Frankfurt is the hub of German airline Lufthansa so we flew in and out of it. Known as Germany’s financial capital, Frankfurt has a modern skyline that’s paired nicely with its own section of the Main river ; you should definitely walk and run along there as the city straddles both sides of the river. Although the city was heavily bombed during WWII, it has since recovered with all new buildings with modern architecture and retained a piece of old world charm at its reconstructed Altstadt (Old Town) known as Römerberg.

What to Do

1. Römerberg

This public space is located in front of the Römer building complex, seat of the Frankfurt city administration since the 15th century and the site of numerous Imperial coronations, trade fairs, and Christmas markets. Nowadays, there is a bunch of cute shops and cafes. Make sure you drop by the dessert place ConditCouture in the square; they’re open daily 11am-6:30pm except Mondays.

2. Goethe house

This is where famous writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born on the 28th of August 1749. You can take a tour of the home floor by floor.
Address: Großer Hirschgraben 23-25, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm except ends at 5:30pm on Sunday

3. Städel Museum

An absolutely wonderful art museum that isn’t too large that you can’t finish it in a day. It has seven hundred years of European art from the early fourteenth century to the present, with focuses on the Renaissance, the Baroque, and early Modern art. I loved the gallery wall, modern sculptures, and knickknacks. Established as a civic foundation in 1815 by the banker and businessman Johann Friedrich Städel, the Städel Museum ranks as Germany’s oldest museum foundation. Go see the art of Lucas Cranach, Albrecht Dürer, Sandro Botticelli, Rembrandt van Rijn, Jan Vermeer, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Max Beckmann, Alberto Giacometti, Francis Bacon, Gerhard Richter, Wolfgang Tillmans, and Isa Genzken.
Address: Schaumainkai 63, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm except Mondays

Downstairs

Blonde Girl

4. Rhine River cruise

There are a bunch of tour companies that offer a day trip cruise down the Rhine river. I looked up a few online but ended up not doing it because we were too jet-lagged. This is the one that I was going to do: Rhine River Cruise.

What to Eat

Soul Food Factory EAST ($, German food): A delicious small and cozy restaurant that has amazing pasta dishes. The menu is in German but the staff will likely be able to translate for you. The food is AMAZING – fresh, homey, not too heavy and not too sweet. It’s the perfect amount of savory.
Address: Hanauer Landstraße 124, 60314 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Pumpkin with meat over pasta with a side of bread

Red wine braised beef so soft and tender over pasta

Frankfurter Küche ($-$$, German food): A German kitchen with all the best German food. We got a fish dish (okay) and an excellent jägerschnitzel. Check out their beautiful complimentary side salad! They are open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.
Address: Hanauer Landstrasse 86. 60314 Frankfurt am Main

Fish in the upper left, salad on the bottom, and jägerschnitzel on the right.

ConditCouture ($, Pastry shop/Dessert): Beautiful candies, cakes, cookies, and pastries on display and to eat. We got a couple slices of their best cakes and a pastry. Couldn’t be happier.
Address: Fahrtor 1, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 11AM–6:30PM. Closed Mondays.

The black forest cake is in the bottom corner but I got the one covered in almonds on the upper left.

Where to Stay

We stayed at the clean and value hotel that is Ibis budget Frankfurt City Ost. I ended up spending $60USD/night total for 2-weeks in Germany and stayed at all hotels. The way I did it was via a lot of Ibis budget hotels. It’s pretty close to city center (a good walk) but not super close to city center. It has your basic small shower, small sink, bathroom, bed, desk, and a full-length mirror. It’s compact, efficient, clean, and pragmatic in its design and layout. No gym but a full buffet breakfast for 7 euros.

Transportation

We walked a lot of Frankfurt so it’s super walkable. You can also take a taxi using MyTaxi app (iOS app/Android app). Then you can ride the train. Make sure you book your train tickets ahead of time (a day before).