5 amazing things you must do when in Frankfurt, Germany

Buildings at the Roemerberg square in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, reflect in a puddle on November 13, 2018. (Photo by Frank Rumpenhorst / dpa / AFP) / Germany OUT (Photo credit should read FRANK RUMPENHORST/DPA/AFP via Getty Images)
Buildings at the Roemerberg square in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, reflect in a puddle on November 13, 2018. (Photo by Frank Rumpenhorst / dpa / AFP) / Germany OUT (Photo credit should read FRANK RUMPENHORST/DPA/AFP via Getty Images)

When tourists start planning trips to Germany, they often end up focusing on Berlin. And rightfully so. It’s an outstanding city. But there are other cities that simply must be visited in this country, such as Frankfurt, which has its own special identity.

It was initially established in the first century and has grown to have a population of more than 750,000 people. But the greater metropolitan area has more than 5.5 million people. As such, Frankfurt and the area around have no shortage of things to do for visitors.

Visit the Museumsufer

Frankfurt, Germany
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – MAY 09: People enjoy a break at the bank of the river Main during the coronavirus crisis on May 09, 2020 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Germany is relaxing its lockdown measures originally enacted in March to stem the spread of the virus. Students are returning to school, churches and other houses of worship are allowed to hold services and factories have restarted production lines. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Taking time to visit museums is a good way to get a sense of the culture you are immersed in. But if one is good, 12 must be better and that is what you’ll get at Museumsufer. Clustered around or near the banks of the Main, this is a key cultural experience in Frankfurt.

Spread across the North and South banks, there are a wide variety of museums to choose from. They include architectural, archaeological, historical, and several art museums. You could spend a week or two fully exploring this part of the city and still not feel like you saw anything.

Stop by the Frankfurt Book Fair

Frankfurt Book Fair, Germany
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 13: A woman looks in to a book before the opening conference of the 2020 Frankfurt Book Fair during the coronavirus pandemic on October 13, 2020 in Frankfurt, Germany. The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world’s largest trade fair for books and is taking place this year at a smaller scale and with many events either online or scattered throughout the city of Frankfurt due to the pandemic. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes – Pool / Getty Images)

People who love to read also love to travel. Frankly, one tends to lead to an interest in the other. And for any book lover hitting the road to this German city, you have to try to make the trip during the Frankfurt Book Fair.

This is the largest trade fair for books in the world. And that’s both by the number of publishing companies involved as well as the number of people who show up. It’s a five-day event in mid-October that cannot be missed.

Wander through Palmengarten

Frankfurt is home to three different botanical gardens, including Palmengarten. Located in the Westend-Süd district, it is generally considered to be one of the top tourist attractions in the city. Once you’re there, it’s easy to see why.

There are multiple gardens and exhibits throughout the space. Each one of them offers a unique range of plant life from around the world. It might be popular but it’s still a surprisingly calming experience to spend time there and take in the flora at a leisurely pace.

Swing by Römerberg

Schirn Kunsthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – MAY 06: Visitors wearing protective face masks walk through the ‘Fantastische Frauen’ (‘Fantastic Women’) exhibition at the Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt art museum on the first day the museum reopened to the public during the coronavirus crisis on May 06, 2020 in Frankfurt, Germany. Museums across Germany are beginning to reopen as authorities continue easing lockdown measures. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

A lot of visitors to Frankfurt make a stop by Römerberg. And you definitely should, too. This public space in front of the Römer building is surrounded by medieval buildings, all of them in pristine condition and evocative of a bygone era.

This is the historic center of the Old Town portion of the city and was rebuilt in the mid-1980s to look the part. It is a marvelous spot to simply wander, take a few photos, and maybe even grab a pretzel along the way.

Experience the

Between the Römer and Frankfurt Cathedral, which is also worth checking out, is Schirn Kunsthalle. This is the main place in the city to find modern art and has featured renowned exhibitions of the works of the likes of Frida Kahlo and Wassily Kandinsky.

For a lot of people traveling to Frankfurt, step one is finding out what is going on at the Schirn Kunsthalle. Any art lover traveling to the city has to prioritize this place. It is an absolute must-stop venue, without question or equivocation.