Frankfurt am Main may not be Germany’s most famous city — it’s only the fifth largest (behind Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, and obviously Berlin), with less than 750,000 residents — and it’s rarely at the top of anyone’s travel bucket list. But don’t let that fool you. This city, perched on the banks of the Main River, is full of charm, surprises, and plenty of things to see and do.
It’s Europe’s financial hub, home to the European Central Bank and the German Federal Bank, and its airport is one of the busiest on the continent. So chances are, you’ll either have a stopover here or some business to attend to. As more international banks move in post-Brexit, Frankfurt is poised to become even more critical in the coming years.
We visited in winter, drawn by the city’s famous Christmas Market, and were pleasantly surprised by how lively and welcoming Frankfurt felt. From riverside walks to historic streets and modern skyline views, the city has a lot more to offer than meets the eye.
Here’s our guide to the 12 best things to do in Frankfurt am Main in winter.
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Things to do in Frankfurt am Main in Winter
Frankfurt walking tour
A great way to discover a city and its main attractions is by doing a free walking tour, especially if you’re short on time, like during a stopover. We discovered free walking tours a few years ago, and now we try to do one in almost every city we visit.
It gives you a sense of the city’s history, its main points of interest, and an idea of what you might want to explore more. Typically, free walking tours last 1 to 2 hours, during which the guide walks you through the city, explaining the main attractions. At the end, you can (and should) offer a tip as a sign of gratitude. We did this tour in Frankfurt and definitely recommend it.
Or, if you prefer, you can book a guided tour instead!
Frankfurt Christmas market
One of the reasons we wanted to visit Frankfurt was the Christmas Market. We’d heard so many good things about Germany’s Christmas markets that we simply had to go — and it was well worth it. Frankfurt’s Christmas Market is one of the largest and oldest in Germany, dating back to 1393, so it isn’t a recent thing.
Back in the day, the market existed to provide essential supplies to locals before winter. Over time, it became more focused on Christmas celebrations. The market stretches from Zeil Shopping Mall to Romerberg Square and along the Main River. In Romerberg Square, you’ll find a giant Christmas tree and a big merry-go-round.
Why are Christmas Markets so cool? Essentially, they are markets packed with food, Christmas crafts, and festive atmosphere. For foodies like us, it’s paradise — you can try plenty of street food, discover cool gifts, hear Christmas carols, and enjoy the chiming of church bells. For kids, there are merry-go-rounds, sweets, and lots of activities.
What to eat: Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), Flammkuchen (similar to a pizza), wood-fired salmon (definitely a must), Wurst with bread and mustard (any kind of wurst), Lebkuchen (gingerbread), and a vast variety of sweets and nuts.
Frankfurt’s Christmas Market starts at the end of November and ends in January.
Romerberg Square and Romer
Romerberg Square is the old town center, where you’ll find the typical half-timbered houses and the Romer, the city hall. In the past, Frankfurt had the largest medieval city center in Germany, but World War II almost completely destroyed it.
The houses in Romerberg Square and the Romer are all replicas rebuilt in 1980. A few other landmark buildings were reconstructed, like Saint Paul Church and Goethe House. The rest of the city was rebuilt in a modern style.
One of the buildings that wasn’t destroyed was the train station in the city center, which is quite beautiful and serves as a reminder of Frankfurt’s past.
Kaiserdom Frankfurt Cathedral
The Kaiserdom, or Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew, is Frankfurt’s main church. Today’s church is a reconstruction of the 1950s. It was the site where the kings of the Holy Roman Empire were elected and crowned.
The cathedral is Gothic, built with red stone, and has a 95-meter-high tower with 324 steps that you can climb. Compared to other European cathedrals, it has a simple yet charming design.
- Tower Price: €3.50
- Cathedral Entry: Free
- Timetable: Winter (11h–16h), Summer (11h–17h)
Saint Paul’s Church
Saint Paul’s Church is critical in Germany’s history. It was the seat of the first democratic parliament and the place where the constitution for a united Germany was elaborated.
Originally a Protestant church, it has now been partially rebuilt. Its interior is modern and mainly used for exhibitions. The coolest part is the big auditorium on the top floor, used for official municipal functions.
It’s a calming place to sit, rest, and even warm up while contemplating the flags of each German region hanging on the walls — particularly useful if you’re visiting Frankfurt in winter.
Eiserner Steg Bridge (Iron Bridge)
Eiserner Steg is a pedestrian bridge across the Main River. From here, you can take fantastic photos and enjoy views of the city’s skyscrapers, Romerberg Square, Saint Paul’s Church, and the cathedral.
Located near Romerberg Square, it’s an excellent spot for a riverside stroll and for crossing to the other side of the Main River — weather permitting, of course.
Alte Opera
The Old Opera House and concert hall is a beautiful building with a delightful square. It was rebuilt in the 1970s after its destruction in 1944. Besides being stunning, one of the most interesting facts is that the citizens of Frankfurt directly financed it.
It’s a lovely place to take photos and, if you wish, attend a concert.
Museums
Frankfurt has a substantial variety of museums, most along the Main River: Städel Museum (art), German Architecture Museum, Jewish Museum, and German Film Museum.
We visited the German Film Museum in December. It was freezing and snowing, so it was perfect! The museum is very interactive, allowing visitors to explore cinema history, play with green screen effects, mix sounds and music, and more. Over 100 film excerpts are showcased, including a 40-minute program on image, sound, editing, and acting.
- Price: €7.00
- Timetable: Monday closed; Tuesday–Sunday (10–18h); Wednesday (10–20h)
Goethe House
Ever heard of Goethe? The German writer and philosopher, author of Faust, was born in Frankfurt. His house, rebuilt in 1947 according to the original, is now a museum. It has galleries of paintings illustrating his life and portraits of Goethe, his friends, and contemporaries.
- Price: €7
- Timetable: Monday–Saturday (10–18h); Sunday & holidays (10–17:30)
Frankfurt skyline
Frankfurt boasts one of Europe’s most impressive skylines, earning the nickname Mainhattan. After WWII, the Americans set up headquarters here, and in 1949, Frankfurt was nominated the provisional capital of West Germany.
This history influenced the city’s reconstruction. As Frankfurt became the financial center of Western Germany, skyscrapers started to rise. In 1970, there were nine buildings over 110 meters. Today, Frankfurt has 77 buildings over 100 meters, with the Commerzbank Tower being the second-tallest in the EU.
You can visit two skyscrapers: Main Tower (highly recommended) and Commerzbank (tours only on the last Saturday of each month).
- Price: €7.50
- Timetable: Sunday–Thursday (10–19h); Friday & Saturday (10–21h); summer evenings slightly later.
Kleinmarkthalle food market
In every city, we try to visit the local market. In Frankfurt, this was Kleinmarkthalle. It didn’t disappoint — a bit pricey (well, Germany…), but packed with German and international food.
- Timetable: Monday–Friday (8–18h); Saturday (8–16h).
Frankfurt red-light district
Frankfurt’s red-light district is an integral part of the city, located right between the financial district and the train station.
It used to be considered dangerous, but today it’s peaceful, with hostels for tourists. In fact, we stayed in a hotel within the district. Prostitution is legal in Germany, and the area now fits surprisingly well with the surrounding cityscape.
Where to stay in Frankfurt in Winter?
Budget-friendly hotel:
- B&B HOTEL Frankfurt-Hbf — pleasant, clean, cheap, with a good breakfast and excellent location near the central station and city center.
Luxury hotel:
- Adina Apartment Hotel Frankfurt Neue Oper — central location, spacious rooms, great bathrooms, rooftop swimming pool & sauna, and excellent views.
Airport hotel (for stopovers):
- Park Inn by Radisson Frankfurt Airport — walking distance from the terminals, perfect for a short stay. The beds even have colorful LED lights!
From the airport to Frankfurt Central Station
Frankfurt Airport has two terminals, with Ryanair usually flying to Terminal 2. Both are connected by a free Sky Train and bus shuttle, taking about 15 minutes combined.
The airport train station at Terminal 1 connects you to the city center (12 km) in roughly 30 minutes:
- Train: S-Bahn S8 or S9 toward Offenbach Ost or Hanau
- Stop: Frankfurt Hauptwache
- Ticket: €4.65
Conclusion
Overall, Frankfurt in winter is a fantastic city for a short city break or a long stopover. It’s easy to explore and offers a rich blend of history, museums, contemporary architecture, festive markets, and modern skyscrapers — a surprising mix that makes every visit memorable.