Frankfurt attractions

Palmengarten is considered one of Germany’s best botanical gardens. In the late 19th century, architect Heinrich Siesmayer built the gardens to house the Duke of Nassau’s exotic plant collection. Today, the gardens showcase thousands of specimens that range from local flowers to rare tropical varieties.

Home to one of Europe’s finest art collections, the Städel Museum (Städelsches Kunstinstitut und Städtische Galerie) is a highlight of Frankfurt’s Museum Embankment, located on the southern bank of the Main River. Its collection spans over 700 years of art history, and includes more than 100,000 works of art.

Formed by glaciers some 10,000 years ago, Lake Titisee is nestled in the heart of Black Forest National Park. The ancient alpine waters of this popular vacation destination draw outdoor sports enthusiasts year-round, from hiking and boating in summer to ice skating and skiing in the mountains when temperatures drop.

Shoppers browsing the boutiques along Frankfurt’s main shopping streets, the Zeil and Goethestrasse, often spill over into the Hauptwache; one of the city’s busiest squares. A transport hub at the heart of downtown Frankfurt, the Hauptwache is known for its Baroque Guard-House, now a popular café.

With its cobblestone lanes, half-timbered buildings, and historic taverns serving up Frankfurt’s beloved Apple Wine (Apfelwein); the old quarter of Sachsenhausen has no shortage of charm. Stretching along the south bank of the Main River, it’s an atmospheric spot for a walking tour and one of Frankfurt’s liveliest nightlife districts.

A popular destination since Roman times, the spa town of Wiesbaden has long attracted visitors to its thermal waters. Today, a trip to the provincial capital—located between Mainz and Frankfurt along the Upper Rhine—reveals heritage architecture, glitzy shopping streets, and numerous wellness facilities.

A city highlight since its debut in 1858, the Frankfurt Zoo is home to over 4,500 animals, comprising more than 450 species. Among the oldest public zoos in the world, the landmark is host to a range of habitat areas, including those dedicated to rhinos, giraffes, monkeys, big cats, and other animals from all over the world.

Counting architectural wonders, a medieval castle, and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed archaeological site among its eclectic attractions, Darmstadt appeals to those willing to wander off the beaten track. Just a short hop from Frankfurt, the city is best known for its impressively preserved Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) architecture.

The German Film Museum (Deutsches Filmmuseum) is a one-stop-shop for movie buffs in Frankfurt. The space, which boasts an in-house cinema that shows old films, hosts permanent exhibitions about the history of cinema and film production as well as special shows devoted to specific filmmakers, film genres, and other related topics.

Delve into Frankfurt’s past at the Historisches Museum Frankfurt, an engaging museum dedicated to the history of the city. The complex holds two main permanent exhibits that explore Frankfurt’s evolution over the centuries and the contemporary city, depicted in a scale model designed by artist Herman Helle. Other highlights include the giant Snow Globe and the Staufer and Toll Tower, with unearthed remains of a medieval quay.

Set in the forested foothills of the Spessart Mountains along the banks of the Main River, Aschaffenburg is one of northern Bavaria’s most picturesque towns. Less than an hour from Frankfurt, but still largely off the tourist trail; it’s known for its verdant parks, notable art galleries, and storybook architecture, including a Renaissance castle, medieval Old Town, and Roman-inspired Pompejanum.

The elegant half-timbered buildings, lavish spa resorts, and Champagne air of Bad Homburg attest that you’ve entered one of Germany’s wealthiest zip codes. Set in the verdant foothills of the Taunus Mountains and fed by 14 natural mineral springs; the spa town boasts a thriving wellness industry and a rich history as the vacation spot of German Emperors.

As the birthplace of fairy-tale maestros the Brothers Grimm and the start of the German Fairy-Tale Road; Hanau is every bit the storybook town. With its half-timbered buildings, Baroque palaces and parks, and backdrop of forested hills—it’s easy to see where the Grimms’ sourced their inspiration.

First settled in the 2nd century, Seligenstadt is one of Germany’s oldest towns, perched on the banks of the Main River. Just a half-hour from Frankfurt, but still often overlooked by tourists; it’s known for its Benedictine Abbey, medieval Old Town, and lively Carnival celebrations.

One of Germany’s largest and most prominent natural history museums, Frankfurt’s Senckenberg Natural History Museum (Naturmuseum Senckenberg) was founded in 1821. Renowned in particular for its wide-ranging paleontology exhibitions, the museum also specializes in birds, aquatic life, and other taxidermy displays.

MyZeil is a large modern mall in central Frankfurt, which is a popular shopping and dining destination. With around 80 stores over eight floors, there are plenty of international brands and eateries, as well as German favorites. The glass structure and long, unsupported indoor escalator, make it an attractive place to visit, too.

A promenade along the River Main in Frankfurt, Mainkai offers views of the city’s skyscrapers, bridges, and other sights. Locals come here to walk dogs and go for strolls and bike rides; you can also have a picnic and check out the lovely gardens. One of the top seasonal attractions here is an outdoor Christmas market that brings stalls of gifts and souvenirs to Mainkai.

Public transit hubs are not often tourist destinations in their own right—but Bockenheimer Warte isn’t your average station. Famous for its surrealist entrance—designed to look like a tram car crashed straight into the pavement—the 1986 station is located west of Frankfurt’s city center and is a must-visit for design and architecture fans.

Framed by the green slopes of the Taunus Mountains, Bad Nauheim has been a popular wellness center for more than 150 years, thanks to its natural mineral-rich springs. The historic spa town also boasts a place in rock ‘n’ roll music history—Elvis Presley was famously stationed there during his military service in 1958.

With a history dating back to the 12th century, Greifenstein Castle (Burg Greifenstein) is one of Germany’s oldest fortresses and is protected as a national landmark. Perched on a hilltop in the Dill Valley, the castle’s dark stone facade and twin towers can be seen for miles around, keeping watch over the forested slopes below.