SIGHTSEEING
A Day In Frankfurt am Main
You are in Frankfurt but only for a day? Here’s my ultimate one-day itinerary.
Note that depending on what time you are starting this might be an ambitious plan since I tried to cover most of the highlights in the central area. Check out the destinations on your Maps beforehand and eliminate a few in case you are not there for a full day.
Starting Point: Frankfurt Main Train Station (Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof)
This is most likely your starting point in the city. You might be coming from the airport or taking a break between inter-city trains. If you are driving, you can also park your car near here.
1- Turn your back and observe the 1888 built train station
Your first point is right where you already are. Take a moment to observe this 124-year-old train station.
By the time it was built, it was the largest of its kind in Europe.
The building is a co-creation of the architect Hermann Eggert and engineer Johann Wilhelm Schwedler.
This steel-work made of 3500 tons of iron is built with Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Classical Features. On the roof, you will see a statue of Atlas supporting the world with help from two companions: Steam and Electricity.
2- Kaiserstraße
Now back to the street lying ahead of you. Kaiserstraße* is the main boulevard of the infamous Bahnhofsviertel.
Pronunciation tip: the first s sounds like “z”. The s before the t sounds like “sh”. The ß sounds like an extended s.
Bahnhofsviertel is known for being the centre of Frankfurt’s red light district and drug scene. The district gets its name from the train station.
Considering approximately 493.000 people visit the train station every day, it’s no surprise that the district is home to all kinds of personalities, socio-economic realities and cultural ecosystems.
Despite the pollution, Kaiserstraße will make you very easily take your eyes from the street to the facades of its buildings.
The boulevard is a home to beautiful late 19th century Gründerzeit buildings and is covered with trees.
Take a seat at one of the many restaurants or cafes and observe the many contrasts in this wonderful street. Below are my recommendations for different levels of hunger but browse through the entire street and see what’s appealing to you.
☕️ Coffee: WHY! Coffee
🍛 Best South-Indian Restaurant in the City: Saravanaa Bhavan
🥐 Breakfast or a quick snack: Kaiserzeit
Now on to your next point.
3- Willy Brandt Platz
This is the square with the famous Euro sign and the Eurotower, a skyscraper built in the 1970s.
The building used to be the headquarters of the European Central Bank. Nowadays it is home to the legislative and institutional framework of ECB and the new headquarters is located along the Main River in the Ostend district.
The square offers a nice angle for a photo of the skyscrapers in the banking district from various corners. One such corner is as you are crossing the street from Kaiserstraße. Another one is as you head to the Neue Mainzer Straße.
4- Neue Mainzer Straße
This is the centre of the banking district in Frankfurt.
Most iconic is the crossing with the Japan Tower, Omniturm, Taunusturm and the Global Tower. Rumour has it that this is the only intersection with a skyscraper on each side in mainland Europe.
Activity quite loved by many visitors is going on top of the Main Tower on the same street. I have to admit that I haven’t done this myself.
As you keep walking on this street, you will soon come to your next destination.
5- Alte Oper
The Old Opera House.
Why is it called the old? Because currently the Frankfurt Opera actually plays in the new opera building you might have seen at the Willy Brandt Platz.
Alte Oper was built in 1880 but was completely destroyed in 1944. The building was rebuilt by citizen efforts and reopened in 1981. Nowadays it serves as a concert hall mostly for classical music.
In the same square, you will see the Opernturm, the skyscraper with UBS’ logo on top. You can also find the twin skyscrapers of Deutsche Bank on the same street a bit more on the left side.
Are you hungry again or need a break? If so, here are a few suggestions:
🍳 Brunch: Sunny Side
🥞 Pancakes/Bowls: Chinaski Day Bar
🍕 Pizza: Scialpi
🍽 If you really want to treat yourself to a nice meal or a dessert: Charlot
Now let’s move to the next landmark.
6- Hauptwache
This baroque-style watch tower was initially built in 1730 and was destroyed during the Second World War. It was rebuilt in 1954–60 remaining true to its original architecture.
Now you might notice that you are right in the middle of two big shopping streets. Zeil and Goethe Straße. Goethe Straße is for high-end, designer brands and on Zeil you can find the typical fast fashion stores. My suggestion is to completely skip either of these streets. Let’s be honest, you can find these in any other city as well.
That’s why I recommend directly moving to the old town square, Römerberg, a part of the city that is a must-see.
On your way to Römerberg, depending on how much time you have — I recommend taking the longer route and stopping at Goethe House.
Here you can see the building and the street the city’s most famous inhabitant has lived in together with his family.
7- Römerberg
This is the old town district of Frankfurt. On your way here you might first notice the old St. Nicholas Church, a Lutheran church built in mediaeval style.
In fact, you will spot many buildings in the mediaeval style here. The most iconic one being the Römer itself where the square takes its name from.
The building complex has been the city’s town hall for 600 years.
Take your time contemplating the beautiful facades and pick one of the many coffee houses if you need a break, otherwise there is the best cake & coffee place waiting for you at the next destination.
8- Neue Altstadt
Neue Altstadt, the new old town, is literally a few minutes away from Römerberg.
It’s called the new old town because the district has been renovated only very recently (from 2012–2018).
Here you can find one of the most iconic coffee houses in Frankfurt, Goldene Waage.
The facade of Goldene Waage dates back to the Renaissance. You can try one of these typical Frankfurt desserts here; Frankfurter Kranz or Bethmännchen.
Right next to Goldene Waage, you will see the city’s main Cathedral; Frankfurter Dom.
The cathedral dates back to the 7th century. It was rebuilt several times. After being completely destroyed during WWII, it was rebuilt in the 1950s after its 1867 style.
The cathedral is of special importance since the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were crowned here.
That’s why the cake Frankfurter Kranz is thought to resemble a crown.
If you are a museum person, there are many great museums in this area. The Schirn, Historical Museum, MMK and Struwwelpeter. Although it’s probably unrealistic to cover them during a day tour.
9- A View on The Bridge
Now take a walk towards the Main River and find the Eiserner Steg, the Iron Footbridge. This is a pedestrian bridge with great views to the Frankfurt Skyline.
Now take a photo of yourself with the skyline behind you.
10- Walk Along The Main River or Apple Wine at Alt Sachsenhausen
Do you still have time? If not, head back to where you got on the iron bridge and take a lovely walk along the Main River until you reach the Main Train Station.
Your tour ends here.
If you still have some time, I recommend walking the bridge all the way to the end and finding a nice restaurant in Alt-Sachsenhausen.
This city district is most famous for the traditional Frankfurt apple cider, Ebbelwoi and traditional German cuisine.
Here is a complete Frankfurter menu if you are open to trying new things:
🍏 Ebbelwoi — Frankfurt Apple Cider
🧀 Handkäse mit Musik — Handmade cheese with sliced onions
🌿 Grüne Soße mit Eier — Boiled Eggs with a cold, uncooked green sauce made of various green herbs
There are many Ebbelwoi Restaurants in Alt Sachsenhausen, like for example zum Gemalten Haus.
If you don’t feel like German cuisine, you can also find other options in this city area.
I hope you enjoy your day in Frankfurt am Main.
Let me know if you end up following my itinerary. As I said, it might be too ambitious so feel free to skip some steps.
If you are in Frankfurt longer and are a museum fan, the city is home to many great museums. My personal favourite are the City Museum, Historical Museum, Jewish Museum and the Städel.
