Frankfurt Travel Guide: Things To Do In Frankfurt And 1-Day Itinerary

Frankfurt is a city which offers an unique blend of modernity and tradition, with its skyscrapers and half-timbered houses. Before arriving in Frankfurt, our initial impression of Frankfurt is that it is a stopover destination, but we feel there is so much more the city has the offer.

Flying from Singapore, Singapore Airlines offers a direct flight to Frankfurt and this served as our starting point into Germany.

We spent 1 full day exploring the city in Frankfurt and we thought it might be useful to summarise our top 5 things to do in Frankfurt if you only have a limited time in Frankfurt. 

Top 5 Things to do in Frankfurt, Germany

• Römerberg (definitely do check out the Frankfurt Christmas Market if you happen to be visiting during the festive season!)
• Frankfurt Cathedral (Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus)
• St. Paul's Church (Paulskirche)
• New Old Town (Neue Altstadt)
• Stroll Along The Main River and Iron Footbridge (Eiserner Steg)

Römerberg 

 

Additional Things To Do 

• Alte Nikolaikirche
• Kleinmarkthalle
• Opera House (Alte Oper)
• Goethes Wohnhaus
• River Cruise on the River Main
• Historical Museum Frankfurt

We enjoyed exploring Kleinmarkthalle - there's stalls selling baked goods, fresh meats and produce, spices and more!

Local Food To Try In Frankfurt

When doing our own research, we found these were some of the recommended local food to try but we didn't get to try all of them! 

• Apfelwein (apple wine)
• Bethmännchen (Marzipan and almond cookies)
• Frankfurter Würstchen (the original Frankfurt sausage)
• Rindswurst (Beef sausage, local specialty)
• German lemon beer

We did manage to try the Apfelwein (apple wine) and of course the Frankfurter Würstchen (the original Frankfurt sausage) at  Apfelwein Dax.

I have to say, the Apfelwein (apple wine) tastes a little like fermented apple juice and it might be a little sour but it's worth trying!

Cafes, bakeries and restaurants in Frankfurt

We love a cup of good coffee and good local food so we make it part of the adventure by researching and trying out different cafes and restaurants. These are the cafes and restaurants which we tried when we were in Frankfurt.

• BUNCA Human & Roaster (cafe/coffeeshop)

• Kaiserzeit (bakery) - a fuss-free bakery offering delicious baked goods and coffee

• Apfelwein Dax (restaurant)

If we had more than 1 day in Frankfurt, we would definitely try these places too!

• ZEIT FÜR BROT (bakery)
• Hoppenworth & Ploch Altstadt Café (cafe/coffeeshop)
• Ebbelwoi Unser (restaurant)

 

Where to stay in Frankfurt

We stayed at the Premier Inn Frankfurt City Centre as we thought it would be more convenient as it is less than 10-minutes walk to the main station. However, we would not recommend staying in this area as the area around the Hauptbahnhof has a reputation for being less safe, which we did not know prior to arriving in Frankfurt as we did not look in-depth to the area as we thought we were only staying there for a short period of time. 

Here are some recommended areas to stay in Frankfurt instead

1. Zentrum-Altstadt (Old Town)

• Overview: This area is the historic heart of Frankfurt, featuring cobbled streets and many of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
• Attractions: Close to Römer, St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, and numerous shops and restaurants.
• Ideal For: First-time visitors looking to immerse themselves in Frankfurt’s history and culture

2. Westend

• Overview: Known for its elegant streets and high-end shopping, Westend is one of the safest neighborhoods in Frankfurt.
• Features: Offers a tranquil atmosphere with parks and cafes, making it suitable for families and those seeking a quieter stay.
• Ideal For: Travelers who appreciate a blend of city life and nature

Overall, Frankfurt is a nice city to explore and it is very well-connected so you can definitely incorporate it into your travel itinerary!

Have fun and keep exploring! 

Check out our Germany travel posters.