Is Frankfurt Worth Visiting? | The Honest Truth About The German City (2024)

Frankfurt may be a well-known city in Germany, but it is often overshadowed by the country’s other destinations, like Munich, Berlin, and even the charming small villages Germany is known for.

Chances are if you have stumbled across this article, you have a trip planned that either starts, ends, or includes a long layover in Frankfurt and you’re wondering “Is Frankfurt worth visiting?”

About Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt, Germany is one of the most important cities in Europe. It is often referred to as the financial capital of Europe since it is home to the European Central Bank and hosts one of the world’s largest stock exchanges.

While Frankfurt has a big city feel thanks to its modern skyscrapers, it is actually only the fifth largest city in Germany, eclipsed by Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Cologne.

It is also a major international transportation hub with one of the busiest airports in Europe. So, if you travel to Europe frequently from other countries, chances are you will travel to or connect through Frankfurt at some point.

Located on the banks of the Main River, Frankfurt is home to numerous museums, theaters, and galleries. With the German city being such a huge transportation hub for Europe, you may find yourself wondering whether you should include it on your itinerary. Our goal is to help you make that decision for yourself while sharing our personal thoughts and experiences visiting Frankfurt.

Is Frankfurt worth visiting? Our personal opinion

We flew into Frankfurt multiple times without actually spending time in the city before we finally decided to spend a day and a night in the city. Previously, it was always just the arrival point before making the journey to places like Dresden, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, or Munich.

As a family who has limited vacation time, we always grappled with whether Frankfurt was worth a visit when flying into or out of the city, but finally we decided to spend one day in Frankfurt while we adjusted to the time change.

And to immediately get to the point of this article, one day in Frankfurt is about as much time as you need.

Frankfurt is worth visiting for a few hours on a long layover or even for a full day and night. If it is your arrival destination in Europe, it is great for an overnight stay while you and your family recover from jet lag. It also makes for a pleasant final day of a trip if you are flying out of Frankfurt at the end of a longer stay in Germany or neighboring countries.

However, with all that said, I wouldn’t make Frankfurt one of your main destinations on your trip. In other words, I wouldn’t travel halfway around the world to spend a week or two in Frankfurt. Even if you love museums and plan to visit several of them while in Frankfurt, the city simply lacks the historic charm you’ll find in many of the other great cities in Germany.

Where to Stay in Frankfurt, Germany

If you decide to spend a night in Frankfurt, like we did, it is easy to take the train from the airport to the Frankfurt City Center. We stayed at Hotel Concorde, which is only about a block from Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, which is the main train station in the city center.

From there, we were able to walk to the historic Römer square and to the riverside. If you prefer to utilize public transportation when exploring the city, Frankfurt is well connected by its U-Bahn and S-Bahn, as well.

What to see in Frankfurt for a day

If you plan to spend a day in Frankfurt, you’ll likely spend most of your time in the city center. Here are a few things to do and see in Frankfurt for a day.

Römerberg

When you arrive in Frankfurt or after you check into your hotel, head directly to Romer Square, also known as Römerburg. We took a leisurely stroll up Kieser Strasse, stopping along the way for ice cream. Our walk from the Frankfurt main train station to Romberg took about 20 minutes.

The square is the heart of the Old Town Frankfurt. It is really the only place in Frankfurt where you’ll find restored half-timbered, colorful buildings reflective of Germany’s past.

At the center of the square, Frankfurt’s historic town hall, or Römer, has served as the seat of the city government for over 600 years.

The square is also home to the Old St. Nicholas Church. The current building dates back to the mid-15th century, but there has been a church on this site since the 12th century.

During the holiday season, the square hosts Frankfurt’s Christmas market, where you can find great handmade German souvenirs.

Frankfurt Cathedral

After exploring the square and possibly grabbing lunch, head around the corner to Frankfurt Cathedral, also known as Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus.

The church is one of the most significant historic landmarks, characterized by its red sandstone facade and 312-foot-tall tower (95 meters). Climb the tower to the top for a great view of Frankfurt from above.

The inside of the cathedral has an understated elegance, with stained glass windows and a narrow sanctuary with walls of the same pinkish color as the exterior.

River Main

After a quick peek inside the Frankfurt Cathedral and possibly an adventure to the top of the tower, head to the River Main for a relaxing stroll.

When the weather is nice, you’ll find lots of people lounging in the grassy areas surrounding the riverside, as well as people kayaking and paddleboarding in the river.

While walking along the river, be sure to cross the Eiserner Steg Bridge. The pedestrian bridge is covered in love locks, giving it the nickname the Love Lock Bridge.

You can hop on a sightseeing cruise to get views of the city skyline, as your guide points out important buildings, landmarks, and provides historical context.

Frankfurt Historical Museum

If you have a desire to learn more about the city, plan to include a tour of the Frankfurt Historical Museum as part of your city visit. The museum, which is located in Altstadt near the River Main, showcases collections of artifacts spanning 800 years of Frankfurt’s past – from the medieval times to becoming a modern financial powerhouse.

You’ll learn about what Frankfurt was like prior to the vast destruction caused by Allied bombing of the city during World War II.

If a museum about the city’s history doesn’t interest you, head across the river to the Museumsufer, or Museum District, where you can choose from several other world-class museums like the Städel Art Museum, The Museum of World Cultures, or the German Film Museum.

Main Tower

If you want to end your evening with a bit more of a metropolitan feel, head to the Main Tower. From the observation deck on the 56th floor, you get a panoramic view of the city and its skyline with both modern buildings aside older, restored historical ones.

There is a restaurant and lounge on the 53rd floor, or you can buy a ticket to the observation deck to simply enjoy the view from above.

We skipped the Main Tower and decided to simply enjoy a nice relaxing dinner and drinks before heading back to our hotel to get some rest. After all, we were jet lagged and had to catch an early morning train the next day.

However, I wanted to include it as an option because you would have enough time to visit the observation deck or even the restaurant if you desire to do so.

Final Thoughts on Whether Frankfurt is Worth a Visit

I don’t want to come off negative and say Frankfurt isn’t really worth visiting, because the city does have some interesting places to visit. However, if I had to select my favorite cities in Germany, Frankfurt wouldn’t make the list. It feels more like a large city in the United States, with tall skyscrapers and not much personality.

Yes, it has incredible museums, tons of shopping, and a small restored Old Town or Altstadt area, but it lacks the stunning Baroque architecture of Dresden, the storybook appeal of villages along the Romantic Road, like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, or the unique culture of the Bavarian city of Munich – home to the famous Oktoberfest.

Even when compared to other more modern German cities, like Berlin, Frankfurt pales in comparison. Berlin, while it may lack the cobbled streets and half-timbered appearance than many other places in Germany have, the city has done a great job at creating its own quirky identity and puts its complicated past on display.

I would have loved to see Frankfurt have more of a high-end “Financial Capital of Europe” feel, the way Milan, Italy has embraced its “Fashion Capital” reputation. However, despite all that, I’d still say Frankfurt is worth visiting. It is a great place to spend a day at the beginning or end of a trip. It is easy to get it to, thanks to their incredible airport and train station, and is a great place to position yourself for day trips to places like the Rhine Valley, Eltz Castle, and Heidelberg.

Do you have a comment or question about visiting Frankfurt, Germany? We’d love to hear from you! Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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