3 Days in Frankfurt

Frankfurt has a reputation as a place people pass through rather than stay, and that reputation does the city a disservice. Yes, it is Germany's financial capital, with the only real skyline in the country, but it also has a rebuilt medieval heart, one of Europe's densest concentrations of museums, and a cider-drinking culture that feels a world away from the glass towers. Three days is enough to see the highlights at a relaxed pace and still leave time for a Rhine valley excursion.

Getting from the airport. Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is one of the best-connected in Europe. The regional S-Bahn trains (lines S8 and S9) run from the airport's regional station to the city centre in about 12 minutes, and are the cheapest option. If you are travelling with luggage, late at night, or in a group, a taxi is far more comfortable and drops you at your door. Before you go, it is worth checking typical airport taxi fares so you know what a fair price looks like and avoid surprises.

Day 1

Morning

Start in the Römerberg, the reconstructed old town square ringed by gabled houses. The Römer itself has been Frankfurt's city hall for over 600 years. Wander into the nearby Kaiserdom, the imperial cathedral where Holy Roman Emperors were once crowned, and climb the tower if you have the legs for it.

Afternoon

Cross the Eiserner Steg, the iron pedestrian bridge, to the south bank of the Main. This is the Museumsufer, the museum embankment, home to more than a dozen institutions. Pick one or two that suit you: the Städel for painting, the German Film Museum, or the Museum of Communication all reward a couple of hours.

Evening

Head to the Sachsenhausen district for dinner in an apple wine tavern. Order Ebbelwoi, the tart local cider, served in a ribbed glass, alongside Handkäse mit Musik or schnitzel. The atmosphere in these old taverns is warm and unpretentious.

Day 2

Morning

Get a sense of modern Frankfurt in the banking quarter. The Main Tower has a public viewing platform near the top, giving you a 200-metre panorama over the city, the river and, on clear days, the surrounding Taunus hills.

Afternoon

Spend time in the Kleinmarkthalle, the covered market, where locals shop for cheese, sausage, fresh bread and produce. Grab a quick lunch at one of the counters. Afterwards, stroll the Zeil, the main shopping street, or relax in the Palmengarten botanical gardens if the weather is fine.

Evening

Walk along the riverbank at sunset, when the skyline lights up and reflects in the Main. Bar culture is strong in the Bahnhofsviertel and Nordend districts if you want a nightcap in a livelier setting.

Day 3

Morning

Take a regional train out to the Rhine valley. The town of Rüdesheim, about an hour away, sits among vineyards and is the gateway to the dramatic Middle Rhine gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of castles and terraced slopes.

Afternoon

Take a short river cruise between Rüdesheim and Bingen or Sankt Goar, passing hillside castles and the legendary Lorelei rock. It is one of the most scenic stretches of river in Germany and an easy escape from the city.

Evening

Return to Frankfurt for a final dinner. If you fancy something beyond German fare, the city's international districts offer excellent Turkish, Italian and Asian food, a reflection of its cosmopolitan population.

Where to stay

Innenstadt (city centre): the most convenient base, walking distance to the old town, museums and main station, with hotels at every price point.

Sachsenhausen: across the river, quieter and more characterful, close to the museum embankment and the apple wine taverns.

Bahnhofsviertel: around the main station, very well connected and increasingly trendy, though the area immediately around the station can feel rough at night.

Practical tips

• Buy a day ticket for public transport; the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams and buses all share one fare system.
• Many museums are free or discounted on the last Saturday of the month, and the Museumsufer festival in late August fills the riverbanks.
• Cash is still widely used in taverns and smaller shops, so carry some euros.
• Sunday is quiet; most shops close, though restaurants, museums and cafes stay open.
• The airport is only about 15 minutes from the centre, so you do not need to leave hours early on departure day.

Frankfurt rewards travellers who give it a chance beyond the airport transfer. In three days you can taste its history, its skyline and the vineyards on its doorstep. For more ideas on neighbourhoods, museums and getting around, read our full Frankfurt travel guide.