Stand on the Alte Brücke in the early evening and the river opens up in front of you: the Main catching the light, the high-rises packed tight behind the north bank, and the low rooflines of Sachsenhausen on your right. It is the moment Frankfurt stops being a transit hub and becomes a city you want to walk across.
This guide suits anyone with a day or two to spare, whether you are breaking a journey at Frankfurt Central Station or staying a week on business. It leans on the historic core, the riverbank museums and the districts that kept their old streets, and it keeps to places you can reach on the U-Bahn and S-Bahn.
Top things to do in Frankfurt am Main
1. Römerberg and the old town
Römerberg is the restored heart of the inner town, with the imposing town hall and the surrounding squares rebuilt after the war. The cathedral, St Bartholomeus, stands a short walk away; emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were crowned here in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Come here first to get your bearings, then walk down to the Main for the skyline view. The restoration is meticulous, so look up at the facades rather than only at street level.
2. The Main river bridges
The bridges are the best free vantage point in the city. The eastern bridges give the strongest view, in particular the Ignaz-Bubis-Brücke and the Alte Brücke. For a view that takes in the new European Central Bank building, head for the train bridge in Ostend and the newer bridge behind it.
Late afternoon into evening works well: you get the skyline in daylight and again as the lights come on. If you are arriving from the airport by subway, sit on the right-hand side — the train swings into a big curve just before Frankfurt central station and you get a first glimpse of the towers.
3. Museumsufer
The Museumsufer, on both banks of the Main in Sachsenhausen, is where most of the city's museums cluster: the Städel-Museum for old and modern art, the Museum of Regional Historic Art and Culture, the Museum of Applied Arts, the Liebieg House's sculpture collection, the Museum of World Cultures, the Museum of Communication, the German Architecture Museum, the German Film Museum and the Icon Museum.
Take the subway to Schweizer Platz or Willy-Brandt-Platz and walk towards the river. The Museumsufer Ticket covers admission to all municipal museums on two consecutive days and is sold at all Frankfurt museums, which makes it the sensible buy if you plan on more than one. Note that museums in Germany generally close on Mondays.
4. Sachsenhausen
Sachsenhausen, south of the Main, is the old town district known for its cider bars and traditional half-timbered houses, many of which survived the Second World War when much of the city centre did not. The Catholic Church of the Teutonic Order dates to the Middle Ages.
Pair it with the Museumsufer, since both sit on the same bank, and finish with a cider in one of the old bars. It is the most natural place to end an afternoon of museum-going.
5. Historic half-timbered houses on Berger Straße
Bornheim largely survived the war intact, so its medieval and baroque half-timbered houses are the real thing rather than reconstructions. Strolling along Berger Straße between the U-Bahn stations Bornheim Mitte and Berger Straße gives you an authentic sense of the district's former village structure.
The exteriors are viewable at all times and there is no charge. Go on foot and without a fixed schedule — the point is the street itself, not a single address.
6. Höchst Old Town
Höchst is a remarkably preserved medieval quarter of half-timbered houses and narrow streets. The highlights are the 9th-century St. Justin's Church, which is Frankfurt's oldest building, the castle, and the baroque Bolongaro Palace with its gardens.
If you have an interest in porcelain, the Porcelain Museum in the Kronberger House and the nearby manufacturing centre are the reason to make the trip. Reach it via the S1 or S2 to Frankfurt-Höchst station.
7. Goetheturm
The Goetheturm is a 43-metre wooden tower with a viewing platform and good views back towards the skyline. It burned down in 2017 and has since been rebuilt.
It sits in the far south of Sachsenhausen, so combine it with a walk through that part of the city rather than treating it as a standalone stop. It is open daily from 1 April to 30 September, 08:00 to 20:00.
8. Frankfurter Zoo
Established in 1858, the zoo is one of the oldest in the world and gained international fame under the direction of Bernhard Grzimek, who pioneered animal conservation. It focuses on modern enclosure design and holds a wide array of species right at the eastern end of the city centre.
It is easily reached via the U-Bahn station Zoo. Opening hours run 09:00 to 17:00 from November to February and 09:00 to 19:00 from March to October.
9. European Central Bank
The European Central Bank in Frankfurt/Ost is the seat of European financial decision-making, and guided tours are available if you register in advance.
Combine a tour with the river bridges in Ostend, which give the best view of the bank building alongside the skyline. Book ahead rather than turning up on the day.
10. Frankfurt Airport Tours
Guided tours of the airport go behind the scenes, with access to the airfield and specialised areas such as the fire department facilities. The meeting point is clearly marked in the visitor centre at Terminal 1.
Tours run daily by appointment and advance booking online is mandatory, so check the website for slots before you plan your day around one.
11. Messe Frankfurt and the Frankfurt Book Fair
The Messe Frankfurt is one of the world's largest exhibition centres and hosts a continuous stream of fairs, most of which are open to the public for at least part of the time. The Frankfurt Book Fair, held yearly in mid-October, is the largest event of the world's publishing industry, with its last two days open to the general public.
The Messe has its own S-Bahn station, two stops from the Central Railway Station, and there is also the Festhalle/Messe U-Bahn stop. Advance tickets for fairs often include free use of all RMV public transport.
12. Portikus
Portikus in Frankfurt/Süd is an institution exhibiting contemporary art by emerging and established artists.
It suits a short visit rather than a whole afternoon, and sits on the southern bank where you are already likely to be for the Museumsufer.
13. Dialogmuseum
The Dialogmuseum in Frankfurt/Ost lets you experience the world as blind people do. In each room you go through a different daily life situation, such as walking through a park, taking a boat trip or visiting a bar.
It is a guided, timed experience rather than a wander-at-will museum, so build it into your plan rather than squeezing it in at the end of a day.
14. Public Transportation Museum
The Public Transportation Museum in Frankfurt/West displays public transport vehicles, including many old trams, a few buses and one steam locomotive.
It is a natural fit for anyone interested in how the city moves, and it sits away from the Museumsufer cluster, so give it its own slot.
15. Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company
The Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company performs modern ballet in Frankfurt, playing at the Bockenheimer Depot.
An evening performance pairs well with a day spent on foot in the old town and along the river. Check the programme before you travel if dance is the reason for your visit.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at Römerberg and the old town, taking in the town hall and St Bartholomeus cathedral while the streets are quiet. Walk down to the Main and cross the Alte Brücke for your first proper look at the skyline.
Afternoon. Cross to the southern bank and spend the middle of the day at the Museumsufer, choosing two or three museums rather than trying to cover them all. If you would rather be outside, walk the historic half-timbered houses along Berger Straße in Bornheim instead, then return to Sachsenhausen for its old streets and cider bars.
Evening. Head back to the river and walk the eastern bridges, in particular the Ignaz-Bubis-Brücke, as the light goes. Finish with dinner in Sachsenhausen, or take in a performance by the Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company at the Bockenheimer Depot if the programme suits.
Frequently asked questions
When should I visit the Frankfurt Book Fair?
It is held yearly in mid-October. The last two days, Saturday and Sunday, are open to the general public, with book sales allowed on Sunday only. Photography is permitted, but ask permission first.
Are Frankfurt's museums open every day?
No. Museums in Germany are generally closed on Mondays, with exceptions, and opening hours on other days vary by museum. If you plan to visit on a public holiday, check with the museum beforehand.
How do I get a good view of the skyline?
Use the Main river bridges. The eastern bridges give the best view, particularly the Ignaz-Bubis-Brücke and the Alte Brücke. For a view that includes the new European Central Bank building, try the train bridge in Ostend and the new bridge behind it.
Is there a ticket that covers several museums?
Yes. The Museumsufer Ticket is valid for admission to all municipal museums on two consecutive days and is available at all Frankfurt museums.
Pick your dates around a fair or a performance, book the airport tour or the European Central Bank tour in advance if either appeals, and start planning your days around the river.