Frankfurt am Main often gets labeled as just Germany's financial hub, a city of skyscrapers and bankers. Most guides send you to the Römer, the Main Tower, and maybe the Palmengarten. But if you dig a little deeper, you'll find a city with a gritty, creative soul, a rich apple wine culture, and hidden corners that most tourists completely miss. This guide is for travelers who want to move beyond the postcard and experience the unique things to do in Frankfurt that give the city its real character.
Your Frankfurt Adventure at a Glance
How to Experience Authentic Frankfurt Apple Wine Culture
Forget the beer halls. In Frankfurt, the true local drink is Apfelwein (apple wine) or "Ebbelwei" in the local dialect. This tart, slightly sour cider is the heartbeat of the city's social life, especially in the Sachsenhausen district. But here's the catch most visitors miss: not all apple wine taverns are created equal.
The main street in Sachsenhausen, Affentorplatz, is lined with places catering to tourists. They're loud, serve overpired food, and often use subpar wine from a tank. The real gems are tucked away in the side streets. Look for places with simple wooden furniture, a blue-and-white checkered tablecloth (the traditional pattern), and a clientele that looks local.
Pro Tip: A genuine apple wine tavern will serve the wine in a traditional Bembel (a grey stoneware jug) and a Geripptes glass (a ribbed glass). If you get a plain glass or a fancy pitcher, you're probably in a tourist spot.
Where to Find the Best Apple Wine in Frankfurt?
Skip the big names on the main drag. Head to these authentic spots instead:
- Zum Gemalten Haus (Schweizer Straße 67): This is my personal favorite. It feels frozen in time, with paintings covering the walls (hence the name, "At the Painted House"). The atmosphere is warm, the Handkäse mit Musik (a pungent local cheese dish) is legendary, and the apple wine is sharp and perfect. It's always busy with locals, so go early or be prepared to wait. Open from 5 PM, closed Mondays.
- Apfelwein Wagner (Schweizer Straße 71): Just a few doors down, Wagner is another institution. They have a lovely, shaded garden in the back—a perfect escape in summer. Their pork knuckle is fantastic, and they brew their own apple wine, which has a distinct, clean taste. Prices are very reasonable for the quality.
- Lorsbacher Thal (Grosse Rittergasse 49-51): Located deeper in Sachsenhausen, away from the crowds. It's cozy, traditional, and serves a hearty Grüne Soße (Frankfurt's famous green sauce) that's among the best in the city. A meal here feels like you've been invited into someone's home.
Pair your apple wine with the must-try Frankfurt dish: Grüne Soße mit Kartoffeln und Ei (green sauce with boiled potatoes and eggs). The sauce is made from seven specific herbs, and its origin is a point of local pride, as detailed on the Frankfurt Tourism website.
Exploring Frankfurt's Hidden Neighborhoods & Courtyards
While the reconstructed Altstadt (Old Town) is pretty, it can feel a bit like a museum. For a more lived-in, unique atmosphere, you need to wander into areas where Frankfurt's history layers are still visible.
The Secret Courtyards of the Westend
The Westend is known for its grand villas and embassies. But behind many of these stately buildings are incredible, hidden courtyards and gardens. One of the most beautiful is the Günthersburgpark, a large public park that was once part of a private estate. It's less manicured than the Palmengarten and feels more like a secret garden, complete with a small stream and rose gardens.
Even more hidden are the Hinterhöfe (rear courtyards) in the Nordend district, around Berger Straße. Walk through any open archway from the street. You'll often find peaceful, green oases with benches, playgrounds, and a glimpse into how locals live away from the bustle. It's completely free and offers a moment of quiet discovery.
Bockenheim: The Student Vibe
Bockenheim, near the university, is where Frankfurt feels youngest and most dynamic. The Leipziger Straße market on Saturdays is a chaotic, wonderful mix of Turkish grocers, organic veg stalls, and street food vendors. It's where Frankfurters actually shop. After, grab a coffee at one of the countless indie cafes on Adalbertstraße. The vibe here is creative, slightly scruffy, and a world away from the banking district.
Frankfurt's Most Offbeat and Underrated Museums
Everyone knows the Städel and the German Film Museum. These are fantastic, but Frankfurt has a treasure trove of smaller, weirder, and utterly fascinating collections.
| Museum | What Makes It Unique | Practical Info (Address, Hours, Ticket) |
|---|---|---|
| Museum für Kommunikation (Museum of Communication) | It's not just about stamps. Interactive exhibits on the history of communication, from carrier pigeons to the internet. You can send a postcard via a pneumatic tube system—kids and adults love it. | Schaumainkai 53. Open Tue-Sun 10 AM-6 PM. Admission: €6 (adults). U-Bahn: Schweizer Platz. |
| Dialogmuseum | An experience, not just a museum. You explore completely dark rooms in guided groups, relying on sound, touch, and smell. It's a profound, eye-opening (ironically) journey into the world of the blind. | Hanauer Landstraße 137. Tours start every hour, booking essential. Admission: €12. Tram line 11 to "Dialogmuseum". |
| Struwwelpeter Museum | Dedicated to the classic, slightly terrifying German children's book character, Struwwelpeter (Shock-headed Peter). It's quirky, nostalgic, and delves into 19th-century childhood and pedagogy. | Schirn Kunsthalle passage (near the Römer). Open Tue-Sun 10 AM-5 PM. Admission: €3. A quick, weird, and cheap stop. |
One museum often overlooked even by this list is the Institut für Stadtgeschichte in the Karmeliterkloster. The real draw here isn't just the archives, but the monastery's refectory, which features breathtaking Renaissance frescoes depicting the history of the Carmelite order. It's a serene, artistic hideaway right in the city center, and entry to the cloister is often free.
A Sample Day of Unique Activities in Frankfurt
Let's put this all together. Here’s how a day of unique Frankfurt exploration could look, avoiding the standard tourist trail.
Morning (10 AM): Start in Nordend. Grab a pastry from a bakery on Berger Straße and wander into a few Hinterhöfe. Feel the neighborhood wake up.
Late Morning (11:30 AM): Take the U-Bahn to Bockenheim. Browse the Leipziger Straße market (if it's a Saturday) or just soak in the student atmosphere. Have an early, inexpensive lunch at one of the many Turkish or Vietnamese eateries.
Afternoon (1:30 PM): Head to Sachsenhausen, but not to the main square. Find your way to Zum Gemalten Haus or Lorsbacher Thal. Enjoy a late, leisurely lunch with a Bembel of apple wine and a plate of Grüne Soße.
Afternoon (3:30 PM): Choose your offbeat museum. The Museum für Kommunikation is a short walk along the river from Sachsenhausen. Or, for something more intense, book a tour at the Dialogmuseum.
Evening (6 PM): Instead of the Main Tower, consider the Goethe Tower (Goetheturm) in the Stadtwald. It's a wooden lookout tower in the middle of the city forest. It's free, requires a short walk, and offers a unique, green view of the skyline. Check if it's open before you go, as it occasionally closes for maintenance.
Dinner (8 PM): Return to the Westend or Nordend for dinner. The area around Oeder Weg has fantastic, non-touristy international cuisine, from excellent Italian to modern German.
