One Day in Frankfurt (or two!): What to See, Do, and Eat

Wondering how to make the most of one day in Frankfurt, Germany? You’re not alone.

Frankfurt doesn’t usually make it to the top of the list when someone thinks about vacationing in Germany. It’s not typically seen as a must visit destination, and most travelers find themselves here only because of a layover or a quick stop on a broader itinerary.

That’s what happened to me a couple years ago. I was flying from Florida to Indonesia and had a long layover in Frankfurt. It was just enough time to take the train into the city, see the Romerberg, and then take the train back.

And I explored everywhere! I must have walked over 30 miles while I was in Frankfurt. And now I’ve come up with the perfect one day itinerary for you!

How to Get to Frankfurt

I had no idea until I started looking up flights, but did you know that there are actually TWO Frankfurts in Germany? Frankfurt am Main (the major city) and Frankfurt an der Oder (a much smaller city near the Polish border).

Make sure you’re heading to Frankfurt am Main!

The Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) is just a quick 20-minute train ride from the city center.

To get from the airport to the city center, you’ll take the S-Bahn (lines S8 or S9) to the Hauptwache Station. Hauptwache is a smaller station and is only a five minute walk from the city center.

The first time I took the train into Frankfurt, I got off at Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof HBF (main station).

It makes sense, right? You would think that the main station would be the one you’d want.

Wrong!

The Hauptbahnhof HBF main station is further from the city center. You could still walk there but it will take 15 minutes instead of five.

Frankfurt was Rebuilt After WWII

I am the first to admit that I am historically challenged. I failed history class, and I can’t even carry on a conversation that has anything to do with wars or history.

So, it’s not surprising that I didn’t realize that most of Frankfurt was destroyed during World War II.

The majority of what you see in the city center and historic areas is not original. 

Frankfurt has been rebuilt over the years. And in the areas with historical significance, the rebuilding has been more of a recreation so that what you see is what you would have seen before the war.

And it all looks incredible. The detail that has gone into recreating the pre-war architecture is truly remarkable.

After a few hours wandering around Frankfurt though, you don’t even think about the “newness” of it all. You actually feel like you are in medieval Frankfurt.

Two Ways to Spend One Day in Frankfurt

After spending three days wandering the city, I’ve created a one day Frankfurt itinerary that explores the older, historic side of the city. I’ve also created a second one that takes you through the newer more modern side of Frankfurt.

You can use either one when you are figuring out how to spend one day in Frankfurt.

If you’re spending two days in Frankfurt, just use the two of them together. You’ll have the best of both worlds. Old and new!

Day 1: Historic Frankfurt

Römerberg

Start your day at the Römerberg. This is the main historic square in Frankfurt and is considered the heart of the city’s Old Town (Altstadt). It’s filled with half timbered buildings and was once considered the most beautiful square in the Holy Roman Empire.

The Romerberg was recreated in the 1980s one building at a time making sure everything was as accurate as possible.

The Romer

While you’re wandering around Romerberg, you’ll see the Römer, Frankfurt’s city hall.

The center structure of the Romer is original and dates back to 1405 when it was purchased by the city and transformed into a city hall. If you go inside, be sure to walk down the Kaiserall, a historic hallway lined with portraits of German emperors.

If you are in Frankfurt in December, this is also the area where you’ll find the largest Christmas market in Frankfurt.

The New Old Town

The area surrounding Römerberg, also known as the “Dom-Römer Quarter,” has also been reconstructed. It is quite literally the “New Old Town” and was only completed a few years ago, in 2017.

In total, there are 35 buildings with 15 of them reconstructed from original blueprints. Original. Unbelievable! The other 20 buildings are new designs but have some original elements that managed to survive the bombings incorporated into the building.

They even kept the layout of the buildings in the town. If there was a butcher shop in a specific location, a butcher shop is what was rebuilt. The attention to every last detail in the part of the city is remarkable.

Frankfurt Cathedral

The Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus), was built in the 14th and 15th centuries. It was the site of imperial coronations for the Holy Roman Empire from 1562 to 1792.

It was heavily damaged by a fire in 1867 and Allied bombings during World War II, but its foundation, parts of its tower, and some walls remain original. 

It’s free to visit and is definitely worth going inside. You can also pay a few euros to climb the tower’s 300+ step spiral staircase for a fantastic view overlooking the city.

Kleinmarkthalle

The Kleinmarkthalle is a foodie’s paradise and one of Frankfurt’s best-kept lunch secrets.

Tucked inside a drab looking two story gray and glass building, it’s easy to walk right by and not even know it’s there. But this busy indoor market has been around since the 19th century and is worth your while to seek out.

Inside is a maze of over 150 stalls selling everything from fresh produce and flowers to handmade sausages to imported delicacies! It’s a literal feast for the senses! Be sure to check out the upstairs level for even more stalls and restaurants.

Just don’t try and visit on a Sunday, they’re closed.

And, in case you were wondering, it too has been rebuilt.

The Iron Bridge

After lunch, walk across the Iron Bridge (Eiserner Steg) along the Main River. It’s a pedestrian only bridge that connects the Old Town with the Sachsenhausen district on the other side of the Main River.

You’ll get some pretty impressive views from the bridge too!

It goes without saying, the original bridge was destroyed during WWII. But this time it was destroyed by the Germans! They blew it up to slow the advancing Allied troops.

The bridge is now draped in thousands of love locks, left by couples from all over the world as a symbol of their eternal love. 

Museumsufer

As you cross over the Eisener Steg bridge, Museumsufer stretches between the Three Kings Church to your left and the bridge to your right.

This area is a museum embankment filled with over a dozen world-class museums covering everything from art and history to film and architecture.

With one day in Frankfurt you’ll only have time to visit one of the museums. Here are my suggestions to choose from:

• Städel Museum  This renowned museum showcases works spanning 700 years, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Monet, and Picasso, as well as contemporary art.
• German Film Museum (Deutsches Filmmuseum)  All about the history and magic of filmmaking, with interactive exhibits and screenings.
• Schirn Kunsthalle  Modern and contemporary art with rotating exhibitions featuring cutting-edge artists.
• Liebieghaus Sculpture Collection  A quieter, more niche museum with sculptures from ancient Egypt to the Baroque era.

Old Sachsenhausen

If you still have time left in your one day in Frankfurt, consider wandering through the Old Sachsenhausen neighborhood. It’s the neighborhood surrounding all those museums.

The cobblestone streets are lined with half-timbered homes, the best apple wine taverns in the city, and if you go down Bruckenstrasse street, you’ll find the cutest little shops!

One of the taverns that was suggested to me by a local was Atschel. Oh my it was fantastic! They had a full menu including schnitzel and goulash, but I went with their fresh made frankfurters. A frankfurter in Frankfurt, how could you not? Be prepared though, they only take cash and reservations are recommended.

Day 2: Modern Frankfurt

On your second day, you’ll see the other side of Frankfurt. The side that’s sleek, modern, and full of surprises.

Start with sweeping skyline views from Main Tower, then slow down with a peaceful wander through Palmengarten. The city’s newer side still nods to its past, especially at places like the Alte Oper, but also gives you great shopping, local food, and people-watching in Hauptwache.

It’s a nice balance of city energy and quiet green spaces, and a great way to wrap up your visit.

Main Tower Observation Deck

Start your day with a visit to the Main Tower, one of Frankfurt’s tallest skyscrapers. You’ll go up 56 floors to an open air observation deck with stunning 360-degree views of the city.

Depending on the time of year, it can get pretty windy and cold up there. If it gets to be too much, just go down one level, there’s a glass enclosed area with pretty decent views.

Palmengarten

Next, make your way to the Palmengarten, Frankfurt’s botanical garden.

I actually wasn’t planning on coming here but, again, it was recommended by a local.

I was pleasantly surprised!

There are walking paths, a lake, themed areas, tropical greenhouses, and even a butterfly house where you might be lucky enough to have a butterfly land on you.

I was so impressed by this place that I ended up spending hours here wandering all around.

Alte Oper

After exploring Palmengarten, head back toward the city center and walk by the Alte Oper, Frankfurt’s historic opera house.

The original building was destroyed during World War II, and the reconstruction wasn’t even started until the 80s.

Now it’s a concert hall with several cafes scattered around the plaza. I didn’t attend any performances while I was visiting Frankfurt but you may want to check the schedule for the days you’ll be there.

Hauptwache Shopping District

End your two days in Frankfurt with some retail therapy in the Hauptwache district.

This bustling area is one of Frankfurt’s main shopping hubs, with everything from high-end boutiques to popular European brands.

Even if shopping isn’t your thing, Hauptwache is worth a visit just for people watching. One of the nights I was there, a performance group was in front of a storefront doing some old-school breakdancing!

Where to Eat in Frankfurt

Cafe Laumer has been around since 1919 and is the perfect place to stop on your way to or from Palmengarten. Grab a coffee and pastry and sit at one of the tables outside.

MONZA Caffè & Bar has three locations in Frankfurt. The family that runs them is from Naples so you’ll find coffees, pastries, and light meals with an Italian flair. I loved having my coffee and croissant here every morning. It felt as if I was living like a local!

You can’t leave Frankfurt without trying Doner kebab. It’s one of Germany’s most popular fast-food dishes. A doner kebab is thinly sliced chicken roasted on a vertical rotisserie and served in pita bread or in a box. You also choose from a variety of sauces, including garlic, yogurt, and spicy options. Then you walk around town eating Doner in a box!

Atschel is across the Main River in the Sachsenhausen neighborhood. This is a traditional German restaurant with heavy wooden tables and hearty German dishes like goulash, schnitzel, and sausages. If you want to try apple wine, this is where you want to go!

Kleinmarkthalle is the large food hall where you can find all sorts of specialty items as well as locally sourced meats and cheeses. It can get busy during the lunch rush but don’t let that deter you. It’s the place to be! (Closed Sunday)

Where to Stay in Frankfurt

I stayed at the Ruby Louise during my trip to Frankfurt. I had originally planned to book Motel One near the Römerberg, which came highly recommended, but it was completely booked, probably because I was visiting during the Frankfurt Christmas markets and didn’t book early enough.

Ruby Louise was also recommended, and it turned out to be a great choice. It’s in the Hauptwache district, surrounded by high-end shops.

I felt totally safe walking around, and it was surprisingly quiet for such a central location. The room was stylish and comfortable, and I loved the rainfall shower head. I also appreciated that they let me store my suitcase when I arrived before check-in.

Use the map below to check out all the different places to stay in Frankfurt along with pricing.

Final Thoughts 

Frankfurt might not be the first city that comes to mind when planning a trip to Germany, but it’s a destination worth exploring for a day or two.

If I’ve learned anything from my time here, it’s that cities like Frankfurt, often overlooked, can hold unexpected treasures. So, pack your curiosity and give it a chance.

You might just find that Frankfurt becomes one of your favorite stops in Germany.

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Have you been to Frankfurt? What were your favorite places to visit? Let me know in the comments below.

And if you’re planning your own trip, I hope this itinerary helps you make the most of your time in this fascinating city.

Happy travels!