus a cost breakdown to help you plan your trip!

GETTING TO THE CITY

Cost: €4,90

One of the reasons I picked Frankfurt as the destination for my first Euro-solo trip was the proximity of the airport to the city. Via train, the city center is exactly 3 stops from the airport and takes under 20 minutes. Amazing! Trains depart from Terminal 1. If you land in terminal 2, simply take the skyline tram to Terminal 1. From there, you can purchase your train ticket. I went to the ticket office to speak with a human just to make sure I bought the right ticket and got on the correct train!

Travel Tip: When returning to the airport, a lot at least 1 hour for total travel time. This includes getting to the train, purchasing your ticket, waiting for the train to arrive, the ride itself and then getting to your correct terminal for check-in. To do this, I recommend leaving your hotel 3 hours before your scheduled departure time.

WHERE TO STAY

Cost for 2 nights: $84.38

I knew I wanted to be centrally located so that I had quick access to the train and was still within walking distance to the major attractions. There are a TON of hotel options, both luxury and budget, located right in Frankfurt’s city center.

I booked 2 nights at the Centro Hotel National through Orbitz. It was located just steps away from Frankfurt’s Central Terminal and walking distance to the main square.

Travel tip: Many hotels include breakfast. You can set it as a filter when searching, which makes it super easy. Breakfast happens to be my favorite meal, so whenever I can find a hotel that includes it, I am a happy girl! It also means one less meal I have to worry about! 

 

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

The only items I had on my itinerary before my trip were a boat tour along the River Main, visiting a local market and exploring Römerberg, Frankfurt’s main square. I did a bit more research once I arrived and added several more fun things onto my to do list. Below is the breakdown of what you too should see and do in Frankfurt, Germany.

RÖMERBERG

Cost: 0

Römerberg is Frankfurt’s main square. Referred to as the new old town because of the recent renovation, here you’ll find buildings modeled after German medieval architecture as well as the city’s town hall. Small shops, galleries and traditional restaurants and bars also add to the charm of this historic square. This square is also where local festivals concerts and the famous Christmas market take place.

FRANKFURT CATHEDRAL

Cost: 0; Tower access: €3

At the end of the square stand’s the Frankfurt Cathedral or the Frankfurter Dom as it’s called in German. In fact, this will probably be the first thing you notice as you approach Römerberg due to the height of its main tower. The church is worth a quick look around. And for €3 you can climb the 327 steps up to the top of the tower!

KLEIN MARKET HALLE

Cost: 0

A few blocks from the Frankfurt Cathedral is the Klein Market Halle. The first thing you’ll notice when you walk in is the delightful smell – a rich mix of cured meats and spices. When you other senses kick in, they’ll be overwhelmed by a flurry of activity. There are endless rows of stalls selling a variety of goods – fresh produce, oils, vinegars, cheeses, seafood, fresh bread, sweets, wine, coffee, beer and even handmade soaps, flowers and herbs. Plus a second floor with small restaurants to enjoy a bite and a beer and look down at the frenzy below. There is a lot going on!

Even if you don’t plan on eating, this market is not to be missed. Open daily from 8-6 (except holidays), Klein Market Halle is the place to go if you want to get a true feel for Frankfurt. Of course if you want to eat and drink here it’ll cost you a bit, but I’ll break that down in the next section.

RIVER MAIN BOAT TOUR

Cost: €12,80 (full tour) or €9,80 (half tour)

Frankfurt sits along the River Main and is one of the few European cities that has an actual skyline. One of the best ways to view the sweeping skyline is from on a Primus Linie sightseeing cruise. You can take the 50 minute half tour or 100 minute for a full tour. I recommend the longer tour so you get to see the full scope of the city. If you only have 50 minutes, request the Upstream tour – the scenery is much prettier!

Learn about the architecture and history of Frankfurt from the recorded audio guide (offered in both German and English) as you cruise along the river. Food and drinks are also available for purchase and delivered directly to your table by an on board server. It’s a really fun way to spend an afternoon!

Travel Tip: Bundle up! It gets very chilly and windy on the top deck which is where you’ll want to be for the best views!

EBBELWEI TROLLEY TOUR

Cost: €8

One of Frankfurt’s most unique attractions is the Ebbelwei Express. Ebbelwei means Apple Wine, which is the city’s signature drink. The trolley runs from 1:30p to 7:45p on weekends and holidays. It starts at the Frankfurt zoo and makes 10 stops along a winding route through the city. Passengers are free to hop on and off as they please and are treated to a complimentary apple wine (or non alcoholic beverage) and a bag of pretzels to enjoy along the ride.

This trolley was too cute and such a fun way to see the city! Whether you’re traveling with kids, friends, a plus one or solo, the Ebbelwei Express is a must when visiting Frankfurt. I got lucky that my trip fell on German Unity Day, so the trolley was running. It was one of my favorite experiences in Frankfurt!

MAIN TOWER OBSERVATION DECK 

Cost: €7,50

For sky high views of the Frankfurt, head up to the observation deck of Frankfurt’s Main Tower. At 55 stories up, it truly is one of the best ways to see the city. I recommend grabbing your tripod and visiting at sunset. That was my plan, but due to some confusion navigating the subway, I got there a bit late. But even at night, the views are stunning!

There is also a restaurant a floor below the observation deck if you want to enjoy a unique dining experience.The tower is open daily even on holidays.  You can check their website here for exact hours.

FRANKFURT FESTIVALS 

Cost: 0

There happened to be a trifecta of festivals happening when I visited – between Oktoberfest, German Unity Day and the Federweissen Festival there was so much to eat see and do! Concerts, dancing, food stands, pop up bars, arts, crafts and cheer! It was so much fun to be a part of!

If possible, I highly recommend visiting Frankfurt during a national holiday or festival. Several take place throughout the year, with the most popular being the Apple Wine Festival that starts mid August. Other popular festivals are the Rheinghau Wine Festival in early September, Oktoberfest in September and October and of course the traditional Christmas markets that open in November. You can check out the full list of Frankfurt festivals here.

BERGER STRASS FARMER’S MARKET 

Cost: 0

Along Frankfurt’s popular Berger Strass you’ll find an abundance of boutiques, bars and cafes. If you’re looking for non-traditional food options like sushi, Thai, hookah bars, gelaterias and chain coffee shops this is where you’ll find them. In my opinion, this is a stop you can skip unless you go during the weekly farmer’s market which takes place Wednesdays and Saturdays.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

One of the best ways to get to know a city is through its cuisine. And when it comes to food, Frankfurt does not disappoint! Here are a few great places to sample German delicacies and a breakdown on how much you can expect to spend.

KLEIN MARKET HALLE

Cost: €5-15

Although I wasn’t hungry when I visited Klein Market, having just stuffed myself with a robust breakfast on the plane before landing, this is an excellent option for enjoying a casual lunch. There is a wide variety of choose from – soups, sandwiches, sausage, flatbread, seafood, pasta, charcuterie and everything in between! Your only problem will be choosing what to eat! Luckily, many of the vendors offer samples, so you can taste a few different items before making your choice!

RESTAURANT KLOSTERHOF

Cost: €23

If you want to indulge in traditional German fare in a cozy candle lit setting, you have to check out Restaurant Klosterhof. In business since 1936, Klosterhof is famous for its apple wine and schnitzel inspired by recipes from monks and nuns of the local monasteries.

I noticed its cute façade while out sightseeing then later read the rave reviews and decided to stop by for dinner. I enjoyed a mouthwatering Hunter’s Schnitzel – deep fried pork cutlet smothered with creamy mushroom gravy atop a pillow of slightly crispy, but perfectly chewy and well seasoned thin cut dumplings. YUM! I washed it all down with 2 glasses of ice cold apple wine. Perhaps I was just exhausted from jet lag and a full day of exploring, but it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had!

FESTIVAL DES FEDERWEISSEN 

Cost: Food €2,5-5; Beer €2-4

I didn’t have dinner plans on my last night in Frankfurt. So I was thrilled when I wandered past the Federweissen Festival! In addition to arts, crafts, and entertainment, the best part about German festivals is the food and beer and the Festival Des Federweissen, which celebrates the harvest, did not disappoint! There were grilled frankfurters, bratwurst, pretzels, sweets and everything in between. You can enjoy a sandwich and glass of apple wine as little as 5 euro!

ADDITIONAL COSTS

• 1 way subway ride: 2,75
• Public Restroom: €,50
• Train back to the airport: €4,90
• Postcard: €1,90

TOTAL COST

I spent a total of €81.25, which converts to about $94.11. Add on the cost of the hotel and my total for two full days of fun in Frankfurt comes out to $178.34!

There is so much to see and do in Frankfurt, Germany. Much more than I even expected. And best part is you can see and do it all without breaking the bank!

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Have you ever visited Frankfurt? What did you enjoy most? Do you typically set a spending limit before your trips? Do you have any tips for traveling on a budget?

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