Free things to do · Frankfurt · Germany
7 free things to do in Frankfurt
Frankfurt without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Eva K. on Commons / Eva K. on German Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.5
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Frankfurt without paying an entry fee: Römerberg and the Römer, Frankfurt Cathedral, New Old Town (DomRömer quarter) and Museumsufer and Eiserner Steg are all free. Check the Messe Frankfurt calendar before booking; avoiding a big trade fair can halve hotel prices.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Altstadt
1.Römerberg and the Römer
Come early in the morning for photographs before tour groups arrive, and look into the Kaisersaal if it is open.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Religious site · Altstadt
2.Frankfurt Cathedral
The tower climb has around 300 steps and is open in fair weather; check at the entrance.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Views
- Iconic
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Neighbourhood · Altstadt
3.New Old Town (DomRömer quarter)
Follow the Krönungsweg, the coronation route from the cathedral to the Römer that the emperors walked.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
Waterfront · Sachsenhausen
4.Museumsufer and Eiserner Steg
Walk the riverbank paths on both sides as a loop; on Saturdays a flea market sets up along the Museumsufer in some weeks.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
Market · Innenstadt
5.Kleinmarkthalle
Buy the seven-herb green-sauce bundle here to see what goes into Frankfurt's signature dish.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Architecture · Innenstadt
6.Alte Oper
Walk the Freßgass (Große Bockenheimer Straße) from the Alte Oper for delis, cafés and wine bars.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Free
- After dark
- History
Neighbourhood · Höchst
7.Höchst old town
Walk from the station down to the riverfront and the castle square, then along the Main.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Architecture
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Altstadt | Römerberg and the Römer, Frankfurt Cathedral and New Old Town (DomRömer quarter) | 45 minutes + 1 hour + 45 minutes |
| Sachsenhausen | Museumsufer and Eiserner Steg | 1–2 hours |
| Innenstadt | Kleinmarkthalle and Alte Oper | 45 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Höchst | Höchst old town | 2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Experience · Sachsenhausen
Apple-wine taverns
Order a Bembel to share and ask for Handkäs or Grüne Soße; sit where there is space at a shared table.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours (evening)
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Iconic
- History
Garden · Westend
Palmengarten
On a cold or wet day, spend most of your time in the tropical glasshouses.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Rainy day
Experience · Citywide
Ebbelwei-Express tram
Board at any stop on the route; it runs only on certain days, so check the timetable.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Food
- History
More ways to save
- Check the Messe Frankfurt calendar before booking; avoiding a big trade fair can halve hotel prices.
- Weekend hotel rates in the banking and Messe districts are often lower than weekday rates.
- Apple-wine taverns are among the best-value places to eat a full meal.
- The Museumsufer Ticket pays off if you plan three or more museums over two days.
- The Römerberg, the cathedral, the New Old Town and the riverbank cost nothing.
- Use the S-Bahn from the airport rather than a taxi; it is fast and frequent.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Frankfurt expensive to visit?
Frankfurt is expensive for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Frankfurt?
Römerberg and the Römer: Come early in the morning for photographs before tour groups arrive, and look into the Kaisersaal if it is open.